---
name: content-strategist
description: Expert content strategy covering content planning, editorial calendars, brand voice, content optimization, and multi-channel distribution.
version: 1.0.0
author: Claude Skills
category: marketing-growth
tags: [content, strategy, editorial, brand-voice, distribution]
---

# Content Strategist

Expert-level content strategy for brand growth.

## Core Competencies

- Content strategy development
- Editorial planning
- Brand voice and tone
- Content optimization
- Multi-channel distribution
- Content governance
- Performance measurement
- Team management

## Content Strategy Framework

### Strategy Development

```markdown
# Content Strategy: [Brand/Product]

## Business Objectives
- [Objective 1]: [KPI]
- [Objective 2]: [KPI]

## Audience Analysis
- Primary: [Persona A]
- Secondary: [Persona B]

## Content Pillars (3-5)
1. [Pillar 1]: [Description]
2. [Pillar 2]: [Description]
3. [Pillar 3]: [Description]

## Content Mix
- Educational: 40%
- Thought Leadership: 25%
- Product/Promotional: 20%
- Entertainment/Community: 15%

## Channel Strategy
| Channel | Purpose | Frequency | Format |
|---------|---------|-----------|--------|
| Blog | SEO, Education | 3x/week | Long-form |
| LinkedIn | Thought Leadership | Daily | Posts, Articles |
| Newsletter | Retention | Weekly | Curated |

## Success Metrics
- Traffic: [Target]
- Engagement: [Target]
- Conversions: [Target]
```

### Content Audit Template

| URL | Title | Type | Performance | Quality | Action |
|-----|-------|------|-------------|---------|--------|
| /url | Title | Blog | High/Med/Low | 1-5 | Keep/Update/Remove |

## Editorial Calendar

### Calendar Template

```
MONTH: [Month Year]
THEME: [Monthly Theme]

Week 1: [Sub-theme]
├── Mon: [Content piece] - [Channel] - [Owner]
├── Wed: [Content piece] - [Channel] - [Owner]
└── Fri: [Content piece] - [Channel] - [Owner]

Week 2: [Sub-theme]
├── Mon: [Content piece] - [Channel] - [Owner]
...
```

### Content Types by Funnel Stage

**Awareness (TOFU)**
- Blog posts
- Social media content
- Infographics
- Podcasts
- Video content

**Consideration (MOFU)**
- Ebooks/Whitepapers
- Webinars
- Case studies
- Comparison guides
- Email nurture

**Decision (BOFU)**
- Product demos
- Free trials
- Testimonials
- ROI calculators
- Implementation guides

## Brand Voice

### Voice Framework

```
BRAND PERSONALITY
├── [Trait 1]: [Description]
├── [Trait 2]: [Description]
└── [Trait 3]: [Description]

TONE SPECTRUM
Formal ─────────●───────── Casual
Technical ────────●──────── Simple
Serious ──────────●──────── Playful

VOICE ATTRIBUTES
We are: [Attribute 1], [Attribute 2], [Attribute 3]
We are not: [Anti-attribute 1], [Anti-attribute 2]
```

### Writing Guidelines

**Do:**
- Use active voice
- Keep sentences concise
- Address the reader directly
- Use specific examples

**Don't:**
- Use jargon without explanation
- Make unsubstantiated claims
- Use passive voice
- Over-use superlatives

### Tone by Context

| Context | Tone | Example |
|---------|------|---------|
| Error message | Helpful, calm | "Let's try that again..." |
| Success | Warm, brief | "You're all set!" |
| Educational | Clear, supportive | "Here's how it works..." |
| Marketing | Confident, engaging | "Transform your workflow..." |

## Content Optimization

### SEO Content Checklist

**Pre-Writing:**
- [ ] Keyword research completed
- [ ] Search intent understood
- [ ] Competitor content analyzed
- [ ] Content outline approved

**Writing:**
- [ ] Keyword in title (front-loaded)
- [ ] Keyword in H1, H2s
- [ ] Keyword density 1-2%
- [ ] Internal links (3-5)
- [ ] External links (2-3)
- [ ] Meta description (150-160 chars)
- [ ] Image alt text

**Post-Publishing:**
- [ ] Schema markup added
- [ ] Social sharing optimized
- [ ] Performance baseline set

### Content Scoring

```
CONTENT SCORE = (Relevance × Depth × Engagement × SEO) / 4

Relevance (1-10): Does it address user needs?
Depth (1-10): Is it comprehensive?
Engagement (1-10): Is it compelling?
SEO (1-10): Is it optimized?
```

## Content Workflows

### Content Creation Process

```
BRIEF → DRAFT → REVIEW → OPTIMIZE → PUBLISH → PROMOTE

1. BRIEF (Day 1)
   - Topic and angle
   - Target audience
   - Keywords
   - References

2. DRAFT (Day 2-3)
   - First draft
   - Initial formatting
   - Placeholder images

3. REVIEW (Day 4)
   - Editorial review
   - Subject matter expert review
   - Legal/compliance (if needed)

4. OPTIMIZE (Day 5)
   - SEO optimization
   - Final images
   - Internal linking

5. PUBLISH (Day 6)
   - CMS upload
   - Final preview
   - Schedule/publish

6. PROMOTE (Day 6+)
   - Social distribution
   - Email inclusion
   - Paid amplification
```

### Content Brief Template

```markdown
# Content Brief: [Working Title]

## Overview
- Type: [Blog/Guide/Video]
- Target Length: [Word count/Duration]
- Deadline: [Date]

## Target Audience
- Primary: [Persona]
- Stage: [Awareness/Consideration/Decision]

## Objectives
- [Objective 1]
- [Objective 2]

## SEO Requirements
- Primary Keyword: [Keyword]
- Secondary Keywords: [Keywords]
- Search Intent: [Informational/Commercial/etc.]

## Outline
1. [Section 1]
2. [Section 2]
3. [Section 3]

## References
- [Competitor content]
- [Source material]

## CTA
- Primary: [Action]
- Secondary: [Action]
```

## Performance Metrics

### Content KPIs

**Traffic:**
- Pageviews
- Unique visitors
- Time on page
- Bounce rate

**Engagement:**
- Scroll depth
- Comments
- Shares
- Backlinks

**Conversion:**
- CTR on CTAs
- Form completions
- Content downloads
- MQLs attributed

### Content Dashboard

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              Content Performance - [Month]                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Total Views     Avg Time on Page    Conversions            │
│  125,432         3:24                542                    │
│  +12% MoM        +8% MoM             +15% MoM               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Top Performing Content                                      │
│  1. [Title] - 12,543 views - 8.2% conversion               │
│  2. [Title] - 8,234 views - 6.1% conversion                │
│  3. [Title] - 7,123 views - 5.8% conversion                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Content by Type           │  Content by Channel            │
│  Blog: 65,234 (52%)        │  Organic: 78,543 (63%)        │
│  Guide: 32,123 (26%)       │  Social: 28,234 (23%)         │
│  Video: 28,075 (22%)       │  Email: 18,655 (15%)          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Reference Materials

- `references/voice_guidelines.md` - Brand voice documentation
- `references/seo_guide.md` - SEO best practices
- `references/content_templates.md` - Content templates
- `references/distribution.md` - Distribution playbook

## Scripts

```bash
# Content audit analyzer
python scripts/content_audit.py --sitemap sitemap.xml --output audit.csv

# Editorial calendar generator
python scripts/editorial_calendar.py --pillars pillars.yaml --months 3

# Content performance reporter
python scripts/content_report.py --period monthly --output report.html

# Brand voice analyzer
python scripts/voice_analyzer.py --content article.md --guidelines voice.yaml
```