Table of Contents
- 1. Smartsheet: The Spreadsheet-Hybrid Powerhouse
- Key Features & Considerations
- 2. HubSpot: The Free & Foundational Starter Kit
- Key Features & Considerations
- 3. Asana: The Collaborative Content Hub
- Key Features & Considerations
- 4. Template.net: The Design-Forward Template Library
- Key Features & Considerations
- 5. Etsy: The Creative Marketplace for Unique Planners
- Key Features & Considerations
- 6. American Marketing Association (AMA)
- Key Features & Considerations
- 7. TechRepublic: The Ultimate Template Hub
- Key Features & Considerations
- 8. Scalenut: The Streamlined Content Marketing Template
- Key Features & Considerations
- 9. Clariant Creative Agency: The 90-Day Planner
- Key Features & Considerations
- 10. Template.net Business: The Go-To for Traditional Formats
- Key Features & Considerations
- 11. AT-A-GLANCE
- Key Features & Considerations
- 12. TechRadar: A Buyer’s Guide to Content Calendar Software
- Key Features & Considerations
- Editorial Calendar Template Comparison: Top 12 Resources
- From Planning in Notion to Publishing with Feather: Your Next Steps
- Choosing Your Foundation: A Quick Guide
- From Static Plan to Dynamic Publishing System
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An editorial calendar is more than just a schedule; it's the strategic command center for your entire content operation. Without one, you're likely caught in a reactive cycle of last-minute brainstorming, chaotic production, and inconsistent publishing. This chaos not only burns out your team but also undermines your content's quality and its ability to connect with your audience. A well-designed editorial calendar template transforms this process, providing the structure needed for proactive planning, seamless collaboration, and consistent, high-impact content delivery.
This guide moves beyond simple lists of files. We've compiled a comprehensive roundup of the best templates from platforms like HubSpot, Asana, and Smartsheet. For each option, you'll find a detailed analysis, screenshots, and an honest assessment of its strengths and limitations for specific use cases, from solo bloggers to marketing teams. Implementing a robust calendar is a foundational step in adopting effective content marketing best practices for a more organized workflow.
Furthermore, we'll show you how to turn a great template into a powerful content engine. We provide step-by-step instructions for integrating selected templates into a Notion-to-blog workflow with Feather, bridging the critical gap between planning and publishing. This resource is designed to help you find the perfect editorial calendar template and implement it effectively to streamline your content creation from initial idea to final post.
1. Smartsheet: The Spreadsheet-Hybrid Powerhouse
Smartsheet takes the familiar grid layout of a spreadsheet and injects it with powerful project management capabilities. Its editorial calendar templates are more than static planners; they are dynamic dashboards designed for content teams that need to manage complex workflows and track dependencies. This platform is an excellent choice for users graduating from basic spreadsheets who require more operational control without an overly steep learning curve.
What sets Smartsheet apart is its ability to visualize the same data in multiple ways. You can instantly switch between a traditional grid, a Gantt chart for timeline dependencies, a card view for Kanban-style progress tracking, and a standard calendar view. This flexibility supports a more robust content management workflow, allowing different team members to use the view that best suits their role. While free templates are available, the most valuable features like automation and advanced reporting are part of their paid plans, which start at $7 per user per month.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Multiple Views | Visualizing project progress from different angles (e.g., timelines, task boards). | The interface can feel busy for those needing a simple calendar. |
Automation | Setting up automatic deadline reminders and status update requests. | Full automation is a premium feature locked behind a subscription. |
Integrations | Connecting your content calendar to tools like Slack, Jira, and Google Drive. | Setup requires some initial configuration to work seamlessly. |
2. HubSpot: The Free & Foundational Starter Kit
HubSpot, a giant in the inbound marketing space, offers a fantastic entry point for anyone needing a structured editorial calendar template without the complexity of a full-blown project management tool. It provides completely free, downloadable templates in universally accessible formats: Excel, Google Sheets, and even Google Calendar. This makes it an ideal choice for freelancers, small businesses, or marketing teams just starting to formalize their content planning process. The templates come bundled with clear instructions and marketing tips, adding educational value beyond a simple spreadsheet.
