Blog Brief Generator: Content Planning

Generates comprehensive content briefs that guide blog writing for maximum impact on both Google rankings and AI citation platforms.

Reference documents:

• references/content-templates.md: template selection criteria
• references/distribution-playbook.md: channel-specific distribution tactics
• references/internal-linking.md: link architecture patterns
• skills/blog/references/research-quality.md - 5-dim quality rubric, pre-flight trap classes, freshness floors (v1.8.0; cross-skill ref lives in the orchestrator's references dir)
• skills/blog/references/synthesis-contract.md - 6 LAWs for synthesis output (v1.8.0)

Auto-loaded inputs (v1.8.0)

When DISCOURSE.md is present at the project root (produced by /blog discourse), load it before starting brief generation. Use the discourse brief's "What's NEW" themes, "Consensus" themes, and "Contrarian takes" sections to enrich the competitive landscape and information-gain sections of this brief. Cite from DISCOURSE.md using the same inline [name](url) pattern. If DISCOURSE.md is absent, behavior is unchanged.

Cross-reference

For evidence-led keyword discovery, audience-avatar prompts, and content prioritization (directly upstream of brief generation), see /blog flow find.

Workflow

Step 1: Topic Intake

Gather from the user:

1. Topic or keyword (required)
2. Target audience (who reads this?)
3. Search intent: Informational, commercial, transactional, navigational
4. Business context: What does the company do? What's the CTA?

If only a topic is given, infer the rest from context.

Step 2: Keyword Research

Using WebSearch:

1. Search for the target keyword; analyze what currently ranks
2. Identify primary keyword (exact match target)
3. Identify 3-5 secondary keywords (related terms, long-tail)
4. Identify 3-5 question queries (People Also Ask style)
5. Note the search intent: what do searchers actually want?

Step 2.5: Template Recommendation

Analyze the topic, search intent, and competitive landscape to recommend one of 12 content templates. Load references/content-templates.md for selection criteria.

Available templates:

Selection process:

1. Match search intent to template strength
2. Check what format top-ranking competitors use
3. Consider the user's available assets (data, expertise, tools)
4. Load the matching template file from templates/[type].md
5. Include the template name in the brief output

Step 3: Competitive Analysis

Analyze the top 3-5 ranking pages for the target keyword:

1. Content length: What's the average word count?
2. Heading structure: How many H2s? What topics do they cover?
3. Visual elements: Do competitors use charts, images, videos?
4. Content gaps: What do all competitors miss?
5. Freshness: How recently were they updated?
6. Schema: Do they use FAQ or other rich results? (Note: HowTo deprecated Sept 2023)
7. Template pattern: What content format do top results use?

Step 4: Statistics Research

Find 8-12 statistics the article should include:

1. Search: [topic] study 2025 2026 data statistics research
2. Prioritize tier 1-3 sources
3. For each stat, record: value, source, URL, date, methodology
4. Identify 2-4 stats suitable for chart visualization
5. Identify 1-2 stats suitable for TL;DR and social sharing

Step 5: Generate the Brief

Output format:

# Content Brief: [Title Suggestion]

## Template
**Recommended**: [template-name]: [1-sentence rationale]
**Template file**: `templates/[type].md`

## Target Keywords
- **Primary**: [keyword]: [estimated monthly search volume if available]
- **Secondary**: [keyword 1], [keyword 2], [keyword 3]
- **Questions**: [question 1], [question 2], [question 3]

## Search Intent
[Informational/Commercial/Transactional]: [1-2 sentence explanation of
what the searcher wants]

## Content Parameters
- **Word count**: [2,000-2,500] words
- **Reading level**: Flesch 60-70 (expert-accessible)
- **Format**: [Markdown/MDX/HTML]
- **H2 sections**: [6-8]
- **Images**: 3-5 from Pixabay/Unsplash
- **Charts**: 2-4 via built-in blog-chart (diverse types)
- **FAQ items**: 3-5

## Recommended Title
[Question-format title including primary keyword, under 60 chars]

Alternative titles:
1. [Option 2]
2. [Option 3]

## Meta Description
[150-160 chars, fact-dense, includes 1 statistic, ends with value proposition]

## TL;DR Draft
> **TL;DR:** [40-60 word summary with key finding + 1 statistic + source.
> Should be self-contained; a reader who only reads this box gets the
> core value of the article.]

## Information Gain Opportunities
- **[ORIGINAL DATA]**: [Suggestion for proprietary data, survey, experiment,
  or benchmark the author can produce to differentiate this post]
- **[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE]**: [Suggestion for first-hand observation, test
  result, or case study to include: "When we tested X, we found Y"]
- **[UNIQUE INSIGHT]**: [Suggestion for contrarian take, novel analysis,
  or non-obvious connection that competitors have not covered]

## Content Outline

### Introduction (100-150 words)
- Hook: [Surprising statistic to open with]
- Problem: [What challenge does the reader face?]
- Promise: [What will they learn?]
- TL;DR box placement (after hook, before first H2)

### H2: [Question Format] (300-400 words)
- **Answer-first**: Open with [specific stat + source]
- Cover: [subtopic 1], [subtopic 2]
- **Image**: [Description of recommended image]
- **Key stat**: [Specific statistic to include]

### H2: [Question Format] (300-400 words)
- **Answer-first**: Open with [specific stat + source]
- Cover: [subtopic 1], [subtopic 2]
- **Chart**: [Type] showing [data description]
- **Key stat**: [Specific statistic to include]

[... repeat for 6-8 sections ...]

### FAQ Section (3-5 items)
1. [Question]: Answer with [stat + source]
2. [Question]: Answer with [stat + source]
3. [Question]: Answer with [stat + source]

### Conclusion (100-150 words)
- Key takeaways (bulleted)
- Call to action: [What should the reader do next?]

## Statistics to Include

| # | Statistic | Source | Year | Section |
|---|-----------|--------|------|---------|
| 1 | [stat] | [source + URL] | 2025 | H2: Section 1 |
| 2 | [stat] | [source + URL] | 2026 | H2: Section 2 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Citation Capsule Plan
For each H2, plan a 40-60 word self-contained passage optimized for AI
extraction. Each capsule should include a stat, its source, and a clear
claim that can stand alone when quoted.

| Section | Capsule Focus | Key Stat | Source |
|---------|--------------|----------|--------|
| H2: [Section 1] | [Core claim this section makes] | [stat] | [source] |
| H2: [Section 2] | [Core claim this section makes] | [stat] | [source] |
| H2: [Section 3] | [Core claim this section makes] | [stat] | [source] |
| ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Cover Image

| Option | Details |
|--------|---------|
| Photo cover | [Pixabay/Unsplash/Pexels search terms for wide hero image] |
| Generated SVG | [Text-on-gradient concept with key stat, if data-heavy topic] |
| Dimensions | 1200x630 (OG-compatible) |

##