LinkedIn Content Calendar: 30-Day Planning Template
Learn how to create an effective 30-day LinkedIn content calendar to boost engagement and establish thought leadership.
Want to boost your LinkedIn game? Here's a quick guide to creating a 30-day content calendar:
- Set clear, measurable goals (e.g., "increase engagement by 25% in 30 days")
- Mix up content types: expert posts, market updates, personal stories, how-tos, company news, and questions
- Post 2-3 times a week, focusing on Tuesday-Thursday between 10 am and noon
- Use visuals - they can double engagement
- Keep posts short (100-200 words) and include 2-5 relevant hashtags
- Track performance: engagement rate, impressions, and clicks
- Adjust your strategy based on what works
Key tips:
- Be consistent with your posting schedule
- Use LinkedIn Analytics to find your best posting times
- Experiment with different content types and formats
- Stay flexible - be ready to jump on trending topics
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Building Your Calendar
Want to create a LinkedIn content calendar that actually works? Let's break it down.
Goals and Targets
First things first: what do you want to achieve? More connections? Lead generation? Thought leadership?
Your goals shape your content. If you're after engagement, focus on interactive posts. Why? LinkedIn's algorithm loves content that gets people talking.
Don't just say "I want more followers." Be specific. How about: "Boost LinkedIn followers by 20% in 30 days." That's a goal you can measure and achieve.
Main Topics
Now, what are you going to talk about? Pick topics that fit your brand and resonate with your audience.
Think about content pillars - big themes you can dive into. If you're a marketing agency, you might cover:
- Social media strategies
- Content marketing tips
- Industry trends
Stick to these topics and you'll become the go-to expert in your field.
"Who you are targeting makes a dramatic impact on when you post." - Mark Osborne, Founder of Modern Revenue Strategies
Mark's right. And it's not just about timing - it's about content too. Keep an eye on what's hot in your industry and work it into your calendar.
When to Post
Timing matters on LinkedIn. Here's what the data says:
- Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Best times: 10 am to noon
But don't take this as gospel. The Sprout Social Data Science Team found:
"By midday, there's buzz on the platform, and the best times to post on LinkedIn are Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and noon and Thursdays at 10 a.m."
Want to find your perfect posting time? Here's how:
- Start with the industry data
- Check when your followers are most active (LinkedIn Analytics is your friend here)
- Try posting at different times and see what happens
- Adjust based on what works
Once you find your rhythm, stick to it. Your audience will start to expect your content at certain times.
Types of Posts
Want to keep your LinkedIn feed buzzing? Mix it up with these six post types:
Expert Posts
Show off what you know. If you're a digital marketing whiz, spill the beans on those sneaky algorithm changes or what's hot in social media ads.
Market Updates
Keep your finger on the pulse. Share the latest industry news. It's like saying, "Hey, I'm in the know." A finance pro might post about new rules shaking up investment strategies.
Your Stories
Get personal. Share your professional ups and downs. People eat that stuff up. As Sarah Anderson, a social media guru, puts it:
"Spilling the tea on your career journey, the bumps in the road, your wins, and what you've learned? That's gold for your LinkedIn brand."
How-to Posts
Give 'em something they can use. Right now. An HR pro could drop "5 Ways to Make Remote Onboarding Less Awkward" or a coder might share "Quick Tricks to Make Your Code Less... Well, Ugly."
Business News
What's cooking in your company? New product? Big partnership? Milestone? Share it. When Notion AI hit Product Hunt in March 2023, they scored 11,000 upvotes in a day. Result? Daily sign-ups shot up from 5,000 to 20,000 for a week. That's the kind of news worth shouting about.
Question Posts
Get people talking. Ask something juicy. Industry stuff, opinion polls, advice requests - it's all fair game. A project manager might ask, "When everything's on fire, how do you decide what to put out first?"
Mix these up, and you'll have a LinkedIn feed that's anything but boring.
Create Engaging LinkedIn Content
Use ContentIn's AI Ghostwriter to write posts that resonate with your audience and build your personal brand effortlessly.
Parts of Your Template
Creating a LinkedIn content calendar isn't just about listing ideas. It's about crafting a plan that keeps your content fresh and on-brand. Here's what you need in your LinkedIn content template:
Post Groups
Mix up your content to keep your audience hooked. Group your posts into categories like:
- Industry insights
- Company updates
- How-to guides
- Thought leadership
- Employee spotlights
This mix ensures you're hitting different interests and goals.
Text Length
On LinkedIn, less can be more. While you can write up to 3,000 characters, aim for 100-200 words. It's enough to show you know your stuff without losing your readers.
Guy Kawasaki, Canva's Chief Evangelist, says:
"Adding a graphic to every post can double engagement."
So, keep it short and sweet, and don't forget the visuals.
Images and Videos
Pictures aren't just pretty - they're powerful. Here's how to use them:
- Pick high-quality images that fit your message
- Try infographics for data
- Use short videos (30-90 seconds) to boost engagement
- Size your images right (1200 x 627 pixels)
Using Hashtags
Hashtags can help more people find your posts. But use them smart:
- Use 2-5 targeted hashtags per post
- Find hashtags that fit your industry
- Follow hashtag pages to stay in the loop
- Put hashtags at the end of your post
SocialBee points out:
"Using hashtags on LinkedIn is an important part of your social media strategy, as it can help expand your reach organically and build a community around your brand."
