[Fiona Freelance Financier]

Hello — I run a small business and I?m not very tech-savvy, but I want to be more consistent with social media and email. I?d like to use AI to build a simple weekly content calendar, however I?m not sure where to begin.

Could you share a beginner-friendly, step-by-step approach that covers:

• Tools: easy AI tools or templates for planning and scheduling
• Workflow: how to turn a few ideas into headlines, captions, images and posting times
• Prompts/examples: simple prompts I can copy into an AI writer
• Practical tips: how to repurpose content and keep the tone natural

If you have a short sample weekly template or a couple of copy-and-paste prompts for Facebook/Instagram/email, that would be wonderful. Friendly, simple steps and any common pitfalls to avoid are most helpful—thank you!

[aaron]

Good, focused question. You want a simple, repeatable weekly calendar you can create with AI without becoming a tech person — exactly the right objective.

The problem: Small businesses don’t have time or teams to plan content. That leads to inconsistent posting, wasted time, and no measurable return.

Why it matters: A reliable weekly calendar turns guesswork into repeatable actions: consistent audience touchpoints, easier repurposing, and a clear path from content to leads or bookings.

What I do (short): Use a single well-structured AI prompt to generate a 7-day calendar with captions, CTA, hashtags, repurposing ideas and estimated time. Then test for one week and iterate based on simple KPIs.

1. What you’ll need
   • One-sentence business description and target customer.
   • 3–5 topic pillars (e.g., product, how-to, social proof, local community, behind the scenes).
   • Preferred platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, email).
   • 30–60 minutes to review and schedule the AI output into a scheduler or calendar.
2. How to do it — step-by-step
   1. Write the inputs above into a single paragraph.
   2. Run the AI prompt below (copy-paste). Ask for a 7-day calendar: post type, short caption, 1-line CTA, 3 hashtags, suggested image/video idea, repurposing idea, and estimated creation time.
   3. Review and tweak voice/tone for brand personality (5–10 minutes).
   4. Schedule posts in a simple tool or mark them in your calendar with times.
   5. Publish and track metrics for one week.

AI prompt — copy and paste

“I run [one-sentence business description]. My target customer is [describe]. Create a simple 7-day content calendar for Facebook and Instagram focused on these topic pillars: [list pillars]. For each day provide: post type (image/video/reel), a 1–2 sentence caption in a friendly, non-technical tone, one clear CTA, three hashtags, one practical image/video idea, one way to repurpose this content (email, blog, story), and an estimated time to create. Keep captions 1–2 sentences and the tone [choose: friendly/professional/warm]. Include publishing times: morning or afternoon. Keep it actionable and easy to execute for a small business owner.”

Prompt variants

• Local business: Add a line: “Include one local community tie-in for the week.”
• Email-first: Add: “Also write a short subject line and 1-sentence preview for an email version of one post.”
• Low-effort: Add: “Limit total weekly creation time to 2 hours and only use smartphone shots.”

Metrics to track (simple)

• Posts published vs planned (goal: 80–100% completion).
• Engagement (likes/comments/shares) and top-performing post.
• Clicks or messages generated (leads).
• Time spent creating (target: reduce by 25% after two iterations).

Common mistakes & fixes

• Too generic topics — fix: pick narrower audience pain points for each pillar.
• Posting without CTA — fix: always include one measurable CTA (message, book, click).
• Not tracking results — fix: record simple weekly metrics in a sheet.

1-week action plan

1. Day 1: Gather inputs and run the AI prompt. Pick the week’s 7 items.
2. Day 2: Finalize captions and visuals, batch-create one or two short videos/images.
3. Day 3: Schedule all posts or mark them in your calendar.
4. Days 4–7: Publish, engage with comments/messages, and record metrics each day.
5. End of week: Review results, keep what worked, tweak low performers, repeat next week.

Your move.

[Jeff Bullas]

Nice — great prompt and metrics you shared. I like the clear inputs and the focus on testing for just one week. Below I’ll tighten that into a simple checklist, a low-effort option, a ready-to-run AI prompt, and a worked 7-day example you can copy and paste.

Why this works: You want quick, repeatable content that builds familiarity with minimal tech. AI helps you generate the week, you tweak the voice, then you schedule and measure.

What you’ll need

• One-sentence business description + target customer.
• 3–5 topic pillars (product, how-to, social proof, behind-the-scenes, local).
• Preferred platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram).
• 30–60 minutes to review and schedule the week.

Do / Do not (quick checklist)

• Do pick narrow topics (solve one customer pain each post).
• Do include one clear CTA per post (message/book/click).
• Do batch-create visuals — phone video or 3 photos.
• Do not publish without tracking one simple metric (clicks or messages).
• Do not overproduce — keep weekly creation under a realistic time limit.

