How to Write an SEO Content Brief + Free Templates

You’re determined to dominate the digital world with your top-notch writing skills.

But, despite pouring your heart and soul into crafting the perfect piece, it fails to generate any buzz online — and you’re not alone, as 90% of web pages get zero traffic from Google.

The problem?

You may have overlooked one crucial element: an SEO content brief template.

In today’s competitive landscape, simply being a great writer isn’t enough; you need to create content that search engines love, too.

Enter the life-saving SEO content template – your ultimate guide for producing engaging, informative, and search-engine-optimized masterpieces.

Let’s define what is an SEO content brief template and unlock the secrets of creating SEO-focused content that will drive traffic and conversions like never before.

What is an SEO Content Brief Template?

A content brief template is your secret weapon for creating high-quality, SEO-optimized content that engages readers and ranks well in search engines.

This document provides your content writer with a full set of instructions on how to produce a rank-worthy blog. It should include target audience details, keyword research findings, goals and objectives, timelines for completion, and resource allocation — everything your writer needs to write compelling copy.

Why is it important to write a content brief?

Let’s look at your current workflow. As head of your content team, you tell your writer that you want an article on container gardening tips for beginners. But your super enthusiastic newbie goes off tangent and discusses soil testing for almost half of the article.

The result? A total rewrite.

How do you avoid these time-wasting revisions?

By writing a content brief.

Providing clear instructions through a content brief is the not-so-secret key to keeping content projects on the right track and avoiding frustrating rewrites.

A well-crafted template serves as an invaluable communication tool between clients, editors, and writers who need clear guidelines on what’s expected from each piece of work.

Benefits of an SEO Content Brief

SEO content briefs offer several benefits that can greatly enhance the efficiency of your content creation process.

1. Saves plenty of time and money: Imagine getting a draft back from a writer only to realize it completely missed the mark. Frustrating, right? With a content brief, there will be fewer revisions and no more wasted effort. It helps ensure everyone involved understands the assignment from the get-go. This is important whether you are the content creator or you manage a whole content team.
2. Consistency and branding: Content briefs outline the desired tone, style, and messaging, ensuring consistency across all content pieces. This consistency helps build a recognizable brand voice and fosters a cohesive user experience across different channels.
3. Alignment with audience needs: Content briefs typically include information about the target audience, such as demographics, interests, and pain points. This knowledge allows writers to tailor their content to meet the specific needs and preferences of the intended audience, increasing engagement and relevance.
4. Provides a clear direction: It’s easy for writers to get lost along the way if the content manager simply assigns a broad topic. Content briefs provide that much-needed direction so that writers can create exceptional content — even when they have limited expertise on the subject. This is why 82.7% of content teams currently rely on content briefs. With a well-written content brief, writers will have what they need to start working on their next assignment.
5. Improved SEO performance: By including target keywords, SEO content brief templates guide writers in optimizing their content for search engines.
6. Streamlined collaboration: Creating content briefs serves as a reference point for all stakeholders involved in the content creation process. Whether it’s writers, editors, designers, or SEO specialists, everyone can refer to the brief to ensure they are on the same page and working towards a common goal.
7. Scalability and repurposing: SEO content briefs provide a framework that can be replicated or repurposed for similar topics or content formats. This scalability enables the efficient creation of content assets across different channels or platforms while maintaining consistency and SEO best practices.
8. Performance tracking: When SEO content briefs are tied to specific goals and KPIs, they enable better tracking and measurement of content performance. This data can be used to identify areas for improvement and inform future content strategies and briefs.

In the following sections, I will teach you how to write an effective SEO content brief plus share some templates that you can use right away.

How to Write an SEO Content Brief

Writing an effective SEO content brief involves careful planning and attention to detail. Here are the steps to follow when writing an SEO content brief:

1. Establish Clear Goals

First things first, you need to set clear goals for your content brief template to keep everyone on the same page.

Your goals should align with your business objectives and could include increasing organic traffic, improving search rankings, or boosting conversions.

2. Know Your Audience

Before you start writing, you have to know who you’re writing for. Create a detailed buyer persona to identify your ideal customer, including demographics and interests. Then, in your content brief, you can refer to this persona to help guide content creation.

