How to Automate Content Planning with AI Tools

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🧠 Introduction – Build Smarter, Not Harder

Creating consistent, valuable content is no easy feat—especially for growing sites like NerdChips. But what if your content calendar could plan itself? That’s where AI-powered automation comes in:

• Map high-CPC keywords using ChatGPT + SEO tools

• Cluster topics intelligently by audience intent

• Populate your editorial calendar in platforms like Notion, Trello, or Google Sheets

• Schedule reminders seamlessly with automation platforms

In this guide, we’ll walk step-by-step through tools and workflows that let AI do your planning—leaving you free to focus on writing and promotion.

🧩 1. Generate Seed Topics via‑Prompt in ChatGPT

Use a prompt like:

“Act as an SEO content strategist. For [audience/topic], generate 30 high-CPC keyword ideas, categorize them by funnel stage (Awareness, Consideration, Decision), and propose a blog title for each.”

This produces a structured list ready for review.

🧭 2. Validate & Score with SEO Tools

Copy the ChatGPT list into Ahrefs/Ubersuggest:

• Filter: CPC ≥ $1.50, Volume ≥ 300, Difficulty ≤ 40

• Discard low-value entries

• Export final keyword list (10–20 topics)

⚙️ 3. Build Your Calendar in Notion (or Trello)

Create a database with:

• Title

• Keyword

• Funnel Stage

• Target Publish Date

• Status & Assigned Writer

• Tags / Notes

You can also trigger this setup programmatically using Make or Zapier DnD entries.

🔄 4. Automate Topic Import via Zapier or Make

Example Zap:

• Trigger: New row in Google Sheets (approved topic)

• Action 1: Create a Notion database item

• Action 2: Add a Google Calendar event with topic title + due date

• Action 3: Send Slack reminder to editor

Now your content ideas automatically fill the planning hub—and notify your team.

⏰ 5. Push Reminder & Accountability Triggers

Add “one week before publish” Zaps:

• Slack or Email reminder with draft link

• Optionally, trigger Google Meet for content alignment session

• Optionally, post draft-insights into a dedicated Slack channel

Bonus

This system mirrors how we automated email follow-ups in How to Automate Email Follow-Ups in Gmail Using Filters, except replaced email triggers with content-stage workflows. It’s the same automation mindset—just applied to content planning.

✅ Benefits at a Glance

• Consistency: Reduce manual calendar upkeep

• Quality: AI-suggested topics come with search intent built in

• Accountability: Reminders ensure deadlines don’t slip

• Efficiency: Save hours weekly and scale publishing with ease

🔍 6. Step-by-Step Tool Deep Dive & Templates

A. ChatGPT Prompt Templates for Ideation

1. “Keyword Cluster Prompts”

   Act as an expert SEO strategist. Provide 20 long-tail keyword ideas around [main topic], each with estimated CPC (≥ $1.50), monthly search volume, and categorization into Awareness/Consideration/Decision. For each, suggest a blog post outline title.


2. “Content Pillar Prompts”

   Generate a content pillar page title and 5 supporting posts for the topic “[pillar topic]” aimed at marketers. Include 100–150 character descriptions for each supporting post.


3. “Calendar Value Prompts”

   Based on the articles listed, create a 12-week publishing calendar with titles, dates, and notes on linked assets (e.g. repurposed newsletter, video shorts).


✨ Use these prompt templates in ChatGPT or API tools to ensure repeatable quality planning.

B. Content Validation Workflow

• SEO proprietary tools: Export keywords and CPC metrics from Ubersuggest or Ahrefs. Filter for volume ≥ 500 and CPC ≥ $1.50.

• Prioritization: Assign priority tags in Notion—(High ROI, Evergreen, Seasonal).

• Gap analysis: Use ChatGPT prompt:

  For each keyword in my list, does a top-ranking article exist? Provide a summary and suggest angles to improve.


🔄 7. Advanced Automation: Automate Topic Piping

A. Zapier Notion Integration

1. Set Up Google Sheets for approved topic intake with columns: Title, Keyword, Stage, Publish Date, Writer, Status.

2. Connect a Zap:

   • Trigger: New Row in Google Sheets

   • Action: Create Notion database item – map each field

   • Action: Generate a Google Calendar event using the Title and Publish Date

   • Action: Send DM to Slack with task: “New content idea scheduled”

⚙️ Better: add an “Approved” checkbox—only Zaps trigger on approval.

B. Make Automation Alternative with Data Routers

• Use Make to process incoming JSON or API from ChatGPT, run filters, and push topics into Notion or Trello.

• Routes tasks based on funnel stage: Awareness → Slack content channel, Decision → Email draft assignment.

🔁 8. Calendar Exceptions & Buffer Planning

• Plan buffer time for each topic: +1 week for research, +2 days for editing, +3 days for promotion.

• Make can dynamically adjust dates if tasks fall past deadlines.

• Add “Buffer Planning” in Notion: automate week-by-week review reminders.

📊 9. Repurpose Workflow Built-In

Each topic’s database entry should include checkboxes for:

• Article written

• Video script drafted

• Short social clips scheduled

• Newsletter drafted

Automate status updates:

• As article moves to “Published,” Zap updates checklist items.

• Zap posts status summary to Slack with link to published content.

This ensures one tool drives multi-channel output—ideal for scaling content repurposing.

🧠 10. Real Case Study: NerdChips Content Workflow

• January: AI-generated 30 Quarterly Topics in 15 minutes

• February: Used Zaps to automate Notion signups, assigning writers, and calendar events

• March-April: Published 24 posts; 8 videos; 6 newsletters—all synced with workflow

• Results: +32% monthly traffic; +18% newsletter sign-ups; major time savings

Metrics tracked: Content cost per piece vs organic traffic improvements

🛠️ 11. Troubleshooting & Tips

📈 12. The Growth Loop: Optimize & Iterate

• At month-end, export Notion records: topic tags, RWIs, publish dates, status

• Use simple KPI calc: average days from topic to publish, publish frequency, repurpose ratio

• Feed learnings into ChatGPT prompt:

  Data: [yearly metrics]. Suggest 10 optimizations for frictionless content process.


• Adjust automation steps to handle smarter date buffer, tighter topic categories, etc.

🔍 Tool Stack & Workflow Overview

❓FAQ

1. Can AI tools choose topics entirely automatically?

   • Yes, but human review ensures relevance—your prompts + AI list only surface ideas; you filter and approve.

2. Is Notion the best calendar platform?

   • It’s flexible and API-friendly. Trello or Airtable work too—but Notion’s database structure supports deeper metadata and sync.

3. How often should I review the content calendar?

   • Weekly reviews with Slack reminders plus quarterly plan audits work best for cadence and adjustments.

4. Are automation tools worth the cost?

   • For publishers creating 4+ posts/month, ROI is high. Zapier’s Basic plan (~$20/mo) pays off quickly through saved hours.

🧠 Nerd Verdict

Pairing ChatGPT for ideation, SEO validation, and automation platforms like Zapier or Make transforms content planning into a frictionless, strategy-driven engine. It’s not just streamlined—it’s smart.

Automated content planning isn’t just efficiency—it’s strategic optimization. From ideation to repurposing tasks and reminders, the system acts like a semi-branded AI editorial assistant. You’re operating with human judgement plus machine precision at every step.

💬 Would You Bite?

Tell us: Which step will save you the most time—ideation, validation, or calendar automation?
Hit reply and let’s optimize your content workflow! 👇