{"id":530531488,"date":"2023-11-29T10:00:34","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T15:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contently.com\/?p=530531488"},"modified":"2024-08-19T12:08:41","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T16:08:41","slug":"how-to-leverage-topic-pillars-to-build-a-targeted-content-framework","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contently.com\/2023\/11\/29\/how-to-leverage-topic-pillars-to-build-a-targeted-content-framework\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Leverage Topic Pillars To Build a Targeted Content Framework"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to WordPress, users create 70 million blog posts per month<\/a> through its platform. Add to that all the content created across other platforms, and you’ve got a world saturated with content. Helping your brand stand out requires not just creativity but also strategic alignment.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this alignment lies a well-structured content framework grounded on solid topic pillars, which act as the foundation for content marketers to build compelling, relevant, and targeted content.<\/p>\n

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This framework is not a one-size-fits-all template, but a tailored architecture that resonates with a brand’s ethos and speaks directly to its audience’s interests<\/a> and needs. But establishing this alignment is often easier said than done. Many businesses find themselves in a conundrum, striving to strike a balance between what they deem important and what their audience finds valuable. The disconnect can result in content that drifts aimlessly, failing to hit the mark regarding engagement and conversion. Without a coherent content framework, the consistency in messaging can be lost, and the potential to build a strong, recognizable brand voice may diminish.<\/p>\n

Identifying core topics or topic pillars and weaving a content framework around them is crucial in overcoming these challenges. It’s about delving into the core of what matters both to your business and its audience, and crafting content that serves as a bridge between the two.<\/p>\n

What Are Topic Pillars?<\/h2>\n

Topic pillars, often referred to as content pillars or pillar content, are fundamental themes or topics you build your content strategy around. They serve as the cornerstone of your content marketing strategy. Each topic pillar is broad and encompassing, allowing for a range of related sub-topics or cluster content to be developed around it. This strategy is similar but differs from a hub-and-spoke model<\/a>, which aims to build a stronger direct connection between content pieces. Topic pillars offer a looser and less restrictive strategy.<\/p>\n

At Contently, for example, we organize all content within The Content Strategist<\/a> around our five pillars: Strategy, Digital Transformation, Storytelling, ROI, and Trending.<\/p>\n

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We’ve baked these pillars into our content strategy by clearly defining them inside the Contently platform<\/a>. Doing so not only ensures we have our pillars in mind as we plan new content but also allows us to attach the relevant pillar to every project brief, ensuring everyone on the team is in alignment.<\/p>\n

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Here’s a breakdown of what topic pillars entail:<\/p>\n