Most content calendars suck.

But yours doesn't have to.

In this issue

✍️ Un-f*ck your content planning.

🔧 Start with your priorities.

🥱 TL;DR

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by a content calendar. 🙋‍♀️

(Same, Reader. Hard same.)

But here's the thing: It's not the content calendar's fault. It's the way you're using it.

Most content planning strategies that involve a content calendar fail you because they box you in and stress you out.

Let's talk about why your content calendar might be sabotaging you...

⛔ No room for flexibility and inspiration. A documented plan leaves no room for those "OMG, I have to post this right now" moments.

⛔ The guilt spiral. You fall off schedule, look at all the content you didn't create, and immediately feel behind. *Cue the emotional support Cheetos*

⛔ Topics don't do much for you. Planning content topics is easy. Strategically identifying content that's tied to your goals and audience? That takes a little prep work.

⛔ Too far, too fast. Planning 6 months of content ahead of time might sound productive, but when it comes time to create it, it no longer feels relevant or inspired.

⛔ Unrealistic expectations. You plan way too much content and then get overwhelmed when it comes time to create it. So you just don't.

But what if your content plan didn't feel like a trap? What if it was more of a helpful roadmap to keep you on track when your life starts life-ing?

Let's dive into what that might look like...

✍️ GET SHIT DONE

Un-f*ck your content planning.

Ready to un-f*ck your content planning? Here are a few pointers for making your content planning more helpful for the mere mortal you are.

✅ Start with your goals & priorities.

You're a business owner, not a content creator. And even if you are a content creator, you don't have unlimited time to work on content.

The key to spending your time wisely? Making sure the content you create aligns with and serves your greater business goals and priorities. Identify those first before you start planning.

Start with your long list of priorities. Then narrow it down to three.

✅ Loosely plan topics and ideas.

Flying by the seat of your pants is fine if that's how you operate. However, keep in mind that inspiration and motivation come and go, but your bills keep coming.

Both pantsers and planners alike can benefit from having a loose plan for what to create when you're not feeling inspired or creative.

If an idea bank feels better to you than a calendar, then do that.

✅ Focus on one month or quarter at a time.

Don't plan further ahead than 3 months out. So much changes in our business and circumstances weekly that planning further ahead than 3 months feels futile.

If planning quarterly feels too overwhelming, go for monthly.

🔧 Try this AT HOME

Start with your priorities.

The first place to start with content planning?

Identifying your overall business priorities. Once we know these, we'll be able to start planning your content so it actually aligns with your goals and translates to cash.

This is the first thing we'll do during my content planning workshop—Content Planning for Mere Mortals (A workshop for the rest of us!)

Here's a little sneak peak of the first exercise we're going through...

Once we narrow down your top 3 business priorities for the quarter, we can then create content goals that align with these priorities (which translates to content that makes you money).

Want some support with your content planning for Q1 2025? Join me at my live workshop on December 18 at 2 PM CT.

I'll walk you through how to make a content plan that actually works with your life and aligns with your business goals—so your content makes you money!

Ask all your questions and get feedback on your plan so you feel ready to get shit done in the new year. (And if you can't join live, you'll still get the replay and resources as well as access to me through email.)

All for less than the cost of an Uber Eats delivery.

Come plan with me!

🥱 Tl;DR

TL;DR

Content planning isn't about rigid rules or giving yourself busy work—it's about creating a strategy that translates to dollars, not just likes (or kudos from your mom).

Think guidelines, not gospel.

When inspiration strikes, you've got the flexibility to roll with it. And when life is doing its thing (as it always does), you've got a roadmap to keep showing up, staying visible, and making sales—even if it feels like you're on autopilot.

Ready to un-f*ck your content planning? I'll show you a way to plan that's both effective and completely adjustable for how your brain works.

👉 Snag your workshop spot!

Let's make your content feel doable and impactful in Q1 2025. See you on December 18th!

Cheers!

SJB