The Ultimate 6-Step Content Marketing Strategy Checklist

Quality content is a game-changer that 92% of marketers swear by. Yet it’s zeroing in on one pivotal word that ensures your content functions as a key driver of long-term ROI:?

Quality.?

Essentially, your brand can simply churn out words and visuals or it can craft experiences that resonate, engage, and convert. However, even top marketing pros know this is sometimes easier said than done thanks to:?

• Gaps in your content strategy
• Scattered, unfocused game plans
• Stalled or insufficient marketing efforts

If you can relate, you’re not alone—and we’ve got your back. This content marketing strategy checklist has everything you’ll need to stand out and stay ahead. We’ll walk through a powerhouse list of content marketing tips designed to help you create an airtight strategy that delivers measurable results.?

1. Define Your Goals

Approaching content without precise goals is like embarking on a road trip without a map: You risk burning gas and getting nowhere fast. Quality content is created through well-defined goals that keep you on course.?

Before diving into a solid strategy, however, take stock of your current standing. This initial assessment lays the groundwork for future success. Consider these evaluations:

• Comprehensive content audit
• Audience analysis
• SEO and performance metrics
• Existing content management systems

Don’t green light any content initiatives based on vague aspirations like “better SEO.” When defining your content goals, we recommend the SMART framework:

• Specific (e.g., “Generate 200 new email subscribers per month”)
• Measurable (e.g., “Increase webinar registrations by 30%”)
• Achievable (based on your resources and historical benchmarks)
• Relevant (aligned to key business objectives and audience needs)
• Time-bound (e.g., “Over the next six months” or “By end of Q3”)

Lock in your goals first. Then, you can create content with a purpose.

Get rolling with insights into the strategy of content marketing with our introductory guide to quality content, and dive into these 10 easy tips for effective content marketing.

2. Understand Your Funnel

You need a deep understanding of your audience’s path from initial interest to becoming satisfied customers. This is how you deliver the right content at each stage of the Content Marketing Funnel.

The Content Marketing Funnel has three main stages:

1. Lead Generation (Awareness): Attracting new leads with easily digestible content
2. Lead Nurturing (Consideration): Nurturing leads with more in-depth content
3. Lead Conversion (Purchase): Converting leads to customers through offers

This universal, across-the-board funnel remains consistent, but what does your funnel actually look like?

The funnel pathway for a retail customer can look very different for a B2B software company or an enterprise law firm. Here’s how to better understand yours (tip: understanding search intent is a great place to start):

• Clearly define your target audience to know who you need to reach and how.
• Map the buyer’s journey, including key questions and info they need at each stage.
• Analyze customer data to see how they currently interact with existing content.?
• Define any potential customer roadblocks and pain points that need to be addressed.
• Research what’s already been published for each funnel stage in your industry.

The key is to view your content funnel as a living, evolving model rather than a fixed process. When done right, content marketing allows you to authentically connect with and nurture your audience from awareness to conversion.

3. Develop Your Strategy

Goals defined and funnel mapped, it’s time to build out a comprehensive strategy that connects all the dots. Your strategy should lay out:?

Content Types and Topics

• What formats will you use (blog, video, social media posts, etc.)?
• What are the specific subject areas and themes you’ll promote?

Editorial Calendar

• How frequently will you publish new content?
• When will each topic, campaign, or initiative go live?

Content Creators

• Who will be responsible for creating, editing, and approval?
• Do you need to outsource writers, designers, editors, web development, etc.?

Promotion Channels

• Where will you distribute and amplify your content?
• How can you repurpose content across different platforms or content types?

Success Metrics

• How will you measure key performance indicators (KPIs) for each goal?
• What content marketing metrics indicate your content is working or needs optimization?

We know—it’s a lot to consider. The good news? These resources are packed with expert content marketing tips to help you develop a successful content marketing strategy:?

• 7 Steps to Creating a Flawless Content Marketing Strategy
• 13 Digital Marketing Tips for Your Next Campaign
• 12 Content Marketing Tips That Help You Connect and Convert

4. Create Your Content

Your strategy is locked in and ready to steer your high-quality content vision in the right direction. Every piece of content should click here to read the full (ungated) article. >>