Creative Hooks And Content Creation / Ideation (Claude 3-7 and 3-5)

CLAUDE 3.7

Framework for Writing with AI: The Cole Method

Phase 1: Idea Clarification and Direction

1. Initial Idea Assessment (Day 1: 30 minutes)

• Determine if your idea is the main focus or a sub-point within a larger context
• Establish clear goals for your piece:
  • Who is your audience?
  • What connection to your niche are you making?
  • What actionable value will readers get?

1. Setting Content Parameters (Day 1: 30 minutes)

• Decide on content type (article, thread, LinkedIn post)
• Define word count (e.g., 800w article)
• Choose publishing platform

Phase 2: Headline Generation and Selection (Day 1: 1 hour)

1. Create Initial Headline Variations

• Prompt AI: “I’m writing [content type] about [topic]. My goals are [list goals]. Generate 20 potential headlines.”
• Example prompt: “I’m writing an 800w article about Reed Hastings banning the word ‘Blockbuster’ at Netflix. My goals are to connect this to startup ideas and provide actionable advice. Generate 20 potential headlines.”

1. Apply Headline Selection Criteria

• Select headlines that:
  • Create curiosity
  • Include recognized names/brands
  • Evoke emotion
  • Indicate clear, tangible value
  • Consider incorporating numbers (especially large ones)

1. Refine Your Chosen Headline

• Test against the “10 Magical Ways” framework to ensure you’re promising something specific
• Clarify exactly what you’ll deliver (lessons, tips, steps, examples, etc.)

Phase 3: Content Structure Development (Day 2: 2 hours)

1. Create 3-Section Framework

• For an 800w article, use a three-section structure:
  • Introduction
  • Three main sections
  • Conclusion

1. Develop Main Points

• Prompt AI: “Based on the headline [paste headline], generate five batches of three main lessons/points that would make up the content.”
• Request tangible, actionable main points in sentence format
• Example: “Every founder should ban at least one word to focus their strategy”

1. Evaluate and Select Main Points

• Stack rank points by interest/compelling nature (put strongest first)
• Ensure each point delivers on the headline’s promise
• Verify points are specific, actionable, and valuable

1. Apply the “10 Magical Ways” to Each Section

• For each main point, decide what format will provide most value:
  • Steps
  • Statistics
  • Examples
  • Reasons
  • Tips
  • Frameworks
  • Lessons
  • Stories
  • Quotes
  • Mistakes to avoid

Phase 4: Content Generation and Refinement (Day 3: 3 hours)

1. Create a Hook

• Study successful hooks in your medium (Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Use them as templates for your own hook
• Prompt AI: “Here’s a hook I wrote recently that went viral: [paste example]. Create 5 variations of this hook style for my article about [topic].”

1. Generate Section Content

• Prompt AI to draft each section individually
• Example: “For my first main point [paste point], I want to provide [steps/examples/stats]. Generate this section in approximately 200 words.”

1. Revise for Voice and Quality

• Review AI output section by section
• Refine for your personal voice and style
• Emphasize clarity and actionability
• Add personal examples or insights where valuable

1. Final Integration and Polish

• Combine sections into a cohesive piece
• Ensure smooth transitions
• Apply a consistent tone throughout
• Verify all claims are factual and accurate

Additional Tips for Working with AI

1. Use Conversational Mode First

• Begin with back-and-forth dialogue to explore ideas
• Once you understand what works, create comprehensive prompts

1. Elevate Yourself to Editor-in-Chief

• Focus on high-leverage decisions (topic selection, main points, structure)
• Let AI handle lower-leverage tasks (generating variations, drafting)

1. Maintain Your Taste and Judgment

• AI provides options; your expertise selects the best ones
• Be willing to discard AI suggestions that don’t meet your standards

1. Download Frameworks, Then Apply with AI

• Learn writing frameworks from trusted sources
• Teach these frameworks to AI through examples and instruction
• Combine frameworks with AI to multiply your productivity

By following this framework, you’ll be making high-leverage decisions while allowing AI to handle the repetitive aspects of content creation, resulting in more powerful and efficient writing.

Claude 3.5

Here’s an actionable, time-sequential framework based on Cole’s method for creating powerful writing with AI:

PHASE 1: INITIAL IDEATION & GOAL SETTING

1. Start with a seed idea or story
2. Define clear goals for the piece:

• Target audience
• Desired outcome
• Platform/format
• Connection to your expertise/niche

PHASE 2: HEADLINE & HOOK DEVELOPMENT

1. Use AI to generate 20+ potential headlines
2. Apply “editor’s taste” to select best headline
3. Create hook variations using successful templates
4. Test hook versions with AI assistance

PHASE 3: STRUCTURAL PLANNING

1. Break content into 3 main sections
2. Use “10 Magical Ways” framework to determine content type:

• Tips
• Stats
• Steps
• Lessons
• Examples
  etc.

PHASE 4: CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

1. Create detailed subheads that deliver on headline promise
2. Stack rank main points by interest/impact
3. Convert vague points into clear, actionable sentences
4. Use AI to generate alternative approaches for each section

PHASE 5: WRITING & REFINEMENT

1. Write section-by-section using established frameworks
2. Use AI conversationally to:

• Generate initial content
• Test alternatives
• Improve specificity
• Enhance clarity

KEY PRINCIPLES:

• Make high-leverage decisions before writing
• Focus on tangible, specific value in each section
• Test content against proven frameworks
• Use AI as a collaboration tool, not replacement
• Maintain editorial control over final output

The framework emphasizes making strategic decisions about content structure and value before actual writing begins, then using AI as a tool to execute and refine within that structure.