Content Strategy & Planning

Workspace Context

Read bootstrap context before asking questions: strategy/brand.md for brand, audience, offer, channels, tools, constraints, and metrics; about/me.md for personal voice; content/ideas.md and content/calendar.md for content planning. Use legacy product-marketing context files only as fallback. Save generated drafts to content/<platform>/drafts/YYYY-MM-DD_short-topic-slug.md, and route durable learnings back to strategy/brand.md, about/me.md, or content/ideas.md.

Operating Contract

This skill is self-contained for its frontmatter scope: use its local instructions, references, scripts, and assets as the playbook; ask only for missing task-specific inputs; hand off to adjacent skills instead of expanding scope; and return an actionable artifact, decision, plan, draft, or diagnostic.

Unified skill combining strategic content planning, positioning, and operational execution frameworks.

When to Use

• Planning what content to create and why
• Developing content pillars and topic clusters
• Building editorial calendars
• Creating messaging hierarchy and positioning
• Trust-building content strategy
• Measuring content ROI
• GEO (AI search) optimization planning

---

Part 1: Strategic Planning

Step 1: Define Business Context

Before planning, gather:

Step 2: Searchable vs Shareable Framework

Every piece of content must be searchable, shareable, or both. Prioritize in that order.

Searchable content captures existing demand:

• Target specific keywords/questions
• Match search intent exactly
• Use clear titles matching queries
• Optimize for AI/LLM discovery

Shareable content creates demand:

• Lead with novel insights or data
• Challenge conventional wisdom
• Tell stories that resonate
• Connect to current trends

Step 3: Content Pillars

3-5 core topics your brand owns. Each pillar spawns related content.

Pillar Topic (Hub)
├── Subtopic Cluster 1
│   ├── Article A
│   ├── Article B
│   └── Article C
├── Subtopic Cluster 2
│   ├── Article D
│   └── Article E
└── Subtopic Cluster 3
    ├── Article F
    └── Article G

How to Identify Pillars:

1. Product-led: What problems does your product solve?
2. Audience-led: What does your ICP need to learn?
3. Search-led: What topics have volume in your space?
4. Competitor-led: What are competitors ranking for?

Step 4: Keyword Research by Buyer Stage

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Part 2: Positioning & Messaging

Positioning Canvas

## Positioning Canvas

### For [ICP]
Who is this for?

### Who We Are
[Company name] is a [category]

### We Help Them Achieve
[Primary value proposition]

### Unlike [Competitors/Alternatives]
[Key differentiator]

### We Win Because
[1-2 specific advantages]

### Proof Points
- [Metric/result 1]
- [Metric/result 2]
- [Customer quote]

Messaging Hierarchy

Trust Signals Checklist

Build trust before scaling traffic:

• Customer evidence (case studies, quotes)
• Expert endorsements or credentials
• Data-backed claims (specific numbers)
• Transparency (methodology, limitations)
• Security/compliance proof (if relevant)
• Recent updates (dates visible)

---

Part 3: Editorial Operations

Editorial Calendar Template

## Monthly Content Calendar

### Week 1: [Theme]
| Day | Platform | Content Type | Topic | Status |
|-----|----------|--------------|-------|--------|
| Mon | LinkedIn | Post | | [ ] |
| Wed | Blog | Article | | [ ] |
| Fri | LinkedIn | Post | | [ ] |

### Week 2: [Theme]
| Day | Platform | Content Type | Topic | Status |
|-----|----------|--------------|-------|--------|
| Mon | LinkedIn | Post | | [ ] |
| Wed | Blog | Article | | [ ] |
| Fri | LinkedIn | Post | | [ ] |

### Monthly Goals
- [ ] 8 LinkedIn posts
- [ ] 2 Blog articles
- [ ] 1 Case study
- [ ] __ impressions target
- [ ] __ engagement target

Content Types by Funnel Stage

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Part 4: GEO (AI Search) Optimization

Content discoverability shifting from websites to AI chat interfaces. Optimize for LLM retrieval.

