Keeping Content Strategy Simple with the 3x5 Framework

If you’ve ever sat down to create a content strategy, you know how overwhelming it can get. There are endless platforms to post on, countless ways to measure success, and a constant stream of advice telling you to do more. Before long, your “strategy” is just a to-do list — and none of it feels connected to your goals.

That’s why I was drawn to the 3x5 Content Framework, created by Lee Densmer. After working with 22 brands in five years, she noticed the same problem again and again: teams were overcomplicating their content programs. Her solution? Strip it down to the essentials.

What is the 3x5 Content Framework?

Post about the 3x5 content framework

The 3x5 Framework is about focus. Instead of chasing every possible audience and content type, you narrow down to what really matters:

• 3 Goals → What you want content to achieve (e.g., build awareness, drive sign-ups, grow trust)

• 3 Buyers → The three audiences who matter most

• 3 Themes → The topics they care about that tie back to your mission

• 3 Content Types → Formats that make sense for your team (blog, social, guides, etc.)

• 3 KPIs → A handful of metrics to track progress

Then you put it into practice with a lightweight calendar:

✅ Two blog posts per month

✅ Three social posts per week

✅ One lead magnet per quarter (quiz, guide, or worksheet)

✅ A newsletter if you have a growing contact list

The magic isn’t in producing more. It’s in producing steady, purposeful content that serves your audience.

Using the 3x5 Framework for Asele

When I came across Lee’s framework, I realized it was exactly what I needed for Asele, my women’s health and productivity app. We’re a small team with big goals, and this gave us the clarity to keep things simple without losing impact.

Our 3 Goals

• Build awareness for Asele as a women’s health and productivity companion

• Drive sign-ups for the app and keep users engaged

• Grow trust as a culturally grounded resource for African women and the diaspora

Our 3 Buyers

• African women across life stages looking for cycle-based health insights

• Women managing PCOS, endometriosis, or menopause

• Diaspora women who want resources in African languages

Our 3 Themes

• Cycle-based health and productivity tips rooted in African women’s realities

• Education that bridges cultural and medical gaps

• Stories and advice that global apps often overlook

Our 3 Content Types

• Blog posts (educational pieces, app updates, research highlights, and podcast repurposing)

• Social posts (educational content, podcast snippets, and app-focused updates)

• Downloadable kits and guides

Our 3 KPIs

• App sign-ups and returning user activity

• Growth across socials and newsletters

• Content engagement (shares, comments, saves)

Putting It Into Practice

Here’s how the 3x5 Framework shapes Asele’s content in real life:

• Blog (2/month):

  • One repurposed post from the podcast

  • One educational article (e.g., nutrition or cycle syncing tips)

  • One app-related post (features, updates, or how to use Asele)

  • One research-based piece (highlighting women’s health studies, especially relevant to African women)
    

• Social Media (3/week):

  • One educational post (carousel or tip)

  • One short clip or snippet from the Blush & Bloom podcast

  • One app-focused post highlighting features or user stories
    

• Lead Magnet (1/quarter):

  • This quarter, we’re working on An Introduction to Cycle Awareness for Teenagers.

  • It will include lessons on understanding your body, plus a section where women share what they’d tell their 15-year-old selves.

  • Partly repurposed from a podcast episode, it’s designed to encourage young girls to feel empowered and informed early on.
    

• Newsletter (bi-weekly):

  • One practical tip

  • One story

  • One recommended resource
    

This rhythm gives us consistency without burnout. Each content type feeds into the other, so we repurpose instead of starting from scratch.

Why Simplicity Matters for Founders

If you’re building a company with a small team or handling content yourself, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything.

One week you’re experimenting with TikTok, the next you’re stressing about newsletters, and somewhere in between you wonder if you should be on five more platforms.

The 3x5 Framework helps cut through that chaos. By narrowing your focus to just three goals, three audiences, and three content types, you avoid spreading yourself thin. Instead of chasing every trend, you create steady, purposeful content that actually reaches the people you want to serve.

This isn’t about doing less for the sake of it. It’s about doing enough of the right things so your content builds momentum without burning you out.

Credit

The 3x5 Framework was created by Lee Densmer, who builds straightforward, low-stress content programs that drive growth. You can read her full post.

✨ Sometimes the best strategy isn’t adding more. It’s focusing on less and doing it better.