content-idea-generator · diff
git:20260308.5724749 to git:20260308.1c3e1fe
96 added, 75 removed. Audit A to A.
---
name: content-idea-generator
description: Generate content ideas rooted in positioning. Use when someone needs "content ideas," "what should I post," "blog topics," "LinkedIn ideas," or is stuck on what to create.
---
# Content Idea Generator
- You are a content strategist with opinions. Content without positioning is noise. Before generating ideas, confirm positioning is clear. If not, run [[positioning-basics]] first.
+ Content without positioning is noise. Before generating ideas, confirm positioning is clear. If not, run `positioning-basics` first.
+ ---
+
## Mode
Detect from context or ask: *"Quick ideas, full strategy, or complete content system?"*
| Mode | What you get | Best for |
|------|-------------|----------|
| `quick` | 5 ideas, immediate output, no deep research | Breaking a block, starter brainstorm |
| `standard` | 10–15 positioned ideas with formats and rationale | Regular content planning |
| `deep` | Full content calendar system: pillars, formats, cadence, 30-day plan | Launching or overhauling content strategy |
**Default: `standard`** — use `quick` if they just need to start. Use `deep` if they want a repeatable system, not just today's ideas.
---
- ## The Reality Check
+ ## Context Loading Gates
- Here's what I've learned across industries: Most content fails because people create what *they* want to say, not what their audience needs to hear. Your positioning tells you what to create. Everything else is random posts hoping for engagement.
+ **Before generating any ideas, collect:**
- **Before anything:** Can you complete this sentence?
- > "I help [specific audience] achieve [specific outcome] through [your unique approach]."
+ - [ ] **Positioning statement:** "I help [specific audience] with [specific outcome] through [unique approach]." Must be specific — not "I help businesses grow."
+ - [ ] **ICP specifics:** What are the top 3 frustrations or questions the ideal customer has right now?
+ - [ ] **Recent wins or proof points:** Any client results, experiments, or lessons from the last 30 days?
+ - [ ] **Content formats available:** LinkedIn? Twitter/X? Newsletter? Short video? All?
+ - [ ] **Prior content strategy:** Any existing pillars from `linkedin-authority-builder`? Don't generate outside those pillars if they exist.
- If not, stop. Go nail positioning first. I'll wait.
+ **Positioning gate:** If the user cannot complete the positioning sentence with specifics, stop:
+ > "Content without positioning produces random posts. Complete this first: 'I help [specific audience] achieve [specific outcome] through [unique approach].' If you need help, run `positioning-basics` first."
---
- ## Content Frameworks That Actually Work
+ ## Phase 1: Context Analysis
- ### 1. The Problem Call-Out
- Name the pain your audience won't admit publicly.
+ Before generating ideas, reason through:
- **Template:** "The #1 mistake [audience] makes with [topic]"
+ 1. **Positioning strength:** Is the one-liner specific enough to anchor content ideas? A vague positioning produces vague ideas.
+ 2. **Proof point audit:** What real results, experiments, or opinions does the user have? Generic ideas come from generic inputs — specific proof points produce specific content.
+ 3. **Platform match:** Different platforms need different idea formats. LinkedIn rewards frameworks and stories; Twitter rewards brevity and contrarian takes; newsletters reward depth and curation.
+ 4. **Content gap:** What has the user NOT covered yet that their ICP is actively asking about?
- **Real Example:** "The #1 mistake solo consultants make with pricing: They charge for time instead of outcomes. I watched a brilliant strategist charge $150/hour while her client made $2M from her advice. Here's how to fix that..."
+ Output a brief analysis:
+ > "You're creating content for [audience] as a [role]. Your strongest proof point is [X]. I'll generate ideas anchored to that — the biggest content gap I see is [specific gap]."
---
- ### 2. The "Here's What Works" Breakdown
- Teach a specific process you've actually used.
+ ## Phase 2: Freshness Check (Tool Call)
- **Template:** "How to [achieve outcome] without [common obstacle]"
+ Run a search before generating the batch:
- **Real Example:** "How to build authority on LinkedIn without posting daily. I grew from 2K to 15K followers posting 3x/week. The secret? Depth beats frequency. Here's my exact process..."
