Blog Post Outline Generator

When to use this skill

• User asks to outline a blog post

• User has a topic and needs structure

• User mentions SEO content planning

• User wants competitive content analysis

• User needs heading suggestions

Workflow

• Clarify topic and target keyword

• Research search intent

• Analyze competitor structure

• Generate outline with headings

• Add keyword placement recommendations

• Suggest content angles

Instructions

Step 1: Gather Input

Required information:

Input Purpose

Primary keyword Main search term to target

Topic/angle Specific focus of the article

Target audience Who the content is for

Content goal Inform, convert, educate, entertain

Word count target Affects depth and sections

Example prompt:

Topic: "How to optimize images for web performance" Keyword: "image optimization" Audience: Frontend developers Goal: Educational tutorial Length: 2,000 words

Step 2: Determine Search Intent

Intent Type Indicators Content Style

Informational "how to", "what is", "guide" Tutorial, explainer

Commercial "best", "top", "vs", "review" Comparison, listicle

Transactional "buy", "pricing", "download" Product-focused, CTA-heavy

Navigational Brand + feature Direct, feature-specific

Step 3: Competitor Analysis

Identify top-ranking content:

• Check top 5 results for target keyword

• Note common headings and sections

• Identify content gaps to fill

• Assess word count and depth

Analysis template:

Competitor Analysis: [Keyword]

Top 3 Ranking Articles

1. [Title] - [URL]

   • Word count: ~X,XXX
   • Key sections: [list]
   • Unique angle: [note]

2. [Title] - [URL]

   • Word count: ~X,XXX
   • Key sections: [list]
   • Unique angle: [note]

Content Gaps Identified

• Missing topic: ...
• Outdated information: ...
• Better examples needed: ...

Step 4: Generate Outline Structure

Standard blog structure:

[Title with Primary Keyword]

Introduction (100-150 words)

• Hook: [attention-grabbing opener]
• Context: [why this matters now]
• Promise: [what reader will learn]
• Thesis: [main point/answer]

[H2: First Main Section]

[H3: Subsection if needed]

• Key point 1
• Key point 2
• Example or data point

[H3: Another Subsection]

• Key point 1
• Supporting detail

[H2: Second Main Section]

• Key points to cover
• Include [keyword variation] naturally

[H2: Third Main Section]

[H3: Practical subsection]

• Step-by-step if applicable
• Code examples if technical

[H2: Common Mistakes / FAQ / Tips]

• Address related questions
• Add value beyond competitors

Conclusion (100-150 words)

• Recap main points
• Actionable next step
• CTA (related content, newsletter, etc.)

Step 5: Keyword Placement Strategy

Location Priority Guideline

Title (H1) Required Include primary keyword

First paragraph Required Within first 100 words

H2 headings High 1-2 headings with keyword/variation

H3 headings Medium Natural placement

Body text Medium 1-2% density, variations

Meta description Required Include keyword near start

Image alt text Medium Descriptive with keyword if relevant

URL slug Required Short, keyword-focused

Keyword variations to include:

Primary: image optimization Variations:

• optimize images
• image compression
• web image optimization
• compress images for web
• reduce image file size

Step 6: Content Angle Suggestions

Angle frameworks:

Framework Description Best For

Ultimate Guide Comprehensive, authoritative High-competition keywords

Step-by-Step Numbered process How-to queries

Listicle Numbered tips/tools "Best" or "Top" queries

Comparison X vs Y analysis Decision-stage content

Case Study Real example with results Trust-building content

Beginner's Guide Foundational, accessible Awareness-stage content

Outline Templates

Tutorial/How-To:

How to [Achieve Outcome]: [Benefit Statement]

Introduction

• Problem statement
• What you'll learn

Prerequisites / What You'll Need

Step 1: [First Action]

Step 2: [Second Action]

Step 3: [Third Action]

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Next Steps / Advanced Tips

Conclusion

Listicle:

[Number] [Adjective] [Topic] for [Outcome] in [Year]

Introduction

• Why this list matters
• How items were selected

1. [Item Name]

• Key benefit
• Best for: [use case]
• Consideration: [limitation]

2. [Item Name]

...

How to Choose the Right [Topic]

Conclusion

Comparison:

[Option A] vs [Option B]: [Decision Framework]

Introduction

• Why this comparison matters
• Quick verdict

Overview Comparison Table

[Option A] Explained

Pros

Cons

Best For

[Option B] Explained

Pros

Cons

Best For

Head-to-Head: [Criteria 1]

Head-to-Head: [Criteria 2]

Head-to-Head: [Criteria 3]

Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Conclusion

Step 7: Finalize Outline

Checklist before delivering:

• Title includes primary keyword

• H2s cover main topic comprehensively

• Logical flow from intro to conclusion

• Content gaps from competitors addressed

• Unique angle or value-add identified

• Word count distributed across sections

• CTA and next steps included

Section word count distribution (2,000 words):

Introduction: 150 words Section 1: 400 words Section 2: 400 words Section 3: 400 words Section 4: 350 words Conclusion: 150 words Buffer: 150 words

Output Format

Blog Post Outline: [Title]

Target Keyword: [keyword] Word Count: [target] Search Intent: [type] Content Angle: [framework]

Outline

[Full outline with H2/H3 structure and bullet points for each section]

Keyword Strategy

• Primary: [keyword]
• Variations: [list]
• Placement: [notes]

Competitor Gaps Addressed

• [gap 1]
• [gap 2]

Unique Value Proposition

[What makes this article stand out]

Validation

Before completing:

• Primary keyword in title

• 5-8 H2 sections for comprehensive coverage

• Each section has clear purpose

• Keyword variations distributed

• Matches or exceeds competitor depth

• Includes actionable elements

Error Handling

• Vague topic: Ask for specific angle or target audience.

• No keyword provided: Suggest keyword research or ask for target phrase.

• Overly broad scope: Recommend splitting into series or narrowing focus.

• Competing with own content: Check for cannibalization; suggest consolidation.

Resources

• Ahrefs Content Gap Analysis

• Clearscope - Content optimization

• SurferSEO - SERP analysis

• AnswerThePublic - Question research