Copy‑paste AI prompt (main)

“I run [one-sentence business description]. My target customer is [describe]. Create a simple 7-day content calendar for Facebook and Instagram focused on these topic pillars: [list pillars]. For each day provide: post type (image/video/reel), a 1–2 sentence caption in a friendly, non-technical tone, one clear CTA, three hashtags, one practical image/video idea, one way to repurpose this content (email, blog, story), and an estimated time to create. Keep captions 1–2 sentences and the tone friendly. Include publishing times: morning or afternoon. Keep it actionable and easy to execute for a small business owner.”

Low-effort variant: Add “Limit weekly creation time to 2 hours and only use smartphone shots.”

Worked example — local café (copyable)

• Business: Neighborhood café serving quick breakfast and takeaway coffee. Audience: Busy commuters and local remote workers.

1. Mon — Image: Photo of latte art. Caption: “Start the week with a smile — today’s special latte is honey-cinnamon.” CTA: “Drop a ☕ if you’re stopping by.” Hashtags: #LocalCafe #MorningCoffee #CityName. Repurpose: Use as header image in Monday email. (Create: 10m) Morning.
2. Tue — Reel: 15s behind‑the‑bar making a croissant sandwich. Caption: “Freshly made every morning — peek behind the counter.” CTA: “Save this for your next order.” Hashtags: #FreshFood #BehindTheScenes #CafeLife. Repurpose: Short clip for Stories. (Create: 20m) Morning.
3. Wed — Image: Customer testimonial photo. Caption: “Thanks, Maria — we love your feedback!” CTA: “Share your photo and tag us for a free cookie next visit.” Hashtags: #CustomerLove #SupportLocal #CafeName. Repurpose: Quote in a blog or post. (Create: 15m) Afternoon.
4. Thu — Image: Menu highlight (breakfast bowl). Caption: “Fuel up: our protein bowl is ready to go.” CTA: “Order ahead via DM.” Hashtags: #HealthyEats #QuickBreakfast #CityName. Repurpose: Add to website menu. (Create: 10m) Morning.
5. Fri — Reel: Quick staff intro (15s). Caption: “Meet Sam — he makes your coffee with a grin.” CTA: “Say hi when you visit.” Hashtags: #MeetTheTeam #SmallBusiness #CafeLife. Repurpose: Use in ‘About’ page. (Create: 20m) Morning.
6. Sat — Image: Weekend special pastry. Caption: “Weekend treat: almond croissant — limited batch.” CTA: “Come early — they sell out.” Hashtags: #WeekendTreat #BakedFresh #CityName. Repurpose: Mention in Saturday story. (Create: 10m) Morning.
7. Sun — Image: Cozy interior shot. Caption: “Slow Sunday vibes — bring your laptop and stay a while.” CTA: “Book a table for a quiet hour.” Hashtags: #SundayVibes #WorkFromCafe #LocalCafe. Repurpose: Email subject line: “Your cozy Sunday spot awaits.” (Create: 10m) Afternoon.

Common mistakes & fixes

• Too broad topics — Pick one customer question per post.
• No CTA — Add a single measurable action (DM, click, book).
• Expecting viral results — Aim for consistency and small wins.

1-week action plan

1. Day 1: Run the AI prompt and pick the 7 posts.
2. Day 2: Batch-shoot photos/videos (30–60 minutes).
3. Day 3: Finalize captions and schedule posts.
4. Days 4–7: Publish, reply to comments, and log simple metrics daily.
5. End of week: Keep what worked, tweak one thing, repeat next week.

Quick reminder: Start small, measure one simple metric, and iterate. A single consistent week is better than a perfect plan you never finish.

[aaron]

Smart example and the low‑effort variant were on point. I’ll add a conversion‑first structure and a closed‑loop set of AI prompts so your weekly calendar turns into leads, not just likes.

Hook: If your calendar doesn’t drive conversations, it’s theater. We’ll make it a system that produces bookings, DMs, or email replies in under 45 minutes a week.

Problem: Random posting creates spikes of activity but no reliable pipeline. The missing link is a repeatable rhythm tied to one clear weekly offer and a simple way to iterate.

Why it matters: A consistent “Attract → Trust → Convert” cadence gives you predictable touchpoints, proof, and a weekly reason to act — the shortest line from content to revenue.

Experience/Lesson: The small businesses that win keep it to three beats a week, anchor one asset, and repurpose everything. They adjust next week’s plan using last week’s numbers — not vibes.

What you’ll need

• One‑sentence business description and target customer.
• 3 topic pillars (e.g., how‑to, product/offer, social proof).
• “Offer of the Week” (small, clear: bonus, limited slot, or bundle).
• Platforms (pick 1–2 to start).
• 30–45 minutes to generate, tweak, schedule, and log results.

