Stage 1 — Idea & brief
A piece doesn't enter production until this stage is complete.
- Pull the idea from the idea bank and confirm its pillar
- Write a one-line brief: audience + single big idea
- Draft three candidate hooks and pick the strongest
Content PlanningPDFFree
Content Workflow SOP
Consistency comes from a process, not willpower. This SOP captures your full content workflow — idea, brief, produce, edit, publish, promote — as a repeatable checklist you (or a hire) can follow without dropping a step.
What you get
- A stage-by-stage standard operating procedure for your whole content pipeline
- Clear hand-off points so work moves cleanly between stages or people
- A pre-publish quality gate so nothing ships rough
- A branded, print-ready PDF you can follow or hand to a collaborator
How to use this template
- 1
Map your real flow. Write down how a piece actually moves from idea to published today, including the messy parts.
- 2
Standardize each stage. Turn each stage into a checklist of concrete steps anyone could follow without asking you.
- 3
Mark the hand-offs. Note where a piece moves to the next stage or person, and what 'done' means at each gate.
- 4
Run and refine. Follow the SOP for a few pieces, then tighten any step that caused confusion or delay.
What's inside
Here's a preview. Unlock the free download to get all 4 sections (3 more below).
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Frequently asked questions
Why do solo creators need an SOP?
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An SOP turns a process you hold in your head into one you can repeat on autopilot and eventually delegate. It removes the daily decision fatigue of figuring out the next step and makes your output consistent even on low-energy days.
When should I document my workflow?
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As soon as you've published enough pieces to see your real pattern — usually after ten or so. Document what you actually do, not an idealized version, then improve it from there.