gh-jamesrochabrun-skills-content-brief-generator/skills/content-brief-generator/references/content_frameworks.md

Content Structure Frameworks

Proven frameworks for organizing and writing compelling content.

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Overview

Content frameworks are repeatable structures that guide writing and ensure your content achieves its goals. Use these templates to outline before writing.

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AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action)

Best for: Marketing copy, sales pages, landing pages, email campaigns

Structure

1. Attention (Headline/Hook)

• Grab attention immediately
• Promise a benefit
• Create curiosity

2. Interest (Build engagement)

• Explain the problem
• Show you understand their pain
• Present relevant information

3. Desire (Create want)

• Show benefits and outcomes
• Provide social proof
• Paint a picture of success

4. Action (Drive conversion)

• Clear call-to-action
• Remove friction
• Create urgency

Example Outline

# Stop Wasting Hours on Manual Testing [Attention]

## Testing doesn't have to be painful [Interest]
- Current state of manual testing
- Why it's time-consuming
- Hidden costs of bugs in production

## Automated testing changes everything [Desire]
- Save 20 hours per week
- Catch bugs before deployment
- Team testimonials
- ROI calculator

## Start automating today [Action]
- Free trial (no credit card)
- 5-minute setup
- CTA button

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PAS (Problem, Agitate, Solve)

Best for: Blog posts, emails, social media, persuasive content

Structure

1. Problem

• Identify the pain point
• Show you understand it
• Make it relatable

2. Agitate

• Amplify the problem
• Show consequences of inaction
• Create urgency
• Use emotion

3. Solve

• Present your solution
• Show how it solves the problem
• Provide proof
• Call-to-action

Example Outline

# Problem: Your API is slow
- Users complain about response times
- You're losing customers
- You don't know why

# Agitate: It's getting worse
- Every 100ms delay = 1% revenue loss
- Competitors are faster
- Your reputation suffers
- Engineers are overwhelmed debugging

# Solve: Our monitoring platform
- Real-time performance tracking
- Identify bottlenecks instantly
- Optimize before users notice
- Case study: 50% faster in 2 weeks
- CTA: Start free trial

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Inverted Pyramid

Best for: News articles, technical documentation, business content

Structure

1. Most important (Lead)

• Who, what, when, where, why (5 Ws)
• Key information first
• Answer main question

2. Supporting details

• Context and background
• Additional facts
• Quotes and data

3. Background information

• Less critical details
• Historical context
• Related information

Example Outline

# Lead (Most important)
Next.js 14 released today with major performance improvements:
- 50% faster builds
- Built-in caching
- Server Actions stable

# Supporting details
- How Server Actions work
- Performance benchmarks
- Migration guide from v13
- Developer quotes

# Background
- History of Next.js
- Previous version features
- Future roadmap

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Storytelling Arc

Best for: Case studies, brand stories, narrative content, testimonials

Structure

1. Setup (Character & Context)

• Introduce protagonist
• Set the scene
• Establish normal state

2. Conflict (Challenge)

• Problem arises
• Stakes are established
• Tension builds

3. Resolution (Solution)

• How problem was solved
• Journey and obstacles
• Transformation

4. Takeaway (Lesson)

• What was learned
• Broader implications
• Call-to-action

Example Outline

# Setup
- Meet Sarah, CTO of startup
- Team of 20 engineers
- Managing infrastructure manually

# Conflict
- Infrastructure costs spiraling
- Deployment taking 4 hours
- Engineers frustrated
- Investors questioning spend

# Resolution
- Discovered our platform
- Implemented in 2 weeks
- Automated deployments
- Cut costs 60%

# Takeaway
- Infrastructure-as-code is essential
- Right tools unlock velocity
- CTA: See how you can automate

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How-To / Tutorial

Best for: Educational content, guides, tutorials, instructions

Structure

1. Introduction

• What you'll learn
• Why it matters
• Prerequisites
• Time estimate

2. Step-by-step instructions

• Numbered sequential steps
• One action per step
• Screenshots/code examples
• Expected results

