How and why to create an editorial calendar

Editorial calendars might not stir the emotions or elicit rapturous applause, but they are essential for securing coveted print, digital and broadcast coverage. The trick today is this: How do you plan in such a fractured media landscape?

Here are some quick tips to get you started:

Review your target publications’ editorial calendars.

If you want to work with your target publications, secure an interview with a reporter covering your niche or land a spot in that September issue, then look into news outlets’ editorial calendars.

Most reputable publications have a media kit, which should have an editorial calendar that outlines the closing date, issue theme and publication date for each issue. Use this as a guide as you craft your own content strategy.

Research important dates, holidays and happenings in your industry.

Does your restaurant celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Would you like to spotlight the leadership team at your woman-owned business?

Plan content around relevant dates that you can tie to social media content and public relations initiatives. Planning many months in advance prevents last-minute scrambling and helps you to piggyback larger events.