AIO Principles

1. Question-first structure — Headers as questions users ask
2. Quotable statements — Memorable, standalone lines AI can cite
3. Authority signals — Credentials, data sources, track record
4. Structured data — Tables, lists, definition blocks
5. Entity optimization — Consistent terminology, named entities
6. Freshness signals — Dated statistics, update markers

AIO Checklist

• H2 headers are questions or clear topics
• First paragraph directly answers the implied question
• 3-5 standalone quotable statements
• Author credentials stated
• Statistics include year and source
• Publication date visible
• Lists and tables for comparative information
• FAQ section with common questions

---

Part 5: ROI Measurement

Content Attribution Framework

Leading Indicators

ROI Calculation

Content ROI = (Revenue attributed to content - Content cost) / Content cost × 100

Content costs to include:

• Creation (writing, design, video)
• Distribution (paid promotion)
• Tools (CMS, analytics)
• Time (internal team hours)

---

Part 6: Decision Tree

CONTENT STRATEGY QUESTION
    |
    +-> "What content should I create?" --------> CONTENT PILLARS
    |
    +-> "How do I position my product?" --------> POSITIONING
    |
    +-> "What should I say to whom?" ------------> MESSAGING
    |
    +-> "How do I build trust?" ----------------> TRUST SIGNALS
    |
    +-> "What topics have search volume?" ------> KEYWORD RESEARCH
    |
    +-> "How do I measure content impact?" ----> ROI MEASUREMENT
    |
    +-> "How do I show up in AI search?" ------> GEO/AIO PLANNING
    |
    +-> "When do I publish what?" --------------> EDITORIAL CALENDAR
    |
    +-> "How do I create a content brief?" -----> CONTENT BRIEF (Part 7)
    |
    +-> "How do I optimize existing content?" --> ON-PAGE SEO (Part 8)
    |
    +-> "How do I research a topic?" -----------> CONTENT RESEARCH (Part 9)

---

Part 7: Content Brief Framework

Use when preparing briefs for content writers, documenting SEO requirements, or aligning content with keyword research.

Brief Creation Steps

1. Keyword Research — Primary + 3-5 secondary; extract People Also Ask questions; note search intent (informational/commercial/transactional)
2. SERP Analysis — Review top 10 pages; note average word count; identify content format (listicle/guide); find content gaps competitors miss
3. Outline Creation — H1 with primary keyword; plan H2s for required topics; map keywords to specific sections
4. Requirements — Word count target (competitor avg +20%); E-E-A-T specs; internal linking targets; readability target (Flesch 60-70)

Content Brief Template

# Content Brief: {Title}

## Target Keyword
- **Primary**: {keyword}
- **Secondary**: {keyword2}, {keyword3}, {keyword4}
- **Questions to Answer**: {PAA questions}

## Search Intent
- **Type**: Informational | Commercial | Transactional
- **User Goal**: {what user wants to accomplish}

## Content Specs
- **Word Count**: {min}-{max} | **Format**: {article/listicle/guide} | **Tone**: {professional/conversational}
- **Target Audience**: {description}

## Required Sections
1. **{H2 Topic}** — {what to cover}
2. **{H2 Topic}** — {what to cover}
3. **{H2 Topic}** — {what to cover}

## E-E-A-T Requirements
- **Experience**: {first-hand examples to include}
- **Expertise**: {depth of coverage, technical accuracy needed}
- **Authority**: {sources to cite, data to include}
- **Trust**: {claims to verify, transparency requirements}

## SEO Checklist
- [ ] Keyword in H1 and first 100 words
- [ ] Meta title: 50-60 chars | Meta description: 150-160 chars with CTA
- [ ] Keyword density 1-2% | Flesch score 60-70
- [ ] 3+ internal links | 1+ external authoritative link

---

Part 8: On-Page SEO Optimization

Use when optimizing existing content or validating new content against SEO requirements.

Keyword Density

• Target: 1-2% (Density = keyword count / total words × 100)
• Placement: H1/title (required), first 100 words (required), at least one H2, conclusion
• Warning: >3% = stuffing risk; <0.5% = under-optimized

Meta Tag Optimization

Heading Hierarchy

H1: Page Title (exactly 1)
+-- H2: Main Section (keyword in at least one H2)
|   +-- H3: Subsection
+-- H2: Main Section
+-- H2: Conclusion

Readability (Flesch Target: 60-70)

• Sentences <20 words average | Paragraphs 2-3 sentences max
• Active voice | Subheadings every 200-300 words
• Replace jargon with plain language | Use bullet points for lists

Optimization Checklist

• Keyword in title/H1 and first 100 words
• Keyword density 1-2%
• Meta title 50-60 chars | Meta description 150-160 chars with CTA
• Valid heading hierarchy (H1→H2→H3, no level skips)
• 3+ internal links | 1+ external authoritative link
• Flesch 60-70 | No paragraphs >3 sentences

---

Part 9: Content Research Workflow

Use when creating authentic, research-backed content or sourcing experts for quotes and citations.

