Content Strategist Skill

This skill plans what content to create (strategic), not how to write it (tactical). It implements Section 3.5 of the AEO Protocol: The Content Supply Chain Protocol.

Core Principle

"LLMs don't cite generic advice. They cite original data."

The goal is to identify content opportunities that will FORCE LLMs to cite you because you're the only source.

Four Strategic Pillars

1. Source of Truth Assets (Data Studies)

Identify opportunities to become THE source for a statistic.

Discovery Questions:

• What data do you have that no one else has?
• What could you analyze that would produce citable numbers?
• What questions do people ask that have no authoritative answer?

Minimum Viable Study Framework: | Element | Requirement | |---------|-------------| | Sample Size | 50-100 minimum | | Format | One key finding + data table | | Length | 1,500-2,500 words | | Update Cadence | Annually |

Output: List of 3-5 potential data studies with:

• Study title
• Key question answered
• Data source/methodology
• Target URL: /research/[study-name]

2. Dictionary Definition Heist (Terms to Own)

Identify concepts without authoritative definitions that the brand can claim.

Discovery Process:

1. List common problems in the industry
2. Check if each has a named term
3. Query ChatGPT/Gemini: "What is [problem]?"
4. If vague or no direct answer = opportunity to coin

Criteria for Good Terms:

• Describes a real, recognized problem
• No existing authoritative definition
• Memorable, capitalized name
• Can be explained in one sentence

Output: List of 5-10 terms to coin with:

• Proposed term name
• One-sentence definition
• Target URL: /glossary/[term-name]

3. Zero-Volume Keyword Discovery

Find 10-search/month queries that convert at 100%.

Discovery Methods:

# Forum mining (manual search patterns)
site:reddit.com "[industry] problem"
site:reddit.com "[brand] vs"
site:[industry-forum].com "help with"

Questions to Surface Keywords:

• "What did you search before finding us?" (customer interviews)
• What specific issues appear in support tickets?
• What do competitors NOT cover?

Qualification Criteria: | Factor | Requirement | |--------|-------------| | Monthly Volume | <100 (ideally <50) | | Competition | None or minimal | | Intent | High (specific problem) | | Commercial Value | High (ready to buy/convert) |

Output: List of 20-30 zero-volume keywords with:

• Keyword
• Estimated intent level (high/medium)
• Content type to create (FAQ, dedicated page, blog)

4. Content Lifecycle Audit

Identify what exists and what needs attention.

Audit Framework:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  CONTENT INVENTORY                                          │
│                                                             │
│  1. PILLAR CONTENT (Core pages)                             │
│     └── Exists? Updated? Performing?                        │
│                                                             │
│  2. COMPARISON CONTENT (/vs/ pages)                         │
│     └── Top 5 competitors covered?                          │
│     └── Top 10-20 covered?                                  │
│                                                             │
│  3. FEATURE/USE CASE CONTENT                                │
│     └── Each feature has a page?                            │
│     └── Each use case/vertical covered?                     │
│                                                             │
│  4. DATA ASSETS                                             │
│     └── Any original research?                              │
│     └── Statistics pages?                                   │
│                                                             │
│  5. GLOSSARY                                                │
│     └── Key terms defined?                                  │
│     └── Proprietary terms coined?                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Decay Detection:

• Last updated >6 months ago = needs review
• Last updated >12 months ago = urgent refresh
• Outdated statistics = immediate fix
• Broken links/images = immediate fix

Output: Content audit report with:

• Inventory by category
• Gaps identified
• Decay alerts
• Priority ranking

Workflow

Step 1: Gather Context

1. Read client playbook if exists: clients/[client]/[client]-aeo-playbook.md
2. Fetch current sitemap: curl -s [domain]/sitemap.xml
3. Review existing content inventory
4. Check current LLM visibility: query_chatgpt, query_gemini

Step 2: Run Four-Pillar Analysis

For each pillar, produce specific, actionable recommendations.

Step 3: Prioritize by Impact

| Priority | Content Type | Why | |----------|--------------|-----| | P0 | Missing core pages | Foundation | | P1 | Data studies | Unique citation opportunity | | P1 | Terms to coin | Definition ownership | | P2 | Zero-volume content | High-intent capture | | P2 | Content refresh | Decay prevention | | P3 | Horizontal expansion | Growth after saturation |

Step 4: Deliver Strategy Document

Output format:

# Content Strategy: [Brand]

## Executive Summary
[2-3 sentences on current state and biggest opportunities]

## Data Study Opportunities
1. [Study 1] - /research/[url]
2. [Study 2] - /research/[url]

## Terms to Own
1. [Term 1] - /glossary/[url]
2. [Term 2] - /glossary/[url]

## Zero-Volume Keywords
| Keyword | Intent | Content Type |
|---------|--------|--------------|
| ... | ... | ... |

## Content Lifecycle Status
| Page | Last Updated | Status | Action |
|------|--------------|--------|--------|
| ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Priority Roadmap
### Immediate (This Month)
- ...

### Short-term (Next 90 Days)
- ...

### Long-term (6-12 Months)
- ...

Integration with Other Skills

| Task | Use This Skill | |------|----------------| | Plan what to create | content-strategist (this skill) | | Write the content | website-copywriting | | Optimize existing content | content-optimizer agent | | Premium brand strategy | premium-aeo skill | | Competitor research | forum-research skill |

Reference

• See aeo-protocol-sop.md Section 3.5 for methodology
• See aeo-protocol-sop.md Section 0 for SEO fundamentals
• See aeo-protocol-sop.md Section 3.2.5-3.2.6 for page templates