Do you use an editorial calendar to plan what content you will post on your website and other online platforms, or do you mostly create content on the fly?   In Deciding What the American Red Cross Tweets, social media guru Wendy Harman says that it’s a combination of both, and that her organization encourages staff to learn by using social media but also provides training.  At certain times of year or when disaster strikes, the Red Cross uses much more planned content.

At a recent webinar on Content Strategy on a Shoestring Budget, Balance Interactive suggested these books: the Web Content Strategist’s Bible, and Content Strategy for the Web.  Here’s my additional tips:

• Encourage staff to participate in the content creation process by writing up feedback received from the constituents you’re helping – proactively ask for feedback by phone, email or through surveys.
• Spend some time organizing your network directories so content is stored in a logical way – and make sure staff know where to find and post data
• Don’t forget to add photos, videos or podcasts – this is especially effective to quickly post content from organization events
• Categorize your Facebook and Twitter posts to make sure you’re not overly highlighting one aspect of your work while neglecting other programs
• Look for ways to tie in current events with your work
• Decide how many platforms you can realistically post on – better to do a few well than to try to be everywhere
• When tweeting, make your post worthwhile for someone to read even if they don’t have the time to click through on the link

For more ideas on content creation, view Managing Content on the National Wildlife Federation’s Website.  If you’re in NYC, learn from social media expert Danielle Brigida at this week’s NYC 501 Tech Club meeting.  Finally, sign up for Kivi Leroux Miller’s upcoming webinar, Taming Your Editorial Calendar and Content Creation Process on May 18.

Wishing everyone a healthy and joyous Passover and Easter holiday.