Ever feel like you’re putting out content… but nothing really happens?

You post on Instagram. You write blog posts. Maybe even shoot a few reels.
But still—no traffic, no leads, no results.

The problem? No real content marketing plan.

That’s where this guide comes in. I’ve broken it down into 10 steps. Nothing fluffy. Just what actually works.

Let’s dive in.

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1. Know Why You’re Doing This

Before you even open Google Docs, ask yourself:
Why do you need content marketing?

• To get more leads?

• Drive traffic to your website?

• Build your personal brand?

• Educate your audience?

It’s okay to have more than one goal. But be clear.
If you’re doing it just because “everyone else is”—stop right there.

Here’s what helps:

• Write down your top 2–3 business goals

• Connect each one to how content can help

• Set simple KPIs: like website clicks, sign-ups, or DMs

Without this step, you’ll keep making random content that gets you nowhere.

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2. Understand Who You’re Talking To

This one’s non-negotiable.

You can’t talk to “everyone.” If you try, you’ll end up reaching no one.

So… who are you really creating for?

Ask:

• What do they struggle with?

• What do they already search on Google or YouTube?

• What kind of content do they actually enjoy?

You don’t need a fancy buyer persona template. Just imagine your ideal reader.

Like, let’s say you sell fitness coaching for women in their 30s.
You could ask:
“What does a busy mom feel when she wants to get fit but has no time?”

That thought alone can shape your entire content marketing plan.

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3. Do a Quick Content Audit

If you’ve already been creating content (even if it’s just a few posts), take stock.

Here’s how:

• Check your top-performing blogs or posts

• See what people actually liked, saved, or shared

• Look at traffic sources (Google Analytics or just your IG insights work too)

This tells you two things:

1. What type of content your audience enjoys

2. What flopped—and should maybe be cut or redone

If you’re just starting, skip this and move on. No shame in that.

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4. Pick the Right Channels

Don’t try to be everywhere. It burns you out fast.

Instead, ask:

• Where is your audience already hanging out?

• What content do you enjoy creating?

If you’re great at writing, maybe blogging is your thing.
Love being on camera? Go for short-form video.
Hate social media? Focus on SEO + email.

Here’s a rough guide:

Start with 1–2 and go deep. You can always expand later.

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5. Choose 3–5 Core Content Pillars

This is where your plan starts getting solid.

Content pillars are your main themes.
Stick to 3–5 to avoid confusion (for you and your audience).

For example, if you run a skincare brand:

• Skin science & facts

• Product education

• Customer stories

• Tips for different skin types

This helps you stay consistent. No more guessing what to post each day.

Write these down. Stick them on a wall. Build everything around them.

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6. Make a Simple Content Calendar

Let’s be real: most content calendars are way too complicated.

You don’t need a 90-day matrix. Start with something like this:

• Monday: Educational post

• Wednesday: Behind-the-scenes or story

• Friday: Promo or product highlight

And then plan 2–4 weeks in advance. That’s it.

You can use Google Sheets. Or Notion. Or even a notebook.

What matters is consistency—not tools.

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7. Focus on Quality, Not Just Quantity

You’ve probably heard: “Post every day.”

Yeah… maybe. But not if it means posting junk.

One high-value post a week beats 10 random ones nobody cares about.

Focus on creating content that:

• Solves a real problem

• Sparks conversation

• Feels like it was written just for them

And always ask:
“Would I read this? Would I share this with a friend?”

If not, fix it before you post.

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8. Repurpose Smartly

You don’t have to start from scratch every time.

Let’s say you wrote a solid blog post. You can:

• Turn it into a carousel for Instagram

• Extract quotes for tweets

• Record a short video explaining the key idea

• Send it as an email to your list

Same message. Different formats.

This not only saves time, but also gives your content a longer life.

Trust me, no one remembers what you posted last week. Repeat your good stuff.

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9. Track What’s Working (And What’s Not)

Creating content without tracking? You’re shooting in the dark.

Here’s what you should keep an eye on:

• Website clicks

• Comments and shares

• Save/bookmark counts

• Email open and click rates

• Time spent on blog pages

Look at these once a week. Not daily—you’ll drive yourself nuts.

This helps you double down on what’s working and ditch what’s not.

If you use Google Analytics or tools like Notion, it’s super easy to track.

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10. Keep Improving (Don’t Overthink It)

No one gets their content marketing plan perfect on the first try.

Not me. Not you. Not even the big brands.

Things change. Algorithms shift. People get bored.

So tweak things.

• Test new content types

• Try different headlines

• Ask your audience what they want

Also, keep learning. Read blogs, follow marketers, listen to podcasts.
But don’t get stuck in research mode.

Start messy. Get better as you go.

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Quick Recap: The 10 Steps to a Solid Content Marketing Plan

1. Know your “why”

2. Understand your audience

3. Audit what you already have

4. Choose the right platforms

5. Define your content pillars

6. Make a simple calendar

7. Prioritize quality over quantity

8. Repurpose your good stuff

9. Track your performance

10. Stay flexible and keep learning

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Extra Tips (from experience)

• Talk to your audience. Literally. Voice notes, DMs, polls.

• Don’t chase trends unless they fit your message.

• Templates help. But don’t over-rely on them.

• Save time by batching your content creation.

• Celebrate small wins—like your first comment or share.

Building a strong content marketing plan doesn’t require fancy tools or big teams.
It just needs clarity, consistency, and a bit of courage to show up honestly.

You’ve got this.

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EEAT Boost: Why Trust This?

Hi, I’m someone who’s been building content for small businesses and solopreneurs for over 4 years. I’ve made stuff that flopped—and stuff that went semi-viral. I’ve helped brands grow from 0 to steady leads. And I still keep learning every week.

I don’t promise quick wins. But I do believe in showing up with intention and real value.
And that’s the whole point of a good content marketing plan, right?

If you found this helpful, save it, share it, or just start building your plan today.

Need help figuring it out for your own brand? Just ask.

Let’s make your content actually work.