Pro tips for managing your video marketing content calendar

Video Marketing

As a creative director (and the person who tries to keep our own content library growing), I’ve learned that keeping your video marketing calendar on track is a little like managing a forest. You’ve got towering oaks (your cornerstone content), a scattering of acorns (repurposed clips and smaller nurturing videos), and the need for a little creative pruning to keep everything flourishing. Let’s dive into how our clients keep their calendars thriving:

1. Set clear goals
Think of your goals as the sun your forest grows towards. Are you aiming to boost brand awareness, get engagement flowing, or rake in those conversions? Defining your goals makes it easier to nurture the right kinds of content.

2. Plan themes
Pick quarterly or monthly themes to give your calendar structure. It’s like planting similar species together – you create a harmonious ecosystem, everything benefits the content around it, and your audience knows what to expect.

3. Block time for creative wanderings
Great ideas don’t grow on trees, but they do need time to take root. Schedule regular brainstorming sessions to keep your ideas fresh and fun.

4. Plant strong oaks first
Your cornerstone content - the big meaty videos like advertisements, tutorials, or product launches - are the oaks of your strategy. These are the pieces that stand tall and anchor your calendar.

5. Scatter acorns everywhere
Don’t let your oaks do all the work! Chop those big videos into smaller, snackable bits – social media clips, teaser GIFs, or even memes. Acorns might be tiny, but they can grow your audience in unexpected places.

6. Batch your filming, save your sanity
When you’re in the groove (or working with a top notch video team), film multiple videos in one session. It’s like chopping wood for the winter - prep now, relax later.

7. Plan time for revisions
Trust me, no one wants to be rushing to “approve that video” at midnight. Build in buffer time for feedback and edits. Your future self will thank you. And if you’re working with us, so will I.

8. Cross post like a squirrel stashing acorns
One video, many platforms. Tailor your content for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn… wherever your audience hangs out. Adjust the formats as needed, but keep your messaging consistent. Not only will this be super effective, but it will get you the most bang for your buck.

9. Schedule and automate
Double-check how your scheduling tool works – some of the big ones don’t allow you to choose thumbnails or optimize for each platform, so you might need to schedule your video content natively in each app. It’s worth doing!

10. Check your analytics – be the forest ranger
Data doesn’t lie. See what’s thriving and what needs replanting. Are your oaks getting the attention they deserve? Are the acorns planted where they’ll grow best? Adjust your strategy accordingly.

11. Review quarterly, and prune the deadwood
Step back and look at the whole forest. What’s working? What isn’t? Trim your future calendar of the stuff that’s not growing and make room for fresh ideas.

12. Stay ready for lightning strikes
Trends pop up fast, so leave some wiggle room in your schedule for those “let’s jump on this now” moments. Being agile keeps you relevant… and maybe even viral.

13. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Keep a calendar system that works for you
“Winging it” is not a sustainable forest management technique. Do whatever helps you stay organized. Grab a free download of the video content calendar that works best for us.

Need some help planning a forest’s worth of content? We can help with cost-effective video subscription services, so your content calendar will be full of acorns ready to plant.

There you have it! Managing your video marketing content calendar doesn’t have to be overwhelming – it’s all about planting those big oaks, scattering your acorns, and keeping things fresh and flexible. You’ll have a thriving calendar (and a thriving audience) in no time. And hey, if you need a little help, just call me your friendly forest ranger – I’m here for it.