Free Content Pillars Planner Template

Get the template

Download the CSV, copy it straight into Google Sheets or Excel, or print it. Everything below is rendered on this page — nothing is hidden behind a form.

Template preview

The full template, shown in full — these are the exact columns and a few illustrative example rows.

Add one row per pillar — aim for 3 to 5 total. Sample rows are illustrative (a coffee roaster); clear them and define your own.

What's inside

Pillar name

A short, memorable label for the theme (e.g. "How it’s made", "Tips", "Community"). Use this exact name as the "Pillar" value in your content calendar so the two line up.

Pillar goal (educate / entertain / convert / connect)

The job this pillar does for your business. Mixing goals — not just selling — is what keeps a feed worth following. Most brands want educate and connect to outweigh convert.

Audience need it serves

The reader’s problem or desire this theme answers. If you can’t name a real audience need, the pillar is probably about you, not them — reconsider it.

Formats that fit

The post types that suit this theme — Reel, carousel, short video, single image, Story, text post, Pin. Naming formats up front makes batching and repurposing far easier.

Target % of content mix

Roughly what share of your posts this pillar should be, so no single theme takes over. The percentages across all pillars should add up to about 100%. The example values are placeholders to replace.

Example hooks / angles

Two or three opening lines or angles that fit the pillar. These are idea-starters to spark captions later — not finished copy.

How to use this template

1. 1

   Open the pillars worksheet

   Download the one-row-per-pillar worksheet as a CSV for Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers, or copy it straight into a sheet — no import dialog and no account. Print it for a planning session if you prefer paper.

2. 2

   Clear the sample rows

   The example rows show a coffee roaster’s pillars so you can see how each column is used. Delete them once the format is clear and start with a blank grid.

3. 3

   Brainstorm and name 3-5 pillars

   List the recurring themes your content already returns to (or should). Give each a short name and write the one audience need it serves. Aim for three to five — fewer feels repetitive, more is hard to sustain.

4. 4

   Assign a goal, formats and a mix percentage

   For each pillar pick its primary goal (educate / entertain / convert / connect), the formats that fit, the platforms it suits, and a rough share of your mix. Make sure the percentages add up to about 100%.

5. 5

   Feed your pillars into a content calendar

   Copy each pillar name into the "Pillar" column of our Content Calendar template or tool, then plan posts so every week draws from a spread of pillars rather than all from one.

6. 6

   Schedule and cross-post with SocialKit

   Once the calendar is filled, schedule and cross-post to your networks from SocialKit — check the network details so you know whether each post auto-publishes or pings you to confirm.

Best practices

• Keep it to 3-5 pillars. Too few and your feed feels repetitive; too many and you can’t sustain quality across all of them.
• Define each pillar by an audience need, not a topic you find interesting — the test is "what does this do for the reader?"
• Balance the goals: let educate, entertain and connect outweigh convert so your feed earns attention before it asks for a sale.
• Make sure the "Target % of content mix" column roughly adds to 100% — it’s a budget for attention, not a wish list.
• Reuse the exact "Pillar name" labels in your content calendar so planning, scheduling and later analysis all speak the same language.
• Revisit the mix every quarter: if one pillar consistently underperforms or drifts off-brand, retire or reshape it rather than forcing it.

Do it in SocialKit