What is a Content Plan and How Do I Create One?

As a content creator, you need to consider the strategy you will use to grow your audience. It helps to plan content beforehand, especially if your creation is time-sensitive. Make sure your process for content creation is in place, so you know what to create and when.

This article will tell you what a content plan is and how you can create one. So if you are having trouble making a plan, keep reading to find lots of helpful information to help you get started.

What is a content plan?

You need to plan content to achieve the goals you set for yourself. Unless you have money to spend on advertising, creating content is the only way to grow your audience. It is essential to have a successful content plan if you want to reach your target audience.

The plan does not need to be on any fancy software – use a free option like Notion (which we love here at Creator Trail) and build your content plan for at least the next quarter. Think about time-sensitive topics you want to create content on. Getting those priorities will mean your content is out there when your audience is searching for it.

How to create a content plan?

Incorporate the goals in the content plan

First of all, it is essential to understand the goals of why you are creating content, so write these down. Do you want to promote a product or service and make a commission? Make money from AdSense? Build an email list so you can sell a course? Focusing on your goals is vital.

Keep your audience in mind

Think about your target audience. What are the challenges that they are facing that you can help them with? What are the frequently asked questions that people ask you? Where is your audience active online? You want to ensure that you are promoting your content to grow your community quickly?

Use a content management system

The content management system needs to include content creation tools and analytics. It is an important step, so you should invest your time and money in this system to have good processes in place.

At Creator Trail, we use WordPress to manage and create content and the Google Site Kit plugin for analytics. Both of these cost nothing, other than the time setting up your website, a topic we will cover in future.

Identify the type of content

Determining the type of content you want to publish for your audience is vital. There is no point in creating a video if you hate being on camera and do not have the skills to use an editor like Adobe Premiere. You should only focus on making the type of content that you enjoy.

The content can be written form, video or audio. You can create infographics and visuals to engage your audience. The type of content can be anything from a blog post to an ebook. Remember that the content should resonate with your audience, and they must be interested in consuming that particular content you are creating in your content plan.

Complete keyword research

Perform keyword research related to your niche while planning the content you want to create. Make a list of keywords with the most volume and incorporate them into your content. Many paid and unpaid tools are available to help you with keyword research.

Our favourite is ahrefs which has a free and paid version.

Run through a content audit

Think about auditing the performance of the content already published. If you have been creating content for a while, analyze what content has worked well and think about how you can make more like it.

For underperforming content, look at what you have published rather than creating a brand new piece and see how it can be improved. Maybe it needs improving, more up-to-date information could be required.

Conclusion

The most important thing is staying focused on content goals. Conducting an appropriate amount of research before creating content is imperative. Come up with as many creative and fresh ideas as possible and start building your plan.