Content approval workflow template for marketing teams

If your approval process is 'send it in Slack and hope someone responds', you have a bottleneck, not a workflow. This template defines clear stages, owners, and criteria so content moves from draft to published without unnecessary delays.

Stage 1: Draft submission

• Author submits draft with completed brief attached.
• Self-check against brand voice rules and brief requirements.
• Tag the draft with content type, priority, and target publish date.

Stage 2: Strategic review

• Reviewer checks: does this content match the stated objective?
• Is the angle differentiated from existing content?
• Are proof points accurate and properly attributed?
• Decision: approve, request revision, or reject with reason.

Stage 3: Editorial review

• Editor checks tone, readability, and structural flow.
• Verify all headings follow the content brief outline.
• Check for brand voice compliance using the voice template.
• Fix grammar, formatting, and link integrity.

Stage 4: Final approval

• Approval owner gives final go or no-go.
• Content is marked as approved with publish date confirmed.
• Distribution plan is attached before moving to scheduling.

Stage 5: Publish and monitor

• Content is scheduled or published immediately.
• Performance tracking begins from day one.
• Any post-publish issues are flagged and handled within 24 hours.