content-production

What this skill does

# Content Production

The execution engine for content — taking topics from blank page to published, optimized, and distributed.

---

## Table of Contents

- [Keywords](#keywords)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Core Workflows](#core-workflows)
- [Content Brief Framework](#content-brief-framework)
- [Drafting Methodology](#drafting-methodology)
- [Optimization Pipeline](#optimization-pipeline)
- [Editorial Calendar Management](#editorial-calendar-management)
- [Content Repurposing System](#content-repurposing-system)
- [Quality Gates](#quality-gates)
- [Best Practices](#best-practices)
- [Integration Points](#integration-points)

---

## Keywords

content production, blog writing, article drafting, content pipeline, editorial workflow, content operations, content calendar, content brief, SEO content, content optimization, readability, internal linking, meta tags, content repurposing, content at scale, editorial calendar, content quality, publishing workflow, long-form content, content management

---

## Quick Start

### Write a Blog Post End-to-End

1. Research: analyze top 5 ranking pieces for the target keyword
2. Brief: define keyword targets, angle, audience, and H2 structure
3. Draft: write with outline-first approach, leading each section with its main point
4. Optimize: SEO pass, readability pass, structure audit, meta tags
5. Validate: run the quality gate checklist before publishing

### Set Up Content Operations

1. Define content pillars aligned with business goals
2. Build an editorial calendar with 4-6 weeks of planned content
3. Establish the production workflow (brief > draft > edit > optimize > publish)
4. Set up repurposing workflow to multiply each piece across channels
5. Define quality gates that every piece must pass before publishing

---

## Core Workflows

### Workflow 1: Research and Brief

**Step 1: Competitive Content Analysis**

Before writing, understand what already ranks for your target keyword:

1. Identify the top 5-10 ranking pieces
2. Map their angles and formats:

| URL | Format | Word Count | Key Angle | What's Missing |
|-----|--------|-----------|-----------|----------------|
| [URL 1] | How-to guide | 2,400 | Step-by-step technical | No real-world examples |
| [URL 2] | Listicle | 1,800 | Tools comparison | Outdated, 2023 data |
| [URL 3] | Expert roundup | 3,100 | Multiple perspectives | No actionable framework |

3. Identify the content gap: what does nobody cover well?
4. Verify search intent:

| SERP Pattern | Intent | What to Write |
|-------------|--------|---------------|
| "What is / How to" dominate | Informational | Comprehensive guide or explainer |
| Product pages, reviews | Commercial | Comparison or buyer's guide |
| Forum results (Reddit, Quora) | Discovery | Opinionated piece with real perspective |
| News, recent articles | Trending | Timely take with unique angle |

**Step 2: Source Gathering**

Collect 3-5 credible, citable sources before drafting:
- Original research (studies, surveys, published reports)
- Official documentation or industry standards
- Expert quotes with full attribution
- Data with specific numbers (not vague claims)

Rule: If you cannot cite a specific number, do not make a vague claim.

**Step 3: Produce the Content Brief**

```markdown
## Content Brief

### Target
- Primary keyword: [keyword] (volume: [X], difficulty: [X])
- Secondary keywords: [keyword 1], [keyword 2], [keyword 3]
- Search intent: [Informational / Commercial / Transactional]

### Audience
- Reader profile: [Who they are and what they know]
- Job-to-be-done: [What problem they are solving right now]
- Awareness level: [Unaware / Problem-aware / Solution-aware]

### Angle
- Unique perspective: [What makes this piece different]
- Core argument: [The single thesis of this piece]
- Key claims to prove: [3-5 specific claims with supporting evidence]

### Structure
- H1: [Working title]
- H2: [Section 1]
- H2: [Section 2]
- H2: [Section 3]
- H2: [Section 4]
- H2: [Conclusion / Next Steps]

### Requirements
- Target word count: [X]
- Internal links to include: [List existing pages to link to]
- Competitive pieces to beat: [Top 3 URLs to outperform]
- CTA: [What action should the reader take]
```

### Workflow 2: Drafting

**Step 1: Build the Outline**

Before writing prose, create the header skeleton:
- H1 that includes the keyword and creates curiosity
- 4-7 H2 sections in logical progression
- H3s only when a section genuinely needs subdivision
- Conclusion with CTA

**Step 2: Write the Introduction**

The intro has one job: make the reader believe this piece answers their question.

