Module 1: The Strategic Foundation Checklist

Objective: To establish the "why" behind your content, ensuring it is purpose-driven, aligned with business goals, and resonates with a specific target audience.

Part Task Status
Part 1: Align with Business Goals Goal: Transform vague objectives into measurable content goals.
Conducted stakeholder interviews to identify top business priorities.
Translated a business objective into a specific content goal.
Defined a SMART goal for the content initiative.
Identified 2-3 primary KPIs to track for the goal.
Deliverable: Finalized a one-page Content Strategy Brief.
Part 2: Understand Your Audience Goal: Develop a deep, empathetic understanding of your ideal customer.
Gathered data from at least 3 sources (interviews, analytics, surveys).
Identified common patterns in pain points, goals, and behaviors.
Defined key demographic and firmographic details (job title, industry, etc.).
Mapped psychographics (core motivations, challenges, fears).
Researched where the persona seeks information (blogs, social networks).
Included real quotes from research to humanize the persona.
Deliverable: Created a detailed Buyer Persona Profile.
Part 3: Craft Core Strategy Goal: Create a central source of truth for consistent, on-brand messaging.
Articulated a clear Value Proposition using the provided formula.
Defined 3-4 adjectives for the Brand Voice.
Established Tone Guidelines with examples for different scenarios.
Defined 3-4 core Messaging Pillars that address persona pain points.
Created practical "Do's and Don'ts" for the brand voice.
Deliverable: Finalized a Messaging Framework document.
Final Review Goal: Ensure all components work together seamlessly.
Confirmed Messaging Pillars address the Buyer Persona's needs.
Verified Content Goals are supported by the Messaging Framework.
Socialized all documents with stakeholders for feedback and buy-in.

Module 2: The Art of the Craft Checklist

Objective: To equip you with the practical skills to ideate, create, and refine engaging content across multiple formats, anchored in powerful storytelling.

Part Task Status
Part 1: Storytelling Goal: Learn to structure content within a compelling narrative.
Selected a storytelling framework (PAS, BAB, Hero's Journey) appropriate for the topic.
Outlined a piece of content using the chosen framework.
Deliverable: A Story Outline for a key piece of content.
Part 2: Multiformat Creation Goal: Adapt a core idea into different content formats.
Researched which formats best suit the target audience and platform.
Wrote a headline/title optimized for engagement and SEO.
Applied web readability principles (short paragraphs, subheadings, bullets).
Storyboarded or outlined a video/audio script.
Designed a visual asset (e.g., infographic, carousel) with clear hierarchy.
Deliverable: A Content Adaptation Plan for one idea across three formats.
Part 3: Brand Voice Goal: Apply a consistent voice and tone across all content.
Defined 3-4 core brand voice adjectives.
Created "Do's and Don'ts" with examples for each adjective.
Rewrote a generic message to match the defined brand voice.
Deliverable: A Brand Voice One-Sheeter guideline.

Module 3: Designing the Experience Checklist

Objective: To structure and design content for maximum user engagement, clarity, and action.

Part Task Status
Part 1: Content Design Goal: Structure information for clarity and user action.
Modeled content with clear headings, subheadings, and sections.
Ensured the primary call-to-action (CTA) is clear and logically placed.
Deliverable: A content model for a key page or article.
Part 2: UX & Readability Goal: Make content easy to consume and accessible to all.
Used plain language and avoided unnecessary jargon.
Checked content for scannability (using bold text, bullets, etc.).
Added alt-text to all images and ensured color contrast meets accessibility standards.
Deliverable: An accessibility and readability audit of one piece of content.
Part 3: Engagement Design Goal: Use design elements to guide the user and increase engagement.
Used visual cues (icons, buttons) to direct attention.
Incorporated interactive elements where appropriate (e.g., polls, calculators).
Deliverable: A list of engagement elements added to a key piece of content.

Module 4: Amplification & Distribution Checklist

Objective: To develop a multi-channel distribution plan to ensure your content reaches its intended audience.

Part Task Status
Part 1: Channel Strategy Goal: Select the right platforms based on audience and goals.
Researched which channels the target audience uses most.
Matched content formats to appropriate channels.
Created a distribution calendar for the launch of a piece of content.
Deliverable: A Channel Strategy matrix for a content launch.
Part 2: Owned & Earned Media Goal: Leverage free channels to maximize organic reach.
Optimized content for relevant keywords and search intent (SEO).
Wrote a social media copy series for sharing the content.
Identified potential partners or influencers for outreach.
Deliverable: An SEO and Social Media checklist for one piece of content.
Part 3: Paid Media Goal: Use paid promotion to amplify high-performing content.
Defined a target audience for a paid campaign.
Set a budget and goal for a paid promotion (e.g., traffic, leads).
Drafted copy and selected imagery for a paid social ad.
Deliverable: A brief Paid Promotion Plan for one piece of content.

Module 5: Analytics, Optimization & Growth Checklist

Objective: To measure content performance, derive insights, and use data to fuel future growth.

Part Task Status
Part 1: Analytics & Reporting Goal: Track the right metrics and report on performance.
Set up tracking for pre-defined KPIs (e.g., UTM parameters, goal tracking in GA4).
Gathered data from analytics, social, and email platforms.
Created a simple dashboard or report showing performance against goals.
Deliverable: A Performance Report for one content piece or campaign.
Part 2: Analysis & Interpretation Goal: Move beyond data to actionable insights.
Analyzed data to identify a top-performing piece of content.
Analyzed data to identify an underperforming piece of content.
Formed a hypothesis for why something did or did not perform well.
Deliverable: A list of 3 actionable insights from content performance data.
Part 3: Optimization & Repurposing Goal: Use insights to improve and extend the life of content.
Performed A/B test on a headline, image, or CTA.
Updated and refreshed an old piece of content.
Identified a top-performing piece for repurposing into a new format.
Deliverable: An Optimization Plan for one underperforming piece of content.