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Content Skyscraping: Three Ways to Do It (But One’s Clearly Better)

Let’s talk about creating “skyscraper content”.

Those definitive pieces that tower over everything else on a topic. There are three ways to approach this, and while they all work, they’re definitely not created equal.

Option 1: The Manual Grind

You could do this the old-school way:

  1. Google your topic and open 15+ tabs
  2. Take notes on each competitor’s content
  3. Manually identify gaps and opportunities
  4. Create an outline from scratch
  5. Write the whole thing while referencing your research

This works, and honestly, it’s how most people do it. The problem? It’s painfully slow, you miss things, and you spend so much time organizing that your creative energy is drained before you even start writing.

Option 2: The Generic AI Approach

Another option is using a standard AI prompt:

I want to create skyscraper content about [TOPIC] that outperforms existing articles. Please:

1. Help me understand what should be included based on SEO best practices
2. Identify gaps in existing content on this topic
3. Create a comprehensive outline 
4. Suggest ways to make my content unique and more valuable

Depending on the AI you’re using you could paste in URLs or have the AI search the web.

This is faster than manual research, but the results are generic. The AI doesn’t know your unique perspective, doesn’t understand your audience’s specific needs, and can’t maintain your authentic voice.

Option 3: The MakerFlow Method

Here’s where things get interesting. With MakerFlow, the process looks like this:

  1. Open your Skyscraping template that’s already integrated with your World Bible
  2. Use the pre-built Flow Architect prompts that know your voice, perspective, and audience
  3. Generate an outline that not only covers all the bases but does it in a way that’s distinctly you
  4. Create content that stands out because it’s comprehensive AND authentic
  5. Automatically map how to repurpose this content across all your platforms

The difference? MakerFlow doesn’t just help you create comprehensive content – it helps you create comprehensive content that could only have come from you.

Your skyscraper content isn’t just taller than the competition – it’s built on an entirely different foundation.

Here’s how you would do it in MakerFlow…

What You’ll Need:

  • The Skyscraping template in MakerFlow
  • A topic you want to create definitive content about
  • Your Content Expansion Maps

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Find the Right Foundation

  • Identify a topic with:
    • Decent search volume
    • Existing content getting links/shares
    • Relevance to what you sell or teach
    • Obvious gaps or outdated information

2. Analyze Existing Content

  • Create a new note using the “Skyscraping” template
  • Research top-performing content on this topic
  • In your Flow Architect chat, use this prompt:
I'm analyzing these top-performing articles on [TOPIC] to create skyscraper content:

[Paste URLs or summarize existing content]

Help me identify:
1. Information gaps or questions left unanswered
2. Outdated information or statistics that need updating
3. Areas where the content lacks depth or nuance
4. Missing practical applications or examples
5. Perspectives or viewpoints not represented
6. Visual elements that could be added or improved
7. Structural weaknesses in how the information is organized
8. Areas where my unique experience with [YOUR EXPERIENCE] could add value

3. Create Your Skyscraper Content Outline

  • Use this follow-up prompt:
Based on our analysis, help me create a comprehensive outline that:
1. Includes all important elements from existing content (but organized better)
2. Fills the identified gaps with new sections
3. Incorporates my unique perspective from my World Bible
4. Has a logical flow that's easy to follow
5. Includes suggestions for visuals, examples, and data points

4. Develop Your Definitive Content

  • Create your skyscraper content following the outline
  • Focus on making it significantly better through:
    • Superior structure and organization
    • Visual elements that enhance understanding
    • Practical application steps
    • Your unique insight and perspective
    • Current information and research

5. Create Your Content Expansion Plan

  • Open your “Content Expansion Maps” template
  • Map how to break down your skyscraper content into:
    • Social media posts
    • Email sequences
    • Short-form video content
    • Visual assets
    • Audio content

The Content You Create Determines The Business You Build

Here’s the truth most people miss: generic skyscraper content might rank, but it won’t convert.

When you create content that’s both definitive AND distinctly yours, you don’t just get traffic – you get the right people who resonate with your specific approach.

MakerFlow makes this possible by integrating your unique brand world into every piece of content you create. Your skyscraper content doesn’t just tower over the competition – it stands on a foundation that only you could have built.

Ready to stop creating content that looks like everyone else’s? Check out MakerFlow and build a system that creates content as unique as you are.

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