+ ```
+ web_search('[Topic] trending [Month Year]')
+ web_search('[ICP role] biggest challenges [Year]')
+ ```
+ Use results to:
+ - Identify timely angles on evergreen topics
+ - Spot what competitors aren't covering (your opportunity)
+ - Include at least 1 current-moment hook in the batch
+
---
- ### 3. The Contrarian Take
- Challenge something everyone assumes is true. (Only if you genuinely believe it.)
+ ## Phase 3: Idea Generation with Quality Filter
- **Template:** "Stop [common advice]. Here's what actually works."
+ Generate ideas using these 6 frameworks:
- **Real Example:** "Stop trying to go viral. Here's what actually works: One post that converts beats 1M views that don't. I've seen founders with 500 followers close $50K deals. Vanity metrics are a trap..."
+ ### 1. The Problem Call-Out
+ Name the pain your audience won't admit publicly.
+ **Template:** "The #1 mistake [audience] makes with [topic]"
- ---
+ ### 2. The "Here's What Works" Breakdown
+ Teach a specific process you've actually used.
+ **Template:** "How to [achieve outcome] without [common obstacle]"
+ ### 3. The Contrarian Take
+ Challenge something everyone assumes is true.
+ **Template:** "Stop [common advice]. Here's what actually works."
+
### 4. The Behind-the-Curtain Story
Show the messy reality, not the highlight reel.
-
**Template:** "I [tried thing]. Here's what actually happened."
- **Real Example:** "I spent $10K on a rebrand that flopped. Here's what actually happened: I hired a fancy agency, got beautiful assets, and... crickets. Turns out my positioning was broken. No logo fixes that. What I learned..."
-
- ---
-
### 5. The Pattern Recognition
Connect dots your audience hasn't connected yet.
-
**Template:** "What [experience A] taught me about [topic B]"
- **Real Example:** "What coaching youth basketball taught me about managing executives: The best players aren't always the best leaders. I've seen this pattern in sports, healthcare, and tech. Here's how to spot it..."
-
- ---
-
### 6. The Resource Stack
- Curate genuinely useful tools (not affiliate link dumps).
-
+ Curate genuinely useful tools.
**Template:** "[Number] tools I actually use for [outcome]"
- **Real Example:** "5 tools I actually use to create a week of content in 2 hours: Descript for video cleanup, Claude for first drafts, Notion for the calendar, Typeshare for distribution, Shield for analytics. Here's my workflow..."
-
---
- ## Content to AVOID (The Fluff Filter)
+ ## Phase 4: Quality Filter (Run Every Idea Through This)
- **Don't create these.** They waste your time and bore your audience:
+ Each idea must pass all 3 tests before being included in the output:
- ❌ **"Grateful for the journey" posts** — Nobody cares. Show the work.
- ❌ **Generic motivational quotes** — Add your take or skip it.
- ❌ **"Thought leadership" with no actual thoughts** — If you can't name a specific example, you don't have a take yet.
- ❌ **Engagement bait with no value** — "Agree?" posts are lazy. Earn the engagement.
- ❌ **Content you "should" create but don't care about** — Your apathy will show.
- ❌ **Topics outside your positioning** — Stay in your lane or expand the lane first.
+ 1. **Specific?** — Does it have a concrete angle? ("How to use LinkedIn" → fails. "How to get DMs from framework posts with <500 followers" → passes.)
+ 2. **Has a hook angle?** — Can you write a specific first line that stops the scroll?
+ 3. **Connects to ICP pain?** — Does it address a real, named frustration of the target customer?
- **The test:** Would you read this if someone else posted it? No? Don't post it.
+ Reject and replace any idea that fails 2 or more tests.
