![\"Free](\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/53\/40f08350-c04e-4bc2-b319-ebacc4f04050.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThat experience made it painfully clear: Without a real editorial calendar, even the best content strategy falls apart. <\/strong>These days, it\u2019s the first thing I build when I sign a new client.<\/p>\n In this post, I\u2019ll walk through what an editorial calendar is, share the tips I\u2019ve picked up for creating one that actually works, and include a few templates to help you get started.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n \n Whether you\u2019re managing a blog, podcast, email newsletter, or a dozen social accounts, an editorial calendar gives you visibility into your content pipeline. It helps you spot gaps, plan ahead, and keep your team aligned, especially when multiple people are creating or reviewing content.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all format. I\u2019ve used everything from simple spreadsheets to full-blown project management tools, depending on the size of the team and complexity of the strategy. What matters most is that it fits your workflow and makes it easier to stay consistent.<\/p>\n Before you choose a format or tool, take a step back and think about how you\u2019ll actually use your editorial calendar. Here are a few key questions I like to consider:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll revisit some of these questions later when we walk through how to build your calendar. But if you\u2019re already nodding along, you\u2019re off to a strong start.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n I\u2019ve never built a perfect editorial calendar on the first try. It always takes a little trial and error to find the right structure, cadence, and tools for the team.<\/p>\n But once it clicks, it takes your content from scattered and reactive to strategic and consistent. Here are a few of the biggest benefits I\u2019ve seen (both for myself and the teams I work with).<\/p>\n I used to write content week by week, and while it technically worked, it was exhausting. Once I started planning ahead with an editorial calendar, I could focus on quality instead of scrambling. It helped me batch ideas, build a real strategy, and stay consistent without burning out.<\/p>\n Some of my best content ideas have come from looking at a calendar and realizing, \u201cWe\u2019ve never tried XYZ.\u201d When you can zoom out and actually see your content plan, it\u2019s easier to identify patterns, avoid repetition, and carve out space to experiment \u2014 whether that\u2019s testing a new format or tying a campaign to a trend.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve worked on teams where no one knew who owned what and content just stalled. Now, I always include clear owners and deadlines in every calendar I create. It keeps things moving, reduces bottlenecks, and helps every contributor feel more in control of their piece of the puzzle.<\/p>\n Every team I\u2019ve worked with has had slightly different workflows. Editorial calendars have helped me translate those processes into something visual and actionable. I map out every step, from draft to review to publish, so nothing gets lost and everyone knows where things stand.<\/p>\n When your content plan is stuck in someone\u2019s head (or hidden in an inbox), collaboration becomes a guessing game. I\u2019ve found that even a basic shared calendar creates more transparency, which leads to better feedback, fewer missed handoffs, and smoother cross-functional work.<\/p>\n According to a recent study, 56% of marketers are worried about burnout<\/a> in their current role.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen firsthand how chaotic content planning can wear a team down. But when there\u2019s a clear calendar in place, things feel calmer. There\u2019s less stress, fewer fire drills, and more room for creativity \u2014 all of which adds up to a better experience for everyone involved.<\/p>\n Editorial calendars aren\u2019t just for scheduling \u2014 they\u2019re also a record of what\u2019s been done. I use mine to track content performance over time, spot what\u2019s working, and adjust accordingly. It\u2019s helped me make more informed decisions and show clients exactly how their content is driving results.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n If you\u2019re publishing content regularly, even if it\u2019s just a few posts a month, you need an editorial calendar. I\u2019ve seen solo creators, startups, and global teams all benefit from having one place to plan, align, and stay on track.<\/p>\n Here are a few groups I\u2019ve worked with who really<\/em> benefit from having editorial calendars.<\/p>\n PR professionals are constantly juggling media outreach, press releases, thought leadership, and campaign tie-ins. I\u2019ve worked with PR teams who use editorial calendars to align messaging across channels and make sure every opportunity gets the visibility it deserves without stepping on anyone\u2019s toes.<\/p>\n Editorial calendars have long been a staple in newsrooms, and for good reason. These teams juggle constant deadlines, multiple contributors, and a mix of evergreen and time-sensitive content.<\/p>\n As HubSpot blogger Erica Santiago puts it, \u201cI used to write for a newspaper in my early career as a journalist. I needed an editorial calendar to track when my work would get published or when I had to publish another contributor.