What distinguishes HubSpot's offering is its simplicity and focus on core content marketing principles. The templates are pre-populated with essential fields like content title, author, due date, publish date, and target keywords, guiding users to think strategically about their content from the outset. While these templates don't offer the dynamic automation of platforms like Smartsheet, their value lies in providing a solid, best-practice foundation that is easy to adopt and customize. To access them, you must provide your name and email, which also opts you into HubSpot's marketing communications.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Multiple Formats | Teams that prefer working in familiar tools like Excel or Google Sheets. | Lacks advanced project management features like Gantt charts or Kanban boards. |
Expert Guidance | Marketers looking for built-in tips on content strategy and optimization. | The templates are static files; they don't update or sync automatically. |
Zero Cost | Individuals and small teams operating on a tight or non-existent budget. | Requires submitting personal information to download the template files. |
3. Asana: The Collaborative Content Hub
Asana positions itself as a central work management platform, and its editorial calendar template is a prime example of this philosophy. Designed for teams that thrive on collaboration, Asana's template goes beyond simple date tracking. It allows you to manage the entire content lifecycle, from initial idea to publication and promotion, all within a shared, interactive space where every team member has full visibility.
What makes Asana a strong contender is its seamless integration of task management with a calendar view. Each content piece becomes a task that can be assigned, commented on, and tracked through custom stages like "Drafting," "In Review," and "Published." This makes it an ideal editorial calendar template for teams needing clear ownership and communication loops. While the free plan is robust, features like custom field reporting and advanced workflow automation are reserved for paid tiers, which start at $10.99 per user per month. Asana is one of the more powerful content calendar tools for teams that need to coordinate complex production schedules.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Integrated Task Management | Assigning specific content pieces to writers, editors, and designers. | Can feel like overkill for individual creators or very small teams. |
Customizable Fields & Tags | Tracking metadata like content type, target platform, or campaign. | Setting up a fully customized workflow requires initial planning and effort. |
Team Collaboration Tools | Centralizing feedback and approvals directly on the content task. | The sheer volume of features can be overwhelming for new users. |
4. Template.net: The Design-Forward Template Library
Template.net functions as a massive digital library, offering a vast collection of professionally designed templates for nearly any purpose, including a strong selection for content planning. Unlike platform-based solutions, its value lies in providing high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and highly editable files. This makes it a go-to resource for teams or individuals who want a visually polished editorial calendar template that can be used offline or imported into their preferred editing software without starting from scratch.
What distinguishes Template.net is the sheer diversity of its designs and file formats. You can find calendars formatted for Google Docs, MS Word, Apple Pages, and even Adobe Illustrator, ensuring compatibility with your existing tools. This flexibility is ideal for creating printable calendars for physical team boards or for users who simply prefer the familiarity of traditional document editors over complex project management software. While many excellent templates are free, a Pro subscription (starting at $8.25/month billed annually) unlocks the full premium collection.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Diverse Template Designs | Teams that prioritize visual appeal and want a polished, professional look. | The focus is on static design, not dynamic project management features. |
Editable in Multiple Formats | Users who prefer to work within familiar software like Word, Google Docs, or Pages. | Lacks real-time collaboration and automation found in dedicated platforms. |
Printable Versions | Creating physical copies of the content schedule for office walls or team meetings. | Manual updates are required, as there are no digital sync capabilities. |
5. Etsy: The Creative Marketplace for Unique Planners
Etsy is not a single software platform but a global marketplace where independent creators sell their own digital products. This makes it a treasure trove for unique and aesthetically pleasing editorial calendar templates. If you find standard corporate-style planners uninspiring, Etsy offers a vast collection of creative designs that can be instantly downloaded for use in tools like Excel, Google Sheets, Notion, or even as printable PDFs. The platform is perfect for solopreneurs, bloggers, and small teams who prioritize visual appeal and want to support independent artists.
What sets Etsy apart is the sheer variety and personalization available. You can find a hyper-specific editorial calendar template tailored for a YouTube creator, a podcaster, or a social media influencer, often with a unique visual flair that you won’t find on a mainstream software site. Since these are digital downloads, access is instant upon purchase. Prices are typically one-time, affordable fees, making it a budget-friendly alternative to monthly subscriptions. However, quality and functionality can vary significantly between sellers, so reading reviews is crucial.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Unique Designs | Individuals and teams who want a visually appealing, non-corporate planner. | Quality and features vary; must check seller ratings and reviews carefully. |
Instant Digital Downloads | Getting a template immediately without a subscription or signup process. | Support is dependent on the individual seller, not a centralized team. |
Affordable Pricing | One-time purchases for users looking to avoid recurring software fees. | Templates are static and lack the automation of dedicated project management tools. |
Website: Etsy Editorial Calendar Templates
6. American Marketing Association (AMA)
The American Marketing Association (AMA) provides a professional-grade editorial calendar template designed for seasoned marketers. Rather than focusing on flashy UI or complex automations, this resource prioritizes strategic alignment and comprehensive planning. It is an ideal tool for marketing departments that need a framework built by industry experts to guide their content strategy and ensure every piece of content maps back to larger business objectives.
