SOP 003: Content Creation
Core Principle
"The answer is always on page one of Google. Look at what's ranking, then do better." — Matt Diggity
Content Creation Workflow
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| CONTENT CREATION PROCESS |
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| 1. Google your target keyword |
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| 2. Analyze TOP 3 results |
| - Title structure |
| - Subheadings (H2, H3) |
| - Word count |
| - Topics covered |
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| 3. Create SUPERSET article |
| Combine best elements from all 3 |
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| 4. Optimize with Surfer SEO (optional) |
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| 5. Publish and interlink |
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+---------------------------------------------------------------------+Step 1: Analyze Competitors
For your target keyword, examine the top 3 results:
What to Look For
| Element | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Title Format | Is it a listicle? How-to? Review? |
| Subheadings | What topics does Google expect? |
| Word Count | Baseline for content length |
| Media | Images, videos, tables used |
| Structure | Intro → Body → Conclusion pattern |
Example Analysis
Keyword: "camping gift ideas"
Position #1:
- Title: "50 Best Camping Gifts for 2024"
- Type: Listicle
- Subheadings: For Him, For Her, For Kids
- Word Count: 3,200 words
- Products: Tents, hammocks, park passes
Position #2:
- Title: "Ultimate Camping Gift Guide"
- Type: Gift guide
- Subheadings: Budget, Premium, Unique
- Word Count: 2,800 words
YOUR Article:
- Combine both structures
- Add: For Beginners, For Experts
- Target: 3,500+ words
- More products than either competitorStep 2: Create Superset Article
Your article should:
- [ ] Cover ALL topics from top 3 competitors
- [ ] Add 2-3 unique sections they missed
- [ ] Be slightly longer (10-20% more)
- [ ] Have better visuals/formatting
- [ ] Include more actionable advice
Step 3: Optimize with Surfer SEO (Optional)
Surfer reverse-engineers page one to show you:
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| Surfer SEO Content Editor |
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| Target Keyword: "best portable generator" |
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| Recommendations: |
| - Word Count: 2,800-3,500 |
| - H2 Headings: 8-12 |
| - Images: 6-10 |
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| Keywords to Include: |
| - "watt" - use 15-20 times |
| - "fuel" - use 8-12 times |
| - "Honda" - use 5-8 times |
| - "inverter" - use 4-6 times |
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| Content Score: 78/100 ---> Target 80+ |
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+---------------------------------------------------------------------+Content Milestones
| Milestone | Action |
|---|---|
| 25 articles | Launch your site |
| 50 articles | Start link building |
| 2-3/week | Ongoing publishing pace |
Finding Writers
If you can't write yourself:
- Cult of Copy Job Board (Facebook group)
- Look for native English speakers
- Pay $0.04-0.08 per word
- Require niche experience
Article Types to Create
| Type | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Roundup Review | Monetization | "Best X for Y" |
| Single Product | Monetization | "Product X Review" |
| How-To | Traffic | "How to Use X" |
| Comparison | Monetization | "X vs Y" |
| Informational | Traffic/Authority | "What is X?" |
Verification Checklist
- [ ] Analyzed top 3 competitors thoroughly
- [ ] Created content outline covering all topics
- [ ] Word count meets or exceeds competitors
- [ ] Included relevant keywords naturally
- [ ] Added internal links to related articles
- [ ] Included images/media where appropriate
See Also
- 004 - AI Content Strategy - Speed up with AI
- 010 - Internal Linking - Connect your content