\u201d<\/p>\n That kind of visibility is just as important today, especially for digital media teams managing fast-moving content pipelines.<\/p>\n In corporate settings, I\u2019ve seen comms teams use calendars to keep internal and external messaging organized. From executive updates to employee newsletters to crisis communications, an editorial calendar helps make sure the right content goes out at the right time, and gets approved by the right people first.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re managing a blog, podcast, YouTube channel, or all of the above, having an editorial calendar can take your workflow from messy to manageable. I always recommend creators build a simple system to plan ahead, stay consistent, and keep content aligned with their goals.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve worked as a social media manager, and I can tell you \u2026 without an editorial calendar, things unravel fast. Between platform deadlines, post approvals, and asset coordination, it\u2019s way too easy to lose track.<\/p>\n I used calendars to map everything out by date, platform, and campaign. It helped me stay ahead, keep messaging consistent, and make space for reactive posts without sacrificing the big picture.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n There\u2019s no one right way to build an editorial calendar. It really depends on your team, your tools, and your workflow. But over the years, I\u2019ve found a few consistent steps that make the process smoother, whether I\u2019m building a calendar from scratch or cleaning up a messy one.<\/p>\n Before you add a single date to a calendar, get clear on who<\/em> you’re creating content for and why<\/em>. When I onboard a new client, this is always my first step. I look at personas<\/a>, customer journey stages, and what types of content<\/a> have worked well in the past. From there, I build out core themes and topics to guide planning.<\/p>\n Free Download<\/a><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t take the time to understand your audience, your content plan won\u2019t have much direction. I\u2019ve seen teams waste time creating high-effort pieces that never land \u2014 not because the content was bad, but because it wasn\u2019t what their audience needed. Getting this part right helps you choose the right topics, timing, and tone from day one.<\/p>\n Your calendar should reflect your strategy, not just your to-do list. I always align the calendar with broader goals and metrics<\/a>, like improving organic traffic or increasing newsletter engagement. That way, every post has a purpose, and it\u2019s easier to measure what\u2019s working.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve used everything from Google Sheets to Asana to custom Notion boards. What matters most is picking a format your team will actually use. Before locking anything in, I always ask:<\/p>\n The goal is to reduce friction, not add another layer of complexity.<\/p>\n Before you choose a format, it\u2019s worth understanding your options and the tradeoffs that come with each one. Like I said before, I\u2019ve used everything from spreadsheets to full-scale editorial tools, and each setup has its strengths (and limitations).<\/p>\n Below, I\u2019ll walk through the most common types I\u2019ve worked with and break down the pros and cons of each.<\/p>\n Spreadsheets<\/a> are simple, flexible, and easy to share \u2014 especially for small teams or solo marketers. I\u2019ve built plenty of calendars in Google Sheets and Excel when clients didn\u2019t need anything fancy.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n A content calendar is a more visual version of a spreadsheet. It shows what\u2019s going live and when, with more context like channels, post types, or campaign tags.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Project management tools like Asana<\/a>, Trello<\/a>, ClickUp<\/a>, or Notion<\/a> are great for teams with more complex workflows. I\u2019ve used them to build calendars that also handle briefs, approvals, and publishing checklists all in one place.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Dedicated platforms like CoSchedule<\/a> or Monday.com<\/a> combine scheduling with built-in content planning features. I\u2019ve worked with clients who love these for the analytics and integrations, especially when managing multiple content streams.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Whichever format you choose, the most important thing is that it works for you<\/em>. Once you\u2019ve picked a setup that fits your team and workflow, it\u2019s time to organize your content by channel and make sure everything fits into the bigger picture.<\/p>\n Not every piece of content belongs on every platform, and your editorial calendar should reflect that. I always start by mapping out the primary channels I\u2019ll be working with: blog, email, social, YouTube, etc. From there, I assign specific content types or goals to each one.<\/p>\n For example, blog content might focus on long-form SEO, while Instagram is where you experiment with bite-sized tips or video. I like to use color-coding or tags to make channel assignments easy to scan, especially if you’re planning cross-channel campaigns.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re working with a team, this step is also a good chance to clarify ownership. Who\u2019s posting? Who\u2019s reviewing? And how do all the moving parts connect?