How Philosophers Think and the Art of Content Roadmapping

How Philosophers Think and the Art of Content Roadmapping

In the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual exploration, philosophers have developed a unique way of thinking. For them, writing is not just about typing words on a screen; it is a rigorous process of following intellectual embryos and overcoming roadblocks to uncover the mature form of an idea. They engage in intellectual boxing matches, pitting ideas against each other to truly understand their essence.

One crucial aspect of philosophical thinking is the understanding that ideas are constantly evolving and influenced by the actions of others. Like clothing, ideas change with the times, and our decision-making processes are shaped by the actions of those around us. When we jump to conclusions too quickly, we often default to fashionable thinking, without truly exploring the depth of an idea.

Humanity's success can be attributed to our ability to outsource knowledge to the tribe. Social learning is our primary advantage over other primates, and collective learning has allowed us to become smarter across generations. The more exposure people have to an idea, the more likely they are to believe it. However, popularity does not equate to correctness. Just like the secret menu at In-N-Out Burger, the best options are not always advertised.

Philosophers understand that every idea comes packaged in an implicit frame. They critique the premise of an idea, the frame, instead of solely focusing on the conclusion. This ability to hold opposing ideas in mind and function is a test of first-rate intelligence. Intellectual grace is essential in philosophy and in life. Instead of focusing on how someone is wrong, we should ask ourselves, "What can this person teach me?"

In contrast to philosophers' pursuit of truth, social media has turned many into public relations professionals who prioritize likeability over truth. We distort information to make ourselves appear better, and our brains are designed to seek out information and then destroy it. Trapped in this cycle, we deceive ourselves to better deceive others.

While philosophers delve into the complexities of human nature, content roadmapping offers a practical approach to creating impactful content. Just as a product leader creates a roadmap for a software product, content roadmapping involves generating the right ideas, adding details, and creating a prioritized roadmap to save time in content production and distribution.

To create a successful content roadmap, audience analysis is crucial. Understanding the jobs to be done, challenges, behavior, and content preferences of each audience segment and ideal customer persona provides valuable insights. Additionally, crafting perceptions, which are short statements that define the brand's story, helps guide storytelling efforts.

SEO keywords play a vital role in generating content ideas. While focusing on a specific keyword is important, separate content ideas should also be developed to rank for all relevant keywords. Mapping funnel stages to content ensures that content aligns with the different stages of the customer journey. By making a content inventory based on funnel stages, gaps and overlaps can be identified and prioritized accordingly.

Analyzing basic content reports, such as traffic, sources of traffic, and engagement, helps determine which existing content needs improvement. It is essential to consider the effort spent on distributing content before deeming it unsuccessful. Including the wrong details in a content roadmap leads to ineffective prioritization. Content should be prioritized based on impact, effort, and marketing strategy coverage.

Just as philosophers seek to uncover the truth, content creators aim to produce impactful content that drives leads. By prioritizing content based on impact and effort, considering marketing strategy coverage, and grouping roadmap contenders by content type, audience, and funnel stage, a comprehensive roadmap can be developed.

In conclusion, both philosophical thinking and content roadmapping share common points. They both emphasize the importance of intellectual exploration, understanding the influence of others, and avoiding jumping to conclusions. By adopting an attitude of intellectual grace and seeking knowledge from others, we can advance both intellectually and in our content creation efforts.

Three actionable advice:

• 1. Embrace intellectual exploration and engage in rigorous thinking to truly understand the depth of ideas.

• 2. Prioritize audience analysis and perceptions to guide storytelling efforts and create impactful content.

• 3. Utilize content roadmapping techniques, such as mapping funnel stages and prioritizing based on impact and effort, to save time and produce high-impact content.