SOP: Content brief handoff to a writer

SOP: Content brief handoff to a writer
Run this whenever you assign an SEO article to an internal or freelance writer.

Stage 1 — Define the target
— ☐ SEO lead writes the primary keyword, search intent, and the URL it will live on
— ☐ SEO lead lists the 3 ranking competitors and what they're missing

Stage 2 — Specify the build
— ☐ SEO lead gives the exact H2/H3 outline, word count band, and 2 internal links to include
— ☐ SEO lead names the one entity or stat the piece must cite for credibility

Stage 3 — Set acceptance
— ☐ SEO lead writes the definition-of-done: no AI-detector fails, all links live, meta description included
— ☐ Writer confirms the brief back in one sentence before starting

Owner: SEO lead (brief), Writer (confirmation)
Trigger: New article assignment
Done-when: Writer has restated the deliverable and accepted the done-criteria.

A vague brief is a guaranteed rewrite. Save this. Run it every time.