long-form-writinglisted

# Long-Form Writing ## When This Skill Applies - Drafting pillar blog posts between 1,500 and 2,500 words - Rewriting existing posts for AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) - Producing content designed to be quoted by AI assistants and featured snippets - Building topical authority through structured deep-dives - Any brief where both SEO ranking and AI citability are success criteria ## Core Guidance ### 1. Answer-First Lead The first paragraph answers the search query directly in 40-60 words. The rest of the post earns the reader's attention by expanding, qualifying, and proving that answer. | Element | Specification | |---------|--------------| | Word count | 40-60 words | | Position | Immediately after H1, before any image | | Content | Direct answer to the implied search question | | Forbidden | "In this post we will explore...", throat-clearing, topic announcement | **Pattern**: `[One-sentence direct answer]. [One-sentence qualifier or exception]. [One-sentence stakes or payoff for reading on]`. Example of the intent (not copy-paste): - Query: "how long should a case study be" - Lead: "A B2B case study works best at 800-1,200 words, with 60% of that space on Results and Execution. Shorter pieces under 500 words read as testimonials; longer than 1,500 loses mid-funnel readers. The right length depends on the deal size you are trying to influence, which this guide maps section by section." ### 2. Question-Style H2 Ratio Betwe