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Download
- Monthly calendar: filled example (CSV) · blank (CSV)
- Weekly check: filled example (CSV) · blank (CSV)
In Google Sheets: File, Import, Upload, then pick the CSV.
What's inside
- A month of posts across Instagram, Facebook and Google Business Profile for Northgate Physio, a fictional clinic.
- Columns for date, platform, pillar, format, caption idea, call to action and status.
- A weekly check sheet to compare planned and published posts and note what to change.
- Blank CSV copies with enough rows for a full month on two or three platforms.
How to use it
- Fill in fixed dates first: opening hours changes, events, launches and any awareness days you genuinely want to mark.
- Decide how many posts each platform gets per week, then add empty rows for those slots.
- Assign a pillar to each slot so no single topic takes over the month.
- Pick a format for each slot. Mix quick ones, such as a single photo, with ones that take longer.
- Write a one-line caption idea and a call to action. Full captions can come later.
- Use the status column (Idea, Drafted, Approved, Scheduled, Posted) and update it as you go.
- Every Friday, fill in the weekly check: what went out, what slipped and what to change next week.
Preview: Monthly calendar
A filled example for a made-up small business, first 8 of 19 rows.
| Date | Platform | Pillar | Format | Caption idea | Call to action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 Nov | Teach | Carousel | Desk set-up check in five slides: screen height, chair, feet, breaks. | Save this for your next work-from-home day | Posted | |
| Mon 2 Nov | Teach | Single image | Same desk set-up tips, written as a short list for Facebook. | Share with a colleague who sits all day | Posted | |
| Wed 4 Nov | Google Business | Offer | Update with photo | Evening appointments now on Wednesdays and Thursdays. | Book online | Posted |
| Thu 5 Nov | Behind the scenes | Reel | What actually happens in a first appointment, filmed with a team member as the patient. | Questions? Ask in the comments | Posted | |
| Sat 7 Nov | Community | Single image | Our physio at the local parkrun this morning (with permission from everyone in shot). | See you at the start line | Scheduled | |
| Mon 9 Nov | Teach | Reel | Three calf stretches for runners, 20 seconds each. | Try them after your next run | Scheduled | |
| Tue 10 Nov | Behind the scenes | Photo album | Meet the team: names, what each of us treats most. | Say hello next time you're in | Approved | |
| Wed 11 Nov | Google Business | Teach | Update with photo | When to see a physio and when to see your GP first. | Learn more on our website | Approved |
Preview: Weekly check
A filled example for a made-up small business.
| Week starting | Planned | Posted | Pillars covered | What slipped and why | Change for next week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 Nov | 5 | 5 | Teach, Offer, Behind the scenes, Community | Nothing slipped. | Keep the Monday tip on both Instagram and Facebook. |
| Mon 9 Nov | 4 | Fill in on Fri 13 Nov | Teach, Behind the scenes, Proof | Proof post still waiting on patient consent form. | Line up a second proof post in case consent is not back in time. |
| Mon 16 Nov | 4 | Fill in on Fri 20 Nov | Teach, Community, Offer, Behind the scenes | Fill in on Friday. | Fill in on Friday. |
| Mon 23 Nov | 5 | Fill in on Fri 27 Nov | Teach, Proof, Offer, Community | Fill in on Friday. | Fill in on Friday. |
| Mon 30 Nov | 1 | Fill in on Fri 4 Dec | Behind the scenes | Fill in on Friday. | Fill in on Friday. |
| Month total | 19 | Fill in at month end | All four pillars | Fill in at month end. | Carry lessons into December's plan. |
Tips
- Plan the month, but write captions one week ahead. Plans that are too detailed go stale before they are posted.
- Use the same pillar names here as in your strategy so you can see the balance at a glance.
- Adapt each post to the platform instead of pasting the same caption everywhere. The idea can be shared; the wording and size should fit.
- If you miss a slot, skip it rather than doubling up the next day.
- If you would rather not fill it in yourself, Zolyp can plan and write the month around your pillars, and you approve the week.
Common questions
What should a social media content calendar include?
At least the date, the platform, the topic or pillar, the format, a caption idea, the call to action and a status so you know what is ready. Some teams add a column for who owns each post or a link to the image.
How far ahead should I plan social media posts?
A month of topics and a week of finished captions is a good balance for a small business. It leaves room for news and seasonal changes without starting from a blank page each day.
Should I post the same thing on every platform?
You can share the same idea, but adjust the caption length, image size and call to action for each platform. Our character counter helps check lengths before you post.
Can I use this in Google Sheets or Excel?
Yes. Download the CSV and open it in Google Sheets, Excel or Numbers. The filled example and the blank copy are both free with no signup.
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- Content pillars planner
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- What is a content calendar?
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