<!-- Context: content-creation/workflows | Priority: medium | Version: 1.0 | Updated: 2026-02-15 -->

# Content Matrix

Framework for organizing and planning content across topics, formats, and stages of the customer journey.

---

## What is a Content Matrix?

A **content matrix** is a strategic planning tool that helps you:
- Organize content by topic and format
- Identify content gaps
- Plan balanced content distribution
- Align content with audience needs
- Create content systems, not one-offs

---

## Basic Content Matrix Structure

### Two-Dimensional Matrix

**Axis 1: Topics/Themes**
- Core topics you cover
- Pillar content areas
- Audience interests

**Axis 2: Content Formats**
- Blog posts
- Videos
- Social media
- Newsletters
- Podcasts

**Example**:

| Topic | Blog Post | Video | Social Post | Newsletter | Podcast |
|-------|-----------|-------|-------------|------------|---------|
| Topic A | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⬜ | ⬜ |
| Topic B | ✅ | ⬜ | ✅ | ✅ | ⬜ |
| Topic C | ⬜ | ✅ | ✅ | ⬜ | ✅ |

---

## Advanced Content Matrix

### Three-Dimensional Matrix

**Axis 1: Topics**
**Axis 2: Formats**
**Axis 3: Funnel Stage**

**Funnel Stages**:
- Awareness (top of funnel)
- Consideration (middle of funnel)
- Decision (bottom of funnel)
- Retention (existing customers)

---

### Example: Advanced Matrix

**Topic: Content Creation**

| Format | Awareness | Consideration | Decision | Retention |
|--------|-----------|---------------|----------|-----------|
| **Blog** | "What is content marketing?" | "5 content strategies that work" | "Our content service vs. DIY" | "Advanced content techniques" |
| **Video** | "Content creation 101" | "How we create content" | "Client success stories" | "Exclusive tips for clients" |
| **Social** | Quick tips | Framework breakdowns | Testimonials | Community highlights |
| **Email** | Welcome series | Educational series | Case studies | Product updates |

---

## Topic Clustering

### Pillar Content Strategy

**Pillar Content** (Comprehensive, SEO-focused):
- Long-form guide (2000+ words)
- Covers topic comprehensively
- Target high-volume keywords
- Hub for related content

**Cluster Content** (Supporting, specific):
- Shorter, focused pieces
- Target long-tail keywords
- Link back to pillar
- Dive deep into subtopics

---

### Example: Pillar + Cluster

**Pillar**: "The Complete Guide to Content Marketing"

**Clusters**:
- "How to Write Blog Posts That Rank"
- "Video Content Strategy for Beginners"
- "Social Media Content Calendar Template"
- "Email Newsletter Best Practices"
- "Content Repurposing Framework"

Each cluster links to the pillar, and pillar links to all clusters.

---

## Format Distribution

### Balanced Content Mix

**Educational (40%)**:
- How-to guides
- Tutorials
- Frameworks
- Best practices

**Inspirational (30%)**:
- Success stories
- Case studies
- Behind-the-scenes
- Personal stories

**Promotional (20%)**:
- Product/service features
- Testimonials
- Offers and announcements
- Comparisons

**Entertaining (10%)**:
- Humor
- Trends and memes
- Personality-driven
- Community content

---

### Platform-Specific Distribution

**Blog**:
- Educational deep-dives
- SEO-focused content
- Comprehensive guides

**Video**:
- Tutorials and demos
- Behind-the-scenes
- Personality-driven content

**Social Media**:
- Quick tips
- Engagement content
- Trending topics
- Community building

**Email**:
- Curated content
- Exclusive insights
- Personal stories
- Direct offers

**Podcast**:
- Long-form discussions
- Interviews
- Deep-dive topics
- Storytelling

---

## Content Calendar Planning

### Monthly Planning Template

**Week 1: Educational**
- Blog: How-to guide
- Video: Tutorial
- Social: Tips series
- Email: Educational newsletter

**Week 2: Inspirational**
- Blog: Case study
- Video: Success story
- Social: Behind-the-scenes
- Email: Personal story

**Week 3: Promotional**
- Blog: Product feature breakdown
- Video: Demo or testimonial
- Social: Offer announcement
- Email: Product spotlight

