CONTENT STRATEGY - POSITIONING & TRUST OS (OPERATIONAL)
Built as a no-fluff execution skill for content strategy, positioning, and trust-building.
Structure: Core frameworks first. Fintech/sensitive data examples throughout. AI-specific automation in clearly labeled "Optional: AI / Automation" sections.
Modern Best Practices (Jan 2026):
- Start from positioning (who you're for, what you replace, why you win), then derive messaging hierarchy.
- Build trust signals before scaling traffic. Low trust + high traffic = wasted spend.
- Use brand architecture intentionally: endorsed brands inherit credibility; standalone brands don't.
- Instrument content to funnel stage; measure content-attributed pipeline, not just traffic.
- Optimize for GEO (Generative Engine Optimization); your content becomes a source cited by AI, not just a destination users visit.
Default Workflow (Operational)
Use this as the default response plan unless the user requests a specific artifact.
- Clarify: product, ICP, stage, constraints, primary channel(s), and success metric.
- Select module(s) via the decision tree.
- Produce 1–3 concrete artifacts using the templates in
assets/ (not just advice).
- Add a trust + compliance pass (claims, proof, disclosures; especially for sensitive data).
- Add measurement: define 1–3 leading indicators + 1–2 business outcomes.
- Close with next steps: what to validate, what to publish, what to instrument.
Default Outputs (Pick 1–3)
- Positioning sprint output:
assets/positioning-canvas.md + references/positioning-framework.md
- Messaging matrix:
assets/messaging-matrix.md + references/message-hierarchy.md
- Trust audit + fixes:
assets/trust-signals-checklist.md + references/trust-building-playbook.md
- Brand architecture decision:
assets/brand-connection-template.md + references/brand-architecture-guide.md
- Content pillars + plan:
assets/content-pillar-plan.md + references/content-pillars.md
- Editorial calendar:
assets/editorial-calendar.md + references/content-ops-checklist.md
- Content brief:
assets/content-brief.md
- ROI model + tracking plan:
assets/content-roi-calculator.md + references/content-roi-attribution.md
GEO: Generative Engine Optimization (2026)
Content discoverability shifting from websites to AI chat interfaces. Optimize for LLM retrieval, not just Google SERP.
Key shift: Success = citations + brand mentions in AI responses, not just traffic.
For full GEO implementation, see references/geo-optimization.md.
Decision Tree: What Content Strategy Task?
CONTENT STRATEGY QUESTION
|
+-> "How do I position my product?" -----> POSITIONING
| --> positioning-framework.md
|
+-> "How do I build trust?" --------------> TRUST-BUILDING
| --> trust-building-playbook.md
|
+-> "How do I connect sub-brand to -> BRAND ARCHITECTURE
| parent brand?" --> brand-architecture-guide.md
|
+-> "What should I say to whom?" ---------> MESSAGE HIERARCHY
| --> message-hierarchy.md
|
+-> "What content do I create?" ----------> CONTENT PILLARS
| --> content-pillar-plan.md
| --> content-pillars.md
|
+-> "Fintech/regulated industry?" --------> COMPLIANCE MESSAGING
| --> fintech-compliance-messaging.md
|
+-> "How do I prove content ROI?" --------> ROI ATTRIBUTION
| --> content-roi-attribution.md
| --> content-roi-calculator.md
|
+-> "Full content strategy" --------------> COMPREHENSIVE
--> Use all resources
Core Modules (Open Subfiles)
Use the linked guides/templates for implementation details:
Resources & Templates
References (deep-dive guides):
expert-mental-models.md | positioning-framework.md | trust-building-playbook.md | brand-architecture-guide.md | message-hierarchy.md | fintech-compliance-messaging.md | content-ops-checklist.md | geo-optimization.md | content-roi-attribution.md | ai-content-automation.md | trend-awareness-protocol.md | content-pillars.md | editorial-calendar-ops.md | content-distribution.md | content-repurposing.md | thought-leadership.md | video-content-strategy.md | content-governance.md | audience-research-for-content.md
Templates (copy-paste assets):
positioning-canvas.md | trust-signals-checklist.md | brand-connection-template.md | messaging-matrix.md | content-pillar-plan.md | content-brief.md | editorial-calendar.md | content-strategy-brief.md | trust-brief.md | content-roi-calculator.md
Data: sources.json
When NOT to Use This Skill
International Markets
This skill uses US/UK market defaults. For international marketing:
Auto-triggers: When your query mentions a specific country, region, language, or compliance framework, both skills load automatically.
Related Skills
Usage Notes
- Stay operational: return positioning statements, trust checklists, message matrices; avoid theory.
- Use fintech examples for sensitive data products; adapt for other regulated industries.
- If positioning unclear, run positioning sprint before content planning.
- For new products with parent brand, default to endorsed brand pattern.
- Cite template/resource path when providing frameworks.
- Use
data/sources.json as the default web research shortlist when external validation is required.
Optional: AI / Automation
Core positioning and trust frameworks work without AI. For AI content automation, agentic workflows, C2PA provenance, and 2026 disclosure requirements, see references/ai-content-automation.md.
