Story Based Question
Imagine you’re handling content marketing for a fitness brand that specializes in home workout equipment. You’ve been tasked with planning next quarter’s content calendar. You’ve done keyword research and noticed an increasing number of voice-search-driven queries like “What’s the best treadmill for small spaces?” or “How do I lose weight with home workouts?”
Your team asks: “How can we create a content calendar that not only serves traditional SEO but also caters to the growing trend of voice search?”
This leads to the main question: How do you create a content calendar with voice search in mind?
Exact Answer
To create a content calendar with voice search in mind, identify conversational keywords, focus on question-based content, align with user intent, plan for featured snippets, and prioritize local and mobile-friendly content.
Explanation
Voice search content needs to address user queries in a natural, conversational way. Planning a content calendar with this in mind involves understanding what your audience is asking and when they’re likely to ask it. Voice search optimization complements traditional SEO but emphasizes clarity, brevity, and structure. Here’s how to do it:
- Start with Conversational Keywords
Use tools like AnswerThePublic or Google’s “People Also Ask” to find voice-search-friendly, question-based keywords. For example, instead of “treadmill small spaces,” focus on “What’s the best treadmill for small spaces?” - Focus on Question-Based Topics
Voice search thrives on questions. Dedicate specific days or weeks in your calendar to answering high-volume queries. Example topics for the fitness brand:- “How do I stay fit without going to the gym?”
- “What are the top 5 beginner-friendly treadmills?”
- Plan for Featured Snippets
Structure content for snippet optimization. Write clear, concise answers (40–60 words) to direct questions, use bullet points for lists, and include headers that mimic voice search queries. - Prioritize Timely and Evergreen Content
Blend evergreen topics (“How to set up a home gym”) with seasonal ones (“Best winter workouts to do at home”). Voice search queries often reflect current needs, like “What’s the best home workout in cold weather?” - Incorporate Local and Mobile Optimization
For location-based searches, include content like “Where to buy treadmills near me?” Optimize your Google Business Profile and create geo-specific blogs or landing pages. - Use a Visual Calendar
Tools like Trello, Asana, or Google Sheets can help map out topics by date, format (blog, video, infographic), and intent (informational, transactional).
Example
Let’s say you’re building a content calendar for the next three months for the fitness brand:
January:
- Blog Post: “Top 5 New Year Fitness Resolutions You Can Achieve at Home”
- Video: “How to Choose the Right Treadmill for Small Apartments”
- FAQ: “How many calories can I burn on a treadmill?”
February:
- Blog Post: “What’s the Best Valentine’s Day Gift for Fitness Lovers?”
- Infographic: “5 Simple Home Workouts for Beginners”
- FAQ: “How do I lose weight with a busy schedule?”
March:
- Blog Post: “Spring Fitness: How to Refresh Your Home Gym Setup”
- Video: “Best Compact Exercise Machines for Small Homes”
- FAQ: “Where can I buy budget-friendly fitness equipment near me?”
Each piece aligns with voice search queries. For example, the blog post “How to Choose the Right Treadmill for Small Apartments” answers “What’s the best treadmill for small spaces?” directly and is structured to rank in a featured snippet.
Creating a content calendar with voice search in mind involves focusing on natural language queries, structuring content for featured snippets, and addressing user intent. By weaving these strategies into your planning, you can make your content voice-friendly while maintaining strong traditional SEO.