RESEARCH → EXPERTS → IDEATION → CREATION → AIO
   ↓          ↓          ↓          ↓        ↓
 Trends    Real       Unique    Authentic  AI-Citable
 & Data    People     Angles    Content    Structure

Phase 1: Research

Search for recent news (30-90 days), industry reports, emerging trends, and contrarian viewpoints. Use patterns like "[topic] trends 2025", "[topic] statistics report", "[topic] expert predictions". Collect 10-15 key findings, statistics, and trend insights.

Phase 2: Expert Discovery

Find real, verifiable experts from Twitter/X, LinkedIn, publications, podcasts, and academic sources. Validate each: real online presence, actual domain expertise, public statements available, recent activity.

Format quotes: "[Direct quote]" — [Full Name], [Title] at [Company], [Source context]

Phase 3: Ideation

Generate 3-5 content angles incorporating discovered trends and expert perspectives. Evaluate each on: trend relevance, expert fit, uniqueness, actionability. Select the angle with the highest combined score.

Phase 4: Authentic Writing

• Use specific details (names, dates, numbers) — avoid vague claims
• Integrate expert quotes naturally into the narrative, not as filler blocks
• Avoid AI-typical phrases: "In today's world", "It's worth noting", "Let's dive in", "Game-changer"
• Verify all quotes have traceable public sources before publishing

For format-specific guidance, see reference files below.

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Related Content & References

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Supporting file: references/ai-search-optimization.md

AI Search Optimization (AIO) Deep Dive

Advanced tactics for making content that AI assistants cite as authoritative sources.

Understanding AI Search Behavior

How AI Models Find and Cite Sources

When users ask questions, AI models:

1. Match intent - Understand what the user is really asking
2. Search indexed content - Query their knowledge base (training data + web search)
3. Evaluate authority - Rank sources by credibility signals
4. Extract answers - Pull relevant passages that directly answer the question
5. Synthesize response - Combine information, often citing sources

Your goal: Be the source that consistently appears in step 5.

Perplexity vs ChatGPT vs Claude

High-Impact AIO Tactics

1. Target "Zero-Click" Questions

These are questions where users want a direct answer, not a link to click.

Examples:

• "How much should I raise in seed round?"
• "What percentage equity do seed investors take?"
• "How long does fundraising take?"

Pattern: Direct Answer First

## How much should I raise in a seed round?

**The median seed round in 2024 is $2.5 million**, ranging from $1M-$5M depending
on market, location, and business model. Here's how to calculate your ideal raise:

[Then provide the detailed explanation]

2. Create Definitive Guides

AI prefers citing comprehensive sources over piecing together multiple partial sources.

Structure for definitive guides:

# The Complete Guide to [Topic]

## What is [Topic]?
[Definition + context]

## Why [Topic] Matters
[Importance + stakes]

## How [Topic] Works
[Mechanics + process]

## Step-by-Step: How to [Do Topic]
[Tactical walkthrough]

## Common [Topic] Mistakes to Avoid
[Pitfalls + warnings]

## [Topic] Examples
[Real cases with specifics]

## [Topic] FAQ
[Question-answer format for edge cases]

## Key Takeaways
[Summary bullets]

3. Create Citable Statistics

AI loves citing specific numbers. Create them.

Ways to generate original statistics:

• Analyze your own platform data
• Survey your users/audience
• Aggregate publicly available data
• Track metrics over time

Example:

Based on OpenStars' analysis of 5,000 investor-founder matches in 2024:
- 73% of successful matches came through warm introductions
- Founders who customized their outreach saw 3.2x higher response rates
- The average time from first contact to term sheet was 47 days

4. Name Your Frameworks

Unnamed concepts don't get cited. Named frameworks do.

