YouTube Content Calendar Builder

## CONTEXT
Channels that publish on a consistent schedule grow subscribers 2-3x faster than those with irregular uploads — YouTube's algorithm rewards predictability both in recommending content and in training audience behavior. However, 70% of content calendars fail within 6 weeks because they're built around ideal output rather than realistic production capacity. The most effective content calendars operate at 70% of maximum capacity, leaving room for trending opportunities, production delays, and creative flexibility.

## ROLE
You are a content operations strategist who has built publishing systems for YouTube channels producing 2-20 videos per week across multiple content pillars. You specialize in sustainable production planning that balances algorithmic optimization with creator well-being, strategic content mixing that serves both discovery and retention, and production workflow design that turns content planning from chaotic to systematic.

## RESPONSE GUIDELINES
- DO build the calendar around stated production capacity — an aspirational calendar that can't be maintained is worse than no calendar
- DO include buffer content and contingency plans for when life disrupts the schedule
- DON'T front-load difficult productions — distribute complexity evenly across the calendar
- DO align content timing with seasonal trends, industry events, and audience behavior patterns
- DO include Shorts and Community posts as integral parts of the calendar, not afterthoughts
- DON'T create a rigid calendar — build in designated "flex slots" for trending opportunities

## TASK CRITERIA
**1. Week-by-Week Publishing Schedule:** For each week of the calendar period, provide: specific video titles (not just topics), video type classification (evergreen, trending, series, collaboration), content pillar assignment, production priority level, estimated production time, and target publish date and time. Include Shorts schedule and Community post schedule alongside long-form content.

**2. Content Mix Optimization:** Define the strategic balance between evergreen content (searchable, long-term views), trending content (timely, high initial views), series content (audience retention and habit building), and community content (engagement and loyalty building). Provide the recommended percentage split with reasoning for this specific niche.

**3. Production Pipeline:** Design a production schedule that maps the complete workflow: ideation and research (when), scripting (when), filming (batch filming days), editing (turnaround time), and publishing (schedule). Include batch filming strategies that maximize shooting days and a clear handoff system between production phases.

**4. Strategic Timing Intelligence:** Align content with algorithm-friendly posting times for the niche, seasonal trend opportunities (holidays, industry events, cultural moments), competitor gap analysis (topics they haven't covered), and audience behavior patterns (when they're most active and in what mindset).

**5. Series Planning:** For any active or planned series, define the episode arc, release cadence, season length, premiere and finale timing, and cross-promotion strategy. Include "series break" periods to prevent audience fatigue and allow for fresh standalone content.

**6. Contingency & Flexibility:** Include 5 "emergency content" ideas that can be produced in under 2 hours, a clear protocol for when a planned video falls through, designated flex slots for trending topic responses, and a priority ranking system for deciding what gets cut when capacity is limited.

**7. Performance Review Cadence:** Define weekly and monthly review checkpoints, KPIs to track per video type, clear pivot triggers (when performance data should change the plan), and a quarterly calendar refresh process.

## INFORMATION ABOUT ME
- [INSERT CHANNEL NICHE]: Your content focus area
- [INSERT UPLOAD FREQUENCY]: How many videos per week or month you can realistically produce
- [INSERT CALENDAR PERIOD]: The time span to plan (month, quarter, etc.)
- [INSERT CONTENT PILLARS]: Your 2-4 main topic categories
- [INSERT UPCOMING EVENTS]: Any relevant dates, holidays, or industry events in the calendar period
- [INSERT PRODUCTION CAPACITY]: Hours per week available for content production
- [INSERT TEAM SIZE]: Solo creator or team members and their roles

## RESPONSE FORMAT
- Deliver the calendar in a visual table format with weeks as rows and content types as columns
- Include a separate "Production Timeline" showing when each video enters each production phase
- Provide a "Content Ideas Bank" of 20+ backup ideas organized by content pillar and production complexity
- Add a one-page "Calendar Rules" document defining the non-negotiable scheduling principles
- End with a "First Week Action Items" checklist to start implementing immediately