<\/p>\n The more clearly your channels are defined, the easier it becomes to build a content plan that\u2019s focused, strategic, and actually manageable.<\/p>\n One thing I\u2019ve learned the hard way: If roles aren\u2019t clearly defined, content gets stuck. Even small teams run into issues when no one\u2019s quite sure who\u2019s drafting, who\u2019s editing, or who\u2019s responsible for pressing publish.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I always build ownership into the editorial calendar itself. I\u2019ll assign names to each task, outline review steps, and make sure everyone knows where their role starts and stops. Even something as simple as \u201cDraft > Review > Approve > Publish\u201d helps avoid last-minute confusion.<\/p>\n This also helps streamline collaboration, especially when multiple people are touching the same asset. Clear roles = fewer bottlenecks, better communication, and more content going out on time.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not saying you need to obsess over what everyone else is doing, but I do think it\u2019s smart to get a sense of the content landscape around you.<\/p>\n When I\u2019m building out a new calendar, I\u2019ll usually scan a few competitors\u2019 blogs and social feeds. How often are they posting? What formats do they lean into? Are there gaps you can fill or time slots they\u2019re ignoring? I\u2019m not looking to copy anyone, I\u2019m looking for patterns and opportunities.<\/p>\n This kind of quick audit can also reveal where you\u2019re over or under-investing. Maybe your competitors post daily on LinkedIn but barely touch YouTube. That might confirm your strategy or inspire a shift.<\/p>\n Either way, it\u2018s helpful context when you\u2019re building a calendar that\u2019s not just consistent, but competitive.<\/p>\n Consistency isn\u2019t just a nice-to-have, it\u2019s one of the most effective ways to build trust with your audience and drive long-term results. When content goes out on a regular cadence, it\u2019s easier to stay top of mind, build habits, and make your strategy more sustainable over time.<\/p>\n As Carsyn LeClere<\/a>, former marketing strategist at Blue Frog Marketing<\/a>, explained:<\/p>\n \u201cContent planning<\/a> helps provide a better view of all your marketing initiatives and how they play into each other. It\u2018s important because it ensures you don\u2019t duplicate content efforts, cannibalize a topic, miss any initiatives, or neglect any part of the buyer’s journey.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen this firsthand. Clients who post on a steady, predictable schedule tend to get better results and fewer headaches. Even simple patterns like \u201cnewsletter Tuesdays\u201d or \u201cblog Thursdays\u201d give your audience something to look forward to and help your team stay focused.<\/p>\n That said, consistency doesn\u2019t mean rigidity. Leave room in your calendar for seasonal campaigns, last-minute updates, or timely ideas. Just be sure the foundation is steady and that your topics align with what your audience actually cares about.<\/p>\n When in doubt, I\u2019ll do a light competitor scan or use AI tools to spark ideas<\/a>, then gut-check everything against the core content strategy. The goal isn\u2019t to post just to post, it\u2019s to publish valuable content regularly and intentionally.<\/p>\n No matter how thoughtful your plan is, it\u2019s not set in stone. I\u2019ve built calendars that looked perfect on paper and then had to completely shift direction a few weeks in based on results, bandwidth, or business goals.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I always treat editorial calendars as living documents.<\/strong> I schedule regular check-ins (monthly or quarterly, depending on the team) to audit<\/a> what\u2019s working, flag what\u2019s stalled, and adjust where needed.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re seeing low engagement or traffic, it might be time to revisit your content mix or timing. If you\u2019re constantly falling behind, the cadence might be too ambitious. A quick content audit (even a simple one) can reveal patterns and help you refocus before things really go off track.<\/p>\n Your calendar should work for<\/em> you, not box you in. Make space to review, learn, and pivot as you go.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n I promised you templates and I meant it. These are a few of my go-to options: tools I\u2019ve used myself or recommended to clients when they needed a better way to plan content.<\/p>\n Some are straightforward and low-lift, others come with more bells and whistles. But all of them can help you stay organized, spot gaps, and keep your content on track.<\/p>\n Free Download<\/a><\/p>\n Okay, I know this might sound biased given where you\u2019re reading this, but I genuinely like this template<\/a>. I\u2019ve used it myself and shared it with clients who needed something clean, easy to use, and totally free.<\/p>\n The template was built specifically for content marketers and writers, with fields for titles, meta descriptions, URLs, CTAs, and more. It\u2019s designed in Google Sheets and Excel, so there\u2019s no learning curve or software to figure out \u2014 and no budget needed.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re building your first editorial calendar or just want something lightweight, this is a solid place to start. It\u2019s purely a calendar, not a full-blown workflow, which makes it ideal for solopreneurs or teams who only need a high-level view of their publishing plan.