Content planning is the kind of task that feels productive until you’re drowning in spreadsheets. I’ve been there: twelve tabs open, a calendar that makes no sense, and a growing sense of dread. That’s why I built my own system in Notion, and it’s been a game-changer. Let me walk you through it.
First, forget the idea of a ‘perfect’ plan. You’re not trying to map out every detail for the next six months. You’re creating a flexible container that can hold your ideas and shape them into a monthly rhythm. In Notion, that means a few linked databases: one for content ideas, one for a monthly calendar, and one for your actual published posts.
Start with your content pillars. What are the three to five themes your audience cares about? For a creative solopreneur, that might be ‘behind the scenes’, ‘client wins’, ‘tips and tricks’, and ‘personal stories’. Write those down. They’ll be the backbone of your month.
Now, create a database called ‘Content Ideas’ with a property for pillar, status, and date. This is your idea catcher. Any time something sparks, add it here. No need to flesh it out—just a title and a pillar. You’ll thank yourself later.
Next, build a ‘Monthly Calendar’ view. Use a database that shows a calendar by date, and add properties for the content type (blog post, newsletter, social post) and the status (draft, scheduled, published). This is your bird’s-eye view. Drag and drop ideas onto the days that feel right. Don’t overthink it.
The magic happens when you link the two databases. In Notion, you can create a relation property. This lets you attach a specific idea to a specific date. Now when you sit down to write, you know exactly what you’re working on. No more ‘what should I post today?’ panic.
Here’s where the ‘without losing your mind’ part comes in. Leave room for spontaneity. Don’t fill every day with content. Leave gaps for last-minute inspirations or trending topics. Your system should serve you, not the other way around.
One more pro tip: create a ‘Drafts’ view that filters for status ‘in progress’. This is your workspace. When you open Notion, you see exactly what you need to do today. No scrolling through everything.
I’ve used this system for six months now, and it’s completely changed how I approach content. I plan less, but I publish more consistently. And when a new idea strikes, I have a place to put it without disrupting my flow.
If you want a ready-made version, check out my Content Planner template. It’s exactly what I use, with all the databases and views set up. Just duplicate and go. But even if you build your own, the principles are the same: keep it simple, make it yours, and let it work for you.