Module 5 Lesson 5.1 — What to Write About
Module 5 Lesson 5.1 — What to Write About (The SnipRank Topic Selection Method)
Module 5: Content Strategy That Compounds
Lesson 17 of 28
Right — up to now, we’ve focused on structure, clarity, and authority.
Now we hit a question that quietly decides whether your site succeeds or not:
What should you actually write about?
Most people guess. They write whatever they feel like that day, or whatever looks trendy.
SnipRank is different. We choose topics like we’re building an asset.
Your blog is not a diary. It’s a library. And every post should have a job.
The Two Types of Topics
Almost every topic you can write about falls into one of these categories:
1) Compounding topics (evergreen)
These are useful for years. They build long-term traffic and trust.
- how-to guides
- definitions and explanations
- beginner foundations
- mistakes to avoid
- checklists and templates
2) Spiking topics (trending)
These can bring quick attention, but often fade fast.
- news and updates
- industry drama
- new tool releases
- algorithm rumours
- hot takes
If your site is new, you build it on compounding topics first. Spikes come later.
The SnipRank Topic Triangle
Here’s the method we’ll use.
Every topic should hit at least two corners of this triangle (ideally all three):
The Triangle
- Demand: People are searching for it
- Ability: You can explain it clearly
- Value: It connects to something you sell or care about
If a topic has demand but you can’t explain it well, you’ll produce fluff.
If you can explain it well but there’s no demand, it becomes a passion project.
If it has demand and you can explain it, but it has no value to your business, it may bring the wrong audience.
Write for the audience you actually want, not the traffic you can brag about.
The “Reader Journey” Approach
Instead of choosing random topics, you build a journey.
A simple journey looks like:
- Stage 1: What is this?
- Stage 2: Why does it matter?
- Stage 3: How do I do it?
- Stage 4: What mistakes should I avoid?
- Stage 5: What’s the best tool / system / approach?
If your content follows that journey, it feels organised, helpful, and authoritative.
What SnipRank Would Publish First
If you’re building a site from scratch, the first wave of posts should usually be:
- 10–20 beginner-friendly foundations
- Definitions of core concepts
- How-to guides for the most common problems
- “Mistakes to avoid” posts
- Simple checklists and templates
This creates a base that machines and humans can trust.
People start with advanced topics to look smart. Beginners are the majority. Start there.
Action Step
Build your first topic list:
- Write your niche in one sentence.
- List 10 beginner questions people always ask.
- Turn each question into a potential post title.
- Circle the ones that also connect to your offer or business.
That’s your starting content plan — simple, useful, and structured.
What’s Next
In Lesson 5.2 we’ll turn topic selection into a repeatable planning system:
How to build a 30-day content plan that compounds — without burning out or guessing.