<\/p>\n Bonus:<\/strong> A few rows are pre-filled so you\u2019re not staring at a blank sheet.<\/p>\n Free Download<\/a><\/p>\n Yes, it\u2019s another HubSpot template, but I wouldn\u2019t include it if I didn\u2019t actually think it was useful. I\u2019ve repurposed this one as an editorial calendar more than once, especially when I needed a simple way to organize content across multiple channels.<\/p>\n The monthly planning tab is color-coded (a huge win if you\u2019re juggling content types), and there\u2019s a content repository tab that makes it easy to repurpose old posts or see what\u2019s already been done.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re managing social content alongside blogs or email, this is a helpful way to bring everything together without getting overwhelmed by a more complex tool.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Trello was actually the first editorial calendar tool I used after spreadsheets, and it made the transition feel way less intimidating. The drag-and-drop Kanban setup was intuitive, and it didn\u2019t take long for me (or my team) to get the hang of it.<\/p>\n You can set up columns like \u201cIdeas,\u201d \u201cIn Progress,\u201d \u201cReady to Publish,\u201d and move content cards through each stage, which makes it really easy to see what\u2019s in motion at any given time.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a great fit for solo marketers or small teams that want something visual and low-lift. Just know that it can get a bit cluttered once your publishing volume picks up or your workflows get more complex.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n I still use Asana today, and one of my favorite features is how tasks can live in multiple boards at once. It\u2019s incredibly helpful when you’re working across teams or managing content that ties into bigger campaigns.<\/p>\n Asana is a strong option if you need more than just a calendar. It\u2019s built for full content workflows. You can switch between list, calendar, board, and timeline views, assign tasks, set deadlines, and even automate parts of your process.<\/p>\n It does take a little getting used to, especially if your team is new to project management tools. But once you\u2019re up and running, it\u2019s hard to go back to anything else. I\u2019ve used it with clients and internally, and it\u2019s held up across all kinds of content setups.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Airtable sits somewhere between a spreadsheet and a full-on database, which makes it incredibly powerful, but also a little overwhelming at first. I\u2019ve worked with teams who love it for its flexibility, especially when they\u2019re managing a high volume of content across different formats, channels, and owners.<\/p>\n You can customize views, add dropdowns or checkboxes, filter by campaign, and even link related assets across tables. If you need granular control and lots of structure, it\u2019s a great option.<\/p>\n That said, Airtable\u2019s power comes with a steeper learning curve. I usually only recommend it for larger teams or more advanced content operations \u2014 otherwise it can feel like too much overhead.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n I use Monday.com with certain clients today, and they love how visual and flexible it is. You can view content by status, campaign, assignee, or timeline \u2014 which makes it easy to keep track of what\u2019s going live and who\u2019s working on what.<\/p>\n The setup process is pretty smooth, too. Monday guides you through creating a template based on your goals, whether that\u2019s planning a blog, running social campaigns, or managing cross-functional content projects.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re handling a high volume of content or collaborating with multiple teams, Monday can be a powerful all-in-one solution. Just know it may be more than you need if you\u2019re working solo or prefer something lightweight.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019ve used Notion before and really like how different it feels compared to other tools. It\u2019s less like a traditional calendar and more like a living, breathing document \u2014 which can be a huge plus if your content strategy is evolving or you like to work more fluidly.<\/p>\n What makes Notion stand out is how customizable it is. You can build a workspace that includes a calendar view, idea tracker, briefs, content status, and even performance notes, all in one place. Plus, there\u2019s a huge template community, so you don\u2019t have to start from scratch.<\/p>\n It does take a bit of setup to get it just right, but once it\u2019s dialed in, it can be a really powerful (and oddly calming) way to manage your editorial workflow.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n This isn\u2019t just a template \u2014 it\u2019s an example of how a real marketing team runs its content. Hootsuite\u2019s own social media team uses this Google Sheet<\/a> to plan, organize, and schedule posts across multiple platforms. They even published an updated version with step-by-step guidance on how to use it<\/a>.<\/p>\n The setup is simple and spreadsheet-based, which makes it super easy to adapt to your own needs. It includes weekly and monthly views, plus space to build out evergreen content, all without relying on paid software or a steep learning curve.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re managing a lot of social accounts, this gives you a clear snapshot of what\u2019s happening and when.<\/p>\n\n
