Creating consistent content and blogging for SEO is one of the best things you can do to market your business and yet…sometimes it feels like a full-time job. Between client work, social media, emails, and running the actual business, blogging can quickly fall to the bottom of the list. And yet…it’s one of the most effective tools you have for building trust, boosting visibility, and bringing in organic traffic on autopilot.
The good news? You don’t need to write every day to make it work. You just need a clear content plan! And you can map everything out—including search engine optimization content writing—in just one focused day. In this post, we’ll lay out our method for planning out a year’s worth of SEO blog content in one day.
Why should you do blog content planning ahead of time?
Blogging helps you rank on Google, establish authority in your niche, and connect with potential clients. But most creative business owners (especially interior designers, travel agents, photographers, and podcast producers) get stuck trying to come up with something new to say week after week on top of everything it takes to run a business. If this is you, you are not alone!
That’s why we recommend a blog content plan. A content plan for your blog reduces decision fatigue, streamlines your process, and ensures that every piece of content supports your larger goals—so you can actually post and build it into your schedule in a way that works for you.
When your blog strategy is mapped out in advance, you can:
- Stay consistent (hello, search engine rankings)
- Target high-intent keywords your audience is actually searching
- Build a content library that works for you 24/7
Here’s how to do it.
Start with an SEO-focused foundation
Before you start brainstorming blog titles, take a moment to get clear on your goals and your audience. Ask yourself the following questions:
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- What’s the goal of your blog? Booking more consultations? Growing your email list? Educating warm leads?
- What’s your audience searching for? Think about where they are in the client journey: dreaming, researching, or ready to decide.
- What types of questions does your audience have? What problem are they trying to solve before working with you? What are they curious about? What are they DIYing? What could they read about all day long?
Pick 3–5 content pillars
Take a look at the ideas you’ve generated and form them into groups—you’ll probably notice you have ideas for posts in a handful of categories. These should align with your services and what your clients care about the most.
Examples for Interior Designers:
- Seasonal design trends
- Client case studies
- Design process breakdowns
- Styling tips
- FAQs about working with a designer
Examples for Travel Agents:
- Destination guides
- Travel planning hacks
- Client stories
- Seasonal travel ideas
- Budgeting for travel
Once you’ve nailed your pillars, move on to keyword research.
Quick & simple keyword research
Use free tools like Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner, or just Google’s autocomplete feature to find keywords your ideal clients are typing in.
Look for:
- Long-tail keywords with clear intent (like “best family resorts in Mexico” or “how to decorate a small entryway”)
- Keywords that match your services or seasonal offers
- Keywords with Google results similar to the blog you’re thinking about writing
Start building out blog topics under each pillar using those keywords. Aim for 48–52 ideas (that will give you one post per week.) If that’s totally overwhelming, start with 12–24 (quarterly planning).
Psst! Total keyword research newbie? Read our guide to keyword research here!
Group topics into monthly or quarterly themes
You don’t have to do this, but a content theme keeps your messaging focused and makes it easier to create related social posts and newsletters. It’s also a great idea if you have a launch-based business and want to nurture clients by getting to know your offer before it officially goes live.
Sample theme for an Interior Designer:
September = “Back to Routine, Back to Design”
- Top Interior Design Tips for Busy Professionals
- The Fall Color Palette We’re Loving Right Now
- Designing a Functional Entryway on Any Budget
- Ask an Interior Designer: 5 FAQs from New Clients
Sample theme for a Travel Agent
July = “Summer Escapes & Travel Hacks”
- The Best Summer Travel Deals You’re Probably Missing
- 5 Tips for Stress-Free Airport Travel with Kids
- Real Client Story: A Surprise Anniversary Trip to Greece
- Should You Use a Travel Agent for Domestic Trips?
Too overwhelmed by 12 months? Start with 3. You’ll still have a strong SEO foundation without burning out.
Match each blog to search intent
Not all blog content is created equal. Some posts are designed to attract new leads (top-of-funnel), while others help close the sale (bottom-of-funnel).
Mix it up with:
- SEO-rich posts (what people are typing into Google)
- Thought leadership (your opinions + experience)
- Tutorials and how-tos
- Case studies and client stories
- FAQs or myth-busting posts
Bonus points for blending evergreen content with seasonal/timely topics (like “how to winter-proof your vacation rental” or “holiday travel tips”).
Outline quickly and effectively
Now that you’ve got your titles, create simple outlines to streamline writing. Each post should include:
- A keyword-rich title
- An engaging intro
- 3–5 key points (use H2s and H3s)
- A strong call to action (consultation, freebie, etc.)
Pro tip! Use AI or content templates to help get the ball rolling if you’re stuck.
Here’s an AI prompt to get you started: Analyze the brand voice at [yourwebsiteurl.com] and outline a blog around [topic]. The goal is to attract leads that are ready to [insert the main action you want potential clients to take]. The main keyword is [insert keyword]. Include the following: a keyword-rich title, an engaging intro, 3-5 key points (use H2s and H3s), and a strong call to action to [the action you want people to take after reading the blog].
While you’ll still need to review the blog for accuracy and add in your unique take on the topic, this is a great way to get started!
Organize it all in one place
Use a tool like ClickUp, Notion, or Google Sheets to manage your blog plan. We use ClickUp and love it!
Your tracker should include:
- Blog title
- Keyword(s)
- Category or content pillar
- CTA
- Target publish date
- Internal links
- Repurposing notes (social captions, email ideas)
- Status (drafted, reviewed, scheduled, published)
Here’s a sample blog content checklist:
✅ Research keyword + search intent
✅ Draft blog with SEO structure
✅ Add internal links to old posts
✅ Write meta description
✅ Add optimized image with alt text
✅ Create IG carousel + Reel ideas
✅ Schedule blog and social posts
Looking for a quick and easy way to get set up? Download our ClickUp SEO Blog Content Planning Template, complete with space for keywords, content ideas, post outlines, and publishing checklists to keep your blog strategy clear and consistent.
Make every blog work harder
Once you’ve written and published your blog, each one can become a goldmine of content. Repurpose it into:
- Instagram carousels and Reels
- Pinterest pins
- Email newsletters
- Lead magnet funnels
Add links to your services, lead magnets, or booking page and watch your traffic and conversions grow like crazy. Just remember to review your content quarterly to keep it optimized and ranking.
One focused day of making a content plan for your blog = one year of growth
You don’t need to create more content or reinvent the wheel—you just need a smarter plan for SEO blog content. Whether you plan 12 months or 3, this strategy helps you show up consistently without the stress.
Need help getting started?
Book a Scale with SEO week to uncover your most valuable keywords and craft a content plan that brings in aligned leads!