3. Troubleshooting

• Common errors
• Solutions
• How to get help

4. Conclusion

• What you accomplished
• Next steps
• Related resources

Example Outline

# How to Deploy a Next.js App to Vercel

## Introduction
- What you'll build
- Prerequisites: Node.js, Git, Next.js app
- Time: 10 minutes

## Steps
1. Create Vercel account
   - Go to vercel.com
   - Sign up with GitHub
   - Screenshot

2. Connect repository
   - Click "New Project"
   - Select repo
   - Screenshot

3. Configure settings
   - Framework: Next.js
   - Build command
   - Environment variables

4. Deploy
   - Click "Deploy"
   - Wait for build
   - View live site

## Troubleshooting
- Build fails: Check Node version
- ENV vars missing: Add in settings

## Next Steps
- Custom domain
- CI/CD integration
- Performance monitoring

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Listicle

Best for: Top X articles, roundups, comparison posts, curated lists

Structure

1. Introduction

• Why this list matters
• How items were selected
• Quick overview

2. List items (typically 5-10)

• Each item: Title + description
• Benefits and features
• Examples or screenshots
• Why it's on the list

3. Conclusion

• Summary
• Recommendation
• CTA

Listicle Types

Numbered (Ranked):

• Best to worst
• Most to least important
• Sequential order

Bulleted (Unranked):

• Equal weight
• Any order
• No hierarchy

Example Outline

# 7 Essential VS Code Extensions for Python Developers

## Introduction
- Why VS Code for Python
- How we selected these
- All are free

## List
1. Pylance
   - What it does
   - Key features
   - Installation
   - Screenshot

2. Python (Microsoft)
   - Core extension
   - Debugging features
   - Why it's #1

[Continue for 7 items]

## Conclusion
- Start with top 3
- Try others as needed
- CTA: Share your favorites

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Comparison / Versus

Best for: Product comparisons, alternative posts, decision content

Structure

1. Introduction

• What's being compared
• Why it matters
• Quick verdict (optional)

2. Overview of each option

• Brief description
• Key features
• Ideal user

3. Head-to-head comparison

• Feature by feature
• Use table format
• Pros and cons

4. Use cases

• When to use Option A
• When to use Option B
• Special scenarios

5. Verdict

• Recommendation
• Decision framework
• CTA

Example Outline

# React vs Vue: Which Framework to Choose in 2024

## Introduction
- Both are popular
- Key differences matter
- We'll help you decide

## React Overview
- Created by Facebook
- JSX syntax
- Large ecosystem
- Best for: Enterprise

## Vue Overview
- Progressive framework
- Template syntax
- Gentle learning curve
- Best for: Rapid development

## Feature Comparison

| Feature | React | Vue |
|---------|-------|-----|
| Learning curve | Steep | Gentle |
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ecosystem | Huge | Growing |

## Use Cases
- Choose React if: Large team, TypeScript
- Choose Vue if: Solo dev, quick prototype

## Verdict
- No wrong choice
- Context matters
- CTA: Try both with tutorial

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Ultimate Guide / Pillar Content

Best for: Comprehensive resources, cornerstone content, authority building

Structure

1. Introduction (Table of Contents)

• What's covered
• Who it's for
• How to use guide
• Jump links to sections

2. Fundamentals

• Basic concepts
• Terminology
• Why it matters

3. Deep Dive Sections

• Multiple major sections
• Each could be standalone post
• Comprehensive coverage

4. Advanced Topics

• Expert-level content
• Edge cases
• Best practices

5. Resources

• Tools and software
• Further reading
• Related guides

6. FAQ

• Common questions
• Quick answers

Example Outline

# The Complete Guide to API Authentication (2024)

## Table of Contents
[Jump links to all sections]

## Introduction
- Why authentication matters
- What you'll learn
- Who this is for

## Part 1: Authentication Basics
- What is authentication vs authorization
- Common methods overview
- Security principles

