Podcast Content Calendar: How to Create One

A podcast content calendar is your show's roadmap. Here's what you need to know:

It helps plan, organize, and schedule episodes
Includes episode titles, release dates, guest info, and promotion plans
Keeps you consistent and reduces stress

Key steps to create your podcast content calendar:

Choose your publishing frequency
Brainstorm episode ideas
Set release dates
Plan for guests
Outline production tasks
Sync with marketing efforts

Tool	Best For	Key Feature
Google Calendar	Simplicity	Easy sharing
Trello	Visual planners	Board layout
Asana	Teams	Task management
Spreadsheets	Budget-conscious	Customization

Remember:

Record 4+ episodes before launch
Keep a month of content ready
Review and adjust regularly

A well-managed content calendar helps you deliver value consistently, grow your audience, and avoid last-minute scrambles.

Why use a content calendar?

A content calendar isn't just a fancy tool. It's the backbone of a successful podcast. Here's why you need one:

Perks of content calendars

Content calendars can transform your podcasting process:

Save time by planning ahead
Keep your ideas organized
Develop a solid content strategy
Improve team collaboration

Keeping podcasts regular

Consistency is key in podcasting. A content calendar helps you:

Meet audience expectations
Avoid podfading (quitting after a few episodes)
Create a buffer of ready-to-go content

"A content planner makes you think about where you'll be in one, two, three weeks from now. It helps you take the helicopter view and consider what you can achieve with your podcast in the long run."

This quote nails it. A content calendar gives you that big-picture view, keeping you focused on your podcasting goals.

Remember: A content calendar isn't just about organizing. It's about setting yourself up for long-term success.

What goes in a podcast content calendar?

A podcast content calendar isn't just a schedule. It's your show's backbone. Here's what to include:

Episode names and topics

List your episode ideas. This helps you track your content pipeline and mix up your themes.

For a business podcast, you might plan:

"5 Ways to Boost Small Business Sales"
"Interview with [CEO Name]"
"Breaking Down Market Trends"

Release schedule

Pick a consistent release day and time. Weekly? Bi-weekly? Monthly? Choose what works for your audience. Many business podcasts drop new episodes on Tuesday mornings.

Guest details

For interviews, track:

Guest Name	Contact	Interview Date	Topic
Jane Doe	jane@email.com	5/15/2023	Marketing strategies
John Smith	john@email.com	5/22/2023	Startup funding

Production timeline

Set clear deadlines:

Research: 2 weeks before release
Recording: 1 week before release
Editing: 3 days before release
Final checks: 1 day before release

This keeps you on track and avoids last-minute scrambles.

Promotion plan

Plan how you'll promote each episode. This could include:

Social media posts
Email blasts
Cross-promotion with other podcasts

For each episode, you might schedule:

A teaser tweet the day before
An announcement tweet on release day
A follow-up tweet with a key quote the day after

Your content calendar keeps everything organized. It's your roadmap to consistent, quality content.

Picking the right tools

Let's talk about tools that can make your podcast planning a breeze.

Online calendars

Google Calendar and Outlook are solid choices. They're easy to use and great for team collaboration. You can set up recurring events for your weekly episodes and share the calendar with your crew.

Project planning software

Want something more robust? Check these out:

Tool	What it's good for	Who it's for
Trello	Visual organization	People who like boards and cards
Notion	Detailed planning	Those who want an all-in-one workspace
Asana	Team collaboration	Folks who need different task views

Trello's free plan is perfect for solo podcasters on a budget. Notion lets you organize every little detail of your podcast. Asana is great for both solo acts and teams.

Spreadsheets

Google Sheets is a solid choice if you're flying solo and watching your wallet. It's cloud-based, so you can collaborate easily and whip up a marketing calendar in no time.

Podcast-specific tools

Some tools are made just for podcasters. Take the Coefficient Podcast Content Calendar, for example. It works with Google Calendar and includes:

Fields for episode titles and guest info
Automatic reminders for deadlines
Integration with other productivity tools

Here's how to use it:

Download the template
Fill it out with your ideas and schedules
Set up reminders
Keep it updated based on how your show's doing

Pick the tool that fits your style and budget. The right one will make your podcast planning a whole lot easier.

How to make your podcast content calendar

Here's a simple way to create a podcast content calendar:

Decide how often to podcast

Pick a schedule you can stick to. Weekly? Bi-monthly? Monthly? Choose what works for you and your listeners.

"Record at least 4 episodes before launching, and always have a month's worth of episodes ready. It's the best way to avoid podfade." - Add Saucedo, Podcast Planner Creator

Come up with episode ideas

Brainstorm topics that fit your podcast's theme. Use keyword research and industry trends. Keep a list of ideas handy.

Plan themes and series

Group related episodes into themes or series. It gives your podcast structure and sets listener expectations.

Set dates for episodes

Match your ideas to release dates. It keeps you on track and helps with planning.

Month	Theme	Episode Ideas	Release Dates
January	New Year, New You	1. Goal Setting 2. Habit Formation 3. Productivity Hacks	Jan 7, 14, 21
February	Love and Relationships	1. Communication Skills 2. Dating Tips 3. Self-Love	Feb 4, 11, 18

Plan for guests

Scheduling guests? Do it early. Note their contact info and any prep work needed.

Want to make it easier? Use tools like Asana or Trello. They help you assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress.

Tips for managing your calendar well

Record multiple episodes at once

Want to save time? Try batch recording. Some podcasters knock out up to five episodes in a day. Here's how:

Group 3-5 related topics
Block off uninterrupted time
Double-check your gear
Take quick breaks between episodes

"Batching your content ahead of time will help you keep your word." - Stephanie Judice, Author

Have backup episodes ready

Keep a month's worth of episodes in your back pocket. Why? It helps you:

Stick to your schedule
Avoid content gaps
Stay calm when life gets crazy

This buffer can prevent "podfade" - that slow drop in podcast output.

