Updated December 14, 2023
If you’re looking for a silver bullet that will immediately grow your travel agency and help all your travel marketing efforts succeed, I’ll be honest.
There isn’t one.
But there is a secret weapon that can make your social media marketing a whole lot easier. It’s called a content calendar.
Maybe you’ve heard that term, but aren’t quite sure what it is. Or maybe you’re not sure how it actually works or helps you with your travel agency marketing. You think it's just something that a travel industry influencer or luxury travel brand needs.
But that's not the case at all. A content calendar can help you, no matter how big or small your travel business, social media account, or travel blog may be.
Whether you’re a seasoned travel advisor or a brand new travel agent, let’s take a look at what, exactly, a content calendar can do for your travel agency marketing and, specifically, your travel social media.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
The Basics: What is a travel social media content calendar?
So, what exactly is a content calendar?
It's a roadmap for your online content – a schedule of what to post, when to post it, and what social media platform you're posting it on.
For a travel company like yours, this might include captivating images of exotic destinations on Instagram, timely blog posts on your website, or engaging updates on Facebook.
Imagine having a well-planned itinerary for your social media journey – that's what a content calendar offers.
Why Your Travel Agency Needs a Content Calendar
The benefits? Think of them like the perks of an all-inclusive resort
A content calendar keeps your posts to each social channel regular, which is key to keeping your audience engaged and attracting more potential travellers.
It's about being consistent, not just posting a flurry of updates when the mood strikes and then disappearing into the digital wilderness.
Not only does your content schedule stay regular, it’s actually easier to know what to post when you use a content calendar. You can make note of any holidays, special promotions you want to push out, and things like “national ice cream day” or whatever other “national” day may work well with your travel social media or blog content.
Integrating Your Travel Blog and Travel Social Media
Your blog is your storytelling platform, and social media is the loudspeaker that amplifies those stories. By aligning the two, you create a cohesive narrative.
Maybe it's a blog post about the hidden gems of Paris, followed by Instagram snapshots of each location. Your content calendar ensures these pieces work together in harmony, like a well-orchestrated symphony of travel inspiration for potential customers and travelers to binge on.
You can also take a look through your travel blog traffic stats, and see if there’s a post that’s doing better than average. If there is, it means it’s resonating with your audience.
Use that information to create social media content pointing back to that post, and get more mileage out of it.
Content Calendar Essentials for Travel Agencies
What goes into this magical calendar? Here are the essentials:
Themes: Maybe it's beach destinations in January and mountain retreats in July.
Post Types: Photos, blog links, or engaging questions for your followers.
Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, your blog – whatever social media channels your audience hangs out on.
Frequency: Decide how often to post on each platform.
You can create a simple Google sheet with the dates or weeks on one axis and the content you want to publish on each platform on the other. Or you can create an actual calendar in Google Calendars just for your content. I’ve used both methods. They’re both free, and they work well for different people.
If you’re ready to invest a bit of money into creating your content calendar, use a scheduler like Later to create your content calendar. You can upload all your media and schedule it on all your travel social media platforms. Add notes for the blog posts you have scheduled, and you have a complete travel social media calendar at your fingertips.
Frequency is like the seasoning in your content recipe – just enough, and your audience will savor every post. Be flexible, too. If a sudden travel trend pops up, your calendar should have the wiggle room to incorporate it. After all, travel is all about embracing the unexpected!
The bottom line: Your travel social media content calendar
Ready to chart your travel social media content course?
Start with a simple content calendar and watch how it transforms your travel social media strategy. Remember, every great journey starts with a single step – or in this case, a single post!
Want to learn more about upping your travel agency social media game? Check out our other travel social media blog posts.