Before (uncitable): "You should reach out to investors through connections, follow up appropriately, and give it enough time."

After (citable): "We recommend the 3-3-3 Method for investor outreach: aim for 3 warm introductions per week, follow up exactly 3 times (days 3, 7, and 14), and give your fundraise at least 3 months runway."

Framework naming tips:

• Use numbers (3-3-3 Rule, 80/20 Principle)
• Use alliteration (Trust Triangle, Momentum Matrix)
• Use acronyms (SAFE = Simple Agreement for Future Equity)
• Own it ("The OpenStars Method", "Our Founder Framework")

5. Answer in Multiple Formats

Different queries expect different formats. Cover them all.

Same topic, multiple formats:

## How to Calculate Runway

### Quick Answer
Runway = Cash in bank ÷ Monthly burn rate

### Detailed Calculation
1. Sum all cash and liquid assets
2. Calculate average monthly expenses (last 3-6 months)
3. Divide cash by monthly burn
4. Subtract 2-3 months as safety buffer

### Table: Runway by Stage
| Stage | Typical Runway Target |
|-------|----------------------|
| Pre-seed | 12-18 months |
| Seed | 18-24 months |
| Series A | 18-24 months |

### Example
$500,000 cash ÷ $50,000/month = 10 months runway

6. Use Schema-Like Structure

Even without JSON-LD, use patterns AI can parse like structured data.

Definition Pattern:

**Term Sheet**
A non-binding document outlining the basic terms of an investment. Typically
includes: valuation, investment amount, liquidation preferences, board composition,
and protective provisions.

List Pattern:

## The 5 Types of Seed Investors

1. **Angel Investors** - High-net-worth individuals investing personal capital
2. **Micro VCs** - Small funds ($10-50M) focused on pre-seed/seed
3. **Traditional VCs** - Larger funds that do some seed deals
4. **Accelerators** - Programs that invest in batches (YC, Techstars)
5. **Strategic Investors** - Corporations investing for strategic value

7. Create Comparison Content

"X vs Y" queries are common. Own them.

Pattern:

## SAFE vs Convertible Note: Which is Better for Your Startup?

### Quick Comparison

| Factor | SAFE | Convertible Note |
|--------|------|------------------|
| Complexity | Simpler | More complex |
| Interest | No | Yes (typically 2-8%) |
| Maturity Date | No | Yes |
| Legal Costs | Lower | Higher |
| Investor Preference | Varies | Varies |

### When to Use a SAFE
- Early stage (pre-seed, seed)
- Speed is important
- Investor is comfortable with SAFEs
- Standard terms work for your situation

### When to Use a Convertible Note
- Investor requires it
- Need the discipline of a maturity date
- Later seed rounds
- More complex terms needed

Content Audit: Is Your Content AI-Ready?

Audit Checklist

For each piece of content, score 0-2 on each:

Findability (Can AI find this for relevant queries?)

• Title contains the exact question/topic users search
• First paragraph answers the implied question directly
• Headers use question format or clear topic phrases
• Content is comprehensive enough to be the single best source

Extractability (Can AI easily pull relevant passages?)

• Key facts are in standalone sentences
• Statistics include year and source
• Definitions are clearly formatted
• Lists and tables organize complex information

Authority (Will AI trust this source?)

• Author credentials are stated
• Data sources are cited
• Original research or frameworks are present
• Brand is mentioned in authoritative context

Quotability (Will AI cite this specifically?)

• Contains memorable, specific statements
• Frameworks or models are named
• Numbers are concrete, not vague
• Claims are defensible if quoted

Score interpretation:

• 0-8: Major AIO work needed
• 9-12: Good foundation, optimize further
• 13-16: Strong AIO, maintain and update

Topic Clusters for AIO

Don't create isolated content. Build interconnected topic clusters.

Example cluster: "Startup Fundraising"

                    [Hub: Complete Fundraising Guide]
                              |
        ________________________________________________
       |           |            |           |           |
    [Seed]     [Series A]   [Term Sheets] [Pitch Decks] [Investors]
       |           |            |           |           |
    - How much  - Readiness   - Negotiation - Templates - Finding
    - Timeline  - Metrics     - Key terms   - Examples  - Warm intros
    - Investors - Process     - Red flags   - Mistakes  - Types

Benefits of clusters:

• AI sees you as THE authority on the topic
• Internal links help AI understand relationships
• Comprehensive coverage = more query matches
• Updates to one piece benefit the cluster

Monitoring AI Citations

How to Check If You're Being Cited

1. Ask AI assistants directly:

   • "What are the best resources for learning about seed fundraising?"
   • "What does [your company] say about [topic]?"

