Whether you’re looking to purchase a content strategy template or creating your own, these are the seven aspects that you need to look for. The seven things that will ensure your content strategy is on point.
Because when you have a content template to follow, you have an action plan to execute.
You wouldn’t go to the grocery store without a list and buy random things. Only to find out later that you can’t actually make any meals with any of it. So don’t create content without a strategy and a plan.
Ensure you’re spending your time creating content wisely. Because I don’t know about you, but I don’t have extra hours in the day to waste.
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Grab Your Content Strategy Template (Free Download)
Think of a content strategy template as your content game plan. It’s the guide that keeps you focused so every post, email, or video you put out is working toward your bigger goals.
It helps you stay consistent, speak to the right people at the right time, and actually measure what’s moving the needle. Inside, you’ll map out your goals, the people you’re trying to reach, your main content themes, where you’re going to share everything, and how you’ll know it’s working. No more scattered ideas — just a clear, doable plan you (or your VA) can actually follow.
One of the biggest shifts in my own business came when I started using a content strategy template. It took me from “random acts of content” to having a clear plan I could actually stick to — and it freed up so much mental space.
Today I’m sharing exactly what to look for in a content strategy template (whether you’re buying one or making your own), plus a free one you can grab at the end of this post. Sound good?
What Is a Content Strategy Template?
Think of it as your content GPS.
A good framework keeps everything on track — making sure your posts are consistent, tied to your big goals, reaching the right people, and easy to measure against what matters most.
Inside, you’ll usually find space for things like your goals, who you’re talking to, your main content themes, where you’ll share the content, and how you’ll track success. It takes the guesswork out and makes the whole process smoother for you (and anyone helping you).
Instead of guessing where to go next, you’ve got a map that tells you:
- what to create
- when to publish it
- and how it all ties back to your business goals
And because it’s all written down, you’re not the only one who can follow it. If you have a VA, a contractor, or even just future-you on a busy week — they can pick it up and keep things rolling without missing a beat.
What to Look For When Choosing (or Creating) a Content Strategy Template
There are a million templates out there, but not all of them are created equal. Here’s my checklist for a content strategy template that actually works. And is easy to use and execute, making your content process simple.
1. Your content plan is simple to use
I know that sounds so simple and like a duh! moment, but many people try to set up these crazy big and overwhelming content templates. If it feels like homework, you won’t use it. If it feels hard, you’ll skip it.
Look for (or build) a content template that lays everything out step by step so you can go from idea to published without a headache.
Your Content Strategy Template needs to help you layout your content in a way that also makes it easy to actually execute. Creating the outline should be the research phase that’s easy to do because you’re following a predetermined process. Just research and fill in the blanks as you go.
Then, create the final piece of content by using that framework template. Create your final piece of content and publish. Your step-by-step process is easy to follow, and easy to finish.
This should include all of your content pillars. Your main topics or talking points. The things you want to talk about constantly and will help sell any offers you create.
Related Content: Content Strategy Framework – Create your own content strategy frameowrk, it’s as easy as ABC.
2. It makes you think about the different stages of the buying process
Too many times people come to me and are trying to create content without thinking about their audience.
Where is your reader in the buying process? Are they aware they even have a problem? Maybe they’ve done all their research and they’re just comparing your business to someone else’s.
The type of content you create will change depending where they are. You have to create for all stages of the buying process, and then get your content in front of the right people at the right time.
Your audience shouldn’t have to work so hard to find you. It’s your job to work hard to be in the right place at the right time to attract, engage, and convert them into buyers. And then make them loyal, lifetime buyers.
Because good content starts with the person you’re talking to.
The best templates help you answer:
- What’s my audience looking for?
- What questions do they need answered?
- Are they ready to buy?
- Or are they still just realizing they have a problem?
- What is their end goal?
- How can this content make their life (or their buying decision) easier?
This way you’re creating the right content at the right stage for their specific online buying journey.
Related Content: The Buyers Journey – How to Create Content That Guides Your Audience to Purchase
3. A Content Strategy Template That’s Repeatable and Easy to Follow
If you’re ever going to hand content off — to a VA, a social media manager, or a future team member — they should be able to open it and instantly know what’s going on.
Enter a content strategy template. When you follow a framework for your content, it not only helps you create faster, better content. With a true purpose and reason for creating it. Which means less time wasted, and more money in your pocket.
But it also means you’re following a plan of action that can easily be replicated. You can give your VA, social media manager, or team member your content framework for each piece of content, and they can run with it.
Easily creating what you need, without the need to schedule a time-consuming meeting. Explaining in depth everything that you need. Adding in information about your brand each time. Making sure the brand voice is correct. They’ll have everything they need.
It’s a shortcut to better content that you don’t have to always create yourself. That means you can easily delegate and spend your time doing other things. Whatever things you need at the time, personal or business.
