Publishing content isn’t just about hitting 'Publish.' To deliver value and build trust, every piece must go through a reliable process. Here’s a 7-step content publishing checklist—built with the Pulse → Studio → Echo → Orbit → Recall framework—to guarantee your posts make the right impact every time.
1. Pulse: Define Purpose and Audience
Before you draft a single word, clarify the intent behind your content.
- Identify your goal: Are you aiming to educate, convert, or build brand authority?
- Pinpoint your audience: Who will benefit most from this piece? What are their pain points?
- Set success metrics: What does success look like for this post (e.g., shares, signups, downloads)?
A clear pulse ensures that every step aligns with your objectives and target readers.
2. Studio: Create and Optimize the Draft
Now, move into creation mode.
- Research thoroughly: Use credible sources, up-to-date statistics, and original insights.
- Structure logically: Use headings, short paragraphs, and bullet points for readability.
- Optimize for SEO:
- Use your primary keyword in the title, headers, and naturally in the body
- Write a compelling meta description (about 155 characters)
- Add internal and external links where relevant
- Ensure brand voice: Double-check tone, style, and messaging consistency
Drafting with intent and optimization in mind saves hours of editing down the line.
3. Echo: Edit, Proof, and Validate
Time to refine your content and ensure it’s error-free.
- Proofread: Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
- Fact-check: Validate all claims, data, and sources for accuracy
- Peer review: Ask a colleague to review for clarity and completeness
- Test readability: Aim for a Flesch Reading Ease score above 60 (or suitable for your audience)
- Check accessibility: Use descriptive ALT text for images and ensure good contrast
Polishing your post ensures it resonates clearly and professionally.
4. Orbit: Prep for Publication
With your content finalized, set it up for a seamless launch.
- Format properly: Ensure headings, lists, images, and embeds display correctly
- Add visuals: Include relevant, high-quality images or graphics
- Set featured image: Choose an on-brand, compelling visual
- Review meta tags: Double-check title tags, meta description, and OG tags for social sharing
- Preview on devices: View the post on desktop and mobile to catch formatting issues
A well-prepared post is more engaging and shareable across all channels.
5. Echo: Final Review and Stakeholder Approval
Before going live, get sign-off from key stakeholders.
- Send for approval: Share the preview link with decision-makers
- Incorporate feedback: Make any last adjustments as needed
- Confirm compliance: Ensure content meets legal, regulatory, and brand guidelines
Echoing back to stakeholders ensures alignment and avoids costly last-minute changes.
6. Orbit: Publish and Promote
Launch your content and amplify its reach.
- Publish: Schedule or manually post at optimal times for your audience
- Distribute: Share across social media, email newsletters, and relevant communities
- Tag and track: Use UTM parameters or trackable links for analytics
- Engage: Monitor comments and respond to spark conversations
Your content’s orbit expands as you promote and engage with your audience.
7. Recall: Measure, Learn, and Improve
After the initial buzz, circle back to assess performance and capture learnings.
- Analyze results: Check traffic, engagement, conversions, and SEO rankings
- Identify lessons: What worked well? What could be improved next time?
- Document insights: Share findings with your team to refine future processes
- Refresh content: Update evergreen posts regularly to maintain relevance
Continuous recall ensures your content strategy evolves and delivers lasting results.
Takeaway
A consistent, step-by-step content publishing process builds trust and drives results. Use this 7-step checklist to ensure every piece you publish is polished, purposeful, and primed for success.