How to create a community content calendar?

You can create a community content calendar by first identifying your core content themes (also known as painkiller content) and then planning posts around them with a consistent publishing schedule.

Step 1: Identify content pain-points using keyword research

Start by researching the most common questions and pain-points your audience has. Use tools like Google Search, AnswerThePublic, or Keyword Planner to find long-tail keywords and micro-niche topics. Your goal is to collect high-intent keywords that people actually search for - this becomes your SEO foundation.

Step 2: Map Q&A and article content

Once you have your keyword list, sort them into two buckets: short-form Q&A posts and long-form articles. Aim for an 80:20 ratio - most posts should be simple, searchable answers, while 1–2 articles per week can offer deeper insights. This mix boosts SEO and drives consistent engagement.

Step 3: Create your content publishing schedule

Use Google Sheets, Notion, or Trello to build a weekly or bi-weekly content calendar. Include details like post type (Q&A, article, poll, event), draft content, owner (if applicable), and publish date. A good starter schedule is 2–3 Q&A posts per day and 1–2 articles per week.

Bonus Tip:

Leave room for reactive or trending topics. The calendar should guide your content strategy, not restrict it.

I am working on a community calendar. Here's my approach:

1. Identify a set of topics that are relevant to the members
2. Prioritize them based on their usefulness
3. Attach a publishing date to each topic. 3-4 topics per week is manageable.
4. Stick to the publishing schedule.

It's important to strategically link the topics with each other for better relevance. Kaustubh mentioned that it's useful from SEO perspective.

Update: Those who are looking for a comprehensive guide on building the calendar, please refer: community content calendar