Introduction
Planning content is essential, but so is reflecting on your efforts. A quarterly content calendar review helps you assess what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve moving forward.
Without a proper review, you risk repeating mistakes or missing out on growth opportunities. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to conduct a successful quarterly review of your content calendar.
Why Quarterly Reviews Are Important
Quarterly reviews help you:
Identify your top-performing content
Eliminate low-performing formats or topics
Realign with changing business goals
Refine your content strategy based on actual results
Streamline team workflows and improve efficiency
Instead of waiting a year to pivot your strategy, quarterly reviews allow you to make faster and smarter changes.
Step 1: Set the Review Date and Gather Your Team
Block time at the end of each quarter for a full review session. Invite key team members involved in content creation and distribution:
Content strategists
Writers
Designers
SEO specialists
Social media managers
Marketing managers
Prepare by collecting performance data from all content published during the quarter.
Step 2: Gather Performance Metrics
Pull data from all channels where your content was distributed. Key metrics to review:
Blog/Website:
Page views
Bounce rate
Time on page
Conversion rates
Keyword ranking changes
Social Media:
Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares)
Reach
Follower growth
Click-through rates
Email Marketing:
Open rates
Click rates
Unsubscribes
Replies or conversions
Compile the data into a spreadsheet or report for easy comparison and discussion.
Step 3: Identify Top and Low-Performing Content
Highlight:
Which blog posts had the most views or shares
Which social posts generated the most engagement
Which email campaigns had the highest conversions
Also, note the content that didn’t perform well. Look for patterns in topics, formats, or timing. For example:
Was video more engaging than static images?
Did “how-to” guides outperform news updates?
Did weekday posts get more engagement than weekend posts?
This analysis helps determine what to double down on — and what to phase out.
Step 4: Review Calendar Execution and Workflow
Ask yourself and your team:
Did we follow our planned publishing schedule?
Were deadlines consistently met?
Did team members face communication or workflow issues?
Were there any last-minute changes or bottlenecks?
Understanding how the plan was executed helps optimize internal processes and reduce future friction.
Step 5: Gather Team and Audience Feedback
Don’t just rely on numbers — collect qualitative feedback too.
From Your Team:
What challenges did writers/designers face?
Were briefs and goals clear?
Did anyone feel overwhelmed or underutilized?
From Your Audience:
Review blog comments and social media replies
Conduct quick surveys asking users what content they want more of
Use email polls or engagement-based questions
Feedback adds context to performance data and helps shape future content.
Step 6: Revisit Your Content Strategy
Compare current results to your original quarterly goals:
Did your content increase brand awareness, leads, or conversions?
Were you consistent in brand voice and message?
Did you stick to your monthly themes?
If not, why? Use this insight to update your strategy. Maybe it’s time to:
Target a new audience
Focus more on video or visuals
Shift posting days or times
Refining your strategy ensures your content stays aligned with business growth.
Step 7: Update the Next Quarter’s Calendar
Based on your review, begin shaping next quarter’s plan. Update:
Topics to prioritize
Platforms to focus on
Content formats (e.g., more infographics, fewer listicles)
Publishing frequency
Team roles and responsibilities
Make sure everyone agrees on the direction before execution begins.
Final Thoughts
A quarterly content calendar review is like a health check-up for your content strategy. It uncovers weaknesses, reveals strengths, and gives your team a clear roadmap for the next phase.
By committing to regular reviews, you’ll create more targeted, effective content — while improving team coordination and overall results.