The Content Studio Lightning Lessons - #1: How to build a narrative content calendar

❇️ Key topics and bullets

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### Comprehensive Sequence of Topics #### 1. Introduction - **Instructor Introduction:** - Tommy Walker: Founder of The Content Studio - Background in acting and storytelling - Consultant for Fortune 1,000 companies and B2B SaaS startups - **Session Overview:** - Aim: Planning a content calendar for 2025 using storytelling principles - Access to AI transcription tool, Cast Magic #### 2. Problems with Traditional Content Calendars - **Disconnected Articles:** - Lack of continuity - Difficult reading experiences - **Content Creation Challenges:** - Difficulty in gaining momentum - Fragmented topics #### 3. Proposed Solution: Narrative Content Calendar Planning - **Cohesive Yearly Story:** - Engages audience - Encourages return visits and actions - **Main Components of Narrative:** - Super Objective - Central Conflict - Acts, Sequences, and Episodes #### 4. Structuring a Content Strategy as a Narrative - **Super Objective:** - Broad goals (e.g., being seen as a strategic leader) - **Central Conflict:** - Antagonistic forces hindering the protagonist (e.g., external, personal, internal challenges) #### 5. Narrative Content Calendar Framework - **Four Acts of the Journey:** - **Act 1: Building a Foundation (Q1)** - Teaching foundational content calendar skills - **Act 2: Mastering Operational Excellence (Q2)** - Optimizing workflows and productivity - **Act 3: Demonstrating Strategic Value (Q3)** - Influencing company-wide initiatives - **Act 4: Negotiating a Raise/Promotion (Q4)** - Strategies for advancement #### 6. Developing and Managing Content - **Primary Plot (A-Plot):** - Focus on specific skills or knowledge - **Secondary Plot (B-Plot):** - Focus on personal development - **Sequence and Schedule:** - Mapping A and B plots to specific days (e.g., A-plot on Mondays, B-plot on Thursdays) #### 7. Conflicts and Themes in Content - **Defining Conflicts in Advance:** - Creating a narrative thread - **Example Themes:** - February: Tactical implementation, building trust with leadership - March: Adapting content calendars, dealing with unforeseen changes #### 8. Tools and Resources - **Formats to Support Narrative:** - Blog posts - Podcasts - Videos - **Engagement Across Platforms:** - Broad narrative themes - Interconnected topics #### 9. Detailed Topics Breakdown - **Act 1 (Building a Foundation):** - January: Laying the groundwork - February: Getting tactical - March: Iteration and refinement - **Act 2 (Operational Excellence):** - Focused on workflow optimization - **Act 3 (Strategic Value):** - Developing strategic thinking for leadership - **Act 4 (Promotion and Negotiation):** - Preparing for career advancement #### 10. Comprehensive Approach to Content Strategy - **Storytelling Techniques:** - Copywriting principles - Narrative elements - **Practical Applications:** - High-level concepts - Real-world resources - **Sequential Learning:** - Acts and sequences - Quarterly webinars for consolidation and planning #### 11. Course Details and Enrollment - **Upcoming Course Cohort:** - Dates: January 27th to 31st - Special Discount: $250 off for lightning lesson participants - **Course Price:** - Current: $1,500 - Increasing to $3,000 due to added content - **Instructor Engagement:** - Open for questions via email #### 12. Course Impact and Testimonials - **Renewed Belief in Content Creation:** - Invaluable insights and frameworks - Long-term industry application - **Sarah Shur’s Insights:** - Potential in brand and product narratives - Specificity in scalable content creation - Praise for comprehensive framework and real-world resources

📚 Timestamped overview

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00:00 Stories shape and define our life's journey.

03:52 Interactive transcript helps expand session concepts.

08:01 Main storytelling elements: super objective, conflict, structure.

14:09 Identify audience needs, conflicts for strategic direction.

16:19 Personal and inner conflicts impact goal achievement.

21:14 Refine goals, demonstrate value, build strategic confidence.

22:36 Helping you become a more confident leader.

28:37 Creating narrative continuity connects disparate content pieces.

31:23 Create cohesive content to increase reader engagement.

34:58 Plan episodes based on format, resources, narrative.

37:04 Creating cohesive content flows through strategic planning.

43:30 Integrate rhetorical analysis to enhance market communication.

46:06 Structured learning builds from theory to application.

49:30 Practical techniques for effective editorial storytelling.

51:11 Unlock potential with content theory, $250 discount.

🔑 Key Session Themes

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1. Connecting Blogging to Larger Work 2. Cohesion through Narrative Conflict 3. Primary and Secondary Plot Integration 4. Structured Content Mapping 5. Engagement through Themed Content 6. Tactical Implementation Themes 7. Overcoming Unpredictable Challenges 8. Format Diversity and Cohesion 9. Narrative Content Calendar Structure 10. Strategic Planning 11. Industry Storytelling Potential 12. Practical Storytelling Techniques 13. Comprehensive Resource Provision 14. Customer Research Depth 15. Sequential Learning Organization 16. Philosophy and Psychology Application 17. Central Objective Alignment 18. Overcoming Content Calendar Challenges 19. Engagement through Sequential Content 20. Emotional and Tactical Development

