@rich-brooks Yes, I have an editorial calendar but it isn’t effectively used.  It is not the fault of anyone but me for this.  So, I would suppose, it would be somewhere in between as it does begin building a road but inspiration determines if it is going to be a gravel, tar or blacktop roadway.

Tool = Spreadsheet & Calendar combo

Granular = For some tweets on business-centric accounts, putting together tweets for month on topic works.

I think – regardless of the tool – find something that works for you and for those who work with you.  Determine what you like – stick with it – and it will work.   The part that everyone – myself included – tends to lose and then must remember is……stick with it.

@rich-brooks Hey Rich

I do have one, but I call it a content calendar. I use a Google Spreadsheet with 4 tabs – yearly, quarterly, monthly and weekly.

This offers a good combination of scheduled content and flexibility.

The Yearly tab is an overview with just dates and a colour-code system for various content types (blog post, eBook, workshop, etc) and deadlines.

The Quarterly tab is an overview of what I want to achieve each quarter, with 3 major releases each quarter (usually one per month).

The Monthly tab gives me a focus on any particular month, allowing me to concentrate on the content for a given month.

The Weekly tab is more practical and gives me a list of exactly what I need to do each week. This way I can come in Monday morning and know exactly what I need to do that week.

I have even started thinking about what I want to release in 2013!

I have only started using this system (which I created through trial and error) for a short period, but it is now a necessity – without it I wouldn’t be able to create the content I do.

Russ

@rich-brooks Hi Rich – cool topic! 
I am somewhere in between. I have a simple editorial calendar on an Excel spread sheet. It helps because I have 2 other people who contribute content to my blog and having a calendar gives direction as to what topics to publish. However, I also encourage guest bloggers to contribute their own ideas as long as they remain relevant to my audience.

I’m also big on inspiration. For example I’ve spent the last 3 and 1/2 weeks in my native Kenya, and I have come across some very random, yet blog-worthy situations. One had to do with how Kenyans are using mobile to do business – that was pretty inspiring.

I also like @russellallert ‘s advice. I think I’ll give some of his tips a whirl. Thanks for this useful discussion.

I use a spreadsheet I created that keeps track of upcoming posts, marketing and other events. I am constantly tweaking my system.

I am have calendars for each of my clients, that connect to my workflow calendar.I schedule blog posts, newsletters, selected Facebook and Twitter updates on the client’s editorial calendars. 

This helps me to keep up with my workflow. Otherwise, it would be overwhelming.

I have one installed on my site, however, does not utilize it as effectively as I should.

@ionbratianu Scotch or not, it’s a good idea!  Plus I like the idea of sharing with another so they can use it too to remind them.  Thanks again.