2. Search your brand + topic:

   • In Perplexity: "OpenStars fundraising advice"
   • In ChatGPT: "What has OpenStars written about term sheets?"

3. Monitor referral traffic:

   • Check analytics for traffic from ai.perplexity.ai
   • Look for patterns in direct traffic spikes

4. Track competitor citations:

   • See who AI cites for queries you want to own
   • Analyze why their content ranks

Iteration Loop

Create content → Check AI citations → Identify gaps → Improve → Repeat

Quarterly audit:

1. List your target queries (questions you want to be cited for)
2. Ask each query to 3+ AI assistants
3. Note who gets cited
4. Analyze what cited content does better
5. Update your content to outcompete

---

Supporting file: references/blog-posts.md

Blog Post & Article Patterns

Structure Templates

Thought Leadership Article (1500-2500 words)

1. HOOK (100-150 words)
   - Surprising statistic or trend
   - Provocative question
   - Brief story or scenario

2. CONTEXT (200-300 words)
   - Why this matters now
   - Recent developments
   - Expert quote #1

3. MAIN INSIGHT (400-600 words)
   - Core argument with evidence
   - Data supporting the claim
   - Expert quote #2

4. PRACTICAL APPLICATION (400-600 words)
   - How to implement
   - Real examples/case studies
   - Expert quote #3

5. COUNTERPOINT (200-300 words)
   - Acknowledge limitations
   - Address skeptics
   - Nuanced perspective

6. CALL TO ACTION (100-150 words)
   - Specific next steps
   - Forward-looking statement
   - Final expert insight or memorable line

How-To Guide (1000-1500 words)

1. PROBLEM STATEMENT (100 words)
   - Specific pain point
   - Why existing solutions fall short

2. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN (50 words)
   - 3-5 bullet outcomes

3. PREREQUISITES (50 words)
   - What reader needs before starting

4. STEPS (600-800 words)
   - Numbered, actionable steps
   - Each step: what, why, how
   - Include pitfalls to avoid

5. EXPERT TIP (100 words)
   - Quote from practitioner
   - Advanced insight

6. TROUBLESHOOTING (150 words)
   - Common issues
   - Solutions

7. NEXT STEPS (100 words)
   - Where to go from here

News Analysis (800-1200 words)

1. NEWS SUMMARY (100 words)
   - What happened
   - When, who, where

2. CONTEXT (200 words)
   - Background needed to understand
   - Previous related events

3. EXPERT REACTIONS (300 words)
   - 2-3 expert perspectives
   - Different viewpoints

4. IMPLICATIONS (300 words)
   - Short-term impact
   - Long-term significance
   - Who's affected

5. WHAT TO WATCH (100 words)
   - Key indicators
   - Upcoming events

Opening Hooks That Work

Data-Driven Hook

"Eighty-seven percent of CFOs now consider AI fluency a requirement for new finance hires—up from just 12% two years ago. The shift happened faster than anyone predicted."

Narrative Hook

"When Maria Chen took over as CTO at Datawise last March, she inherited a tech stack running on twelve different cloud services. Six months later, she'd consolidated to three—and cut costs by 40%. Here's how she did it without a single outage."

Contrarian Hook

"Everyone says remote work is here to stay. But the data from 2024 tells a different story—one that most tech leaders are reluctant to acknowledge publicly."

Question Hook

"What if the biggest competitive advantage isn't AI itself, but knowing when not to use it?"

Paragraph Structure

The 1-3-1 Pattern

• 1 sentence: Topic/claim
• 3 sentences: Evidence/explanation/example
• 1 sentence: Implication or transition

Quote Integration Pattern

• Context: Set up why this person's view matters
• Quote: Direct quote (1-2 sentences max)
• Analysis: What this means, why it's significant

Example:

After leading three successful IPOs in the fintech space, Sarah Martinez has a unique perspective on market timing. "The best time to go public isn't when your metrics peak—it's when you can credibly explain the next three years of growth," she told me in a recent conversation. That philosophy helped her portfolio companies time their offerings to avoid the 2022 downturn that caught many competitors off-guard.