Mix timeless and current content

Balance evergreen topics with timely ones. It keeps things fresh for your listeners.

Content	Pros	Examples
Evergreen	Always relevant	How-tos, basic concepts
Timely	On-trend	News breakdowns, hot topics

"The thing about evergreen content that I have seen is that it in itself is an investment, and it is worth investing in the highest possible quality you can make." - Dan Misener, Head of Strategy and Audience Development at Pacific Content

Use listener feedback

Let your audience guide your content. It boosts engagement and keeps your podcast on point.

How to tap into feedback:

Ask for comments in each episode
Run social media polls
Respond to reviews
Track your most popular episodes

Linking calendar to production work

Let's connect your content calendar to your podcast production. Here's how:

Before recording tasks

Get ready with this pre-recording checklist:

Research topic
Write outline or script
Confirm guest (if needed)
Test equipment
Prepare questions or talking points

When to record

Align your recording schedule with your content calendar:

Frequency	Recording Schedule
Weekly	Every Monday morning
Bi-weekly	First and third Saturdays
Monthly	Last Friday of each month

Stick to it. Consistency is key.

After recording tasks

Here's your post-recording workflow:

1. Back up raw audio

2. Edit episode

3. Mix and master audio

4. Write show notes and create artwork

5. Upload to hosting platform

6. Schedule social media posts

Checking episode quality

Don't skip quality control:

Listen to the final edit
Get a second opinion if possible
Check audio levels and clarity
Double-check show notes

Matching calendar with marketing

Sync your marketing plans with your podcast content calendar. Here's how:

Time your social posts with episode drops:

Episode Release	Social Media Schedule
Monday 6 AM	Sunday 8 PM: Teaser
	Monday 7 AM: Episode link
	Monday 2 PM: Quote graphic
	Tuesday 10 AM: Behind-the-scenes

This keeps your audience hooked all week.

Schedule email updates

Use emails to keep subscribers in the loop:

Weekly newsletter on Fridays with episode teasers
Episode emails 1 hour after each release
Monthly recap highlighting top episodes and listener feedback

Work with other podcasts

Team up with other shows:

Be a guest on other podcasts
Do cross-promotion episodes
Host joint live events

For example, "Crime Junkie" often teams up with "Dateline NBC" for special crossover episodes. It's a win-win for both shows' audiences.

Keeping your calendar flexible

A flexible podcast calendar helps you stay current and adapt. Here's how to keep your schedule nimble:

Respond to current events

Add timely topics when big news breaks. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, many podcasts pivoted to cover it. The New York Times' "The Daily" podcast focused entirely on coronavirus for months, seeing a 60% jump in downloads.

To stay responsive:

Set aside monthly "flex slots" for current events
Follow industry news to spot trends
Have a process for quick research and production

Handle sudden changes

Guest cancellations or tech issues can derail your schedule. Be ready:

Keep "evergreen" episodes as backups
Cross-train team members
Have a plan to notify listeners about changes

When "This American Life" delayed an episode for fact-checking in 2021, they swapped in a rerun and explained on social media.

Adjust for different seasons

Match your content with holidays and seasonal events:

Season	Content Ideas
Summer	Travel, outdoor activities
Fall	Back-to-school, Halloween
Winter	Gift guides, year-in-review
Spring	Gardening, spring cleaning

"My Favorite Murder" does an annual "Hometown Halloween" series with listener-submitted ghost stories. This seasonal content drives higher engagement and downloads.

Check and improve your calendar

To keep your podcast calendar effective, review and refine it regularly:

Track performance

Use these metrics to gauge your calendar's effectiveness:

Episode downloads 7 days post-release
Listener retention rates
Engagement (comments, shares)

"How I Built This" podcast maintains a bi-weekly schedule, building a loyal audience with consistent release dates.

Adapt based on listener data

Use audience insights to enhance your podcast:

Analyze comments and feedback
Identify top-performing episodes
Pinpoint listener drop-off points

Firstory Studio boosted feedback by creating a multi-platform comment link, resulting in 67.5% of early users leaving comments.

Optimize planning

Continuously improve your podcast planning:

Set growth targets (downloads, comments)
Review goals regularly
Self-audit episodes for improvement areas

Metric	Frequency	Importance
Downloads	Weekly	Audience growth indicator
Listener feedback	Per episode	Content effectiveness gauge
Release schedule	Monthly	Consistency check
Episode topics	Quarterly	Content freshness assessment

Conclusion

A podcast content calendar isn't just a nice-to-have - it's a must-have for serious podcasters. Here's why:

It helps you plan episodes, stick to a schedule, manage tasks, and promote your show. Simple as that.

Key takeaways:

Get ahead: Record 4+ episodes before launch. Keep a month's worth ready.
Be a clock: Publish regularly. Your listeners will thank you.
Roll with it: Your calendar isn't set in stone. Tweak it based on feedback and data.
Think big picture: Use your calendar for more than just episodes. Plan your social posts and emails too.

Your content calendar action plan:

1. Pick your tool (Trello, Excel, Google Sheets - whatever works)

2. Set your publishing rhythm

3. Map out your topics

4. Lock in your deadlines

5. Keep it fresh with regular reviews

What to do	How often	Why bother
Plan content	Monthly	Keep the ideas flowing
Record episodes	Weekly/Bi-weekly	Build a content cushion
Check performance	Monthly	Spot what's working (and what's not)
Update calendar	Quarterly	Stay in sync with your goals and audience