A content calendar for several branches or locations

Key takeaways

A multi location social media calendar works best with two layers: shared brand posts planned once centrally, and local slots that each branch fills with its own people, jobs and events. Set simple rules on who posts where and who approves. Local posts usually win more local engagement; central posts keep the brand consistent.

• 2 layers: central brand posts and local branch slots.
• Give each branch 1 or 2 local slots a week.
• One shared calendar so offers and dates stay in sync.
• Clear rules on who can post and who approves.

How does the calendar relate to your account set-up?

Whether each branch has its own page or posts through one brand account is a structure decision, covered in our guide to consistent social media across multiple locations. This guide is about the monthly calendar that sits on top: one shared plan, whatever the account set-up, so every location works to the same dates, offers and deadlines.

• How to build a monthly social media content calendar
• Consistent social media across multiple locations
• Google Business Profile posts alongside your social media

What does the central team plan?

The central team plans brand-wide posts once a month: offers, launches, seasonal campaigns, hiring and brand proof. They supply templates and photos so local posts look consistent, and they set the dates every branch works around. Branches share or adapt these posts rather than recreating them.

• A social media asset library: photos, templates and logos

What do branches plan?

Each branch fills one or two local slots a week: its team, its customers (with permission), its jobs, local events and opening changes. Local posts are where branches add value, because they show real people in a real place. Give each branch a named owner and a simple shot list.

• Local events in your content calendar
• Collect content ideas from your team every month

Who approves what?

Agree simple rules in writing: branches can publish everyday local posts themselves, while offers, prices, complaints and anything sensitive go to the central team first. Keep admin access to every account with the central team as well as the branch. A short social media policy prevents most problems.

• Social media policy for UK small businesses

When is a central-only calendar better?

A central-only calendar is better when branches have no time or interest in posting, when content quality varies too much, or in regulated sectors where every post needs a check. The central team can still collect local photos and stories from branches and post them centrally.

What does this look like in practice?

A pattern with multi-site businesses: one branch posts every day, another has not posted for a year, and the offers differ between them. A shared calendar with central posts and two local slots per branch usually brings every location to a steady, consistent level.

• See client work
• Social Media Marketing for UK businesses

Multi-location checklist

• Decide one account or one per location.
• Plan brand posts centrally once a month.
• Give each branch one or two local slots.
• Write approval rules for offers and complaints.
• Keep central admin access to every account.

• A founder's LinkedIn posting calendar
• One calendar for email and social media

Next step

List every location and its accounts, with who owns and who has admin access to each. Gaps in that list are the first things to fix.