---
title: Content & Channel Strategy Outline
version: "1.0"
story: STORY-543
purpose: Lightweight content planning reference for early-stage marketing
---

# Content & Channel Strategy Outline

**Purpose:** Generate a content strategy skeleton with topic ideas, posting frequency recommendations, and channel selection guidance for [YOUR_PRODUCT].

**Target Audience:** [TARGET_AUDIENCE]

> **Note:** This is a planning reference file, not a content management system. Customize sections marked with [PLACEHOLDER] indicators to tailor the strategy to your specific product and audience. Replace all bracketed placeholders with your actual data.

---

## 1. Channel Selection Guide

Select and prioritize social media platforms based on your audience type and business model. Use the recommendation designations below to focus your efforts.

### Platform Recommendations

| Platform | Designation | Best For | Rationale |
|----------|-------------|----------|-----------|
| LinkedIn | **Recommended** | B2B, SaaS, Professional Services | Primary platform for professional networking and thought leadership. Highest organic reach for B2B content. Ideal for [YOUR_PRODUCT] if targeting business decision-makers. |
| Twitter/X | **Recommended** | Tech, Developer Tools, News | Real-time engagement and community building. Best for short-form updates, product launches, and industry conversations. Strong developer and startup community. |
| YouTube | **Recommended** | All verticals | Second-largest search engine. Long-form content has extended shelf life. Tutorials and demos drive product understanding for [YOUR_PRODUCT]. |
| Instagram | **Optional** | B2C, Lifestyle, Visual Products | Strong for visual storytelling and brand building. Consider if [TARGET_AUDIENCE] skews younger (18-34) or your product has visual appeal. |
| TikTok | **Optional** | B2C, Consumer Apps, Education | Highest organic reach potential. Best for short-form video content. Consider if your audience includes Gen Z or Millennials. |
| Reddit | **Optional** | Tech, Niche Communities | Authentic community engagement in relevant subreddits. Avoid overt promotion. Best for gathering feedback and building credibility. |
| Facebook | **Skip** | Local Business, Older Demographics | Declining organic reach. Only recommended if [TARGET_AUDIENCE] is 35+ or your product serves local communities. |
| Pinterest | **Skip** | Visual/Design, E-commerce, DIY | Niche platform. Only recommended if your product is visual, design-related, or in the home/lifestyle category. |

### Platform Details

#### LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the premier platform for B2B marketing and professional thought leadership. Its algorithm favors long-form posts, document carousels, and native articles. Best for reaching decision-makers and building professional credibility for [YOUR_PRODUCT].

#### Twitter/X

Twitter excels at real-time engagement and building developer/startup communities. Threads perform well for educational content. The fast-paced nature makes it ideal for product updates, industry commentary, and networking with potential customers.

#### YouTube

YouTube serves as both a search engine and content platform. Tutorial and demo videos have long shelf life and compound views over time. Investing in video content for [YOUR_PRODUCT] pays dividends as videos continue to drive traffic months after publication.

#### Instagram

Instagram works best for visual brands targeting younger demographics. Reels and Stories drive the most engagement. Consider this platform if [YOUR_PRODUCT] has a visual component or if [TARGET_AUDIENCE] is active on mobile-first social media.

### Posting Cadence Table

| Platform | Posts Per Week | Content Type Focus | Best Times |
|----------|---------------|-------------------|------------|
| LinkedIn | 3-5 posts per week | Articles, carousels, polls | Tue-Thu, 8-10am |
| Twitter/X | 5-10 posts per week | Threads, quick takes, links | Mon-Fri, 9am-12pm |
| YouTube | 1-2 posts per week | Tutorials, demos, interviews | Wed/Thu, 2-4pm |
| Instagram | 3-5 posts per week | Reels, stories, carousels | Mon/Wed/Fri, 11am-1pm |
| TikTok | 3-7 posts per week | Short-form video, trends | Evenings, 7-9pm |
| Reddit | 2-3 posts per week | Discussion, AMAs, value posts | Mon-Wed, 10am-12pm |

---

## 2. Content Topic Categories

Organize your content around these core categories. Each category serves a different purpose in your marketing funnel. Adapt the example topics below to [YOUR_PRODUCT] and [TARGET_AUDIENCE].

### Educational Content

Educational content builds trust and establishes authority. Focus on teaching your audience something valuable related to your product's problem space.

- How to solve [COMMON_PROBLEM] in 5 steps *(Blog post)*
- Beginner's guide to [YOUR_PRODUCT_CATEGORY] *(Blog post)*
- 3 mistakes to avoid when [RELEVANT_ACTIVITY] *(Thread)*
- Deep dive: Understanding [KEY_CONCEPT] for [TARGET_AUDIENCE] *(Video tutorial)*
- Quick tip: [ACTIONABLE_INSIGHT] in under 60 seconds *(Short-form video)*

### Promotional Content

Promotional content drives awareness and conversions. Balance promotional posts with value-driven content (follow the 80/20 rule: 80% educational, 20% promotional).

