Template: Social Media Content Calendar for Make Music Vermont

A framework for planning social media content leading up to and during Make Music Vermont, adapted from arts marketing best practices.

Overview

This template helps Make Music Vermont chapters and organizers plan engaging social media content. Use the calendar structure, content ideas, and tools listed here to create thumb-stopping, authentic content that connects with your community.

Content Calendar Structure

Monthly Themes (May-June)

May Focus:

• Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
• Military Appreciation Month
• National Photo Month
• Bike Month

June Focus (Make Music Month!):

• Pride Month
• Make Music Day countdown
• Musician spotlights
• Venue reveals

Content Ideas by Category

Musician Spotlights

• Feature participating artists with short video clips or photos
• Ask musicians about the teacher who helped them fall in love with music
• "Title Track Day" — Ask followers: If you had an album dedicated to your life, what would the title track be?

Behind the Scenes

• Show venue setup preparations
• Introduce volunteers and organizers
• Share "making of" content for Mass Appeal events

Community Engagement

• "This or That" polls in Instagram Stories (acoustic vs. electric, morning vs. evening shows)
• Ask followers to share their favorite local music memories
• Run a scavenger hunt with clues leading to venue locations

Educational Content

• Music trivia and fun facts
• Instrument spotlights (International Tuba Day, etc.)
• Vermont music history highlights

Celebration Tie-Ins

Relevant days to incorporate:

• National Teacher Day — Thank music teachers
• World Bee Day — Feature outdoor venues with gardens
• Harvey Milk Day — Highlight LGBTQIA+ artists
• National Buy/Donate a Musical Instrument Day — Promote instrument drives
• Memorial Day — Thank veteran musicians
• Save Your Hearing Day — Share ear protection tips for performers

Countdown Content (2 Weeks Before)

Day-Of Content Strategy

Morning

• "Good morning! Make Music Vermont starts NOW" post
• Share schedule highlights
• Remind followers to use #MakeMusicVermont

Throughout the Day

• Share real-time Stories from venues
• Repost content from musicians and attendees
• Live stream key performances if possible

Evening

• Thank you post with highlights
• Ask followers to share their favorite moments
• Reminder: "All quiet by 9 PM!"

Hashtags to Use

Primary:

• #MakeMusicVermont
• #MakeMusicDay
• #MakeMusicVT

Secondary:

• #VermontMusic
• #LiveMusicVT
• #SummerSolstice
• #FêteDeLaMusique

Recommended Tools

Video Editing

• iMovie / Windows Movie Maker — Basic trailer creation
• CutStory — Break longer videos into 15-second Story clips
• Mojo — Vertical video creation for Stories

Photo Editing

• Canva — Social media graphics, flyers, posters
• Unsplash — Free stock photos
• Lightroom — Photo adjustments and organization

Writing & Planning

• Grammarly — Copy editing
• Bitly — Trackable short links
• Notion — Content calendar planning

Design & Graphics

• Adobe Spark — Quick graphics and videos
• Easelly — Infographics
• ezGIF — Animated GIF creation

Accessibility

• Spectrum — Test for color vision accessibility
• Add alt text to all images
• Include captions on videos

Content Calendar Template

Tips for Success

1. Show, don't tell — Use photos and video of real performances, not just graphics
2. Engage, don't broadcast — Ask questions, run polls, respond to comments
3. Tag everyone — Musicians, venues, sponsors, partners
4. Be timely — Post when your audience is most active
5. Document everything — Capture content for next year's promotion

Adapted from Capacity Interactive's Social Content Calendar for Arts Marketers for Make Music Vermont