Content Plans Explained: Steps to Build One

A content plan is the first step every copywriter takes when consulting with a client. Essentially, it’s an editorial plan that outlines the articles to be published on a website, interviews, social media updates, and other marketing elements.

Creating a content plan begins when you’re working with a long-term perspective, knowing that you both will collaborate for more than just a day, and you need a framework for this cooperation. In the media, this is referred to as the “publication plan” or “publishing schedule.”

When drafting a content plan with a client, you create a schedule: what you will write each day over the course of a month, what your articles will be about, and through which social media platforms you plan to distribute the content. This includes blogs, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and primarily your official website.

All links should lead directly to it!

It may seem straightforward at first. However, once you start working, you’ll realize that it’s not as easy as it seems.

As it turns out, monotonous content can bore readers, and if your audience finds your writing uninteresting, there’s no point in your content—just as there’s no profit.

This is why professionals in content marketing adhere to specific rules when creating such a plan. Today, we’ll share what these rules are:

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 Rule One: “Different Genres”

Interesting stories, photos, behind-the-scenes tales, videos, podcasts (a very trendy direction right now), infographics, memes, polls, votes, and live broadcasts—these are just some of the formats you can use to present content. This way, your audience will always find it interesting to follow you.

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 Rule Two: “Dates and News Hooks”

World events, such as the Football Championship and Eurovision, are topics that will always attract people’s attention. Use them for your content.
Memorable dates, breaking news, strong statements—all of these can serve as good news hooks for creating new interesting posts on your website and social media.

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 Rule Three: “The Human Factor”

To make your content look interesting and diverse, often invite people from outside: speakers, coaches, or popular personalities for interviews. Of course, after negotiating with them, you’ll include them in the content plan; however, always consider the so-called “human factor.” People get sick, can’t make it, or change their minds… anything can happen! To avoid unpleasant surprises, always have a Plan B ready for that day.

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 Rule Four: “Track Your Statistics”

Being a creative person is great, but it’s even more important to be an analytical expert who carefully tracks statistics and publication visits. We’ve already discussed how to do this in our previous article.

Thus, after working with a content plan for a month, you will clearly know which topics bring you subscribers and how, allowing you to orient your next schedule accordingly.

What Programs Can Help You Create a Content Plan?

Google Docs

Many people use it because it is simple, accessible, and widely available. All team members can edit content on this platform. Today, it’s the most popular platform for online content collaboration. The only requirement for using Google Docs is a Gmail account.

WordPress Editorial Calendar Plugin

This is great if your project is on the WordPress platform. Install this plugin and monitor your posts in real-time. It has a few basic functions, allowing you to see posts with publication dates, change drafts, quickly edit post titles, dates, and statuses of main publications.

If you don’t like WordPress plugins due to constant updates, don’t worry: the authors have resolved the bugs, and the design and functionality have remained the same for years.

Trello

This is ideal for those who like to work a lot and quickly but talk little. This tool helps manage a maximum number of posts in minimal time. While its visuals are not as colorful, it allows you to plan content, involve the team, assign tasks, track progress, brainstorm ideas for new publications, and keep an eye on posts that are already in progress.

It’s the perfect tool to minimize the loss of your precious time.

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