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What's included in the Search-Friendly Article Brief Template

  • Simple & clear template to create a work-ready Search Friendly Article Brief

  • Easy way to keep track of every little detail your SEO content writers need to get started

  • Clear guidelines on how to structure the article brief

  • Example of a work-ready, real Search Friendly Article Brief

SEO Article Brief Template

Download our FREE SEO Article Brief Template, including everything you need to get started with your SEO Content efforts 🚀

Who should download our Free SEO Templates?

  • You are a beginner or intermediate in SEO, looking to get started

  • You are an experienced SEO professional, looking for quick & easy ways to apply SEO

  • You are an SEO agency looking to organize your workload

How to use the SEO Article Brief Template

STEP 1:

ADVISE YOUR KEYWORD RESEARCH

  • ⚙️ Advise your SEO Keyword Research to identify keyword and phrases opportunities to target (create content for)

STEP 2:

CONTENT IDEATION

  • ⚙️ Come up with Content ideas that incorporate your target keywords and phrases

STEP 3:

CONTENT PLANNING

  • ⚙️ Use the SEO Article Brief template to plan an informative, user-first content piece relevant to your targeted keywords and phrases

STEP 4:

ON-PAGE SEO

  • ⚙️ Optimise your article as per On-Page SEO best practices

Frequently Asked Questions on the SEO Article Brief Template

What goes into an SEO article brief?

  • Title or Topic: Clearly specify the title or topic of the article. Include the primary keyword or focus keyword phrase that you want the content to target.

 

  • Keyword Research: Provide a list of relevant keywords and phrases that the article should incorporate. Include primary, secondary, and long-tail keywords that align with the article's focus.

 

  • Target Audience: Describe the target audience for the content. Understand who you want to reach with the article, their interests, and their pain points.

 

  • Search Intent: Explain the search intent behind the primary keyword. Is the audience looking for information, a product, or a solution to a problem? The article should address this intent.

 

  • Content Format: Specify the desired content format, such as blog post, how-to guide, listicle, product review, etc.

 

  • Content Length: Provide guidelines on the preferred word count for the article. Longer, comprehensive articles tend to perform well in search results.

 

  • Content Structure: Outline the desired structure of the article. Include headings, subheadings, and sections that should be covered.

 

  • SEO Guidelines: Mention any specific SEO guidelines that should be followed, such as keyword density, meta tags, and internal linking.

 

  • Competitor Analysis: If applicable, include insights from competitor analysis to guide the content creation process.

 

  • Voice and Tone: Describe the preferred writing style, tone, and voice for the article. Consider the brand's personality and the audience's preferences.

 

  • Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Highlight the unique angle or value proposition that the article should emphasize to stand out from competitors.

 

  • Reference Material: Provide any reference material, research, or sources that should be used in the article. Encourage data-driven content.

 

  • Visual Content: If relevant, indicate whether the article should include images, infographics, or other visual elements.

 

  • Call-to-Action (CTA): Specify any desired call-to-action that should be included in the article to encourage user engagement or conversion.

 

  • Publication and Distribution: Mention where the article will be published and how it will be distributed (e.g., on the website, social media, email newsletter, etc.).

 

  • Deadline: Set a clear deadline for when the content needs to be delivered.

What format should I use to create an SEO article brief?

When creating an SEO article brief, you have several options for the format, depending on your preference and the tools you have available. Here are some common SEO article brief formats you can use:
 

  • Microsoft Word (.docx): Word documents are widely used and offer a simple and accessible format for creating SEO article briefs. They are easy to edit, share, and save.

 

  • Google Docs: Similar to Microsoft Word, Google Docs is a cloud-based word processing tool that allows for collaborative editing and sharing with team members.

 

  • Microsoft Excel (.xlsx): If you prefer a structured template for your SEO article briefs, you can use Excel to create a table-based format. This can be helpful for organizing multiple briefs in one file.

 

  • Google Sheets: Like Excel, Google Sheets provides a spreadsheet-based format that can be useful for structured briefs and easy collaboration.

 

  • Plain Text (.txt): For a basic and lightweight option, you can create the SEO article brief in a plain text file. However, this format may lack formatting options compared to other formats.

What are some SEO article brief best practices?

  • Communicate Clear Objectives: Clearly outline the objectives and goals of the article. Specify the purpose of the content, the target audience, and the desired outcomes.

 

  • Communicate the expected Content Format: Define the desired content format, such as a blog post, how-to guide, or listicle, based on what best suits the topic and target audience.

 

  • Outline the Content's Structure: Outline the content's structure with clear headings and subheadings. This not only helps the writer but also improves the article's readability and SEO.

 

  • Communicate clear Content Length Guidelines: Set appropriate word count guidelines for the article, ensuring that it covers the topic comprehensively without unnecessary fluff.

 

  • Communicate your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Highlight the unique angle or value proposition the article should convey to differentiate it from similar content.

 

  • Communicate SEO Guidelines: Provide specific SEO guidelines, such as keyword density, meta tags, and header optimization, to help the writer create SEO-friendly content.

 

  • Deadline and Communication: Set a realistic deadline for content delivery and establish clear lines of communication for questions or clarifications.

 

  • Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback loop to review and provide feedback on the draft article before publication.

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