4. Content Templates Keep Your Content On-brand
A solid template reminds you of your market research and brand guidelines so your content sounds like you no matter who’s creating it. Be sure to follow:
- Your market research (audience likes and dislikes)
- Brand guidelines (including brand image, brand voice, brand purpose, brand story)
- An easy to use plan with a repeatable process for all your content (everything should be easily identifiable as belonging to your business)
Related Content: How to Create a Content Style Guide – Simple 3 Step Guide
5. Include SEO in your content strategy template
You don’t have to be an SEO pro to benefit from this. Look for a spot to jot down keywords, meta descriptions, or other search engine optimization basics so your content can actually be found.
A good content strategy template takes user intent into account.
- What is the user looking to find?
- What quesitons do they need answered?
- And do they have those specific question?
- Are they ready to buy?
- Are they still not even aware that they have a problem that you can solve for them?
- What stage of the buying process are they in?
- Does the keyword match what you’re selling or offering?
Answering those questions in your content helps you fully connnect with your reader. It helps you create better content and online offers. Because you know what your audience is looking for. What they really need.
And isn’t it better to help your audience first and foremost, leaving making money secondary? Because I think that makes it much easier to create loyal, lifelong buyers than just a one and done type of business.
And I don’t have to waste time creating content for everyone. Just for the select group of people that make up my ideal buyers.
Related Content: Ultimate SEO Guide – Drive More Website Traffic
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6. A Content Strategy Template that plans for repurposing
Why work twice when you don’t have to? A good template helps you think about how one piece of content can become so much more. Where will you share your own content? Will you use multiple platforms or channels?
Take a blog post, for example. It can become an email, a reel, a Pin…so your hard work goes further. It means you create for one form of content first. But you’re thinking about all the ways that piece of content can be stretched to go further.
As I created this blog post, I was thinking about Pins for Pinterest. I was also thinking about how I could repurpose this for my email list. That made my initial work easier to do.
- I can make sure I’m using keywords that work for Google, but will also be found on Pinterest.
- I’m putting content into the blog post that can easily be condesnsed into an email. These numbered headings are perfect for listing in an email. If my readers want more information, they can click through to this blog post.
- I’m creating images that can be resized and reused for email as well.
Related Content: The Benefits of Using a Content Repurposing Tool
7. Analyze and Audit Your Content
No more guessing. A great content strategy template makes it easy to audit your content so you can double down on the content that performs well and stop wasting time on the stuff that doesn’t. Because tracking your content and how well it’s working, or isn’t working, is just as important as creating new content.
Analyze the data. That’s the way to ensure you aren’t working harder than you need to.
If you make lunch for your kids to take to school, you know they won’t always eat it all. If they hate broccoli, you aren’t going to just keep giving them broccoli. You’re going to try and find a different option.
You might still try a healthy option like carrots or blueberries, but you’re going to try something different. Because you saw it wasn’t working when that lunch came open and the broccoli was untouched.
Find that content that you’ve been creating that stays untouched. It isn’t viewed. It doesn’t get a lot of reach. And stop creating that same kind of content.
Think about these questions:
- Is it the topic your audience doesn’t like?
- Or is it the way you created?
- Or where you put that content?
- Instead of always doing the same thing, experiment. A/B test your content. Find out the real reason they don’t like it, so you can know what to do next.
How to Use the Content Strategy Template
Once you’ve got your template, here’s how I fill mine in. And some of the questions I ask as I go:
- Is it easy to follow and easy to fill in? Write down your business goals — what do you want your content to do for you? What offers are you wanting to sell directly or indirectly with this content. Follow your main content pillars — your big themes.
- Jot down who you’re talking to and what buying stage they’re in (awareness, consideration, decision).
- Make sure it’s easily repeatable. Can you delegate it to a team member, VA, or social media manager now or in the future?
- Follow your brand voice, image, purpose, and story guidelines. List the content types and channels you’ll use. Follow a content style guide.
- Add your SEO Information (keywords, meta info, alt text, etc.).
- Note how you’ll repurpose each piece.
- Track your results regularly and tweak as you go.
As you fill it in, ask yourself, “Could someone else pick this up and run with it?” If the answer’s no, add more detail.
Content Strategy Template: Free Download Instructions
I went ahead and built one for you that matches everything we just talked about. It’s fillable and ready to use for any online business owner.
đź“Ą Download the Content Strategy Template
Pop your details in, follow the steps above, and you’ve got a content strategy template you can actually use and stick to long-term.
Wrapping Up
You don’t have to wing it anymore. With the right content strategy template, you’ll know exactly what to post, when, and why — and you’ll finally be able to see what’s working.
Grab the free content strategy template, fill it out, and start creating content that feels intentional (and actually moves your business forward).
You’ve totally got this 💛
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