Maximizing Social Media for Architects: The Power of a Content Matrix

The primary challenge that prevents most people and businesses from consistently posting on LinkedIn and other social platforms is a need for fresh ideas. To tackle this, I previously introduced four content formats to engage your audience and organically attract high-quality clients. However, there's another crucial element to this strategy, one that ensures a never-ending stream of content ideas.

Top content creators, influencers, and thought leaders, including LinkedIn expert Justin Welsh, use this approach to supply valuable content continuously. I've leveraged this technique for my LinkedIn posts and newsletters for the past year and a half.

Introducing Your Content Matrix

The content matrix is your limitless idea generator. It helps you continually uncover new topics to share with your audience, who are your prospective high-quality clients. Consistently delivering valuable, relevant content will naturally draw them to your architectural services.

Here are the previously discussed content formats:

1. Listicle
2. This vs. That
3. Educational
4. Contrarian
5. Portfolio

Refer back to the earlier post for a detailed breakdown of these formats. To build your content matrix, allocate each format a column, then add rows for themes pertinent to your audience.

For instance, residential architects might focus on themes like space planning or renovation budgeting, while commercial architects could look at parking requirements or interior build-outs.

Using Your Content Matrix

With this setup, each intersection in the matrix offers a new content idea. For example:

1. Sustainable design + Listicle: "Top 7 Sustainable Building Materials for Eco-Friendly Design"
2. Urban Planning + This vs. That: "Pedestrian-Friendly vs Vehicle-Dominated Urban Spaces: The Impact on City Life"
3. Client Collaboration + Educational: "The Architect-Client Partnership: Key Steps for a Successful Design Process"
4. Open Floor Plans + Contrarian: "The Overrated Open Floor Plan: Why Separate Spaces Matter"
5. Historic Preservation + Portfolio: Showcasing a recent project where modern design was seamlessly integrated into a historic structure, preserving its legacy.
6. Energy Efficiency + Listicle: "5 Innovative Energy-Efficient Technologies for Your Next Project"
7. Building Codes + This vs. That: "Navigating Building Codes: Compliance vs. Creativity in Architectural Design"
8. Project Budgeting + Educational: "Architect's Guide: Effective Budget Management for Your Building Project"
9. Modern vs Traditional Design + Contrarian: "Why Traditional Design Principles Still Matter in the Modern World"
10. Innovative Workspaces + Portfolio: Highlighting a project that redefines the modern workspace, focusing on functionality and aesthetics.

Your personal experience and expertise will fuel countless ideas, making this matrix an endless resource. You can expand it with more themes and formats; each combination can yield multiple results.

Bottom Line

The challenge of running out of social media content ideas is common, but employing a content matrix with relevant formats and themes creates an endless well of ideas. This approach is tailored to engage your audience and attract high-quality clients to your architectural firm.