Content Planning 101
We live and work in a world where content creation is at the forefront of almost every experience. Planning this content is what allows creators and influencers to lead in their respective niches and industries. A well-crafted content plan is the key to ever-flowing content that has captivating storytelling and engages your audiences.
This time around, we’re going to explore the essential elements of planning your content, understand why it is crucial, and look at how it can elevate your brand and take it to new heights.
Why a content plan matters
Like any other working force, content creators, influencers, and the like, need a clear roadmap that will guide the creative process and steer their efforts. A content plan provides much-needed structure, aligning your goals with actionable steps, and ensuring that every piece of content that you put out serves a purpose.
Let’s create your first content plan
Define your objectives
Start by clearly outlining your goals. What is it that you want to get out of this content plan? Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive engagement, or merely create mass content that you can publish across your pages for more flexibility? Doing this will set the tone for your efforts in planning your content.
Content themes and pillars
Now that you know what your goals are, you will need to establish factors that will reinforce your overall identity. Content themes are understood as topics that are aligned with your goals and your audience's needs.
Examples of a content theme can be educational and entertaining. This will delve into content that is meant to either educate your viewers or entertain them.
Concepts and formats
The next thing you need to do is decide how the content under specific content themes is going to look and be received. If the concept that you have for your educational content is informative glossary posts or infographics that communicate this content, then your format will delve into how the audience will receive your creations. The format of the content—is it a reel? A podcast episode? A blog post?
Incorporate a calendar
Create a calendar that is dedicated to your content plan. This calendar will outline the upcoming weeks and build your schedule around this parameter. You will get to decide what posts go up when, weekly series placements, and everything else that goes in between. The sky is the limit here, so do not be held back when it comes to curating your ideal calendar. This will help you plan out ideas you might have well in advance and give you clarity on the direction your brand could go creatively.
Look at that! We just created your first content plan. Of course, it’s going to take more than this general template for a content plan. You’re going to need to make alterations that are specific to your individual content and niche and see what works for you and what does not.
This is your sign…
It’s never too late. Open your notebook and write those ideas down, this is not a loss.
- The Creator List
Planning your content ahead means you are taking a direction that has a purpose. Go out and seize your potential, you never know… you just might surprise yourself.
By: Ututjinda James Kavendjaa