American Marketing Association Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) Content Marketing Practice Exam

How long should you generally plan in advance on your editorial calendar?

1. a few months

2. a few years

3. a few weeks

4. a few days

The correct answer is: a few months

Planning your editorial calendar a few months in advance is generally considered a best practice in content marketing. This timeframe allows marketers to strategically align their content with seasonal events, product launches, industry trends, and audience interests. By looking ahead a few months, marketers can allocate resources effectively, ensure a consistent flow of content, and make necessary adjustments based on audience feedback or shifts in the market. Additionally, this planning period facilitates collaboration among team members and helps in managing the logistics of content creation, such as writing, editing, and design. It provides enough lead time to develop high-quality content that can be released in a timely manner. Moreover, thinking ahead allows marketers to leverage opportunities for content repurposing and cross-promotions, maximizing the impact of their marketing efforts. While planning a few weeks or days ahead might work for urgent content needs or responsive marketing tactics, it doesn't allow for the strategic coherence and comprehensive planning that can drive long-term success in a content marketing strategy. The longer planning horizon also enables marketers to build a richer narrative and deliver sustained engagement over time.