Content Brief Template

Copy this template for every new content piece. Fill in each section before assigning to a writer. A complete brief reduces revision rounds and keeps content aligned with business goals.

Content Brief

Basic Information

Field	Details
Working title
Content type	Blog post / Guide / Ebook / Case study / Landing page
Target word count
Target publish date
Assigned writer
Assigned editor
Status	Briefed / Drafting / In review / Published

SEO Requirements

Field	Details
Primary keyword
Monthly search volume
Keyword difficulty
Secondary keywords (3-5)
Search intent	Informational / Commercial / Transactional
SERP competitors (top 3 URLs)

Audience and Positioning

Field	Details
Target persona
Persona’s job title
Pain point this content addresses
What does the reader know before reading?
What should the reader know/do after reading?
Funnel stage	Top / Middle / Bottom

Content Outline

Provide a suggested structure. The writer can adjust, but the key points must be covered.

## H2: [Section 1 title]
- Key point to cover
- Key point to cover

## H2: [Section 2 title]
- Key point to cover
- Key point to cover

## H2: [Section 3 title]
- Key point to cover
- Key point to cover

Internal Linking Requirements

List 3-5 internal pages that must be linked from this content.

Anchor Text	Target URL	Context

Calls to Action

CTA Type	CTA Text	Placement
Primary CTA		End of article
Secondary CTA		Mid-article or sidebar

Reference Materials

List any sources, data, examples, or competitor content the writer should review.

• Source 1:
• Source 2:
• Source 3:

Brand and Style Notes

• Tone: Professional but conversational. No jargon unless the audience uses it daily.
• Formatting: Use short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max). Include tables or bullet lists for scannable content. Add H2 headers every 200-300 words.
• Restrictions: Do not mention specific competitor names unless approved. Do not make claims without supporting data or examples.

Approval Checklist

Before publishing, confirm:

• Primary keyword appears in the title, H1, meta description, and first 100 words
• Secondary keywords appear naturally throughout the content
• All internal links are in place and working
• Meta title is under 60 characters
• Meta description is under 155 characters
• At least one image or visual element is included
• CTA is clear and relevant to the funnel stage
• Content has been reviewed by the editor
• Content has been reviewed by a subject matter expert (if applicable)