Not everyone is a fan of sticking to a structured plan like an Instagram content calendar, but trust me, the benefits are worth it. Because it helps cut down on screen time and stress.
Thankfully, with the variety of tools available today, creating an Instagram post calendar is easier than ever.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the steps using templates and tools, throw in an Instagram calendar example, and wrap it up with tips on filling your content with great post ideas. Let’s get started!
Let AiGrow be your all-in-one solution for Instagram content planning, creating, scheduling, and posting!
What is an Instagram content calendar and why is it important?
A content calendar for Instagram, much like other social media content calendars, offers a comprehensive snapshot of your upcoming posts on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or even yearly basis.
It breaks down details such as date, time, and post type, and includes specifics like hashtags, tags, captions, and the responsible task owner.
Having an IG content calendar is a game-changer, especially for business accounts. Here’s why it’s a total win:
- Enables you to post consistently, a crucial factor for growing your Instagram account.
- Keeps you organized and focused on your content strategy.
- Saves time and lets you leverage automatic posting features.
- Frees you from being always online and reduces screen time and stress.
- Makes post reviews easy, helping you catch typos and mistakes before they go live.
- Supports consistency with your brand goals and messaging.
- Allows you to track the results of your content strategy for continuous improvement.
How to create an Instagram content calendar?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all form for a content calendar, follow these steps to create an effective one:
#1. First, create a content strategy
Don’t blend Instagram content strategy with the content calendar. A content strategy is a must before diving into the content calendar.
A content strategy is an overarching plan that outlines your goals, target audience, brand voice, key messages, and the type of content you plan to create.
For example, if you’re a fitness brand, your content strategy could focus on promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Key messages include the importance of regular exercise, nutritious recipes, and motivational content to inspire your audience.
On the other side, a content calendar is a tactical tool that helps you organize and schedule specific posts based on your content strategy. It outlines when and what you’ll post on Instagram.
In this example, you plan a quick workout video on Monday. Wednesday features a post about a nutritious smoothie recipe. Friday showcases a motivational quote with a call to action for followers to share their fitness achievements.
Note: Set simple and measurable goals and metrics like increasing followers, engagement, reach, leads, or sales.
#2. Run an Instagram audit
Running an Instagram account audit is the first pitstop before diving into Insta content calendar. It’s like taking your social media pulse—checking what content works, verifying followers (Are they real), optimizing your profile, and sizing up the competition (What do they do to grow their accounts).
This intel lays the foundation for a content calendar that’s not just effective but finely tuned to your audience and goals.
#3. Identify your content pillars
If you’re an Instagrammer, you might have heard of content pillars. Content pillars or buckets are main themes or categories that represent your brand and are the foundation of your Instagram content plan. They also represent the most popular content with your audience.
Each pillar is like a brand ingredient—edu, fun, promo, interaction, inspiration, and more. Now, picking content types is the creative part. Choose from single pics, carousels, reels, stories, memes, quotes, and whatever suits each pillar’s vibe.
You can get inspired by our mix of story ideas!
#4. Pick the best date and time to post
You feel the vibe of posting at the best time, don’t you? So, hit those days and hours when your audience is buzzing. If you know your audience well, it’s a piece of cake.
Besides, you can peek into Instagram insights for the deets. Want the extra scoop? Platforms like AiGrow dish out some next-level analytics for your crowd.
Also, find the best time to post Reels on Instagram.
#5. Create your Instagram content calendar
Now, getting that calendar in order is a breeze. No more scribbling on paper—it’s the age of Instagram calendar templates, and guess what? They’re mostly free! Plus, tools are in the game to make your life easier. Let’s dive into this modern magic.
AiGrow’s Content Creation+calendar plan
Crafting an Instagram content calendar is a powerhouse move, especially when filled with effective content. Yet, let’s be real—it’s a time-consuming, expert-level gig.
That’s where an all-in-one plan comes in clutch. It covers everything—from creating the calendar and diverse post types to scheduling them at the optimal times and hitting that post button. Smart and strategic, right?
With AiGrow, we leave all the heavy lifting to our expert Instagram managers. You just kick back and watch your account flourish! Ready to join? Sign up Now!