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![\"what](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-1-20250723-9297983.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nEditorial Calendar Benefits<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Improves content quality and consistency.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
More chances to innovate.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Supports accountability.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Streamlines processes.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Better teamwork.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Improves your team experience.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Offers clearer data insights.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Who should use an editorial calendar?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Public Relations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Newspapers\/Magazines and Other News Outlets<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Corporate Communications Teams<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Content Creators<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Social Media Managers and Coordinators<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to Create an Editorial Calendar<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"how](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-2-20250723-6578357.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n1. Define your target audience and content themes.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"HubSpot's](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-3-20250723-6901739.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n2. Outline content goals and KPIs.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Choose a format for your editorial calendar.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4 <\/strong>Types of Editorial Calendars<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Editorial Calendar Spreadsheet<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-4-20250723-2868138.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n\n
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Content Calendar<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"content](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-5-20250723-5910885.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n\n
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Project Management Tool<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-6-20250723-646816.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n\n
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Editorial Calendar Applications<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"sample](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-7-20250723-373391.webp\" "\\"\\"")
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4. Designate your main marketing channels.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Assign roles and responsibilities.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Study your competition\u2019s posting frequency.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Plan your posts consistently.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"pull](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-8-20250723-822348.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n8. Audit and adapt your editorial calendar as necessary.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Editorial Calendar Examples and Templates<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. <\/strong>HubSpot Editorial Calendar Template<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Platforms: Google Sheets, Excel<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-9-20250723-683158.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n2. <\/strong>HubSpot\u2019s Social Media Calendar Template<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Platforms: Google Sheets, Excel<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"HubSpot's](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-10-20250723-396277.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n3. <\/strong>Trello\u2019s Editorial Calendar Template<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-11-20250723-9214919.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n4. <\/strong>Asana\u2019s Editorial Calendar Template<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-12-20250723-6450686.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n5. <\/strong>AirTable Editorial Calendar Template<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-13-20250723-6473115.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n6. <\/strong>Monday.com Editorial Calendar Template<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-14-20250723-928137.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n7. <\/strong>Notion Editorial Calendar Template<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-15-20250723-4813049.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n8. <\/strong>Hootsuite’s Content Calendar<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Platform: Google Sheets<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"editorial](\"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/editorial-calendar-16-20250723-117963.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n