Setting the Stage: What to Expect in the Next 90 Days
Embarking on a 90-day content strategy journey can feel like setting off on an epic adventure. You might be filled with excitement and a dash of apprehension. Fear not! This roadmap is designed to be your trusty guide, ensuring you navigate through each phase smoothly and emerge victorious with a robust content strategy that elevates your brand.
In these 90 days, you'll be laying the foundation for a content strategy that aligns with your business goals, understands your audience, and sets you up for long-term success. Expect to dive deep into research, brainstorming, planning, and execution. You’ll move from ideation to implementation, creating a tangible impact on your marketing efforts.
Week-by-Week Breakdown: Your Roadmap to Success
Week 1-2: Setting Goals and Understanding Your Audience
Tasks:
- Define your business goals and how content can support them.
- Conduct audience research to understand their needs, preferences, and pain points.
- Develop buyer personas based on your findings.
Time Estimates:
- Goal Setting: 5-10 hours
- Audience Research: 10-15 hours
- Buyer Persona Creation: 5-8 hours
Deliverables:
- Documented business goals
- Detailed buyer personas
Week 3-4: Content Audit and Competitive Analysis
Tasks:
- Audit existing content to identify gaps and opportunities.
- Analyze competitors to understand their content strategies and identify what works.
Time Estimates:
- Content Audit: 10-15 hours
- Competitive Analysis: 8-12 hours
Deliverables:
- Content audit report
- Competitive analysis report
Week 5-6: Content Planning and Calendar Creation
Tasks:
- Brainstorm content ideas that align with your goals and resonate with your audience.
- Create a content calendar outlining what content will be published, when, and on which platforms.
Time Estimates:
- Content Brainstorming: 10-12 hours
- Calendar Creation: 8-10 hours
Deliverables:
- Content ideas list
- Content calendar
Week 7-8: Content Creation and Optimization
Tasks:
- Start creating content based on your calendar. Focus on quality and relevance.
- Optimize content for SEO to ensure it reaches your target audience.
Time Estimates:
- Content Creation: 20-30 hours
- Content Optimization: 5-10 hours
Deliverables:
- Published content pieces
- SEO-optimized content
Week 9-10: Distribution and Promotion
Tasks:
- Plan and execute content distribution across your chosen platforms.
- Promote content through social media, email marketing, and other channels.
Time Estimates:
- Distribution Planning: 5-8 hours
- Promotion Execution: 10-15 hours
Deliverables:
- Distribution plan
- Promotion campaigns
Week 11-12: Monitoring and Analytics
Tasks:
- Set up analytics tools to track content performance.
- Monitor key metrics and gather insights to understand what’s working and what’s not.
Time Estimates:
- Analytics Setup: 5-8 hours
- Performance Monitoring: 5-10 hours
Deliverables:
- Analytics setup
- Performance reports
Week 13-14: Review and Adjust
Tasks:
- Review the performance data and adjust your content strategy as needed.
- Identify areas for improvement and plan next steps.
Time Estimates:
- Performance Review: 5-8 hours
- Strategy Adjustment: 5-8 hours
Deliverables:
- Performance review report
- Adjusted content strategy
Week 15-16: Preparing for Long-Term Success
Tasks:
- Document processes and create guidelines for future content creation and strategy.
- Plan for the next 90 days to ensure continuous improvement and success.
Time Estimates:
- Process Documentation: 5-8 hours
- Future Planning: 5-8 hours
Deliverables:
- Process documentation
- Next 90-day plan
Essential Tools for Each Phase
- Research Tools: Google Analytics, SurveyMonkey, SEMrush
- Content Audit Tools: Screaming Frog, Ahrefs
- Content Creation Tools: Google Docs, Grammarly, Canva
- SEO Tools: Yoast SEO, Moz, Ahrefs
- Distribution Tools: Hootsuite, Buffer, Mailchimp
- Analytics Tools: Google Analytics, HubSpot, SEMrush
Deliverables Checklist: Milestones You Should Hit
- Documented business goals
- Detailed buyer personas
- Comprehensive content audit report
- Competitive analysis report
- Content ideas list
- Content calendar
- Published and SEO-optimized content
- Distribution and promotion plan
- Performance reports
- Adjusted content strategy
- Process documentation
- Next 90-day plan
Decision Points: When and How to Adjust Your Plan
- Week 4: Adjust content ideas based on gaps identified in the audit.
- Week 8: Modify content creation pace if initial estimates were off.
- Week 12: Reallocate resources if some promotion channels are underperforming.
- Week 14: Refine strategy based on analytics insights.
Handling Common Roadblocks with Grace
- Analysis Paralysis: Set strict time limits for research phases to avoid overthinking.
- Perfectionism: Aim for progress, not perfection. Content can be updated and improved over time.
- Resource Constraints: Prioritize tasks based on impact and allocate resources accordingly.
Resource Allocation Guide: From 5 to 20 Hours Per Week
5 Hours/Week:
- Focus on high-impact tasks: goal setting, content creation, and promotion.
- Use automation tools to streamline processes.
20 Hours/Week:
- Delve deeper into each phase: comprehensive research, detailed audits, and extensive promotion.
- Allocate time for continuous learning and improvement.
Transitioning from Setup to Execution: What Comes After Day 90
Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated the first 90 days. Now, it’s time to transition from setup to execution mode. Focus on maintaining the momentum, continuously optimizing your strategy based on performance data, and scaling your efforts as your business grows.
Key actions to take:
- Regular Reviews: Schedule monthly reviews to assess performance and make necessary adjustments.
- Content Refresh: Update and repurpose existing content to keep it relevant and engaging.
- Expand Reach: Explore new distribution channels and promotional tactics to widen your audience.
Gantt Chart or Visual Timeline
To help visualize your 90-day content strategy roadmap, consider creating a Gantt chart or visual timeline. This will help you track progress, identify dependencies, and ensure all tasks are completed on time.
Example Timeline:
- Week 1-2: Define goals, conduct audience research, create buyer personas.
- Week 3-4: Audit content, analyze competitors.
- Week 5-6: Brainstorm content ideas, create content calendar.
- Week 7-8: Create and optimize content.
- Week 9-10: Distribute and promote content.
- Week 11-12: Monitor performance, gather insights.
- Week 13-14: Review performance, adjust strategy.
- Week 15-16: Document processes, plan for the next 90 days.
Download our 90-day roadmap template to stay organized and on track. Happy strategizing!