Finding the right content topics is essential for marketing success. Too often, teams invest time and resources into ideas that don’t resonate with their audience. By using a structured approach—leveraging tools like mktg.directory's Pulse, Studio, Echo, Orbit, and especially Recall data—you can focus your efforts where they matter most. Here’s how to identify and prioritize high-performing content topics.
Start with Pulse: Track Industry Trends
Pulse is your starting point for understanding what’s gaining momentum in your industry. Monitor real-time conversations, trending keywords, and relevant news.
How to use Pulse:
- Set alerts for your main topics and competitors.
- Review dashboards daily to spot emerging themes.
- List the top 5 trends each week to inform brainstorming sessions.
By tracking what’s top-of-mind for your audience, you build a foundation for relevant content.
Move to Studio: Brainstorm and Ideate
Studio is where raw ideas take shape. Use insights from Pulse to fuel brainstorming. Invite your team to contribute perspectives based on their expertise and your market’s needs.
Tips for Studio sessions:
- Organize regular ideation meetings.
- Use Pulse data to back up topic suggestions.
- Score ideas based on audience fit, novelty, and resource requirements.
Filter your initial list down to those topics with the strongest strategic fit and potential appeal.
Validate with Echo: Test Audience Interest
Echo lets you gauge real audience interest before committing to full-scale production. Use polls, mini-campaigns, or engagement signals to validate your short-listed topics.
Echo validation tactics:
- Run quick polls on social or via email.
- Share teaser content and track engagement (likes, shares, comments).
- Analyze which topics spark conversation or draw new followers.
Only move forward with topics that generate genuine audience excitement.
Orbit: Analyze Distribution Opportunities
Orbit focuses on where and how your content travels. Even the best topics can falter if they aren’t delivered on the right channels or at the right time.
Orbit best practices:
- Map each topic to your highest-performing channels.
- Assess timing: when is your audience most active?
- Test different formats (blogs, videos, infographics) for each topic.
A great topic grows exponentially when matched with the right distribution strategy.
Recall: Measure What Really Performs
Recall is your feedback loop. It provides hard data on which published topics truly deliver—measured by traffic, engagement, conversions, and retention.
How to use Recall data:
- Compare performance metrics across all published topics.
- Identify recurring themes among top-performers.
- Look for underperformers and reassess their future potential.
Use this data to continuously refine your content strategy. Double down on winning topics; sunset those that don’t move the needle.
Bringing It All Together: The Continuous Cycle
High-performing content topics aren’t a one-time discovery. The Pulse → Studio → Echo → Orbit → Recall cycle ensures your topics stay relevant, validated, and optimized for both reach and results.
Checklist for ongoing success:
- Regularly review Pulse for new trends.
- Keep Studio sessions fresh and data-driven.
- Use Echo for real-world feedback.
- Optimize Orbit for distribution effectiveness.
- Rely on Recall data to guide future focus.
Takeaway:
Identifying content topics that perform is a systematic, data-driven process. By leveraging tools like Pulse, Studio, Echo, Orbit, and Recall, you create a feedback loop that sharpens your focus and maximizes impact. Let Recall data guide your next big idea—and ensure your content always delivers measurable value.