🔥 5 Conceptual Takeaways

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Sure! Here are 5 key themes discussed in the lesson along with their main conceptual takeaways: 1. **Proactive Content Planning vs. Reactive/Retroactive Linking** - **Main Conceptual Takeaway**: Shifting from a reactive approach, where content pieces are linked in hindsight, to a proactive planning strategy ensures a cohesive and interconnected narrative. This approach aligns content around predefined conflicts and themes, creating a more engaging and seamless experience for the audience. 2. **Defining Central Conflicts** - **Main Conceptual Takeaway**: Identifying and defining central conflicts in advance helps to create a narrative thread that connects individual content pieces. This allows content to address specific challenges and issues, making it more relevant and engaging for readers. 3. **Primary Plot (A-plot) and Secondary Plot (B-plot) Structure** - **Main Conceptual Takeaway**: Organizing content into a primary plot that focuses on specific skills or knowledge (A-plot) and a secondary plot that promotes personal development (B-plot) adds depth to the content. This dual narrative structure encourages readers to explore more content, fostering continuous engagement. 4. **Quarterly Themes and Conflicts** - **Main Conceptual Takeaway**: Using quarterly themes with clearly defined conflicts provides a structured plan that guides content creation through different phases of a reader's journey. For example, themes like tactical implementation or adapting to change help to focus content efforts on specific objectives, ensuring a progressive development arc for the audience. 5. **Multi-format Content and Platform Engagement** - **Main Conceptual Takeaway**: Developing content in multiple formats (e.g., blog posts, podcasts, videos) and aligning them with broader narrative themes enhances engagement across various platforms. This multi-format strategy ensures a cohesive experience, meeting the diverse consumption preferences of the audience and increasing overall reach. These themes emphasize the importance of structured and strategic content planning, aimed at creating a continuous and engaging narrative for the audience.

🎒 Session Worksheet

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### Worksheet: Building a Narrative Content Calendar #### Objective: This worksheet aims to help you solidify your understanding of the Narrative Content Calendar approach discussed by Tommy Walker and Sarah Shur. By completing the exercises, you will be better equipped to plan a cohesive and engaging content strategy for your audience. --- #### Part 1: Defining Your Narrative 1. **Identify Your Super Objective:** - What is the broad goal you want your audience to accomplish by the end of the year? - *Example: Become recognized as a strategic leader within their organization.* 2. **Determine the Central Conflict:** - What are the primary obstacles preventing your audience from achieving the super objective? - *Example: Misaligned expectations from leadership, unpredictable demands, fear of failure.* --- #### Part 2: Structuring Your Acts 3. **Divide Your Year into Four Acts:** - Break down the year into four distinct phases, each with a specific focus to guide your audience towards the super objective. - *Example:* - **Act 1: Building a Foundation (Q1)** - **January:** Laying the groundwork. - **February:** Getting tactical. - **March:** Iteration and refinement. - **Act 2: Mastering Operational Excellence (Q2)** - **Act 3: Demonstrating Strategic Value (Q3)** - **Act 4: Negotiating a Raise/Promotion (Q4)** 4. **Define the A-Plot and B-Plot for Each Act:** - Identify the primary (A-plot) and secondary (B-plot) narratives for each act. - *A-Plot Example: Focus on specific skills or knowledge.* - *B-Plot Example: Focus on personal development and growth.* --- #### Part 3: Planning Your Content Sequencing 5. **Map Out Your Content to Specific Days:** - Plan your content publication schedule, aligning with your A-plot and B-plot. - *Example: A-plot content on Mondays, B-plot content on Thursdays.* 6. **Specify Key Episodes and Themes:** - Outline specific themes and topics for each month within the acts. - *Example for February:* - **Theme:** Tactical implementation of a content calendar and building trust with leadership. - **Conflicts:** Unpredictable demands, misaligned expectations, fear of failure. --- #### Part 4: Creating Cohesion 7. **Link Content Reactively and Proactively:** - Choose specific points where content can interlink to create a seamless narrative thread. - *Example: Reference previous articles or upcoming content to build anticipation and continuity.* 8. **Use Various Content Formats:** - Plan to deliver your content through multiple formats such as blog posts, podcasts, and videos. - *Example: Use blog posts for in-depth articles, podcasts for interviews, and videos for tutorials.* --- #### Part 5: Implementing the Narrative Approach 9. **Engage Stakeholders and Team:** - Clearly communicate the direction and goals of your content strategy to your stakeholders and team. - *Example: Create presentation decks or summaries explaining the narrative structure and its benefits.* 10. **Continuous Learning and Adaptation:** - Be prepared to adapt your content calendar based on unforeseen changes and feedback. - Consider conducting quarterly webinars to consolidate learning and plan the next phase. - *Example Webinar Topics: Mastering content planning, scaling content, strategic leadership.* --- #### Reflective Questions 11. **How Can You Apply Game Theory and Psychology to Enhance Your Content Strategy?** - Reflect on using tools like market research frameworks and competitive analysis to better understand your audience. - *Example: Applying Aristotle's rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) to resonate with your audience.* 12. **What Unique Storytelling Techniques Could You Implement?** - Consider integrating copywriting principles and storytelling techniques to make your content more engaging. - *Example: Use specific case studies or personal anecdotes to illustrate points.* --- #### Next Steps 1. **Develop Your First Act:** - Write down specific actions you will take in the first quarter to set the foundation for your narrative content calendar. 2. **Use AI Tools:** - Make use of tools like Cast Magic for notes, transcription, and interaction to enhance your planning process. 3. **Engage Continuously:** - Reach out to Tommy Walker or your peers for feedback and discussions to refine your approach. --- *Remember, the goal is to create an engaging and cohesive narrative that drives your audience toward their super objective, leveraging storytelling to make content marketing more effective. Good luck!*