How I Plan Better Content as a Writer...

How I Plan Better Content as a Writer...

If you have ever stared at a blinking cursor thinking “I know I should post something… but what?” — you’re not alone.

Most writers don’t struggle with ideas.

They struggle with direction.

What’s worth writing next?

What’s actually resonating with readers?

What’s quietly underperforming — and why?

As writers, we are often told to “just keep publishing.” 

But very little guidance exists around how to plan content with intention, especially once you already have posts out in the world.

Over time, I realized it wasn't more ideas I needed.

I needed better signals.

The Real Challenge Isn’t Writing, It’s Deciding!

Writing itself is rarely the hardest part. The harder work happens before writing even begins:

• Choosing between ten possible post ideas
• Guessing what readers want more of
• Wondering whether an older post still has potential
• Trying to grow without burning out

For years, content planning felt like guesswork dressed up as strategy.

I wanted a way to look at what I’d already written and answer one simple question:

“Given everything I’ve published so far… what makes the most sense to write next?”

A Smarter Way to Look at Existing Content

Recently, I started using a tool called postilytic. 

Not to replace creativity, but to support it.

Instead of brainstorming in a vacuum, it analyzes an existing blog post and surfaces insights such as:

• What the post is doing well
• Where clarity or depth could improve
• What related topics might logically follow
• Which ideas are worth expanding into future content

What I appreciated immediately was that it didn’t try to tell me what to write.

It instead helped me see many patterns I might have otherwise missed.

That distinction matters.

Using One of My Own Posts as a Test...

To really understand its value, I ran one of my older writing posts through 

postilytic, a piece I liked, but hadn’t revisited in a while.

What came back was not just generic advice. It highlighted:

1. Themes I’d touched on but hadn’t fully explored
2. Opportunities for follow-up posts that made sense contextually
3. Areas where readers might want more practical examples

Suddenly, I wasn’t asking “What should I write next?”

I was asking “Which of these opportunities do I want to pursue first?”

That shift alone removed a surprising amount of friction.

Why This Matters for Writers and Authors.

If you are a writer who maintains a blog, many blogs, a newsletter, or author platform, this approach can be especially helpful because:

• You already have valuable content — it just needs direction
• Your voice matters more than trends
• Growth often comes from refinement, not reinvention

Instead of chasing new ideas constantly, you can build from what is already working.

That’s a healthier, more sustainable way to publish.

Content Planning Without the Noise.

One thing I’m increasingly mindful of is avoiding the tools that often overwhelm creators with dashboards, metrics, and constant urgency.

What I like about this process is its simplicity:

1. Paste in a post (or URL)
2. Review the insights
3. Then decide what you want to do with them!

No pressure. No commitment. Just clearer thinking.

For writers who value creativity and structure, this balance is important.

Curious to Try It?

postilytic offers a free analysis, which makes it easy to experiment without changing your workflow or committing to anything.

If you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or simply curious about what your existing content might be telling you, it’s worth exploring.

👉 You can try it here: https://postilytic.com/

Even one fresh insight can be enough to unlock your next few posts.

Final Thoughts

The best content plans don’t start with trends or templates.

They start with listening... 

Listening to your work, your readers, and your creative instincts.

Tools like this don’t replace intuition.

They sharpen it.

And sometimes, that is all a writer needs to move forward with confidence.

PS: I am always experimenting with ways to make content planning less overwhelming for writers. If you try the tool and find it helpful, I would love to hear your thoughts!