**Week 4: Community**
- Blog: Q&A or roundup
- Video: Community highlights
- Social: User-generated content
- Email: Community newsletter

---

### Content Batching

**Batch by Type**:
- Film all videos in one day
- Write multiple blog posts in one session
- Create social graphics in batches
- Record podcast episodes in bulk

**Benefits**:
- Efficiency (setup once)
- Consistency (same style/quality)
- Reduced decision fatigue
- Buffer for busy periods

---

## Content Gap Analysis

### Identifying Gaps

**Topic Gaps**:
- What topics haven't you covered?
- What questions do you get repeatedly?
- What are competitors covering that you're not?
- What's trending in your industry?

**Format Gaps**:
- Are you only creating one format?
- Which formats does your audience prefer?
- Where are you underutilizing platforms?

**Funnel Gaps**:
- Too much awareness content, not enough decision content?
- Missing retention content for existing customers?
- No consideration content to nurture leads?

---

### Gap Analysis Process

1. **Audit existing content**
   - List all content by topic and format
   - Identify what's performing well
   - Note what's missing

2. **Analyze audience needs**
   - Review questions and comments
   - Check search data
   - Survey your audience

3. **Map to matrix**
   - Fill in existing content
   - Identify empty cells
   - Prioritize gaps to fill

4. **Create action plan**
   - Prioritize high-impact gaps
   - Schedule content creation
   - Assign resources

---

## Pillar Content Strategy

### Creating Pillar Content

**Characteristics**:
- Comprehensive (2000+ words)
- Evergreen (stays relevant)
- SEO-optimized
- Regularly updated
- Hub for related content

**Structure**:
- Table of contents
- Multiple sections
- Examples and case studies
- Internal links to clusters
- Clear CTAs

---

### Cluster Content Strategy

**Characteristics**:
- Focused on specific subtopic
- 800-1500 words
- Long-tail keyword targeting
- Links to pillar
- Easier to rank

**Benefits**:
- Builds topical authority
- Captures long-tail traffic
- Supports pillar content
- Easier to create

---

## Content Repurposing Matrix

### One Piece → Many Formats

**Start with**: Long-form blog post or video

**Repurpose into**:
- Social media posts (pull quotes, tips)
- Email newsletter (summary + link)
- Infographic (key points visualized)
- Podcast episode (discuss the topic)
- Short-form video (key takeaways)
- Carousel post (step-by-step)
- Thread (Twitter/X breakdown)

---

### Repurposing Strategy

**Pillar Content** → Multiple Formats:
1. Write comprehensive blog post
2. Record video covering same topic
3. Extract quotes for social media
4. Create infographic of key points
5. Discuss in podcast episode
6. Send newsletter with summary
7. Create short-form videos from clips

**Result**: One topic, 7+ pieces of content

---

## Content Matrix Templates

### Simple Matrix Template

```
| Topic | Blog | Video | Social | Email | Status |
|-------|------|-------|--------|-------|--------|
| [Topic 1] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | Planning |
| [Topic 2] | [✓] | [ ] | [✓] | [ ] | In Progress |
| [Topic 3] | [✓] | [✓] | [✓] | [✓] | Complete |
```

---

### Advanced Matrix Template

```
| Topic | Format | Funnel Stage | Keyword | Due Date | Status |
|-------|--------|--------------|---------|----------|--------|
| [Topic] | Blog | Awareness | [keyword] | [date] | [ ] |
| [Topic] | Video | Consideration | [keyword] | [date] | [ ] |
| [Topic] | Social | Decision | - | [date] | [ ] |
```

---

## Usage

Use the content matrix for:
- Strategic content planning
- Identifying content gaps
- Balancing content types
- Organizing content production
- Tracking content coverage
- Planning content repurposing

**Remember**: The matrix is a planning tool, not a rigid constraint. Adapt based on what works for your audience and goals.