What distinguishes the AMA's offering is its context. The template is part of a broader toolkit, giving users access to a wealth of other marketing resources that can inform their planning. This approach helps teams not only organize their schedule but also improve the effectiveness and measure the ROI of their content marketing. The primary consideration is access, as this valuable template is an exclusive benefit for AMA members. While this presents a barrier, for marketing professionals already part of the association, it's a significant value-add that grounds their content workflow in established best practices.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Designed by Experts | Teams seeking a strategically sound foundation for their content planning. | The design is functional and spreadsheet-based, not visually dynamic. |
Comprehensive Planning | Mapping out long-term content themes, target audiences, and distribution channels. | Lacks the real-time collaboration features of dedicated software platforms. |
Part of a Toolkit | Marketers looking to leverage a suite of professional resources alongside their calendar. | Full access is gated behind an annual AMA membership fee. |
7. TechRepublic: The Ultimate Template Hub
TechRepublic functions less as a single tool and more as a master resource, offering a curated collection of free editorial calendar templates for a wide range of popular project management platforms. Instead of providing its own software, it compiles and explains templates for tools like monday.com, ClickUp, Notion, and Asana. This approach is ideal for teams who have already committed to a specific platform but need a well-structured starting point without starting from scratch.
What makes TechRepublic stand out is its comparative analysis and expert guidance. The resource not only provides download links but also breaks down the pros and cons of using an editorial calendar template within each specific software ecosystem. This helps you make an informed decision based on your team’s existing workflows and technical comfort level. While all the templates are free to access via the article, you will need an active account on the respective platform (e.g., Airtable, HubSpot) to actually use them.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Multi-Platform Templates | Teams wanting a solid template for their existing project management tool. | You must already use one of the supported platforms to benefit. |
Comparative Analysis | Understanding the subtle differences between how each platform handles content calendars. | The guidance is high-level; deep platform knowledge is still needed. |
Free Access | Getting a professionally designed editorial calendar template without any cost. | Requires navigating to the specific platform and importing the template yourself. |
Website: TechRepublic Editorial Calendar Templates
8. Scalenut: The Streamlined Content Marketing Template
Scalenut provides a free, downloadable editorial calendar template aimed at simplifying the content marketing process. It’s designed for individuals and small teams who need a straightforward, no-frills system to organize their efforts from initial idea to final publication. This template is a great starting point for those who find comprehensive project management tools overly complex and prefer a clean, easy-to-navigate spreadsheet format.
What makes Scalenut’s offering effective is its focus on the essential elements of content planning. The template is logically structured with clear columns for topic, author, deadline, status, and distribution channels, using a simple color-coded system for at-a-glance status tracking. While it lacks the automation and integration capabilities of more advanced platforms, its strength lies in its accessibility and immediate usability. This free editorial calendar template is perfect for teams looking to establish a foundational content workflow without any financial commitment or steep learning curve.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Simple Spreadsheet Format | Teams and individuals who need a basic, easy-to-use planning tool. | Lacks dynamic views like Kanban or Gantt charts found in dedicated software. |
Color-Coded Tracking | Quickly identifying the status of content pieces (e.g., in-progress, published). | Manual updates are required, as there is no automation. |
Free to Download | Getting a functional editorial calendar up and running with zero budget. | It is a static template and does not integrate with Scalenut’s broader AI suite. |
9. Clariant Creative Agency: The 90-Day Planner
Clariant Creative Agency offers a free, straightforward editorial calendar template designed with a specific goal in mind: helping you plan content 90 days in advance. This approach is perfect for teams looking to break the cycle of last-minute content creation and build a consistent publishing cadence. The template focuses on aligning individual content pieces, like blogs and offers, with broader quarterly marketing campaigns and business objectives.