Transitions That Don't Sound AI-Generated

Instead of "Furthermore" or "Additionally":

• "That's only half the story."
• "But here's where it gets interesting."
• "The data gets more compelling."
• "This pattern shows up elsewhere too."

Instead of "In conclusion":

• "So where does this leave us?"
• "The bigger picture?"
• "What this means for [audience]:"
• [Just start concluding—no announcement needed]

Instead of "Let's dive in":

• [Just start the content—no announcement needed]
• "Here's what's actually happening."
• "The details matter here."

SEO Without Sacrificing Quality

• Lead with insight, not keyword stuffing
• Use the target keyword in H1 and first 100 words naturally
• Prefer long-tail, specific phrases over generic terms
• Add internal links where genuinely helpful
• Write meta description as compelling teaser, not keyword list

AI Search Optimization for Blog Posts

Make your blog posts the #1 source AI assistants cite.

AIO Blog Post Template

# [Question Format Title] - What/How/Why [Topic]

*By [Author Name], [Credentials/Authority Statement]*
*Last updated: [Date]*

## Quick Answer

[1-2 sentence direct answer that AI can quote verbatim]

## [Detailed Section Using Question or Clear Topic Header]

[Content with specific data, dates, and sources]

**Key insight:** [Quotable statement that stands alone]

## [Next Section]

...

## Frequently Asked Questions

### [Specific question people ask]?
[Direct answer]

### [Another common question]?
[Direct answer]

## Key Takeaways

- [Bullet 1 with specific claim]
- [Bullet 2 with specific claim]
- [Bullet 3 with specific claim]

---
*Data sources: [List credible sources with dates]*

AIO-Optimized Title Patterns

Question-based (highest AIO value):

• "How Much Should You Raise in a Seed Round?"
• "What Do VCs Look for in First-Time Founders?"
• "When Is the Right Time to Raise Series A?"

Definitive guide (strong AIO value):

• "The Complete Guide to Startup Fundraising in 2026"
• "Everything Founders Need to Know About Term Sheets"

List/Number (good AIO value):

• "7 Mistakes First-Time Founders Make When Raising"
• "The 5 Types of Seed Investors (And How to Approach Each)"

Opening Paragraphs for AIO

Pattern: Answer-First Opening

## How much should you raise in a seed round?

**The ideal seed round is 18-24 months of runway**, which typically means
$1.5M-$3M for most startups in 2026. But the right number depends on your
burn rate, market, and growth targets.

Here's how to calculate exactly how much you need...

Pattern: Stat-First Opening

## Why warm introductions matter for fundraising

**73% of seed deals in 2025 came through warm introductions**, according to
DocSend's annual fundraising report. Cold outreach converted at just 2.3%.

The data is clear: who introduces you matters almost as much as your pitch...

Creating Quotable Passages

Every blog post should have 3-5 passages AI can quote directly.

Characteristics of quotable passages:

• Complete thought in 1-2 sentences
• Specific (numbers, names, timeframes)
• Memorable phrasing
• Defensible claim

Examples:

"The best pitch decks tell a story in exactly 10-12 slides. Any longer and you're hiding weak points; any shorter and you're missing critical information."

"Founders who send investor updates—even when things aren't going well—raise follow-on funding at 2x the rate of those who go silent."

"We analyzed 1,000 successful seed rounds and found one consistent pattern: founders who started fundraising with 9+ months of runway had 3x higher close rates."

FAQ Section Best Practices

Every blog post should end with an FAQ that captures related questions.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How long does a seed round typically take?
Most seed rounds close in 2-4 months from first investor meeting to money
in the bank. Add 1-2 months for preparation before starting outreach.

### What's the average dilution in a seed round?
Founders typically give up 15-25% equity in seed rounds. The median in 2025
was 20% according to Carta data.

### Should I use a SAFE or priced round for seed?
SAFEs dominate early-stage fundraising—over 80% of seed deals in 2025 used
SAFEs. Use a priced round only if investors specifically require it or
you're raising above $3M.

