Create a [CALENDAR LENGTH] editorial calendar for [BRAND OR PUBLICATION] about [TARGET KEYWORD]. The intended reader is [AUDIENCE], and our business goal is [BUSINESS GOAL]. We can publish [PUBLISHING CAPACITY]. Use this context and any constraints I provide; do not invent product claims, search-volume data, events, experts, or customer evidence. First, identify the main reader jobs, questions, objections, and decision stages connected to the target keyword. Build a calendar that serves those needs rather than repeating the same keyword in every title. Include a deliberate mix of foundational, comparison, problem-solving, proof, and conversion-supporting content where appropriate. Output a table with one row per planned piece and these columns: publish week/date, working title, primary keyword, search intent, reader problem, funnel stage, format, angle or unique takeaway, key points to cover, internal link target or CTA, owner, and status. Then provide:
1. A short content-cluster map showing pillar pages and supporting articles. 2. Three priority pieces to publish first, with a 75-word brief for each. 3. A list of timely dates or seasonal hooks that require fact-checking before use. 4. A production checklist for each piece: source requirements, subject-matter review, internal links, and conversion path. Keep titles specific, non-clickbait, and distinct from each other. Do not recommend a topic merely because it contains the keyword. Before answering, check that every calendar item has a different reader purpose or angle, and flag any proposed claim, event, or trend that needs verification. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.
Fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [CALENDAR LENGTH] | Enter the planning period, such as 12 weeks or January through June. | 12 weeks, starting October 6 |
| [BRAND OR PUBLICATION] | Enter the business, publication, or website the calendar is for. | ClearLedger, bookkeeping software for small agencies |
| [TARGET KEYWORD] | Enter the main keyword or topic cluster to organize the calendar around. | agency cash flow management |
| [AUDIENCE] | Describe the reader, their role, experience level, and situation. | Owners of 5- to 25-person marketing agencies who manage finances themselves |
| [BUSINESS GOAL] | State the outcome the content should support, such as demo requests or newsletter signups. | Earn qualified trial signups for the cash-flow forecasting feature |
| [PUBLISHING CAPACITY] | State how many pieces and what formats your team can realistically publish. | One 1,200-word article and one customer-email issue each week |
How to use
- Paste the prompt and replace every bracketed field with your actual editorial constraints.
- Add existing pillar pages, product pages, or seasonal events so the linking and timing recommendations can be grounded.
- Check that each topic has a distinct reader need and that the schedule matches your team’s available writers and reviewers.
- Follow up with: “Turn weeks 1–3 into production briefs with outlines, source standards, and internal-link anchor text.”
Variations
Quarterly calendar
Use this when leadership needs a concise quarterly plan before approving production.
Build a [QUARTER] content calendar for [COMPANY] focused on [THEME]. Our audience is [AUDIENCE], and the commercial goal is [GOAL]. We have [TEAM CAPACITY]. Return a 13-week table with title, reader question, funnel stage, format, owner, dependencies, CTA, and priority. Add a one-page rationale that explains how the pieces form a cluster. Do not invent keyword metrics or customer stories; mark any research needed before approval.
Social companion plan
Use this when articles need coordinated social distribution rather than standalone posts.
Create a social distribution calendar for [CONTENT ASSETS] aimed at [AUDIENCE] on [CHANNELS]. The voice is [VOICE GUIDELINES] and the goal is [GOAL]. For each asset, provide three platform-native post concepts, publishing sequence, hook, proof point required, CTA, and repurposing note. Avoid copying article headlines into every post. Flag statements that need a source or approval. Return a weekly table plus a list of reusable visual or quote assets.
SEO content refresh
Use this when an existing library needs prioritization before creating new articles.
Audit and prioritize these existing pages: [PAGE LIST]. Our target cluster is [TARGET TOPIC], our audience is [AUDIENCE], and our goal is [GOAL]. Return a refresh calendar for [TIME PERIOD] with each page’s likely intent, overlap risk, recommended action, new sections, internal links, evidence needed, and measurement plan. Recommend consolidation where pages compete for the same reader question. Do not claim rankings or traffic without data I supplied.
Tips
- Plan around reader decisions, not just keyword variations; articles that answer the same question should usually be consolidated or clearly differentiated.
- Give each item a named conversion path, such as a relevant template, demo, product page, or newsletter issue, before it enters production.
- Treat calendar dates, trend hooks, and claimed statistics as research tasks until a primary source confirms them.
- Reserve review time for subject-matter experts when the content makes operational, legal, financial, or technical claims.
FAQ
Can AI create an editorial calendar from one keyword?
It can create a useful starting cluster, but the calendar improves when you supply your audience, existing content, capacity, and business goal. Treat unsupplied search or market data as unknown.
How many topics should an editorial calendar include?
Use your actual production capacity. A smaller set of well-researched pieces with clear internal links is usually more useful than a long list of lightly differentiated topics.
Should every calendar item target a keyword?
Most search-led pieces should, but email, social, customer education, and conversion content can serve a reader need that does not map cleanly to a single keyword.