---
- ## The Repurposing Multiplier
+ ## Phase 5: Self-Critique Pass (REQUIRED)
- Every strong piece becomes 3-5 pieces. Start with one meaty post, then extract:
+ After generating the full batch, evaluate:
- 1. **Twitter thread** — Break into 5-7 key points
- 2. **Quote graphic** — Pull the spiciest line
- 3. **Short video** — 60-second version of the core insight
- 4. **Newsletter angle** — Expand with a personal story
+ - [ ] Are all ideas anchored to the stated positioning, or did any drift outside the lane?
+ - [ ] Does each idea have a specific enough hook that I could write the first line right now?
+ - [ ] Are the Quick Wins genuinely low-effort to produce, or are they actually complex pieces?
+ - [ ] Is at least one idea tied to a real proof point or story the user mentioned?
+ - [ ] Did the freshness search produce anything useful, or were results too generic?
- **Example:** That pricing post becomes a Twitter thread on "5 signs you're undercharging," a carousel on value-based pricing, and newsletter fodder. One idea. Four touchpoints. That's leverage.
+ Flag and replace any ideas that don't pass: "Idea 3 ('thoughts on AI in marketing') is too broad for your positioning as a [specific role]. Replaced with: [specific angle]."
---
- ## Generating Ideas (The Quick Start)
+ ## Fluff Filter: Do Not Include
- **If you're stuck, answer these five questions.** Each answer = at least one piece of content.
+ ❌ "Grateful for the journey" posts — show the work instead
+ ❌ Generic motivational quotes without a specific take
+ ❌ Vague "thought leadership" with no actual opinion
+ ❌ Engagement bait with no value ("Agree? Comment below")
+ ❌ Topics outside the stated positioning
- 1. What mistake do you see your audience make repeatedly?
- 2. What did you learn the hard way that you wish someone told you?
- 3. What question do clients/customers ask you most often?
- 4. What's a hill you'll die on in your industry?
- 5. What's something "everyone knows" that you think is wrong?
+ **The test:** Would you stop scrolling and read this if someone else posted it?
---
- ## Output Format
+ ## Output Structure
- Deliver ideas in two batches:
+ ```markdown
+ ## Content Ideas: [Name] — [Date]
+ **Positioning used:** [one-liner]
+ **Freshness search:** [query + key finding]
+ ---
+
### Quick Wins (Post This Week)
- 5 ideas ready to create now — low effort, high resonance
+ *5 ideas ready to create now*
- ### Authority Builders (This Month)
- 3 ideas that need research or depth — worth the investment
+ **1. [Title/Angle]**
+ - Hook: "[First line that stops the scroll]"
+ - Core insight: [The one thing they'll remember]
+ - Platform fit: [LinkedIn / Twitter / Newsletter]
+ - ICP pain: [What frustration this addresses]
+ - Quality check: [Specific ✅ | Hook ✅ | ICP ✅]
- For each idea, include:
- - **Hook** (First line that stops the scroll)
- - **Core insight** (The one thing they should remember)
- - **Platform fit** (LinkedIn, Twitter, Newsletter, etc.)
+ [Repeat for ideas 2–5]
---
- ## Validation Before You Post
-
- Three questions:
+ ### Authority Builders (This Month)
+ *3 ideas worth the investment*
- 1. **Does this connect to my positioning?** If not, skip it.
- 2. **Is there a specific takeaway?** Vague = forgettable.
- 3. **Would I engage with this if someone else posted it?** Be honest.
+ **1. [Title/Angle]**
+ - Hook: "[First line]"
+ - Core insight: [Key takeaway]
+ - Platform fit: [Platform]
+ - Research needed: [What to find first]
+ - Estimated production time: [X hours]
- Two out of three? Ship it. Zero? Back to the drawing board.
+ [Repeat for ideas 2–3]
---
- **Need a complete content strategy?**
- → [Book a strategy call](https://brianrwagner.com)
+ ### Self-Critique Notes
+ [Any ideas replaced, gaps noted, or freshness findings]
+
+ ### Multi-Agent Handoff
+ For each approved idea → pass to Scribe with format:
+ [Idea title] | [Platform] | [Hook] | [Framework type] | [ICP pain addressed]
+ ```
---
*Skill by Brian Wagner | AI Marketing Architect | brianrwagner.com*