I’ve been a WordPress guru for years and I’ve seen a lot of changes in the platform over time.
One thing that’s remained constant though is the importance of having a solid content calendar.
It’s the foundation for any successful blog no matter how big or small.
And while I used to be all about pen and paper I’ve embraced the digital age and found some amazing free WordPress calendar plugins that make keeping track of my content a breeze.
4 Free WordPress Calendar Plugins to Supercharge Your Blog’s Organization
Here are four of my favorites each with its own unique strengths:
The Events Calendar: More Than Just a Content Calendar
I love how versatile this plugin is.
It’s not just for blog posts; you can use it for events meetings deadlines and even invite collaborators to participate in your projects.
For a small blog it might be overkill but it’s incredibly user-friendly and ready to go right out of the box.
The best part? You can view your calendar by day list or month so you can adjust your workflow based on what’s coming up.
You can also add tons of details to each event like your outline to help you stay on track when it’s time to write.
And if you use Google Calendar or iCal you can easily export your content schedule so you can access it without having to log into your website.
It’s like having your blog’s schedule right in your pocket!
Editorial Calendar: Keeping It Simple and Effective
If you’re a fan of simple straightforward tools Editorial Calendar is a great choice.
It’s perfect for bloggers who write drafts in advance and schedule posts ahead of time.
The plugin gives you a clear drag-and-drop calendar view of all your drafts so you can easily rearrange them to create a content flow that makes sense for your audience.
It’s a great way to see if you’re publishing too much too little or if your content needs some rearranging.
And if you need to make quick edits to a draft before it goes live you can access it directly from the calendar.
No more hunting through folders for the right draft!
Oasis Flow: Workflow Management on Steroids
Oasis Flow is a bit more than a simple calendar; it helps you create a workflow that works for you whether you’re solo or working with a team.
You can use the drag-and-drop feature to create your ideal process.
Need to review your posts twice before publishing? No problem just add a review step to your workflow.
Every step can be signed off on and you’ll get email notifications to keep you on track.
The coolest feature is the process history so you can always see what your original draft said.
This is a lifesaver if you’re working with a team or if you accidentally delete a whole section while editing.
Just a heads-up: Oasis Flow hasn’t been tested with the latest version of WordPress so make sure to test it in a staging environment before using it on your live site.
EditFlow: Collaborative Content Creation Made Easy
If you have a team of writers EditFlow is the plugin for you.
You can create custom post statuses to keep track of your editorial process in a way that makes sense for everyone involved.
Assign a post to a writer add details and leave private comments for them when you get it back.
The email notifications keep everyone in the loop about comments revisions and when a post needs more work.
And with the drag-and-drop calendar you can easily rearrange unpublished content to make sure everything is scheduled at the perfect time.
You can even filter the calendar view to show posts by user status category or post type making it easy to find exactly what you need.
One of my favorite features is the story budget section which is a must-have if you’re tracking expenses for each post.
Just like Oasis Flow EditFlow hasn’t been tested with the latest version of WordPress so test it in a staging environment first.
Choosing the Right Plugin for You
It all comes down to your needs and preferences.
Do you want a simple calendar a workflow management system or a full-blown editorial collaboration tool?
Once you’ve figured that out give these free plugins a try and see which one works best for you.
And of course to make sure all your plugins work smoothly and your blog loads lightning fast consider using WP Engine for your WordPress hosting.
Remember a content calendar is the key to a well-organized and successful blog.
Give these plugins a shot and see what kind of difference they can make for you!