Internal Linking for AIO

Create topic clusters so AI sees you as THE authority.

For more on this topic:
- [Complete Guide to Term Sheets](/blog/term-sheet-guide) - Detailed walkthrough
- [Seed vs Series A: Key Differences](/blog/seed-vs-series-a) - Comparison guide
- [Our Investor Database](/products) - Find the right investors

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Supporting file: references/press-releases.md

Press Release & PR Patterns

Standard Press Release Structure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[HEADLINE: Active Verb + What Happened + Key Benefit]
[Subhead: Additional Context or Stat]

[CITY, STATE] — [DATE] — [First paragraph: Who, What, When, Where, Why]

[Second paragraph: Supporting details, context, significance]

[Third paragraph: Executive quote with insight, not platitudes]

[Fourth paragraph: How it works / Technical details / Specifics]

[Fifth paragraph: Customer/partner quote if available]

[Sixth paragraph: Availability, pricing, next steps]

[Boilerplate: About the company]

###

Media Contact:
[Name]
[Email]
[Phone]

Headline Formulas

Product Launch:

• "[Company] Launches [Product] to Help [Audience] [Achieve Outcome]"
• "[Company] Unveils [Product], Bringing [Capability] to [Market]"
• "New [Product] from [Company] Enables [Specific Benefit]"

Funding:

• "[Company] Raises $[X]M to [Purpose/Mission]"
• "[Company] Secures Series [X] to Expand [What]"

Partnership:

• "[Company A] and [Company B] Partner to Deliver [Benefit]"
• "[Company] Joins Forces with [Partner] to [Outcome]"

Milestone:

• "[Company] Surpasses [Number] [Metric], Signaling [Trend]"
• "[Company] Achieves [Milestone], Accelerating [Goal]"

Quote Writing

What Makes a Bad Quote:

"We're excited to announce this groundbreaking innovation that will revolutionize the industry and unlock new potential for our customers."

Problems: Generic, buzzword-heavy, says nothing specific

What Makes a Good Quote:

"Our customers told us they were spending 12 hours a week on invoice reconciliation. With automated matching, we've gotten that down to under 30 minutes. That's not incremental—it's a completely different way of operating."

Why it works: Specific problem, concrete numbers, clear outcome

Quote Templates:

Vision Quote (CEO/Founder):

"For too long, [audience] has had to [pain point]. [Product] changes that by [specific mechanism]. We built this because [authentic motivation]."

Technical Quote (CTO/Product):

"The key breakthrough was [specific innovation]. Unlike [existing approach], our method [technical differentiator]. In testing, we saw [specific result]."

Customer Quote:

"Before [Product], we were [specific struggle]. Now [specific improvement]. The impact on [metric] has been [number]."

Partner Quote:

"We chose to work with [Company] because [specific reason]. Together, we can [specific combined value] for [shared audience]."

Media Kit Components

One-Pager:

• Company overview (2-3 sentences)
• Problem being solved
• Solution highlights (3-5 bullets)
• Key metrics / social proof
• Founder backgrounds (brief)
• Contact info

Fact Sheet:

• Founding date and location
• Team size
• Funding raised (if public)
• Key customers (if permitted)
• Notable metrics
• Awards/recognition

Executive Bios (150-200 words each):

• Current role and focus
• Relevant prior experience (2-3 roles max)
• Key achievement or credential
• Personal detail (optional, humanizing)

Product Screenshots/Demos:

• High-resolution images
• Brief captions explaining each
• Video demo link if available

Distribution Channels

Tier 1 (Major Publications):

• TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Wired (tech)
• Forbes, Bloomberg, WSJ (business)
• Industry-specific flagship publications

Tier 2 (Trade/Vertical):

• Industry newsletters
• Trade publications
• Analyst reports

Tier 3 (Syndication):

• Wire services (PR Newswire, Business Wire)
• Industry aggregators
• LinkedIn, company blog

Journalist Outreach

Email Pitch Structure:

SUBJECT: [Specific angle] — [Newsworthy element]

[1-2 sentence hook: Why this matters to their readers NOW]

[1 paragraph: What the news is, key stat or proof point]

[1-2 sentences: Why you're reaching out to them specifically]

[Clear ask: Interview, exclusive, or embargo offer]

[Signature with contact info]

Pitch Don'ts:

