FREE TEMPLATE

Social media posting schedule template

A social media posting schedule is the fixed weekly pattern behind your content calendar: which days you post, at what time, on which platform, and who prepares and approves each slot. This template includes the weekly schedule, a prep rota, and a log for testing posting times on your own account. It is filled in for an example barbershop. Free, no signup.

Free, no signup · Updated · Opens in Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers

Download

In Google Sheets: File, Import, Upload, then pick the CSV.

What's inside

  • A weekly schedule with day, time, platform, slot, format, who prepares and who approves.
  • A prep rota that fits the work around opening hours.
  • A time test log for trying different posting times and recording what you see in your own insights.
  • A filled example for Elm Row Barbers, a fictional two-chair barbershop.
  • Blank CSV copies of every sheet.

How to use it

  1. Decide how many posts a week you can keep up in a busy week, per platform.
  2. Give each slot a fixed job, such as 'Monday tip' or 'Friday weekend availability', so planning is quicker.
  3. Pick starting times from when your customers are likely to be on their phones, then test them.
  4. Name who prepares each slot and who approves it, even if both are you.
  5. Block time in the prep rota to batch the week's posts in one sitting.
  6. Change one slot time at a time in the test log, run it for a few weeks, and compare in your insights.
  7. Copy the weekly pattern into your content calendar each month and fill the slots with posts.

Preview: Weekly schedule

A filled example for a made-up small business, first 8 of 10 rows.

DayTimePlatformSlotFormatPrepared byApproved by
Monday7.30pmInstagramCut of the weekCarousel: three angles of one cutLeeOwner
Monday7.30pmFacebookCut of the weekSame photos as a single postLeeOwner
Tuesday12.00pmGoogle Business ProfileAvailability this weekUpdate with photo and booking linkOwnerOwner
Wednesday8.00amInstagramTipReel: a 20-second styling or beard tipLeeOwner
WednesdayThrough the dayInstagram storiesChair camTwo or three clips during the day, with client permissionWhoever is freeNot needed
Thursday6.00pmFacebookLocalShout-out to a neighbour business or local eventOwnerOwner
Friday9.00amInstagramWeekend slotsSingle image with open slots for SaturdayOwnerOwner
Friday9.00amInstagram storiesWeekend slotsBooking link stickerOwnerOwner

Preview: Prep rota

A filled example for a made-up small business.

TaskWhenTime set asideWho
Take photos of finished cuts (with client permission)During the weekA minute per photoBoth barbers
Choose the cut of the week and write captions for the weekSunday evening45 minutesLee
Film the Wednesday tipTuesday, last appointment slot if free20 minutesLee
Approve the week's postsMonday before opening10 minutesOwner
Schedule approved postsMonday before opening15 minutesOwner
Reply to comments and messagesLunch break and after closing10 minutes eachOwner
Check last week's insightsMonday before opening10 minutesOwner

Preview: Time test log

A filled example for a made-up small business.

WeeksPlatformSlotTime triedWhat we compareWhere we checkDecision
Weeks 1 to 3InstagramCut of the week7.30pm MondayReach and saves after seven daysInstagram insights for each postNote results, then try the next time
Weeks 4 to 6InstagramCut of the week12.30pm MondayReach and saves after seven daysInstagram insights for each postKeep whichever time did better
Weeks 1 to 3InstagramWeekend slots9.00am FridayBookings for Saturday made on FridayBooking system reportNote results, then try the next time
Weeks 4 to 6InstagramWeekend slots6.00pm ThursdayBookings for Saturday made on Thursday or FridayBooking system reportKeep whichever time did better
Weeks 1 to 6FacebookLocal6.00pm ThursdayComments and sharesFacebook Page insightsKeep unless it stops getting replies

Tips

  • Consistency matters more than the perfect time. A schedule you keep is worth more than one tuned to the minute.
  • Use general best-time guides as a starting point, then trust your own insights over averages.
  • Test one change at a time and give it a few weeks. One post is not enough to judge a time slot.
  • Leave at least one day a week with nothing scheduled, so the person posting gets a break.
  • Schedule posts ahead rather than relying on remembering. Several platforms have their own scheduler, and dedicated tools add more.
  • Zolyp's Post feature publishes approved posts at the times you set, and you can drag a post to a new slot in the Calendar.

Common questions

What is the difference between a posting schedule and a content calendar?

A posting schedule is the repeating weekly pattern: days, times, platforms and slot types. A content calendar is the dated list of actual posts that fill those slots.

How often should a small business post?

As often as you can keep up with good posts in a busy week. It is easier to add a slot later than to recover from weeks of silence after an over-ambitious start.

What time should I post?

Start with when your customers are likely to be free, and use a best-time guide for a first guess. Then test times on your own account and keep what your insights show works.

Is this template free?

Yes. All three sheets are free to download as CSV with no signup.

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