# Thought Leader Content Plan > Plans thought leadership content across articles, talks, social posts, and interviews with consistent messaging. - Skill: `reaperinvest/thought-leader-content-plan` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/thought-leader-content-plan` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/thought-leader-content-plan/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/thought-leader-content-plan --- # Thought Leader Content Plan ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Plan a thought leadership content strategy across multiple formats and channels - Develop consistent messaging that builds authority in a specific domain - Create a content calendar for articles, talks, social posts, and interviews - Build an intellectual framework that becomes associated with your name **DO NOT** use this skill for general content marketing, product promotion, or social media scheduling. This is for strategic thought leadership — becoming the recognized expert on a specific topic. --- ## Core Principle THOUGHT LEADERSHIP IS NOT CONTENT MARKETING WITH A BIGGER VOCABULARY — IT IS DEVELOPING AN ORIGINAL POINT OF VIEW, BACKING IT WITH EVIDENCE, AND REPEATING IT ACROSS EVERY CHANNEL UNTIL YOUR NAME IS SYNONYMOUS WITH THAT IDEA. --- ## Phase 1: Brief ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Domain** | "What specific topic do you want to be the authority on?" | No default — must be provided | | **Point of view** | "What is your contrarian or unique perspective on this topic?" | No default — must be provided | | **Evidence** | "What experience, data, or research supports your view?" | Personal experience and client results | | **Audience** | "Who needs to hear this message?" | No default — must be provided | | **Current channels** | "Where are you already creating content?" | LinkedIn + email newsletter | | **Time budget** | "How many hours per week for thought leadership content?" | 5 hours/week | **GATE: Confirm the brief before proceeding.** --- ## Phase 2: Intellectual Framework ### Core Thesis ``` ## Your Thought Leadership Thesis **The belief:** [Your central argument in one sentence] **The evidence:** [3-5 data points, case studies, or experiences that prove it] **The enemy:** [The conventional wisdom you are challenging] **The framework:** [Your named system or model that makes it actionable] **The outcome:** [What happens when people adopt your view] ``` ### Signature Framework Create a named, original framework: ``` ## The [Your Name] [Framework Name] **Name:** [Memorable, 2-4 words] **Components:** [3-5 elements that make up the framework] **Visual:** [How it looks as a diagram — list, cycle, matrix, pyramid] **One-liner:** [One sentence that explains the framework] Example: "The Leverage Loop: Automate → Delegate → Eliminate → Reinvest" ``` ### Content Pillars (3-5) ``` | Pillar | Connection to Thesis | Content Types | |--------|---------------------|--------------| | [Pillar 1] | [How it supports your POV] | [Articles, talks, posts] | | [Pillar 2] | [How it supports your POV] | [Articles, talks, posts] | | [Pillar 3] | [How it supports your POV] | [Articles, talks, posts] | ``` **GATE: Present the thesis, framework, and pillars for approval.** --- ## Phase 3: Build ### Content Ecosystem ``` ## Content Format Hierarchy **Cornerstone (monthly):** One long-form piece — article, research report, or keynote talk **Pillar (weekly):** One substantial post — LinkedIn article, newsletter essay, or podcast episode **Distribution (3-5x/week):** Social posts — excerpts, hot takes, responses, stories **Amplification (ongoing):** Guest appearances — podcasts, interviews, guest articles, panels ``` ### 90-Day Content Calendar ``` ## Month 1: Establish the POV - Week 1: Manifesto post — your thesis in 500-1,000 words on primary platform - Week 2: Case study — evidence that supports your thesis - Week 3: Contrarian take — challenge the conventional wisdom directly - Week 4: Framework reveal — introduce your named framework ## Month 2: Deepen and Defend - Week 5: Deep-dive on framework component 1 - Week 6: Interview or podcast appearance about your thesis - Week 7: Deep-dive on framework component 2 - Week 8: Response piece — address the strongest counterargument to your POV ## Month 3: Expand and Amplify - Week 9: Original data or research supporting your thesis - Week 10: Speaking engagement or live presentation - Week 11: Guest article in industry publication - Week 12: Retrospective — what you have learned in 90 days of sharing this POV ``` ### Message Consistency Guide ``` ## Say This / Not That | Topic | Say This (On-Brand) | Not That (Off-Brand) | |-------|-------------------|---------------------| | [Core topic] | [Your specific POV] | [Generic advice everyone gives] | | [Related topic] | [Your angle] | [Contradictory message] | | [Industry trend] | [Your interpretation] | [Popular opinion you disagree with] | ``` --- ## Phase 4: Polish ### 1. Authority Indicators Track progress toward being recognized as an authority: ``` ## Authority Milestones - [ ] Your framework is referenced by others (without you prompting) - [ ] Journalists or podcasters reach out to you (inbound, not pitched) - [ ] You are invited to speak (not applying) - [ ] Your content is shared by respected peers - [ ] People use your terminology or framework name - [ ] You are introduced as "the person who [your thesis]" ``` ### 2. Quarterly Review ``` ## Thought Leadership Health Check - Is your thesis still relevant and differentiated? - What new evidence have you gathered? - Which content performed best and why? - Are you reaching the right audience? - What feedback have you received (agreement, pushback, questions)? - Should you evolve your framework based on new insights? ``` ### 3. Content Repurposing Map ``` ## One Idea → Multiple Formats Cornerstone article → 5 social posts (key insights) → 1 newsletter → 1 podcast talking point → 1 slide deck for speaking → 1 quote graphic ``` --- ## Example 1: AI for Business Thought Leadership ``` Thesis: "AI does not replace solopreneurs — it gives them a team of 10 for the cost of one" Framework: "The AI Leverage Stack" (Content, Operations, Sales, Support) Enemy: "AI will replace human workers" Content: Weekly LinkedIn posts + monthly deep-dive article + quarterly speaking ``` ## Example 2: Pricing Strategy Thought Leadership ``` Thesis: "Hourly billing is the biggest lie in professional services" Framework: "The Value Pricing Pyramid" (Cost, Market, Value, Transformation) Enemy: "Charge what the market will bear" Content: Weekly newsletter + bi-weekly LinkedIn posts + podcast interviews ``` --- ## Anti-Patterns - **No original point of view** — repeating what everyone else says is content marketing, not thought leadership. You need a thesis. - **All theory, no evidence** — opinions without data or experience are just blog posts. Back every claim. - **Inconsistent messaging** — saying one thing on LinkedIn and another on your podcast confuses your audience. Stay on thesis. - **Publishing everywhere, resonating nowhere** — focus on one channel until your POV gains traction, then expand. - **Avoiding controversy** — if everyone agrees with your take, it is not thought leadership. Real POVs attract both supporters and critics. - **Changing your thesis every month** — authority is built through repetition. Say the same thing 100 times in 100 different ways. --- ## Recovery - **User has no original POV:** Ask "What do you believe about your industry that most people get wrong?" Explore contrarian views they already hold but have not articulated. - **Thesis is too broad:** Narrow it. "Marketing is broken" is too big. "Email marketing for solopreneurs is broken because of X" is specific enough to own. - **No evidence yet:** Start collecting it. Survey your audience, track your own results, and document case studies. Build evidence as you publish. - **Content is not getting traction:** Double down on distribution. The idea may be right but underexposed. Engage more, repurpose more, and pitch more guest opportunities.