pillar-page

name	pillar-page
description	Creates comprehensive pillar pages (3,000+ words) that serve as content hubs linking to related cluster content. Use when building an SEO topic cluster strategy with a cornerstone page.
allowed-tools	Read Write Glob
metadata	{"author":"matthewhitcham","version":"1.0"}

Pillar Page

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:

• Write a comprehensive pillar page (3,000-5,000 words) that covers a broad topic
• Build a content hub that links to related cluster blog posts
• Create a cornerstone piece designed to rank for a competitive, high-volume keyword
• Establish topical authority through a single, definitive resource

DO NOT use this skill for regular blog posts (use blog-post skill), landing pages, or short-form content. This is for long-form, hub-style pillar pages.

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Core Principle

A PILLAR PAGE ANSWERS EVERY MAJOR QUESTION ABOUT A TOPIC IN ONE PLACE — IT IS THE PAGE YOU WOULD BOOKMARK IF YOU COULD ONLY SAVE ONE RESOURCE.

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Phase 1: Brief

Required Inputs

Input	What to Ask	Default
Pillar topic	"What broad topic should this page comprehensively cover?"	No default — must be provided
Target keyword	"What primary keyword should this page rank for?"	No default — must be provided
Cluster content	"List existing or planned blog posts that should link from this pillar page."	None — will suggest cluster topics
Audience	"Who is this resource for?"	Solopreneurs and business owners
Word count	"Target length?"	3,500-5,000 words
Competitor pillar pages	"Any competitor pages you want to outrank?"	None — will research

GATE: Confirm brief before outlining.

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Phase 2: Outline

Pillar Page Architecture

**H1:** [Comprehensive title with target keyword]

**Table of Contents** (linked to each H2)

**Intro** (~200 words) — What this guide covers and who it is for

**H2: [Foundational concept]** (~500 words)
- [Key points]
- [CLUSTER LINK: related blog post]

**H2: [Core sub-topic 1]** (~600 words)
- [Key points]
- [CLUSTER LINK: related blog post]

**H2: [Core sub-topic 2]** (~600 words)
...

**H2: [Advanced topic]** (~500 words)

**H2: [Common mistakes / FAQ]** (~400 words)

**H2: [Next steps / CTA]** (~200 words)

**Total estimated:** [word count]
**Cluster links planned:** [number]

Cluster Content Map

## Topic Cluster Map

**Pillar page:** [Topic] — targets "[primary keyword]"

**Cluster posts (existing):**
1. [Post title] — targets "[long-tail keyword]" — links from H2 Section [N]
2. [Post title] — targets "[long-tail keyword]" — links from H2 Section [N]

**Cluster posts (to create):**
1. [Suggested title] — targets "[long-tail keyword]"
2. [Suggested title] — targets "[long-tail keyword]"
3. [Suggested title] — targets "[long-tail keyword]"

GATE: Approve outline and cluster map before writing.

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Phase 3: Write

Writing Rules

Rule	Detail
Breadth over depth	Cover each sub-topic thoroughly but link to cluster posts for deep dives
Table of contents	Include a clickable TOC at the top — essential for long-form pages
Cluster links	Naturally link to cluster posts using descriptive anchor text
Self-contained sections	Each H2 section should make sense if read independently
Scannable format	Bold key phrases, use bullet lists, add summary boxes at the end of major sections
Keyword placement	Target keyword in H1, first 100 words, 2-3 H2s, and meta description
Visual markers	Note where infographics, diagrams, or summary tables should appear

Section Template

Each major H2 section follows this pattern:

1. Opening statement — what this section covers and why it matters
2. Core content — explanation with examples, data, or steps
3. Key takeaway — one-sentence summary in bold
4. Cluster link — natural transition to a related blog post for deeper coverage

Internal Linking Strategy

## Internal Linking Plan

**From pillar to cluster posts:**
- Section 2 → [Cluster post title] (anchor: "[descriptive text]")
- Section 3 → [Cluster post title] (anchor: "[descriptive text]")
...

**From cluster posts back to pillar:**
- Each cluster post should link back to this pillar page with anchor text: "[target keyword] guide"

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Phase 4: Polish

1. Pillar Page Checklist

## Pre-Publish Checklist

- [ ] Word count is 3,000+ words
- [ ] Table of contents is included with anchor links
- [ ] Target keyword appears in H1, first 100 words, and 2+ H2s
- [ ] Each H2 section is self-contained and scannable
- [ ] Cluster post links are placed naturally with descriptive anchor text
- [ ] At least 5 cluster links are included (existing or planned)
- [ ] Visual element suggestions are noted (infographic, table, diagram)
- [ ] Meta description is written (150-160 characters)
- [ ] Summary boxes or key takeaways are included for major sections
- [ ] CTA appears at the end with a clear next step
- [ ] Page is comprehensive enough to be the definitive resource on this topic

2. Cluster Content Roadmap

List 5-10 cluster posts to create, prioritized by search volume and relevance.

3. Update Schedule

Recommend quarterly reviews to keep the pillar page current with new data, links, and cluster content.

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Example: Pillar Page on "Email Marketing for Small Business"

H1: The Complete Guide to Email Marketing for Small Business
Target keyword: email marketing for small business
Word count: 4,500

Sections:
- What Is Email Marketing (And Why It Matters for Small Business)
- Choosing an Email Marketing Platform
- Building Your Email List from Scratch
- Writing Emails That Get Opened and Clicked
- Email Automation for Beginners
- Measuring Email Marketing Success
- Common Email Marketing Mistakes
- Your Email Marketing Action Plan

Cluster links:
- "Best Email Marketing Platforms for Solopreneurs" → from Section 2
- "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Get 40%+ Open Rates" → from Section 4
- "5 Email Automations Every Small Business Needs" → from Section 5

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Anti-Patterns

• Too narrow — a pillar page on "email subject line formulas" is too specific. That is a cluster post. Pillars cover broad topics.
• No cluster links — a pillar page without links to deeper content is just a long blog post. The linking structure is what makes it a pillar.
• Wall of text — 5,000 words without formatting is unreadable. Use the TOC, headers, lists, and summary boxes.
• Keyword stuffing — long content tempts keyword overuse. Keep density under 1.5%.
• Never updating — pillar pages require quarterly reviews to maintain rankings. Schedule updates.

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Recovery

• No existing cluster content: Write the pillar page first, then use the cluster roadmap to plan supporting posts over the next 90 days.
• Topic is too broad: Narrow to a specific audience angle. "Marketing" is too broad; "Email Marketing for Small Business" is pillar-sized.
• Word count falling short: Add a FAQ section, a common mistakes section, or an additional sub-topic to reach 3,000+ words.
• User wants it shorter: Explain that pillar pages must be comprehensive to rank. Offer a "quick guide" version as a separate, shorter post.
• Cluster posts overlap: Merge overlapping cluster ideas or differentiate by audience segment or use case.