How to Use ChatGPT for Content Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide for Marketers (2025)

Tools You’ll Need for Content Planning

To build a complete AI-powered content plan, here are the essential tools:

• ChatGPT (Pro or Free): Pro version offers access to GPT-4, which is more accurate.
• Google Sheets / Notion: For organizing your content calendar.
• Optional Tools for Validation:
  • Trello or ClickUp: For content workflow management.
  • Semrush or SurferSEO: For keyword/topic validation.
• Bonus Tools:
  • Copy.ai / Jasper: If you want to combine ChatGPT with other AI tools in your workflow.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using ChatGPT for Content Planning

Step 1: Define Your Content Goals & Audience

Before you generate any ideas, make sure ChatGPT understands your goals.

You’ll get clarity on:

• Your audience persona
• Content objectives (e.g., educate, convert, engage)
• Preferred formats and platforms

Step 2: Generate Content Pillars or Themes

Now ask ChatGPT to help you define your foundational content categories.

Example Output for a SaaS business:

1. Product Tutorials & Use Cases
2. Industry Trends
3. Customer Success Stories
4. Integration How-Tos
5. Behind-the-Scenes & Company Culture

These pillars form the base of your content calendar.

Step 3: Build a Monthly/Weekly Content Calendar

Now that you have your pillars, time to build the structure.

Use Notion or Google Sheets to format it week-by-week. You can also use this Free Content Planning Template.

Step 4: Fill In the Funnel (TOFU/MOFU/BOFU)

TOFU = Top of Funnel

MOFU = Middle of Funnel

BOFU = Bottom of Funnel

This helps you ensure that your content strategy moves your audience from awareness to action.

Step 5: Brainstorm SEO Blog Topics for Each Pillar

Once your funnel is set, dig into blog topic ideas that align with SEO best practices.

Example for a health coach:

• TOFU: “10 Signs You Need a Nutrition Reset”
• MOFU: “Meal Planning Tips for Busy Moms”
• BOFU: “Why My 6 Week Nutrition Program Works (With Results)”

Use keyword tools like Semrush or SurferSEO to validate these ideas.

Step 6: Add Publication Dates and Channels

Take your structured plan and map it to a calendar. You can:

• Use Notion, Google Sheets or Airtable for visual layout.
• Map blog posts to your CMS, social posts to Buffer/Hootsuite and emails to ConvertKit.

Real World Examples of ChatGPT Content Planning in Action

Example 1: A B2B SaaS Blog

• Goal: Educate and convert enterprise leads
• Content Pillars: Product tutorials, industry reports, competitor comparisons
• Calendar Output: 2 blogs/week, 3 LinkedIn posts/week

Example 2: A Solopreneur’s Content Calendar

• Niche: Career coaching
• Goal: Build personal brand and sell coaching sessions
• Strategy: Blog + Instagram Reels + Weekly Newsletter
• Execution: All planned through ChatGPT with visuals mapped in Notion

Sample Prompts You Can Copy & Paste

1. "List content ideas that align with digital marketing trends in 2025."
2. "Create an Instagram content plan for a personal brand."
3. "Suggest content repurposing ideas for my existing blog post on [topic]."
4. "Break down this blog topic into a 3 post LinkedIn series."
5. "Help me write a content brief for the topic: [Title]."
6. "Suggest 10 call-to-actions for a SaaS landing page."
7. "Write subject lines for a 5 email welcome series."

Notion Templates

• Notion’s Official Content Calendar Templates
• Notion Avenue’s Minimalist Content Calendar
• Content Planner & Calendar by Notion Everything
• Community Template from Reddit (r/Notion)

Google Sheets & Excel Templates

• Free Content Calendar Spreadsheet
• Coefficient’s Google Sheets Content Calendar Templates
• Smartsheet's Social & Annual Calendar Templates
• ClickUp’s Social Media Calendar Template

How to Choose the Right One

Next Steps

1. Pick your tool: Notion for database flexibility or Google Sheets for lightweight, shareable sheets.
2. Duplicate the template (Notion) or make a copy (Google Sheets).
3. Customize columns: Add fields like Funnel Stage, Channel, Status, Keywords.
4. Import your ChatGPT generated content plan into the calendar.
5. Share and collaborate with teammates or clients easily.

No repurposing plan: Repurpose blog content for social. Read: The Ultimate Guide to Content Repurposing

Ready to Supercharge Your Content Strategy?

Content planning doesn't have to be overwhelming. With ChatGPT, you can:

• Brainstorm ideas in seconds
• Align content with strategy and funnel stages
• Organize your entire calendar in hours not weeks

Pair it with the right tools and your content game will soar.

You've now seen how ChatGPT can revolutionize your content planning — but strategy is just the beginning. To truly maximize your reach and ROI, it’s time to optimize and repurpose that content across platforms.

Explore our expert services:

✅ Content Repurposing – Turn one blog post into a full suite of social, video and email content.

✅ Content Optimization – SEO-tune your content to rank higher and convert better.

✅ Custom Content Solutions – Need a fully managed plan? Let our strategists handle it

→ → → → → Book a Free Strategy Call and scale your content without burning out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can ChatGPT create a full content calendar?

Yes. With the right prompts and structure, ChatGPT can generate weekly or monthly calendars across platforms.

Is ChatGPT good for SEO content planning?

Absolutely. Combine it with keyword tools to brainstorm SEO-optimized ideas, outlines and even meta descriptions.

What version of ChatGPT works best for planning?

GPT-4 (available with ChatGPT Pro) offers better understanding, contextual memory and advanced reasoning.