Building a Simple Content Plan for Your Chapter

Running a chapter is no small task. You’re planning events, engaging members, and trying to stay visible in your community—all often while juggling a busy personal and work schedule. When it comes to marketing, many leaders fall into the habit of posting “when they have time.” The problem? That leads to inconsistency, last-minute stress, and missed opportunities.

That’s where a simple content plan comes in.

A content plan doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the best plans are straightforward, flexible, and easy to stick to. By mapping out your content in advance, you’ll reduce stress, keep your chapter’s communications consistent, and make sure every post supports your goals.

Here’s how to create one.

Step 1: Identify Your Chapter Goals

Every good plan starts with goals. Without them, it’s easy to post content that “fills space” but doesn’t actually move your chapter forward.

Think about what you want your chapter to achieve over the next few months. Common goals include:

• Filling a hosted course
• Engaging existing members
• Increasing visibility in the industry or community
• Attracting sponsors or partners

Example: If your chapter wants to attract more young professionals, your plan might include content that highlights student opportunities, early-career success stories, or mentoring programs.

When you know your goals, you can choose content that serves a purpose—not just content for content’s sake.

Step 2: Match Goals with Content Types

Different goals call for different kinds of content. Here’s a quick guide:

Example: If your goal is to keep members engaged between meetings, plan to share an event recap in your latest email, then post a related quote or tip on LinkedIn the following week.

Step 3: Choose Your Platforms 

Not every chapter needs to be everywhere. Instead, focus on the channels that will reach your members most effectively.

• Email newsletters: A direct, reliable way to reach members.
• LinkedIn: Great for professional visibility and industry networking.
• Instagram: Perfect for photos, event highlights, and member spotlights.
• Chapter website: The home base for recaps, resources, and evergreen content.

Tip: Start with one or two platforms and do them consistently. It’s better to post regularly on one channel than to spread yourself too thin across five.

Step 4: Keep it Realistic

Chapter leaders are busy, and most don’t have time to post daily. The good news? You don’t need to.

• Focus on quality over quantity. A thoughtful recap is more valuable than five rushed posts.
• Start small—aim for just one post per week.
• Repurpose content to save time (turn one event into multiple posts—see Blog 1 of this series).
• Use free tools like Canva to design graphics or built-in scheduling tools on LinkedIn and Facebook to plan ahead.

Consistency matters more than volume. A realistic plan is one you’ll actually stick to.

Template Example: A Simple Monthly Calendar

Here’s what a month of planned content might look like for a chapter:

• Week 1: Send an event reminder email + post a teaser about the speaker on LinkedIn.
• Week 2: Publish an event recap blog on your website + share a sponsor thank-you photo on Instagram.
• Week 3: Post a member spotlight (short story or quote) on LinkedIn.
• Week 4: Share a “Did you know?” industry tip or fun fact in your newsletter.

That’s only 3–4 pieces of content, but it keeps your chapter active and visible all month long.

Quick Win Tip

Open a blank Excel or Google Sheet and set up a simple content calendar. Add columns for:

• Date
• Platform (email, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Content type (event recap, spotlight, sponsor thank-you)
• Who’s responsible

Even this basic one-page plan will keep your team aligned and reduce last-minute scrambling.

Final Thought: Start Small, Stay Consistent

A content plan doesn’t have to be complex. It just needs to keep your chapter consistent, purposeful, and visible. Start with a few posts each month, connect them back to your goals, and build confidence from there.

The result? Less stress for you, more value for your members, and a stronger presence for your chapter.

So, this week, challenge yourself: create a one-month content plan with just 3–4 posts. You’ll be surprised how much easier—and more effective—your marketing becomes.

Have question or need help getting started? Reach out to chapters@ampp.org. We are here to help!

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