The Snowball Method

Turn 1 topic into 40+ content pieces across platforms using a 4-prompt sequential pipeline.

The Pipeline

This is a sequential 4-prompt process. Each prompt builds on the previous output. Do NOT skip steps or combine them.

digraph snowball {
  rankdir=TB;
  core [label="Prompt 1: THE CORE\nAsk clarifying questions FIRST\nthen define the core problem"];
  angles [label="Prompt 2: ANGLES & HEADLINES\n7 unexpected angles from core\neach with hooks, facts, controversy"];
  branches [label="Prompt 3: BRANCHES\n3 subtopics per angle\n3 formats per subtopic"];
  calendar [label="Prompt 4: 30-DAY CALENDAR\nPlatform-adapted posts\nwith metrics and distribution"];

  core -> angles;
  angles -> branches;
  branches -> calendar;
}

Prompt 1: THE CORE

You MUST ask clarifying questions before producing output. Do not skip this.

Ask about:

• Goal (what outcome does this content serve?)
• Target audience (who specifically?)
• Pain points (what keeps them up at night?)
• Constraints (budget, team size, tools available?)
• Tone (professional, casual, provocative, educational?)
• Platforms (Threads, Reels, TikTok, LinkedIn, email, YouTube?)

After receiving answers, deliver:

Deliverable	Spec
Core problem	One specific problem people discuss and share
Why it matters	2-3 sharp sentences
30-day content goals	Measurable outcomes (saves, leads, shares — not vanity metrics)
ICP table	See format below

ICP Table Format:

Who	What they want	What blocks them	Their language	Triggers	Taboos

Be specific. Generic personas ("busy professionals") fail. Use language the audience actually uses.

Prompt 2: ANGLES & HEADLINES

Generate 7 unexpected angles from the core problem. Each angle must be:

• Counterintuitive, OR
• "You're doing it wrong", OR
• Myth vs reality, OR
• Hidden cost of the usual solution

For each angle, provide ALL of these:

Element	Constraint
2 hooks	Each ≤12 words, platform-ready (Threads/Reels)
1 core insight	≤80 words
1 number/fact	With source citation — see Credibility Gate below
1 controversial statement	Designed to spark comments

Credibility Gate (mandatory for every angle's number/fact):

Write exactly one line in this form:

Source: [publication/study/author, year] — [one-sentence fact]

Fail condition: If no verifiable source exists for the claimed fact, the angle is blocked. Do not proceed with that angle until a real source is supplied. Generate a replacement angle if needed.

The 7 angles must not overlap. If two angles feel similar, cut one and find something sharper.

Prompt 3: BRANCHES

For each of the 7 angles, create 3 subtopics. Each subtopic must pass the Cliche Inversion Gate before proceeding:

Cliche Inversion Gate (mandatory for every subtopic):

1. Write a one-sentence "Obvious Version" — the cliche take a mediocre writer would produce on this subtopic.
2. Write a one-sentence "Inversion Statement" in this exact form: "Unlike [obvious version], this subtopic argues/shows [specific contradiction]."
3. If the Inversion Statement cannot be completed with a concrete contradiction (a negation like "not X" does not count — it must assert something specific and different), the subtopic is rejected. Generate a replacement and repeat.

Show both sentences inline before presenting each subtopic's formats. A reviewer must be able to verify the gate passed without knowing the method.

For each subtopic that passes the gate, create 3 formats:

Format 1: Educational

• Hook (≤2 lines)
• Insight (≤80 words)
• 3 concrete "do this today" steps

Format 2: Provocative

• Debatable hook
• 3 supporting proofs
• Question at the end (drives comments)

Format 3: Case Study

• Context (situation before)
• Action (what changed)
• Numbers (measurable result)
• Takeaway (one sentence)

If data is missing for case studies, ask the user — do not fabricate numbers.

Prompt 4: 30-DAY CALENDAR

For each piece of content from Prompt 3, adapt for the user's specified platforms:

• Adjust length per platform norms
• Specify visual format (carousel, reel, text post, thread, etc.)
• Include a CTA appropriate to the platform
• Define a success metric for each post

Build the calendar as a table:

Date	Platform	Topic	Angle	Format	Goal/Metric	Distribution Notes

Calendar rules:

• Remove repetition — no two posts should feel like the same take
• Alternate topics to avoid audience fatigue
• Note repurposing opportunities (clips, carousels from long-form, etc.)
• Front-load problem-awareness content, back-load solution content

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Generic angles	"5 tips for X" is not an angle. Push for counterintuitive, myth-busting, or hidden-cost framing.
Inversion Statement that merely negates	"Unlike X, this shows not-X" fails the gate. The contradiction must assert something specific.