Free Instagram content calendar templates (Google Sheets)
Lots of Instagram calendar templates are free and favored by many users. Here are some:
- Social media content calendar by Later
- Social Media Calendar by Spreadsheetpoint
- Social media content calendar by Smartsheet
- Content calendar template by Backlinko
- Social media calendar by Semrush
Platforms to download Instagram free content calendar templates
If you’re in the mood to check out platforms offering a variety of snazzy templates, you’ve got a bunch of options, such as:
Canva
You can discover a range of free and customizable Instagram content calendars on Canva and share the final edit.
Adobe Express
Similar to Canva, Adobe dishes out free templates for your content calendar. Just a heads up, it’s a bit more limited compared to Canva, but still worth a look.
Template.net
Template.net is in the same league as Canva and Adobe, offering both free and paid preset Instagram content plan templates.
Instagram content calendar apps and tools
Beyond Instagram calendar templates, you can dive into a sea of project management and social media tools. These gems are accessible anywhere, anytime, and can be shared with the whole team. Here are the key ones:
Notion IG content calendar
Notion hooks you up with a handy social calendar feature right on the dashboard post-account creation. You can easily plan your content, export it to PDF, or share it with the world.
Plus, you can get your team on board by creating a teamspace, adding members, and handling tasks—all with flexible free and paid plans.
Clickup content calendar
The standout feature of this project management tool? Clickup is a smooth operator on any device—from your trusty PC to your Android or iPhone.
Simple to use, and it plays nicely with a variety of templates. It kicks off for free, but hey, upgrade for a ticket to more features.
Trello Instagram content calendar
Trello keeps it real with a cool social media marketing board. Check out and organize your calendar, invite your team, and throw in your favorite apps.
Airtable content calendar for Instagram
Airtable is another cool platform to handle your Instagram content with a user-friendly interface. Easily track headlines, due dates, images, files, and more.
Note 2: You can also craft your own calendar on Google Calendar, Bard Ai, or explore other platforms like Monday.com, Toggl Plan, Coschedule, Evernote, and Podbean.
#6. Review your content calendar
In the last leg, make it a habit to review and monitor your monthly content performance. Good news—Instagram Insights lays out the engagement and reach stats for you.
Bring in your team to assess: Does the content align with our brand? Is it hitting the relevance target? Keep the feedback loop going strong.
Note 3: Always plan your content in advance. It gives you the freedom to sit back and watch the magic unfold. If you need guidance, we’ve got a post on how to schedule an Instagram post and the top Instagram schedulers. Check it out!
Content calendar ideas for instagram
Sure, it’s not just about creating a calendar; it’s about filling it with the most creative and engaging post ideas. The good news? Ideas are endless as long as you know where to look! let’s dive into a few more ideas!
- Tutorials and how-tos
- Polls and surveys
- Customer Spotlights
- Quote of the day
- Product Spotlight
- Themed Days, for example, Motivation Monday
- National Holidays
- Flashback Friday (Nostalgic content)
- Weekly Challenges
- Book or product recommendation
Check out what @the_socialserver has cooked up for a content calendar example for November!
Creating content for Instagram? Click here and read some creator-approved tips
Tips to improve your content calendar for Instagram
You’ve got the gist, but a quick reminder of some key points:
- You don’t need to make the calendar overcomplicated. Keep the layout clean and organized.
- Add visuals directly to your content calendar. Thumbnails, preview images, or graphics can provide a quick snapshot of what each post entails.
- Keep content descriptions concise and to the point. Use keywords and emojis for quick comprehension. Less is often more when it comes to calendar descriptions.
- If you’re working with a team, use collaborative tools to streamline the planning process. Foster open communication to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Explore different formats for your calendar. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, a visual grid, or a dedicated tool, find what works best for your planning style.
FAQs
Here are a few common questions regarding the topic:
Does Instagram have a content calendar?
No, Instagram doesn’t offer a built-in content calendar.
How Can I create a content calendar on Instagram?
You have the flexibility to schedule your Instagram posts up to 70 days in advance. Simply navigate to Advanced Settings while creating your post and activate “Schedule this post.”
How far in advance should I plan my Instagram content calendar?
The ideal planning horizon can vary, but planning content at least a few weeks to a month in advance is a good starting point.