Planning Posts
Stay consistent on LinkedIn. Use tools like ContentIn or Google Sheets to plan ahead. This way, you're not scrambling for ideas every day.
When planning:
- Post at least twice a week
- Schedule for peak times (Tuesday to Thursday, 10 am to noon)
- Line up your content with industry events or company news
Measuring Results
You've crafted your LinkedIn content calendar. Now, let's see if it's working.
Numbers to Track
Keep an eye on these key metrics:
- Engagement rate: How many people interact with your posts compared to views? High engagement means your content hits home.
- Impressions: Your post's reach. More eyeballs, more potential impact.
- Clicks: People clicking through to your site or profile? That's real interest.
Fun fact: Socialinsider says the average LinkedIn impression rate is 9.50%. How do you compare?
Response Trends
Different post types get different reactions:
- Videos: In 2024, they're share magnets on LinkedIn. No videos? You're missing out.
- Polls: Surprise! They're impression champions in 2024. People love voicing their opinions.
Watch these trends. They'll help you fine-tune your content mix.
Best Posts
Find your top performers. What makes them special? The topic? Format? Posting time?
Take Notion AI's Product Hunt launch. They got 11,000 upvotes in 24 hours. Daily sign-ups shot up from 5,000 to 20,000 for a week.
Notion's CPO, Akshay Kothari, said:
"The Product Hunt launch exceeded our wildest expectations and kickstarted our growth in ways we hadn't anticipated."
Your numbers might not be that crazy, but your best posts can teach you a lot about what your audience loves.
Making Changes
Use your results to level up your strategy:
1. Tweak your content mix
If videos outshine text posts, make more videos.
2. Post at the right time
Use LinkedIn Analytics to find when your audience is most active. Schedule accordingly.
3. Pick winning topics
Double down on high-engagement themes. Drop the duds.
4. Try new things
How about a series of how-to posts? Or a weekly industry news roundup? Experiment and see what sticks.
Conclusion
You've got the blueprint for a killer LinkedIn content calendar. Now it's time to put it into action.
Here's how to make your 30-day template work:
- Set clear goals: Don't just aim to "increase engagement." Go for something like "boost comment rates by 25% in 30 days." This will guide your content and help you measure success.
- Mix it up: LinkedIn loves variety. Blend expert posts, market updates, and personal stories. As social media guru Sarah Anderson says:
"Spilling the tea on your career journey, the bumps in the road, your wins, and what you've learned? That's gold for your LinkedIn brand."
- Be consistent: Post at least twice a week. LinkedIn's algorithm likes regular posters. Aim for Tuesday to Thursday, 10 am to noon.
- Use visuals smartly: Guy Kawasaki nails it:
"Adding a graphic to every post can double engagement."
But don't just use any image. Make sure it's high-quality and fits your message.
- Keep tabs on performance: Use LinkedIn Analytics to track engagement rates, impressions, and clicks. If something's not working, change it up.
- Stay nimble: Your calendar isn't set in stone. Be ready to jump on hot topics or industry news. Look at Notion AI's Product Hunt launch. Their viral post boosted daily sign-ups from 5,000 to 20,000 for a week.
- Test and learn: Try different post types, lengths, and formats. Maybe your audience loves how-tos or short videos. The only way to know? Test and analyze.
Remember, your LinkedIn content calendar should evolve as you learn what clicks with your audience. As OneCom Media & Marketing puts it:
"In the end, a compelling content calendar is more than just a scheduling tool – it is the compass that guides your content marketing ship towards success."
You're all set. Start planning, start posting, and watch your LinkedIn presence grow. Your audience is waiting – go make some waves!
FAQs
How to create a LinkedIn posting plan?
Want to nail your LinkedIn strategy? Here's how to whip up a posting plan that works:
1. Know your goals and audience
Figure out what you want to achieve. More leads? Thought leadership? Brand awareness? And who are you talking to?
2. Set your schedule
Aim for 2-3 posts a week. The sweet spot? Weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST. That's when LinkedIn's buzzing.
3. Mix up your content
Don't just stick to one type. Throw in some industry insights, company updates, and how-to guides.
4. Keep an eye on the numbers
Track engagement, impressions, and clicks. Use these to fine-tune your approach.
Remember, consistency is key. As social media expert Sarah Anderson puts it:
"Spilling the tea on your career journey, the bumps in the road, your wins, and what you've learned? That's gold for your LinkedIn brand."
What are the peak hours for LinkedIn?
LinkedIn's prime time? Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. But your audience might march to a different beat.
Here's how to find your sweet spot:
- Start with the general peak hours
- Check LinkedIn Analytics to see when your followers are most active
- Try posting at different times and see what sticks
- Tweak your schedule based on what works
What topics should I post on LinkedIn?
Keep your LinkedIn feed fresh with these ideas:
- Industry news: What's the latest buzz? Share your take.
- Company updates: Brag a little. New product? Team win? Let people know.
- How-to guides: Show off your know-how.
- Case studies: Real-world examples of your work in action.
- Thought leadership: Got a unique take on an industry issue? Share it.
- Behind-the-scenes: Give folks a peek behind the curtain.
- Inspirational quotes: Drop some wisdom from industry leaders or your own experiences.
Tailor your content to what your audience cares about. As Margarita from Linked Helper says:
"LinkedIn emphasizes not only networking and job searching but also skill enhancement within the platform."
Mix it up, keep it relevant, and watch your engagement soar.
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