Formula:
1. Name the problem or situation the reader is in (1 sentence)
2. Name what this piece does about it (1 sentence)
3. Establish credibility if relevant (1 sentence, optional)

What to avoid:
- "In today's digital landscape..." (everyone does this)
- Starting with a question unless it is genuinely sharp
- Three sentences of context before reaching the point

**Step 3: Write Section by Section**

For each H2:
1. State the main point in the first sentence
2. Prove it with an example, statistic, or comparison
3. Provide one actionable takeaway before moving to the next section
4. Use transitional phrases to connect sections naturally

**Step 4: Write the Conclusion**

Three elements:
1. Summary of core argument (1-2 sentences, not a repeat of the intro)
2. The single most important next step
3. CTA aligned with the content goal

### Workflow 3: Optimization Pipeline

Run these passes in order on every draft:

**Pass 1: SEO Optimization**

- [ ] Title tag: contains primary keyword, under 60 characters, curiosity-driving
- [ ] H1: different from title tag, keyword-rich, reads naturally
- [ ] H2s: at least 2-3 contain secondary keywords or related phrases
- [ ] First paragraph: primary keyword appears in first 100 words
- [ ] Keyword density: primary keyword appears naturally 3-5 times (not stuffed)
- [ ] Image alt text: descriptive, includes keyword where natural
- [ ] URL slug: short, keyword-first, no stop words
- [ ] Internal links: 2-4 minimum, linking to and from related content
- [ ] External links: 1-3 to authoritative sources

**Pass 2: Readability**

- [ ] Average sentence length: 15-20 words with variation
- [ ] No paragraph exceeds 4 sentences
- [ ] Active voice used in 80%+ of sentences
- [ ] Jargon explained on first use for non-expert audiences
- [ ] At least one visual element (image, table, diagram) per 500 words
- [ ] Subheadings visible every 200-300 words
- [ ] Readability score target: 60-70 (Flesch-Kincaid)

**Pass 3: Structure Audit**

- [ ] Intro delivers on the headline's promise
- [ ] Every H2 earns its place (cut sections that add no value)
- [ ] At least 2 concrete examples or illustrations
- [ ] Conclusion feels earned, not padded
- [ ] Content flow follows logical progression
- [ ] No orphan sections that could be merged

**Pass 4: Meta Content**

- [ ] Meta description: 150-160 characters, includes keyword, ends with hook
- [ ] OG title: optimized for social sharing (can differ from meta title)
- [ ] OG description: optimized for social click-through
- [ ] Canonical URL: set correctly
- [ ] Schema markup: Article schema at minimum

---

## Editorial Calendar Management

### Calendar Structure

| Week | Monday | Wednesday | Friday |
|------|--------|-----------|--------|
| 1 | [Pillar topic A] | [Supporting topic B] | [Social repurpose] |
| 2 | [Pillar topic C] | [Guest/collab piece] | [Update old post] |
| 3 | [Pillar topic A] | [Supporting topic D] | [Social repurpose] |
| 4 | [Data/research piece] | [Supporting topic E] | [Roundup/compilation] |

### Content Types by Frequency

| Type | Frequency | Purpose |
|------|-----------|---------|
| Pillar posts (2,000+ words) | 2x/month | Authority building, SEO ranking |
| Supporting posts (800-1,500 words) | 2-4x/month | Topic cluster depth, internal linking |
| Update/refresh existing posts | 2x/month | Maintain ranking, improve performance |
| D