3. Set Timelines

Deadlines are crucial for keeping your content creation process on track and ensuring timely delivery.

To create an effective timeline, break down the entire content creation process into smaller tasks.

• Task 1: Keyword research – Identify relevant keywords that align with your target audience’s search intent.
• Task 2: Content ideation – Brainstorm ideas based on keyword research findings and audience needs.
• Task 3: Content outline – Create a detailed structure for each piece of content to ensure it covers all necessary points effectively. At this point, you might simply create a content brief and hand it off to a writer, who will then do the detailed outlining and drafting before writing and editing.
• Task 4: Writing and editing – Produce high-quality content that engages readers while adhering to SEO best practices.
• Task 5: Publishing and promotion – Share your fresh content across various channels like social media or email newsletters for maximum exposure.

4. Assign Resources

Allocating resources effectively is crucial for the success of your content brief template.

Determine who will create and implement the content strategy – whether it’s a content writer, SEO specialist, or graphic designer for visuals.

Who does what at each stage? When will you create content briefs, and when will you hand them off to a writer? What tools will you provide for content creators to do their jobs more efficiently?

Don’t forget to budget wisely for freelancers and premium software subscriptions to ensure the successful execution of your SEO content brief template.

5. Create a Working Title

Think of this as your content’s first impression. Your working title should be catchy, relevant, and pique the reader’s interest.

While you don’t have to stick to the first one you come up with, it can serve as an anchor for your ideas. This is especially helpful for freelance writers who are just starting to learn about your brand.

6. Add Your Keywords

Find relevant target phrases using keyword research tools and outline them in your content brief.

Specifying target keywords (primary and secondary) helps the writer create more targeted and effective content geared towards its intended objectives, whether that’s driving traffic, generating leads, or providing valuable information.

7. Analyze the Competition

Check out the top-ranking content for your target keyword. See what they’re doing well and, more importantly, identify any gaps or areas you can improve upon.

A good content brief will cover these competing articles to give your writers a head start.

8. Create a Content Outline

An outline is a roadmap that keeps your content structured and reader-friendly. Organize your ideas into clear sections with H2 and H3 headers. Think of each section as a mini-chapter that helps your content flow seamlessly.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to create a blog outline.

9. Determine Word Count and Writing Style

While longer-form content tends to rank higher in Google search results, the sweet spot can vary depending on your industry, topic, and audience. Experts found that articles with around 2,500 words tend to rank best. A clear word count in your content brief helps writers determine how in-depth a subject should be covered.

Just as importantly, specify the preferred writing style and tone in your content brief. Are you all about casual, conversational content or do you lean more towards the formal side? Providing style specifics is important to make sure your writers are creating content that’s appropriate to your brand.

Using AI? Your Content Brief Will Be Different — and Easier

What if I told you that you could skip all these steps and get a comprehensive SEO content brief in just a few clicks?

BrandWell allows you to generate a content brief for each keyword before its RankWell long-form writer creates your blog post.

Here’s what the BrandWell content brief builder looks like:

In the right column, you will see all the top-ranking content for your keyword. Click on a header to view a summary of what the section is about.

See an H2 or H3 header you like? Just click the “Add” button to include it in your content brief.

Once you’re done, click the “Write Post” button at the bottom and the AI will generate a long-form blog article based on the content brief that you built.

Want an even easier way to write an SEO content brief?

Ditch all those steps and just ask AIMEE to write one for you!

AIMEE is BrandWell’s super smart chatbot that can whip out a content brief on any topic on a single prompt.

You can access AIMEE by logging into your BrandWell account.

On your BrandWell dashboard, click “Start Writing” to bring up the unified text editor.

Click the Generate tab and choose AIMEE Chat to start your conversation.

On the chatbox, type your prompt and wait a few seconds for AIMEE to generate your SEO content brief.

Continue prompting until you are satisfied with AIMEE’s response. Then click the “Add to Editor” button at the bottom to view and edit your content brief on the text editor.

Let me show you some examples of AI-generated content briefs.

