How to Plan Your Blog Content

You published your first post. Maybe your second. And now you’re sitting there thinking… okay, what do I write next?

It happens to every blogger!

The blank content calendar is weirdly more stressful than the blank page. Because now it’s not just about writing, it’s about figuring out what to write, how often, and if any of it is actually going to matter.

Here’s what helped me: stopping the random post approach and actually planning my content out per month. You can use a spreadsheet, but I mean in having a simple system way so I always know what I’m working on next, and why.

That’s what this post is about! We are discussing how to plan your blog content so you’ll always know what to write next.

Start with your Content Pillars

A lot of bloggers start out writing whatever comes to mind. A topic they’re excited about, something they saw on Pinterest, a question a friend asked. And honestly? That’s a fine way to start.

But if you’re blogging with the goal of growing your audience and eventually making money, a content plan makes a big difference. It keeps you consistent, helps readers know what to expect, and gives your blog a better shot at showing up in search.

Think of your blog like a library. Your pillar posts are the main sections of your blog, meaning the big, broad topics your content covers. Everything else you write fits somewhere underneath one of those.

For example, if you blog about personal finance, one of your pillars might be “budgeting”. Under that, you’d write posts about budgeting apps, how to build an emergency fund, budgeting for beginners, all supporting that main topic (those are your cluster topics).

This matters because it tells both your readers and search engines what your blog is actually about. And when your posts link to each other, it builds authority around those topics over time.

Your pillars should support your overall blog topic. If you’re just starting out, aim for three to five pillars to start. Start on the lower end if you aren’t sure yet. Three pillars is enough to give your blog focus without overwhelming yourself before you’ve even gotten into a writing rhythm.

What to Write Under Each Pillar

Once you have your pillars, the next step is filling them in.

For each pillar, think about the questions your readers are probably asking.

• What does someone need to know when they’re just starting out?
• What are they Googling?
• What did you wish someone had told you when you were in their shoes?

Those questions become your posts.

If your pillar is budgeting, your reader might be searching for “how to start a budget,” “best budgeting apps,” or “how to save money on a low income.” Each of those is a post idea.

You don’t have to know every post you’ll ever write under each pillar. But having those pillars in place gives you a starting point for brainstorming, and that brainstorm is what turns into your content plan. This is where I might start to track these ideas in a spreadsheet or in a notes app on your phone.

Put it on a Calendar

Once you have your pillars and some post ideas, the last step is deciding when you’re going to write them.

You can use your own calendar or a simple spreadsheet to track what you’re writing next, that works totally well when you’re starting out. The idea is just to have somewhere that shows you what’s coming up so you’re not figuring it out from scratch every time you sit down.

From there, pick a publishing schedule that fits your life.

That could be once a week, twice a month, whatever you can actually stick to and is realistic. Consistency matters more than how often you post.

I also have a Content Cluster Blog Planner in my shop that walks you through this whole process, including the brainstorm piece. If you want something already set up for you, that’s a good place to start.

Pace Yourself

Content planning doesn’t have to happen all at once.

Start with your pillars, brainstorm a handful of post ideas under each one, and pick a schedule you can actually keep up with.

You can always add more pillars, swap out ideas, and adjust your schedule as you go. The goal right now is just to have a plan, even a rough one, so you’re always moving forward.

If you want a shortcut, grab the Content Cluster Blog Planner in my shop. It’s built to help you map out your pillars, brainstorm your posts, and plan your content all in one place.