Content Calendar for Social Media, Video or Blogs – with AI

Creating a content calendar can be time-consuming, but with the power of AI, you can automate the process and streamline your content planning. Using Google Sheets with the GPT for Sheets and Docs extension, you can set up a content calendar that practically writes itself. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to build and use this powerful tool for planning content across social media, video, or blogs.

How the AI-Powered Content Calendar Works

I’ve designed a content calendar in Google Sheets that uses AI to generate ideas, outlines, hooks, hashtags, and platform recommendations automatically.

Access the content calendar template here

(you’ll need to go File > Make a copy to create your own editable copy)

Let’s walk through how to set it up and make the most of it.

Key Components of the Content Calendar

1. Google Sheets Template:
   • The content calendar is set up in a Google Sheet with 13 tabs along the bottom: an index sheet and one sheet for each month of the year.
2. GPT for Sheets and Docs Extension:
   • This extension is essential for integrating AI directly into your Google Sheets. Once installed, you can call up AI functions using simple formulas.

Setting Up the AI Formulas

With the GPT for Sheets and Docs extension installed, you can trigger AI prompts using a straightforward formula:
=GPT("your prompt", cell reference)

Here’s how it works:

• Type =GPT("write an outline for a social media video", A2) into a cell. This formula tells the AI to generate an outline based on the content idea in cell A2.
• You can extend this functionality by adding references to other cells for more context, such as your brand’s tone of voice.

Example Walkthrough: Planning Content for November

Let’s look at an example from the November tab:

• You can start by writing a brief idea in the designated column, such as “National Sandwich Day”.
• The AI formula in the next cell will take that idea and generate an outline for a social media post.
• Drag the formula down to extend it across multiple rows, allowing the AI to create outlines for every idea in the column.

From there, additional formulas can build on the initial outline:

• Hooks: The AI can create attention-grabbing opening lines.
• Hashtags: It suggests relevant hashtags to maximise reach.
• Platform Recommendations: The tool can even choose the best platform for each piece of content.

Customising Your AI-Powered Calendar

The true power of this setup is its flexibility. Here are some ways to customise your content calendar:

• Incorporate Brand Tone of Voice:
  • Create a cell in the sheet containing your brand’s tone of voice guidelines.
  • Reference this cell in your AI prompts.
  • This ensures consistency in style and voice across all content generated.
• Advanced Prompting:
  • You can build more sophisticated prompts by referencing multiple cells, adding variables like dates, audience focus, or campaign themes.

Streamlining Monthly Planning Sessions

The process is designed to make monthly planning efficient:

• Start by jotting down quick, half-formed ideas in the designated column.
• Use the AI formula to expand these ideas into structured outlines, hooks, and more with minimal effort.
• Review and tweak the AI-generated content as needed to finalise your calendar.

Scaling Up Your Content Creation

Once your basic ideas are in place:

• Drag down the AI formulas to apply them across the entire sheet.
• Watch as the AI fills in outlines, hooks, hashtags, and platform recommendations for an entire month’s worth of content in minutes.

Going Beyond the Basics

While this guide covers the essentials, the possibilities are extensive:

• Cross-Referencing Cells: Enhance your prompts by pulling in data from various cells to create nuanced content strategies.
• Campaign-Specific Adjustments: Adjust the AI prompts for specific campaigns, events, or seasonal trends.

Using GPT for Sheets and Docs with a Google Sheets content calendar is an efficient way to automate content planning. By leveraging AI, you save time and maintain a consistent brand voice while scaling up your content creation efforts. Whether you’re planning social media posts, video outlines, or blog content, this method helps turn simple ideas into detailed, ready-to-publish content.

Credit to BrandBastion for the base version of this calendar 😊