How to Create a Content Plan: Tips From a Freelance Writer
Creating content without a plan is like throwing darts blindfolded.
Sometimes you hit the mark and see a bump in traffic, but most of the time you miss the mark and end up with a disjointed blog that no one seems to care about. That won’t impress your boss!
So, do you trust your aim?
Forget taking risks! If you want your blog or business content to perform, you need a content plan. No matter whether your niche is super-healthy smoothies or the latest iGaming projects, the principles are the same for any niche.
I’m a freelance writer and have worked with a content plan or two in my time! Below, I’ve summarised how to create a content plan in five easy steps.
Key Points
Step
Summary
1. Know Your Goals and Audience
Before you write anything, get clear on your goals. But not just your goals.
Go even further and venture inside your audience’s head.
Ask yourself:
- Who am I writing for?
- What problem am I solving for them?
- What are they typing into Google?
- What should they do after reading this?
When you answer these questions, your content becomes purposeful. Whatever your readers are looking for (be it healthy smoothies, iGaming content help, or something else), clarity matters.
2. Gather and Filter Ideas
Ideas are everywhere. But they’re not always relevant. Sorry!
When you know what your customer is looking for, you can make topic clusters.
A topic cluster is a content strategy where a central “pillar” page covers a broad topic and multiple related subpages or blog posts link to it.
Basically, you start to create a network that improves SEO and organizes your blog around key themes.
Unsure where to start? Look at:
- Search trends — These are keywords people are typing into Google. For example, if you’re in iGaming, you might use iGaming content writer and iGaming content creation to reveal what your audience wants.
- Competitor content — It doesn’t hurt to check out your competitors. What are others doing well, and where can you fill the gaps? It goes without saying, never directly copy your neighbors. Be original!
- Read real thoughts — Sure, you can use SEO tools and Google Search Console. But don’t forget the humans! Reddit and Quora posts show what your readers actually need.
So, go forth and research. Collect many ideas. But then be harsh and filter based on relevance and feasibility. Which brings us onto…
3. Prioritize Your Topics
It’s tempting to cover every idea that pops into your head. Trust me, I know this firsthand!
However, selecting two or three content pillars helps you cover them in great detail, leading to better quality content and higher Google rankings.
When evaluating content ideas, consider their impact. Ask yourself if a post will educate, engage, or convert your audience.
Next, think about SEO potential — can it rank in search engines? Even niche topics, such as an iGaming content editor post, can attract specific searches.
Finally, assess feasibility: can you create the content well without stretching yourself too thin? If not, this is where a professional writer can help.
4. Make a Content Calendar
You use a calendar to plan your life. So why not your content, too?!
It’s easy to forget or put off content. After all, you’re only human. A calendar keeps you on track, and more importantly, accountable!
Whether working solo or with a team, you should create a calendar with:
- Publishing dates for each post
- Who is responsible for writing
- Campaigns or seasonal opportunities
- Key pillar topics
- SEO keywords to cover
Importantly, a calendar helps you stay consistent. Consistency builds trust with your audience, and search engines reward regular posting. And what’s more crucial than impressing Google in the content game?
5. Write With Intention
When you write, aim for clarity and usefulness. You want your readers to get the point and be entertained. Remember, humans will read your writing. You don’t want to bore them with an unbroken wall of text or AI goop.
Research thoroughly and stick to the content writing best practices.
For example, each post should include:
- Strong headings and subheadings
- Examples that explain your points clearly. For instance, how an iGaming content writer structures a post for SEO
- Keywords naturally, like ‘best smoothies’ or ‘iGaming topics’, so your content remains valuable and readable
The goal is always to solve a problem or answer a question. If your content does that, readers will keep coming back. If it doesn’t? Say hello to a high bounce rate!
Bonus Tip: Track & Adapt
Planning and following the content writing best practices are not the finish line.
Keep an eye on how your content performs. Track pageviews and engagement, click-throughs for links and titles, comments, and shares.
Analyze what works and what doesn’t. If a post gets traction, create follow-ups. If a topic flops, tweak your approach.
Final Thoughts
A content plan is not extra work for the sake of it! It gives your digital marketing strategy clarity and focus. Define your goals, gather and prioritize ideas, and measure results.
Don’t fancy tackling it alone? Need a pro to write your briefs? I know exactly what to do…
See my freelance writing services here or get in touch today!
