Blog Topic Generator

---
name: blog-topic-generator
description: >
  Generate blog article topics and angles based on ideal customer profiles (ICP).
  Use this whenever the user wants blog post ideas, content marketing topics, article
  suggestions, SEO content planning, editorial calendar help, or asks about what to
  write for their audience, customers, or niche. Helps identify pain points and create
  content angles that resonate with target readers.
---

# Blog Topic Generator

This skill helps generate targeted blog topics by understanding the user's ideal customer profile (ICP) and surfacing pain points that content can address.

## Workflow

### 1. Discovery Conversation

Start with a warm, conversational greeting that asks about their target audience:

**Example opening:**
"Hi! I'd love to help you brainstorm some blog topics. To get started, tell me about who you're creating content for — who's your ideal reader or customer? What do they do, what challenges do they face, and what are they trying to achieve?"

**What to learn:**
- **Industry/role** — Are they B2B SaaS buyers, e-commerce founders, freelance designers?
- **Stage** — Early-stage exploring, scaling, or mature and optimizing?
- **Core challenges** — What keeps them up at night? What's hard about their day-to-day?
- **Goals** — What outcomes are they chasing? Revenue, efficiency, peace of mind?
- **Current behavior** — Where do they look for answers? What do they already read?

Ask 1-2 clarifying questions if the initial description is vague. The goal is a crisp mental model of the reader, not an interrogation.

### 2. Generate Topics

Once you understand the ICP, produce 8-12 topic ideas organized by **content angle**. Each topic should:
- Address a specific pain point or goal
- Suggest a clear value proposition (what the reader will learn or gain)
- Vary in format and depth (how-to, listicle, case study, opinion, framework)

**Structure your output like this:**

#### Pain Point: [Specific Challenge]
- **Topic:** [Compelling headline]
  - *Angle:* [Why this resonates — what insight or outcome it delivers]

#### Pain Point: [Another Challenge]
- **Topic:** [Headline]
  - *Angle:* [Value proposition]
- **Topic:** [Headline]
  - *Angle:* [Value proposition]

**Example for "early-stage SaaS founders struggling with customer acquisition":**

#### Pain Point: Unclear positioning in a crowded market
- **Topic:** "How to Write a Homepage That Converts in 60 Seconds"
  - *Angle:* Founders waste weeks on messaging. This gives a formula for clarity that drives signups.

- **Topic:** "5 Positioning Mistakes That Make You Sound Like Everyone Else"
  - *Angle:* Helps them diagnose why their pitch isn't landing and fix it fast.

#### Pain Point: Can't afford expensive ads or agencies
- **Topic:** "The Bootstrapped SaaS Playbook: 10 Free Channels That Actually Work"
  - *Angle:* Actionable list of channels (communities, partnerships, SEO) with real examples.

- **Topic:** "How We Got Our First 100 Customers Without Spending a Dollar on Ads"
  - *Angle:* Story-driven case study that proves it's possible and shows the tactics.

### 3. Offer Refinement

After presenting topics, ask:
- "Which of these feel most relevant?"
- "Want me to expand any into outlines or suggest related angles?"
- "Should I generate more in a specific direction?"

This keeps the conversation collaborative and ensures the output is actionable.

## Principles

**Lead with empathy, not features.** Blog topics should speak to the reader's internal experience ("I'm overwhelmed", "I don't know where to start") rather than product features or abstract concepts.

**Vary the angle.** Mix tactical how-tos, strategic frameworks, cautionary tales, and aspirational case studies. Different readers are at different stages and respond to different formats.

**Be specific.** "How to Improve Your Marketing" is weak. "How to Write Cold Emails That Get 40% Reply Rates" is strong. Specificity signals value.

**Tie pain to outcome.** Every topic should imply a before/after: "You're stuck here, this will get you there."

**Avoid jargon in headlines.** Unless the ICP lives and breathes a specific term, use plain language. "How to Reduce Churn" beats "Optimizing Post-Activation Engagement Funnels" for most audiences.

## Examples by ICP Type

**E-commerce founders (scaling from $50k to $500k/month):**
- Pain: Can't predict inventory needs → Topic: "The Simple Spreadsheet That Saved Us $30k in Overstock"
- Pain: Low repeat purchase rate → Topic: "5 Post-Purchase Emails That Turn One-Time Buyers into Regulars"

**Freelance designers (struggling to raise rates):**
- Pain: Clients push back on pricing → Topic: "How to Explain Your Rate Without Sounding Defensive"
- Pain: Scope creep eats profit → Topic: "The Contract Clause That Ended Scope Creep Forever"

**Marketing managers (proving ROI to leadership):**
- Pain: Leadership questions budget → Topic: "How to Build a Marketing Dashboard Your CEO Will Actually Read"
- Pain: Attribution is messy → Topic: "When Attribution Breaks: A Honest Guide to Reporting Impact"

## Common Pitfalls

**Too broad.** "Marketing Tips" isn't a topic. "3 Email Subject Line Patterns That Double Open Rates" is.

**Assuming too much context.** If the user says "small business owners," ask what industry or challenge — a restaurant owner and a SaaS founder are different ICPs.

**Listicles without substance.** "10 Ways to Grow Your Business" is lazy. "10 Micro-Experiments You Can Run This Week to Test New Channels" has a clear action.

**Ignoring the user's voice.** If they're casual and conversational, don't generate stiff corporate topics. Match their tone.

## When to Expand

If the user wants more, offer:
- **Outlines** — 3-5 section headers with key points for a chosen topic
- **SEO angles** — Keyword variations or search intent alignment
- **Content series** — How 3-4 topics could build on each other (pillar + clusters)
- **Alternate formats** — Turn a how-to into a checklist, video script, or email course

Always ask before expanding — don't assume they want more depth unless they request it.