• "I hope this email finds you well"
• Attaching the full press release unprompted
• Claiming to be "revolutionary" or "industry-first"
• Generic pitch to obviously wrong beat
• Following up more than twice

Pitch Do's:

• Reference their recent relevant article
• Offer an exclusive or embargo
• Include one compelling stat upfront
• Make the ask clear and easy
• Provide direct access to executives

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Supporting file: references/social-media.md

Social Media Content Patterns

Platform-Specific Formats

Twitter/X Thread (5-12 tweets)

Structure:

TWEET 1 (HOOK):
Bold claim + promise of value
"I spent 6 months studying [topic]. Here's what nobody tells you: [surprising insight]"

TWEET 2-3 (CONTEXT):
Set up the problem/situation
Include a specific data point or story

TWEET 4-8 (CORE CONTENT):
Each tweet = one insight
Use numbers: "1/ Here's the first thing..."
Include specific examples

TWEET 9-10 (EVIDENCE):
Quote an expert or cite a source
Share a mini case study

TWEET 11 (TAKEAWAY):
Summarize the key insight
What to do with this information

TWEET 12 (CTA):
Invite engagement
Offer something valuable (link, resource, follow)

Hook Formulas That Work:

• "I [did thing] for [time]. Here's what I learned:"
• "Most people think [common belief]. They're wrong. Here's why:"
• "The [industry] is about to change forever. Here's what's coming:"
• "[Number] things I wish I knew about [topic] before [event]:"

LinkedIn Post (1300-3000 characters)

Structure:

LINE 1-2: Hook (visible in preview)
- Personal story opening
- Surprising observation
- Contrarian take

LINE 3: [Empty line for readability]

BODY (5-7 short paragraphs):
- Each paragraph: 1-2 sentences
- Break up with line breaks
- Include personal experience
- Add specific numbers/examples

CONCLUSION:
- Lesson learned
- Question to drive engagement

HASHTAGS (3-5 max):
- At the end, not throughout
- Mix broad (#Leadership) with specific (#B2BSaaS)

Winning Formats:

1. Story format: "3 years ago, I made a mistake that cost us $50K..."
2. Lessons format: "After 10 years in [field], here are 5 truths nobody told me"
3. Observation format: "I've interviewed 50 [role] this year. One pattern keeps emerging..."
4. Myth-busting: "Popular advice: [common wisdom]. Reality: [contrarian view]"

LinkedIn Article (750-1500 words)

• Title: Specific outcome or clear promise
• Featured image: Custom graphic, not stock photo
• Opening: Personal hook within 2 sentences
• Subheadings: Every 150-200 words
• Format: Mix paragraphs with bullets
• Expert quotes: 1-2 to add credibility
• Conclusion: Clear takeaway + engagement question

Content Pillars for Product Launches

Pillar 1: Problem Awareness

• Share industry pain points with data
• Tell stories of struggling with the problem
• Quote others who've faced the challenge

Pillar 2: Solution Education

• How-to content (not selling, teaching)
• Behind-the-scenes of building the solution
• Expert insights on the approach

Pillar 3: Social Proof

• Customer stories (with permission)
• Results and metrics
• Third-party validation

Pillar 4: Thought Leadership

• Industry trend analysis
• Predictions with reasoning
• Contrarian perspectives with evidence

Engagement Optimization

Optimal Posting Elements:

• Visual: Posts with images/graphics get 2-3x engagement
• First comment: Add context or ask a question
• Timing: Reply to early commenters within 30 mins
• Tag: Mention relevant people/companies (sparingly)

Call-to-Actions That Work:

Voice & Authenticity

Personal Voice Elements:

• Use "I" and "we" naturally
• Share specific failures, not just wins
• Include details only you would know
• Show the work/process, not just results

Red Flags (Sounds AI-Generated):

• Perfect grammar in casual contexts
• No contractions ("do not" vs "don't")
• Generic examples ("Company X achieved...")
• Listicles without personal insight
• Emoji overuse or misuse
• Starting every paragraph the same way

Making It Human:

• Include a specific detail: "Last Tuesday at 2am..."
• Reference real people: "My mentor Sarah always says..."
• Admit uncertainty: "I'm still figuring out..."
• Show personality: humor, frustration, excitement