Free SEO Content Brief Templates

Here’s a general-use SEO content brief template that you can adapt to any content project:

General SEO Content Brief Template

1. Project Overview

Title/Topic: [Insert the title or topic of the content]

Target Audience: [Describe the intended audience for this content]

Purpose/Objective: [State the goal of the content (e.g., inform, educate, promote)]

Desired Action: [Specify the action you want the reader to take after engaging with the content (e.g., visit a website, subscribe)]

2. Keywords and SEO Strategy

Primary Keyword: [Main keyword phrase for SEO]

Secondary Keywords: [Additional related keywords]

LSI Keywords: [Latent Semantic Indexing keywords for context and relevance]

Search Intent: [Describe the search intent behind the keywords (e.g., informational, transactional)]

3. Content Specifications

Word Count: [Specify the desired word count for the content]

Headline: [Suggest a compelling headline optimized with primary keyword]

Meta Description: [Propose a meta description (around 150-160 characters) incorporating primary keyword]

4. Content Structure

Introduction: [Outline the main points to introduce]

Main Body: [Bullet points or outline of key sections and subtopics]

Conclusion: [Summarize key takeaways and call to action]

5. Style and Tone

Tone: [Specify the desired tone (e.g., formal, conversational, authoritative)]

Style Guide: [Reference any specific style preferences or brand guidelines]

6. Content Optimization Guidelines

Headings and Subheadings: [Specify H1, H2, H3 structure and include keywords]

Anchor Text: [Recommend anchor text for internal linking (if applicable)]

Images/Visuals: [Specify any images or visual content required with alt text and descriptions]

External Links: [Suggest authoritative sources for external linking]

7. SEO Best Practices

Readability: [Check readability using tools like Flesch-Kincaid]

Keyword Density: [Ensure optimal keyword density (around 1-2%)]

Meta Tags: [Specify additional meta tags (e.g., Open Graph tags for social sharing)]

8. Deadline and Delivery:

Deadline: [Specify the deadline for the content submission]

Delivery Format: [Indicate the preferred format for the content (e.g., Google Doc, HTML)]

9. Additional Notes:

[Include any additional instructions, special requests, or references]

Want to see this template in action? Here are a few examples:

SEO Content Brief Template for SEO Writing

1. Project Overview

Title/Topic: Beginner’s Guide to SEO Writing

Target Audience: Small business owners and marketers interested in improving their online presence

Purpose/Objective: Educate readers on basic SEO principles and encourage them to start implementing SEO strategies.

Desired Action: Drive traffic to our SEO services landing page.

2. Keywords and SEO Strategy

Primary Keyword: SEO writing tips

Secondary Keywords: SEO for beginners, SEO strategies, SEO techniques

LSI Keywords: keyword research, on-page SEO, off-page SEO

Search Intent: Informational

3. Content Specifications

Word Count: 1500 words

Headline: “Mastering SEO Writing: Your Ultimate Guide for Beginners”

Meta Description: “Learn essential SEO writing tips and techniques in this comprehensive beginner’s guide. Start optimizing your content for better search engine rankings today!”

4. Content Structure

Introduction: What is SEO writing?

Main Body: Benefits of SEO writing, essential tips, tools for keyword research, on-page and off-page SEO techniques

Conclusion: Recap key points and encourage readers to apply the strategies discussed.

5. Style and Tone

Tone: Friendly and informative

Style Guide: Use active voice, avoid jargon, and align with our brand voice (casual yet professional)

6. Content Optimization Guideline

Headings and Subheadings: H1: What is SEO Writing? H2: Benefits of SEO Writing, etc.

Anchor Text: Link to our SEO services page with the anchor text “SEO services”

Images/Visuals: Include screenshots of SEO tools with alt text and captions

External Links: Reference Moz and Neil Patel for further reading

7. SEO Best Practices

Readability: Target Flesch-Kincaid readability score of 60+

Keyword Density: Aim for 1-2% keyword density

Meta Tags: Add Open Graph tags for social sharing

8. Deadline and Delivery

Deadline: July 15, 2024

Delivery Format: Google Doc

9. Additional Notes:

Ensure content is actionable with practical examples.

Avoid overly technical language; make concepts accessible.

SEO Content Brief Template for a SaaS Product

1. Project Overview

Title/Topic: Maximizing Productivity with Cloud-Based Project Management Tools

Target Audience: Project managers, small business owners, and teams seeking efficient project management solutions

Purpose/Objective: Educate the audience on the benefits of cloud-based project management tools and drive traffic to our SaaS product page.

