Why Content Planning Doesn’t Have to Be Hard (or Take Forever)

If you’d rather listen to these insights, see episode 142 of The Powerful Content Podcast

I know you get the benefits of content planning—you’ve probably heard it all before. But let’s be real: putting it into practice feels hard. Between the daily grind and that never-ending to-do list, planning often takes a backseat. So instead, you react on the fly, hoping it’ll all come together. And while spontaneity can sometimes spark magic, relying on it 24/7? That’s a fast track to stress, burnout, and feeling like you’re constantly behind.

Without a plan, creating content is like heading out on a road trip without a map. You’ll get somewhere eventually, but it’s likely not where you wanted to go. A plan helps you steer toward content that’s purposeful, connects with your audience, and moves your business forward.

How meal planning changed my content game

Let me share a little analogy that clicked for me: meal planning. Living with both vegetarians and meat-eaters under one roof means winging it just doesn’t work. When I plan meals ahead of time, I save hours (and my sanity), and everyone gets fed without the last-minute scramble.

Content planning works the same way. When you map out what’s coming, you free up time to actually enjoy the process. You can still be creative, but now you’ve got a structure to support you.

Let’s talk about minimum viable content

This is where my concept of Minimum Viable Content (MVC) comes in. It’s like the business world’s idea of a minimum viable product: the simplest version that still delivers value. MVC is about doing the right things, not all the things. It’s freeing yourself from the pressure to show up everywhere, all the time, and instead focusing on what’s manageable and meaningful.

Busy season? MVC’s got your back. It helps you stay visible and consistent without draining your energy. Plus, having a basic plan makes it easier to pivot when unexpected opportunities or ideas pop up.

4 Simple steps to plan your content

You don’t need a fancy spreadsheet or hours of brainstorming to get started. Here’s how to make content planning easy and effective:

Set your objective
What’s your focus right now—sales, building brand awareness, or growing your email list? Decide on one goal to guide your content. For example, if growing your list is your priority, you’ll want your content to highlight your lead magnets.

Know what you’re promoting
Each quarter, think about the products, services, or offers you’ll focus on. Then build your content to naturally lead your audience through their journey—whether that’s learning about your offer, getting to know you, or hitting “buy now.”

Pick monthly themes
A theme makes planning so much easier (and keeps your messaging cohesive). Choose one for each month that aligns with your goals. It’s like giving yourself a guidepost, so you’re not staring at a blank page wondering where to start.

Brainstorm core content titles
Break it down even further by deciding on a few specific content topics for the month. This step eliminates decision fatigue and keeps your ideas flowing.

Your content, your way

Content planning doesn’t have to be rigid or overwhelming. It’s not about doing all the things; it’s about focusing on what matters right now and aligning it with your strengths. Planning is simply a tool to give you direction while leaving room for creativity and flexibility.

When you focus on your Minimum Viable Content, you’re able to keep showing up—even in those chaotic seasons—without overextending yourself. You’ll connect with your audience, support your clients, and nurture your business without feeling like you’re running on empty.

So, take a deep breath, step back, and ask yourself: What do I actually need from my content right now? With a bit of planning, you’ll save yourself time and energy to spend on the things that matter most while still making an impact.

And if you need help with your planning right now, make sure you join me for the next 90 day content planning workshop.

I’ll show you how to take the content chaos in your head and turn it into an easy plan that works for you and how you like to work.By the end, you’ll know exactly what content you need to create so that your business can keep ticking along whilst you spend time being truly present with your loved ones this year.

You’ll walk away with:

✅ A clear content plan for the next 90 days and beyond
✅ A simple way to plan that you can use over and over again
✅ Piece of mind you know exactly what you need to focus on and how to get there

You can access the live workshop on 28 November 2024 by signing up here.

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