The place to start for your monthly content plan.  Ideas, inspiration and much more!

Sure the caboodle is a great starting point but even I know that sometimes it just falls short.    The reason for that is pretty simple, to make it generic enough for everyone to get inspiration from it can't possibly be reflective of your brand or directed at your dream client.

That's why free or cheap content calendars you find online don't fill that need for quality content.

Ok, right now you might be asking yourself "Why did I just download the dang caboodle then?"  

Yeah sorry about that, I really am trying to help.  So here are some tips to help you take the inspiration in the caboodle, or other generic calendars you have, and use it to your advantage.

When you know who you are trying to connect with, you can write post captions that speak directly to them.  You will also find the more you understand him or her, the easier it will be to choose what type of content to share. 

These are the topics that you share that represent your brand and show its personality.  You use brand touchstones to show your brand story and build the Know-Like -Trust factor with potential clients.  Choose 5-9 touchstones; there is no right or wrong way to do this, so here are some categories that create connection, likeability, and trust that you can consider when brainstorming.

What does your brand believe in?  Think about your core values.  These could also be religious or political beliefs if you have chosen to share that as a part of your brand.

How do you want people to describe your brand, funny, adventurous, innovative?

Show the human side of your brand.  What foods do you love, do you have a pet, is your family important to you, want to share your hobbies?

What goals or missions do you have?

Once you have them, you have narrowed down the talking points when you so a suggestion like" ask a question." You may have a better idea of what kind of question to ask.

This is a great way to get your dream client's attention and help them see the value that you offer.  So what troubles your dream client?   

What keeps them up at night?

How can you help?  Maybe it is your product or service that does that, or maybe you have a skill that you can use to help them with a pain point they have that will draw them into your world.

To do that, you need to talk about it.  Sort of like an infomercial might. Dramatize it and grab their attention, really make them feel it, and then offer a solution.

It doesn't have to be as dramatic as it sounds, though. 

Take a generic post idea and make it personal by using the power of stories.  We humans have been telling stories for as long as there has been civilization.  Maybe before that. 

Take a post suggestion like National "Get caught reading" month and share a story that will draw your audience in.  You could share about the first book you ever read and loved. 

I remember the very first book that I read and could not put down.  It was A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle.  I read it while I ate breakfast, in class, and even stuck a flashlight to bed with me so I could read after bedtime.  It was third grade, and maybe it had something to do with the Pizza Hut Book It program, but man, I could not put that book down. Back then, it took a free personal pan to motivate me to read; now, it is how I treat myself. I buy books when I still have three I haven't read, and I dream about enjoying it with a cup of coffee in front of the fireplace. 

Do you remember the first book you read and just could not put down?  

Do you see what I did there?  I told you a true story that shares a little bit about me.  Then I invited you to tell me a little about yourself.  Kinda makes you want to, doesn't it?  

 Well, don't be surprised if you see that story again on my social media feed next month.  If you see it, I would love to know if you are familiar with the Book It program.  I feel old mentioning it because I know it is not around anymore, but kind of proud that I remember what it was called.  You know, I think the Book It program is where my competitiveness started. Our teachers were very good at letting the whole class know how close we all were to get that free pizza.