How to Create a Plan That Brings Results

What Is Content Planning?

Content planning is how you define what content you’re going to publish, when, and where.

With an effective content plan (sometimes referred to as a “content calendar” or “editorial calendar”), you can prioritize tasks, organize the creation process, and keep track of your progress.

Creating a content plan is a key step in any content strategy.

No matter the types of content you create (such as images, videos, or blog posts). Or the platforms you use to distribute it (such as Instagram, YouTube, or your blog).

Here’s how to create your content plan, step by step.

1. Build a Clear Content Strategy

A content strategy defines your goals, target audience, distribution channels, and other essential elements guiding your content marketing efforts. A content plan, on the other hand, is a written document to manage the execution of this strategy.

It’s easier to understand with an example:

Say you own an ecommerce website specializing in fitness products.

A (very simplified) content strategy would state that you’re going to publish five videos per week. With a mix of workout tutorials and product reviews.

Your content plan, on the other hand, would say that on Dec. 3, you want to publish a YouTube video analyzing the best running shoes between $50 and $100.

As you can see, your strategy sets the guidelines that shape your content plan. That’s why strategy must always go first.

To have a solid strategy, you need to have:

1. Measurable goals
2. A good...