What makes this resource stand out is its strategic, long-range perspective packaged in a simple format. Rather than overwhelming users with complex features, it provides a clear framework to ensure a balanced mix of content topics over a full quarter. This strategic foresight helps teams produce more purposeful content that supports overarching goals. Accessing this editorial calendar template is completely free, though it does require you to submit your name and email address through a form on their website.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
90-Day Framework | Teams that need to establish a consistent, long-term publishing schedule. | May feel restrictive for agile teams that prefer week-to-week planning. |
Goal Alignment | Ensuring every piece of content directly supports a larger marketing campaign. | The template is a static file, lacking the dynamic features of a software platform. |
Free Access | Small businesses and freelancers who need a strategic planner without a budget. | Requires providing personal information (name and email) to download the file. |
10. Template.net Business: The Go-To for Traditional Formats
Template.net Business offers a straightforward, no-frills approach to content planning by providing a wide array of downloadable templates. Unlike dynamic software platforms, its strength lies in simplicity and accessibility, making it an excellent starting point for freelancers, small teams, or anyone who prefers working in familiar applications like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or PDF. The templates are professionally designed and cater to various needs, from simple blog post schedules to more comprehensive social media content calendars.
These resources are ideal for those who need a printable or easily shareable static document. While they lack the automation and real-time collaboration of more advanced tools, they provide a solid foundation for organizing content ideas and deadlines. The primary advantage is the cost, as most templates are free to download and use. This makes Template.net a valuable hub for anyone needing a functional editorial calendar template without committing to a new software ecosystem.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Multiple Formats | Teams who prefer to work within established software like Word, Docs, or Pages. | Lacks the dynamic and interactive features of dedicated project management tools. |
Professional Designs | Creating a polished, print-ready calendar for presentations or team meetings. | Customization requires manual editing in the respective software; it is not automated. |
Free to Download | Individuals or startups looking for a cost-effective planning solution without a subscription. | No advanced features like progress tracking, integrations, or automated reminders. |
Website: Template.net Business Editorial Calendar Templates
11. AT-A-GLANCE
For teams and individuals who prefer the straightforward, no-frills environment of a spreadsheet, AT-A-GLANCE offers a free, professionally designed editorial calendar template for Excel. This resource is perfect for those who want a simple, offline solution to plan their content strategy without the complexity of a full-fledged project management tool. It strips away advanced features to focus entirely on the core task of scheduling content.
What makes this Excel-based template stand out is its clean, professional layout and its pre-built weekly, monthly, and annual views. This allows you to plan granular weekly tasks while maintaining a high-level overview of your yearly content goals. Since it's a standard Excel file, customization is simple, requiring no special training. The template is a completely free download offered by Randstad, making it an accessible starting point for startups or freelancers building their first structured content plan.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Excel Format | Users comfortable with spreadsheets who need an offline, easily shareable file. | Lacks real-time collaboration and automation found in cloud-based platforms. |
Multiple Views | Planning content across weekly, monthly, and annual timeframes in separate tabs. | Views are static and require manual updates to stay in sync. |
Free Download | Teams with no budget for content planning tools. | No advanced features like integrations, task dependencies, or reporting. |
12. TechRadar: A Buyer’s Guide to Content Calendar Software
Instead of offering a direct downloadable template, TechRadar provides a valuable resource for making an informed decision: a comprehensive guide to the best content calendar software. It acts as a meta-resource, helping users navigate the crowded market of project management tools. This is the perfect starting point if you're unsure which platform's editorial calendar template is right for you, offering detailed reviews and comparisons to guide your choice.
TechRadar's value lies in its up-to-date, comparative analysis. The guide breaks down various platforms, assessing their features, pricing models, ease of use, and target audience. For teams moving beyond a simple spreadsheet, this resource saves hours of research by shortlisting top contenders based on specific needs. While you won't find a template here, you will gain the clarity needed to select a platform like Asana, CoSchedule, or Smartsheet, all of which offer robust editorial calendar template options.