## Part 2: API Keys
- How they work
- Implementation guide
- Pros and cons
- Best practices

## Part 3: OAuth 2.0
- OAuth flow explained
- Implementation
- Use cases
- Security considerations

## Part 4: JWT Tokens
- How JWT works
- Implement in Node.js
- Refresh tokens
- Security tips

## Part 5: Best Practices
- Security checklist
- Performance optimization
- Error handling
- Testing authentication

## Tools & Resources
- Libraries and frameworks
- Testing tools
- Further reading

## FAQ
- 10+ common questions

## Conclusion
- Key takeaways
- Choose right method
- Next steps

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Feature Announcement

Best for: Product launches, new feature releases, updates

Structure

1. Headline + Visual

• Clear announcement
• What's new
• Eye-catching graphic

2. The Problem

• What users struggled with
• Why we built this

3. The Solution

• How feature solves it
• Key benefits
• Demo or video

4. How It Works

• Step-by-step
• Screenshots
• Technical details

5. Availability

• Who can use it
• How to access
• Pricing (if applicable)

6. What's Next

• Future improvements
• Feedback request
• Related features

Example Outline

# Introducing Real-Time Collaboration

[Hero image/GIF]

## The Problem
- Users couldn't work together
- Version conflicts
- Lost changes

## The Solution
- Live cursors
- Instant updates
- Conflict resolution
- 50ms latency

## How It Works
1. Invite team members
2. See who's online
3. Work simultaneously
4. Changes sync instantly

## Available Now
- All Pro plans
- No additional cost
- Enable in settings

## What's Next
- Comments coming soon
- Video chat integration
- We'd love your feedback

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Thought Leadership / Opinion

Best for: Industry commentary, trend analysis, hot takes

Structure

1. Strong Opening

• Contrarian take or
• Bold prediction or
• Provocative question

2. Current State

• What most people think
• Common assumptions
• Status quo

3. Your Perspective

• Why you disagree or
• What others are missing
• Your unique insight

4. Evidence

• Data and examples
• Trends you're seeing
• Expert opinions

5. Implications

• What this means
• Who's affected
• What should change

6. Call-to-Action

• What readers should do
• Discussion prompt
• Share thoughts

Example Outline

# Microservices Are Overrated (And Here's Why)

## Opening
- Everyone wants microservices
- Most don't need them
- Monoliths are underrated

## Current State
- Industry trends
- Why microservices are popular
- What blogs/consultants say

## My Perspective
- Complexity costs
- Most apps aren't at scale
- Premature optimization

## Evidence
- Case studies of failures
- Cost analysis
- When microservices make sense

## Implications
- Start with monolith
- Extract services later
- Focus on business value

## Conclusion
- Challenge the hype
- Make informed decisions
- Share your experience

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Framework Selection Guide

Choose framework based on:

Goal	Best Framework
Drive conversions	AIDA, PAS
Educate/inform	Inverted Pyramid, How-To
Build authority	Ultimate Guide, Thought Leadership
Compare options	Comparison, Listicle
Tell story	Storytelling Arc
Announce feature	Feature Announcement

Multiple frameworks:

• Can combine frameworks
• Example: Storytelling intro + How-To body
• Adapt to your needs

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Template for Any Framework

# [Compelling Title]

## Hook (First 100 words)
- Grab attention
- State problem or benefit
- Include primary keyword

## Body (Main content)
- [Apply chosen framework]
- Use subheadings
- Include examples
- Add visuals

## Conclusion
- Summarize key points
- Reinforce main takeaway
- Clear CTA

## Additional Resources
- Internal links
- External references
- Further reading

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Remember: Frameworks are starting points, not rigid rules. Adapt them to your content needs and audience.