Desired Action: Encourage sign-ups for a free trial of our project management software.

2. Keywords and SEO Strategy

Primary Keyword: Cloud-based project management tools

Secondary Keywords: SaaS project management, online task management, collaboration software

LSI Keywords: agile project management, team collaboration tools, task tracking software

Search Intent: Informational and solution-oriented

3. Content Specifications

Word Count: 2000 words

Headline: “Boost Team Efficiency: The Ultimate Guide to Cloud-Based Project Management Tools”

Meta Description: “Discover how cloud-based project management tools streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Start your journey towards efficient team collaboration today!”

4. Content Structure

Introduction: Importance of efficient project management in modern businesses

Main Body:

Benefits of cloud-based project management tools

Key features to look for in SaaS project management software

Comparison of top cloud-based project management tools (mention your SaaS product)

Case studies or success stories using cloud-based project management tools

Conclusion: Recap key benefits and call to action for trying out our SaaS product

5. Style and Tone

Tone: Professional and authoritative, yet approachable

Style Guide: Use industry terminology but explain technical terms for clarity; maintain a neutral tone suitable for business readers

6. Content Optimization Guideline

Headings and Subheadings: H1: Benefits of Cloud-Based Project Management Tools, H2: Key Features to Consider, etc.

Anchor Text: Link to our SaaS product page with the anchor text “Try our cloud-based project management tool”

Images/Visuals: Include screenshots of the software interface with descriptive alt text

External Links: Reference industry reports and case studies on SaaS adoption and project management trends

7. SEO Best Practices

Readability: Aim for Flesch-Kincaid readability score of 60+

Keyword Density: Maintain 1-2% keyword density naturally throughout the content

Meta Tags: Optimize meta tags including Open Graph tags for social sharing

8. Deadline and Delivery

Deadline: August 10, 2024

Delivery Format: Google Doc

9. Additional Notes

Highlight how our SaaS product solves common pain points in project management.

Include CTAs strategically to encourage sign-ups and demo requests.

Ensure the content is up-to-date with the latest features and trends in cloud-based project management.

SEO Content Brief Template for a Lifestyle Topic

1. Project Overview

Title: “10 Essential Tips for a Successful Kitchen Renovation”

Target Keywords: “kitchen renovation ideas”, “home renovation tips”, “renovation budgeting”

Content Type: Blog Post, Guide, Listicle

Target Audience: Homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, people planning a home renovation

2. Content Goals

Primary Goal: Inform and educate homeowners on the best practices for a successful kitchen renovation

Secondary Goal: Establish the company as a trusted authority in the home renovation industry

Tertiary Goal: Drive traffic to the company website and generate leads for renovation services

3. Content Requirements

Introduction (approx. 100-150 words)

Briefly introduce the importance of proper planning for a kitchen renovation

Mention the common challenges homeowners face during a renovation

Preview the tips and advice that will be covered in the article

Body Content (approx. 500-700 words)

Tip 1: Create a realistic budget and timeline

Discuss the importance of setting a realistic budget and timeline

Provide tips on how to create a budget and timeline that works for you

Tip 2: Choose the right materials and fixtures

Discuss the different materials and fixtures available for kitchen renovations

Provide advice on how to choose the right materials and fixtures for your needs and budget

Tip 3: Plan for functionality and workflow

Discuss the importance of planning for functionality and workflow in your kitchen renovation

Provide tips on how to design a kitchen that is both functional and beautiful

Tip 4-10: [Insert additional tips and advice on kitchen renovation best practices]

Conclusion (approx. 100-150 words)

Summarize the importance of proper planning for a successful kitchen renovation

Encourage readers to take action and start planning their kitchen renovation

Provide a call-to-action (CTA) to contact the company for more information or to schedule a consultation

4. SEO Requirements

Keyword density: 1-2% for target keywords

Meta title: “10 Essential Tips for a Successful Kitchen Renovation”

Meta description: “Get the most out of your kitchen renovation with these 10 essential tips. From budgeting to materials, we’ve got you covered.”

