Are You Making These Content Scheduling Mistakes?

Are you launching content into the void, hoping someone notices? You're not alone. Content scheduling can feel like a game of whack-a-mole, but avoiding these easily fixed mistakes can save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration — setting you up for sustainable SEO growth. This article will give you the upper hand.

What You’ll Learn

• Mistake #1: Winging It Without a Content Calendar
• Mistake #2: Ignoring Audience Data
• Mistake #3: Forgetting to Optimize for Search
• Mistake #4: Over-Automating Everything
• Mistake #5: Neglecting Content Repurposing
• Mistake #6: Publishing at the Wrong Time
• Mistake #7: Poor Content Distribution Strategy
• Mistake #8: No Call to Action
• Mistake #9: Forgetting to Track and Analyze
• Mistake #10: Not Using AI to Your Advantage
• Content Scheduling: The Takeaway

Mistake #1: Winging It Without a Content Calendar

Ever feel like you're throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks? That’s probably because you're missing a content calendar (a shared resource to schedule content; seems kinda important!). Imagine trying to build a house without blueprints. Chaos, right? A content calendar is your blueprint for success, keeping you organized and on track.

Without one, you're flying blind—risking missed deadlines, inconsistent posting, and a whole lotta stress. You can learn more about content calendars here.

• The Problem: Lack of a calendar leads to inconsistent posting and missed opportunities. Deadlines? What deadlines?
• The Fix: Create a detailed calendar outlining topics, publish dates, and responsible parties.
• Tools to use: Google Calendar, Trello, Asana.

I once knew a startup founder who thought content calendars were "too corporate." He preferred to "go with the flow." Guess what? His content strategy was about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. Don't be that founder.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Audience Data

You're creating content for someone, right? Not just for the fun of it (although, admittedly, that's part of the appeal). Ignoring audience data is like cooking a meal without knowing your guests' dietary restrictions. You might whip up something amazing, but if nobody can (or wants to) eat it, what’s the point?

• The Problem: Creating content that doesn't resonate with your target audience. Crickets.
• The Fix: Dive deep into your analytics. Understand what your audience wants and tailor your content accordingly.
• Tools to use: Google Analytics, social media analytics, surveys.

Check out how to not publish generic content.

Mistake #3: Forgetting to Optimize for Search

Creating amazing content is only half the battle. If nobody can find it, it's like shouting into the void. SEO isn't just a buzzword; it's the key to getting your content discovered. Think of it as putting up signs so people can actually find your awesome party.

• The Problem: Content gets lost in the digital noise.
• The Fix: Conduct keyword research, optimize titles and descriptions, and build high-quality backlinks.
• Tools to use: Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs.

It's also important to build authority with AI blog content.

Mistake #4: Over-Automating Everything

Automation can be a lifesaver, but don't let it turn you into a robot. Authenticity still matters. Slapping content into a queue and forgetting about it is a recipe for disaster. It's like setting a crock-pot meal to cook for a week—eventually, it'll turn into a weird, unrecognizable mush.

• The Problem: Content feels impersonal and disconnected.
• The Fix: Balance automation with genuine engagement. Schedule posts, but also monitor comments and respond to questions.
• Tools to use: SocialPilot, Buffer, Hootsuite.

The other day I saw a canned social media post that had clearly been scheduled weeks in advance, blithely promoting a summer sale... in mid-December. Oof.

Mistake #5: Neglecting Content Repurposing

Why reinvent the wheel when you can simply slap new tires on it? Content repurposing is about maximizing your existing content by transforming it into different formats. A blog post can become a series of social media updates, an infographic, or even a podcast episode. Think of it as turning one delicious dish into a whole multi-course meal.

• The Problem: Wasting valuable content by only using it once.
• The Fix: Repurpose content into multiple formats to reach a wider audience.
• Examples: Turn blog posts into infographics, videos, or podcast episodes.

Imagine turning a detailed case study into a compelling slide deck for a webinar. Suddenly, you're reaching different audiences with the same core information. Pretty slick, eh? I love this

Mistake #6: Publishing at the Wrong Time

Timing is everything, especially in the world of content scheduling. Publishing at 3 a.m. might work for insomniacs, but it's not ideal for reaching your target audience. It’s like throwing a party when everyone's asleep—nobody shows up.

• The Problem: Content gets buried before your audience sees it.
• The Fix: Research when your audience is most active and schedule posts accordingly.
• Tools to use: Social media analytics, Sprout Social.

I read a TechCrunch piece last spring that detailed studies on peak engagement times for different platforms. Turns out, knowing when your audience scrolls is half the battle.

Mistake #7: Poor Content Distribution Strategy

Creating amazing content is one thing; getting it in front of the right people is another. A poor distribution strategy is like opening a restaurant in the middle of the desert—nobody’s gonna just stumble by. You need a plan to get your content seen, shared, and loved.

• The Problem: Content sits idle, unread and unloved.
• The Fix: Develop a distribution plan that includes social media, email marketing, and influencer outreach.
• Channels to consider: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, email newsletters.

I used to work with a marketing team that spent all their time crafting these amazing blog posts, but then they'd just... post them and hope for the best. No promotion, no outreach, nothing. It was painful to watch.

Mistake #8: No Call to Action

Every piece of content should have a purpose. Without a clear call to action (CTA), you're leaving your audience hanging. What do you want them to do next? Subscribe? Buy something? Share your content? Tell them! It's like inviting someone over for dinner and then not telling them when to arrive or what to bring.

• The Problem: Missed opportunities to engage and convert your audience.
• The Fix: Include a clear CTA in every piece of content.
• Examples: "Subscribe to our newsletter," "Download our free guide," "Contact us for a demo."

Don't be afraid to be direct. People appreciate knowing what you want them to do.

Mistake #9: Forgetting to Track and Analyze

Publishing content is not a "one and done" deal. You need to track its performance and analyze what's working and what's not. Failing to do so is like driving a car without looking at the dashboard—you'll eventually run out of gas or crash.

• The Problem: Inability to improve your content strategy over time.
• The Fix: Use analytics tools to track key metrics and make data-driven decisions.
• Metrics to track: Website traffic, engagement rates, conversion rates.

Pro Tip: Regularly review your content performance and tweak your strategy accordingly.

Mistake #10: Not Using AI to Your Advantage

In 2024, ignoring the power of AI in content scheduling is like showing up to a Formula 1 race with a horse and buggy. AI can help you automate tasks, generate content ideas, and even optimize your posting schedule. It's not about replacing human creativity, but augmenting it.

• The Problem: Missing out on opportunities to streamline your content creation process.
• The Fix: Explore AI tools for content generation, scheduling, and optimization.
• Tools to use: Best of Web (naturally!), Jasper, Copy.ai.

AI can even handle AI blog automation for content velocity.

One last thing: remember that time I made that joke? Yeah, I still regret it.

Content Scheduling: The Takeaway

Content scheduling doesn't have to be a headache. Avoid these mistakes, and you'll be well on your way to a more organized, effective, and (dare I say it?) enjoyable content strategy. And remember, Best of Web is here to help you leverage the power of AI for sustainable SEO growth.