- Introducing [YOUR_PRODUCT]: What it does and why it matters *(Blog post)*
- Customer spotlight: How [CUSTOMER_NAME] achieved [RESULT] *(Case study article)*
- [YOUR_PRODUCT] vs. the old way of doing [TASK] *(Carousel)*
- Limited launch offer for early adopters of [YOUR_PRODUCT] *(Post)*
- See [YOUR_PRODUCT] in action: 2-minute demo *(Short-form video)*

### Community & Engagement Content

Community content fosters connection and loyalty. This category helps you build a tribe around your brand and gather feedback.

- Ask me anything: Building [YOUR_PRODUCT] from scratch *(Thread)*
- What's your biggest challenge with [PROBLEM_DOMAIN]? *(Poll)*
- Behind the scenes: How we built [FEATURE] *(Video)*
- Community challenge: Share your [RELEVANT_ACTIVITY] setup *(Post)*
- Celebrating milestone: [YOUR_PRODUCT] reaches [METRIC] *(Carousel)*

### Thought Leadership Content

Thought leadership positions you as an expert. Share original insights, data, and forward-looking perspectives on your industry.

- The future of [INDUSTRY]: 5 trends for [YEAR] *(Blog post)*
- Why [CONTRARIAN_OPINION] is the right approach for [TARGET_AUDIENCE] *(Thread)*
- Data deep dive: What [NUMBER] users taught us about [TOPIC] *(Article)*
- Lessons learned: [NUMBER] months building a [PRODUCT_TYPE] *(Newsletter)*
- Industry analysis: [COMPETITOR_LANDSCAPE] and where [YOUR_PRODUCT] fits *(Guide)*

---

## 3. Content Calendar Framework

Use this lightweight framework to plan your first 30 days of content.

### Weekly Content Mix

| Day | Primary Channel | Content Category | Content Type |
|-----|----------------|-----------------|--------------|
| Monday | LinkedIn | Thought Leadership | Article or carousel |
| Tuesday | Twitter/X | Educational | Thread or tip |
| Wednesday | YouTube | Educational | Tutorial or demo video |
| Thursday | LinkedIn | Community | Poll or discussion |
| Friday | Twitter/X | Promotional | Product update or feature highlight |
| Saturday | Instagram | Behind the Scenes | Story or reel |
| Sunday | — | Rest / Batch Create | Plan next week |

### Monthly Themes

| Month | Theme | Focus |
|-------|-------|-------|
| Month 1 | **Launch & Awareness** | Introduce [YOUR_PRODUCT], establish presence on 2-3 platforms |
| Month 2 | **Education & Trust** | Publish educational content, build email list |
| Month 3 | **Community & Growth** | Engage audience, encourage user-generated content |

---

## 4. Content Creation Guidelines

### Tone & Voice for [YOUR_PRODUCT]

- **Professional but approachable** — Avoid jargon unless targeting technical audiences
- **Action-oriented** — Every post should have a clear takeaway or call-to-action
- **Authentic** — Share real experiences, including failures and learnings
- **Concise** — Respect your audience's time; lead with the value

### Content Repurposing Strategy

Maximize output from each content piece by repurposing across channels:

1. **Blog post** -> Extract 3-5 key points -> **Twitter/X thread**
2. **Blog post** -> Create visual summary -> **LinkedIn carousel**
3. **Video tutorial** -> Extract 60-second clip -> **TikTok / Instagram Reel**
4. **Customer interview** -> Pull quotes -> **Social proof posts**
5. **Data analysis** -> Create infographic -> **Pinterest / LinkedIn**

---

## 5. Metrics & Success Indicators

Track these lightweight metrics to measure early-stage content effectiveness:

| Metric | Platform | Target (Month 1) | Why It Matters |
|--------|----------|-------------------|----------------|
| Impressions | All | 1,000+ per week | Awareness baseline |
| Engagement Rate | All | 2-5% | Content resonance |
| Followers | Primary channel | 100+ new | Audience growth |
| Website Clicks | All | 50+ per week | Traffic generation |
| Email Signups | All | 25+ per week | Lead capture |

---

## Customization Instructions

This template is designed to work with minimal input. To tailor it to your product:

1. **Replace** all [PLACEHOLDER] values with your specific product, audience, and industry details
2. **Adapt** topic examples to match your product's value proposition
3. **Select** 2-3 recommended platforms to start (do not try all at once)
4. **Fill in** the content calendar with your actual planned posts
5. **Update** metrics targets based on your baseline after the first week

> **Tip:** Start with just 2 platforms and 3 posts per week. Consistency matters more than volume in early-stage marketing.

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*Generated by DevForgeAI marketing-business skill. This is a planning reference only — not a content management system.*