Key Features & Considerations
Feature | Best For | Consideration |
Comparative Reviews | Teams evaluating which paid content calendar tool to invest in. | It's a guide for choosing software, not a source of ready-to-use templates. |
Up-to-Date Analysis | Getting current information on features and pricing for top platforms. | The recommendations are broad and may require further research for niche needs. |
User Group Recommendations | Finding a tool tailored to your team's size and complexity (e.g., freelancers vs. agencies). | The focus is on software, so it won't cover simple spreadsheet-based solutions. |
Editorial Calendar Template Comparison: Top 12 Resources
Platform | Core Features ✨ | User Experience ★★ | Value Proposition 💰 | Target Audience 👥 | Unique Selling Points 🏆 | Price Points 💰 |
Smartsheet | Customizable editorial templates, project mgmt | User-friendly, easy for individuals & teams | Free templates; subscription for advanced | Marketers, social media managers | Integration with Smartsheet tools ✨ | Free ★★★ / Paid subscription |
HubSpot | Multiple formats, expert tips & instructions | Easy to customize, flexible | Completely free | Marketers, content planners | Expert tips included 🏆 | Free ★★★ |
Asana | Editorial calendar integrated in project platform | Collaborative, centralized content mgmt | Free basic plan; paid for advanced | Teams, marketers | Strong collaboration features ✨ | Free ★★ / Paid subscription |
Template.net | Diverse editable & printable template designs | High-quality, professional design | Free & premium options available | Content creators, marketers | Wide range of professionally designed templates | Free/Premium ★★★ |
Etsy | Unique designs from independent creators | Variety of styles, instant downloads | Affordable pricing | Independent creators, small biz | Support for independent sellers ✨ | Paid (variable) ★★ |
AMA | Marketing toolkit with editorial calendar | Tailored for marketing pros | Access with membership | Marketing professionals | Marketing-focused toolkit 🏆 | Membership required |
TechRepublic | Templates for many platforms, comparative analysis | Expert recommendations | Free templates | Experienced users, multi-tool users | Platform comparisons & guidance 🏆 | Free ★★★ |
Scalenut | Simple, color-coded tracking format | Productivity booster | Free download | Content marketers | Easy task & timeline tracking ✨ | Free ★★★ |
Clariant Creative Agency | 90-day planning, consistent publishing focus | Helps avoid last-minute work | Free download | Bloggers, marketers | 90-day planning framework ✨ | Free ★★★ |
Template.net Business | Multi-format, printable, editable | Professional and versatile | Free download | Businesses, content teams | Business-specific designs | Free ★★★ |
AT-A-GLANCE | Excel format, weekly/monthly/annual views | Easy editing, professional | Free download | Marketers | Excel-based with multiple views ✨ | Free ★★★ |
TechRadar | Reviews & comparative analyses of calendar software | Up-to-date, helps selection | Info resource only | Software buyers, marketers | Comprehensive software reviews 🏆 | Free ★★★ |
From Planning in Notion to Publishing with Feather: Your Next Steps
We've explored a comprehensive landscape of editorial calendar template options, from sophisticated project management dashboards in Asana and Smartsheet to accessible, free spreadsheets from sources like HubSpot and TechRepublic. Each resource offers a distinct starting point, tailored to different team sizes, content velocities, and technical comfort levels. The core lesson is clear: the perfect template isn't just about features, it's about fit.
The true power of an editorial calendar template, however, is not realized in a silo. A spreadsheet, no matter how well-organized, remains a static planning document. A project board, while dynamic, is disconnected from your final publishing platform. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between ideation and publication, creating a seamless, integrated workflow that minimizes friction and maximizes output. This is where centralizing your chosen template into a flexible hub like Notion becomes a game-changer.
Choosing Your Foundation: A Quick Guide
Selecting the right editorial calendar template from our list is your critical first step. Your choice should be guided by your specific operational needs.
- For Solo Creators & Small Teams: A simple yet effective spreadsheet from Template.net or a visually intuitive board from Etsy can be the perfect starting point. These options are low-cost, easy to adopt, and can be quickly imported or recreated within your Notion workspace.
- For Growing Marketing Teams: Platforms like Asana or HubSpot offer more robust templates with built-in automation and collaboration features. You can use these platforms as your primary task manager while mirroring the core calendar structure and content briefs within Notion to create a centralized content database.
- For Enterprise & Data-Driven Teams: The advanced functionality of a Smartsheet template provides powerful reporting and resource management. Use it for high-level planning and tracking, then link to detailed content drafts and asset libraries housed in Notion for a complete system of record.
From Static Plan to Dynamic Publishing System
Regardless of which template you adopt, the strategic move is to make Notion your content's single source of truth. By rebuilding or integrating your chosen editorial calendar template into Notion, you transform it from a simple schedule into a powerful content engine. Within Notion, each calendar entry can evolve from a title into a comprehensive brief, a full draft, a repository for assets, and a log of approvals.
This centralized approach solves the chronic problem of scattered information, where plans live in one app, drafts in another, and feedback in a third. More importantly, it sets the stage for the final, most crucial step: publishing. An editorial calendar is only as good as the content it helps you publish. Once your content is meticulously planned and drafted in Notion, the final hurdle is getting it onto your website efficiently and elegantly.
Ready to turn your master plan into a published reality? Connect your newly organized Notion database to Feather. With Feather, you can transform your polished Notion pages into a fully functional, SEO-optimized blog in minutes, completely eliminating the copy-paste nightmare. Start publishing directly from Notion today.