Header tags: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure the content and highlight key points

Anchor Text: Link to our home renovation services page with anchor text “Learn more about our renovation consultation services”

Images/Visuals: Include high-quality images of renovated spaces with descriptive alt text

External Links: Reference reputable sources for renovation tips and trends

5. Tone and Style

Tone: Informative, helpful, and conversational

Style: Use a friendly and approachable tone, with a focus on providing valuable information and advice

6. Word Count

1,000-1,200 words

7. Deadline and Delivery

Deadline: August 13, 2024

Delivery Format: Word Doc

8. Additional Notes

Highlight our expertise in custom renovations and sustainable design practices.

Include practical advice for tackling DIY projects safely and effectively.

Emphasize the importance of hiring professionals for complex renovations.

SEO Content Brief Template for a Travel Topic

1. Project Overview

Title: “Top 10 Hidden Gems to Explore in Tokyo, Japan”

Target Keywords: “Tokyo travel guide”, “hidden gems in Tokyo”, “off the beaten path Tokyo”

Content Type: Blog Post, Guide

Target Audience: Travel enthusiasts, adventure seekers, people planning a trip to Tokyo

2. Content Goals

Primary Goal: Inspire and inform travelers about the lesser-known attractions and experiences in Tokyo

Secondary Goal: Establish the company as a trusted authority in the travel industry

Tertiary Goal: Drive traffic to the company website and generate leads for travel services or bookings

3. Content Requirements

Introduction (approx. 100-150 words)

Briefly introduce the city of Tokyo and its popularity among travelers

Mention the common tourist attractions and the desire to explore beyond the usual spots

Preview the hidden gems that will be covered in the article

Body Content (approx. 800-1,000 words)

Hidden Gem 1: Neon Museum

Describe the museum and its unique exhibits

Provide tips on how to get there and what to expect

Hidden Gem 2: Shibuya’s Nonbei Yokocho

Introduce the concept of a “Yokocho” and its significance in Japanese culture

Describe the atmosphere and experience of visiting Nonbei Yokocho

Hidden Gem 3: Kagurazaka’s Geisha District

Provide a brief history of the geisha culture in Japan

Describe the charm and beauty of Kagurazaka’s geisha district

Hidden Gem 4-10: [Insert additional hidden gems and experiences in Tokyo]

Conclusion (approx. 100-150 words)

Summarize the unique experiences and attractions that can be found in Tokyo beyond the usual tourist spots

Encourage readers to venture off the beaten path and explore the city’s hidden gems

Provide a call-to-action (CTA) to contact the company for more information or to book a trip to Tokyo

4. SEO Requirements

Keyword density: 1-2% for target keywords

Meta title: “Top 10 Hidden Gems to Explore in Tokyo, Japan”

Meta description: “Discover the secrets of Tokyo beyond the usual tourist spots. Explore our top 10 hidden gems and experience the city like a local.”

Header tags: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure the content and highlight key points

Anchor Text: Link to our travel booking platform with anchor text “Book your next adventure here”

Images/Visuals: Include high-resolution photos of Tokyo travel destinations with descriptive alt text

External Links: Reference reputable travel guides, blogs, and tourism boards

5. Tone and Style

Tone: Informative, enthusiastic, and adventurous

Style: Use a conversational tone, with a focus on storytelling and vivid descriptions of the hidden gems

6. Word Count

1,200-1,500 words

7. Deadline and Format

Deadline: December 10, 2024

Delivery Format: Google Doc

8. Additional Notes

Highlight exclusive travel deals and packages available through our platform.

Include practical travel advice for different budgets and travel styles.

Emphasize safety tips and responsible travel practices.

Feel free to adapt these templates to your specific needs and preferences. This structured approach ensures that your SEO content brief provides clear direction to writers, helping them create content that is optimized for search engines and aligned with your objectives.

Conclusion

We have laid out the steps on how to manually create a comprehensive SEO content brief template. It does sound tedious and if you want to streamline your workflow, the best way to create content with a custom brief is by using an all-in-one content marketing platform like BrandWell.

BrandWell will take care of the bruntwork — pulling all the ranking content for your topic so all you have to do is click on the H2s and H3s and build your custom content brief.

Don’t overlook the importance of having an SEO content brief template for your next project. Try BrandWell today!