The framework (insider trick): Run a two‑track week — one anchor post you split into smaller pieces, and a 3‑slot cadence:

• Attract (reach) — simple tip or hook.
• Trust (proof) — testimonial, before/after, process.
• Convert (offer) — one clear CTA tied to your “Offer of the Week.”

Step‑by‑step

1. Pick the week’s KPI and offer: e.g., “10 DM inquiries” or “5 bookings” with a small incentive (free check, priority slot, add‑on).
2. Choose pillars: one how‑to, one proof, one offer.
3. Create one anchor: a 45–60 second phone video or 3 photos that explain one problem → one outcome → one CTA. Everything else derives from this.
4. Generate the calendar (use the prompt below). Ask for Mon/Wed/Fri if you’re time‑limited; daily if you prefer.
5. Quality check in 5 minutes: Plain language, one benefit, one CTA, brand voice tweak. Keep creation time under your limit.
6. Schedule: Batch into your scheduler or calendar. Block 10 minutes post‑publish to reply to comments/DMs.
7. Track: Log reach, saves, DMs/clicks, and leads. Use the “stoplight” rule: green (keep), yellow (tweak hook), red (replace).

Copy‑paste AI prompt — Calendar Builder

“I run [one‑sentence business description]. My customer is [describe]. My goal this week is [e.g., 10 DM inquiries] with this offer: [Offer of the Week]. Platforms: [e.g., Facebook, Instagram]. Topic pillars: [3 pillars]. Capacity: [3 posts/week or 7 posts/week]. Create a weekly content plan using the Attract–Trust–Convert cadence. For each post provide: (1) slot type (Attract/Trust/Convert), (2) post type (image/reel/video), (3) a 1–2 sentence caption using Hook → Benefit → CTA, (4) one clear CTA, (5) three hashtags, (6) a simple visual idea using a smartphone, (7) one repurpose idea (story/email/feed), (8) estimated creation time (in minutes), (9) suggested publish window (morning/afternoon/evening). Keep language friendly and non‑technical. Tie the Friday/Sunday post directly to the offer.”

Copy‑paste AI prompt — Repurpose the Anchor

“Here’s my anchor content: [paste transcript or description]. Create 5 derivatives: (1) 30‑second reel script, (2) single‑image caption (75 words), (3) 3‑frame story sequence with stickers/polls, (4) LinkedIn post (120–180 words, professional tone), (5) email blurb (subject + 50–80 word body). Keep the same CTA: [your CTA].”

Copy‑paste AI prompt — Results → Next Week

“Here are last week’s posts with metrics: [paste a simple list: post, reach, saves, comments, clicks/DMs, leads]. Diagnose what worked/failed. Then create next week’s 3‑post Attract–Trust–Convert plan with new hooks, updated CTA wording, and one test to improve saves by 20%. Keep creation under [time limit].”

Metrics to track (and targets to aim for)

• Completion rate: planned vs published (aim 100%).
• Saves: proxy for usefulness (aim 1–3% of reach to start).
• Comments/Replies: conversation starts (aim +1 per post week over week).
• Clicks/DMs: primary KPI (set a numeric goal, e.g., 10 per week).
• Leads/Bookings: track count and source (simple tally).
• Time spent: total weekly creation (reduce by 25% after two iterations).

Common mistakes & fixes

• Vague hooks → Use numbers, timeframes, or outcomes. Example: “3 five‑minute fixes for [problem].”
• Multiple CTAs → One action per post. If it’s a Convert post, the CTA points only to the offer.
• No offer → Add a weekly incentive so people have a reason to act now.
• Overproduction → If a post takes >20 minutes, simplify the visual to a single photo + caption.
• Not iterating → Use the Results → Next Week prompt every Friday. Adjust hooks, not just hashtags.

1‑week action plan

1. Day 1 (15 min): Define KPI + Offer of the Week. Run the Calendar Builder prompt. Approve 3 posts (Mon/Wed/Fri).
2. Day 2 (20–30 min): Record one anchor video or shoot 3 photos. Run the Repurpose prompt. Light edits only.
3. Day 3 (10–15 min): Schedule posts and stories. Block 10 minutes after each publish to answer DMs/comments.
4. Days 4–6 (5 min/day): Engage and log reach, saves, DMs, and leads in a simple sheet.
5. Day 7 (15 min): Paste metrics into the Results → Next Week prompt. Approve next week’s plan. Note one test (new hook, new visual angle, or new CTA wording).

What to expect: A clear weekly rhythm, faster creation, and steady growth in conversations. You’ll spot your winning hooks within 2–3 weeks and reuse them across formats.

Your move.

[Author]

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