Longform Article Production Template
Ship publication-ready longform articles faster
Give every article pitch, SME interview, draft, edit, asset request, and launch checklist a clear home. This template lays out the entire magazine-style workflow left→right so writers, editors, designers, and channel managers always know what’s next. Duplicate tiny cards for briefs, outline snapshots, SME questions, and distribution recaps, keep approvals tagged with Needs SME or Launch blocked labels, and attach drafts or creative files directly to each stage. Nothing lives in a spreadsheet; the whole team works the same Instaboard each time.
- Centralize briefs, outlines, and approvals
- Expose reviewer and channel blockers instantly
- Hand off drafts to design + SEO without leaving the board
- Ship every article with a built-in distribution recap
Kick off in Pitch & Prioritize
Open the Get Started rail and duplicate the Article Brief micro-template straight into the Pitch & Prioritize list. Fill working title, target keyword, reader persona, CTA metric, and publish target so the story has a clear mandate. Assign the card to a writer, set an initial due date, and attach any background research or pitch decks. Apply Needs SME or Evergreen refresh labels from the primer card so stakeholders instantly understand what support it needs.
Lock research and outlines
When a pitch is approved, drag it into Research & Outline and duplicate the Outline Snapshot plus SME Question Log cards. Attach your docx or Sheets outline, drop SERP screenshots, and @‑mention the subject-matter expert with interview questions. Tag SEO polish when the keyword pack is ready and keep Launch blocked applied if you are waiting on an interview slot. Moving everything into one list means writers inherit the same context without digging through email threads.
Pro tip: Use file attachments on outline cards for loose docs; the exporter keeps them visible on the filled board.
Drive drafts through review
Shift the article to Draft in Progress, convert it to a task, and keep the due date current as you write. As soon as the draft is ready, move it into Review & Fact Check, duplicate the SME Question Log if more context is needed, and attach the latest doc link plus any support files. Editors can toggle Launch blocked or Needs SME labels so the whole team sees which approvals remain. Keep fact-check PDFs, legal comments, and sign-off notes attached directly on the card so nothing gets lost in Docs history.
Polish assets and launch
Slide the work into Design & SEO Polish to request hero art, thumbnails, or data visualizations and duplicate the SEO + QA Checklist to guide metadata updates. Designers attach Figma exports or packaged files while SEO owners log schema updates and internal links. Once assets are uploaded and the checklist is complete, drag the card to Publish & Distribute, add the CMS link plus schedule, and duplicate Launch & Distribution Recap to record newsletter slots, social boosts, and performance notes. Move cards back to Evergreen refresh when you plan a future update.
What’s inside
Pitch & Prioritize
Capture working titles, target keywords, personas, and CTAs with duplicate-ready Article Brief cards.
Research & Outline
Store SME interview notes, SERP snapshots, and outline files so writers start with real context.
Draft in Progress
Writers move cards forward, convert them to tasks, and keep due dates visible while attaching live docs.
Review & Fact Check
Editors, SMEs, and legal reviewers log comments, approvals, and file uploads without losing the thread.
Design & SEO Polish
Designers pull briefs for hero art while SEO owners run the built-in checklist.
Publish & Distribute
Track CMS scheduling details and duplicate the Launch & Distribution Recap to log promo + performance.
Why this works
- Keeps every stakeholder aligned on one left→right pipeline
- Surfaces SME, SEO, and legal blockers through shared labels
- Pairs each stage with duplicate-ready micro-templates
- Ties publication and distribution data back to the same card
FAQ
What if we only publish one article a month?
Keep the same stages — the template scales down nicely, and the labels still surface what’s waiting on research, design, or launch.
How do I loop in SMEs or exec reviewers?
Duplicate the SME Question Log card, assign it to the reviewer, and apply Needs SME so the request stays visible until approval arrives.
Can we track supporting assets or transcripts?
Yes. Attach docx, PDF, audio, or design files to any card; the filled template already shows how files live alongside status tags.
Do the stage names have to stay the same?
No — rename or add lists, but keep the left→right flow so Start Here instructions still map to the board.