Now available

Content-First Design is available now, get your copy today!

Two Frameworks. One Purpose: Scalable Content Systems That Work.

Content-First Advantage™ and SignalScale™ are diagnostic frameworks built to assess your team’s readiness to scale content systems—both human-centered and AI-powered.

Grounded in research and enterprise experience, each applies a proven scoring model to identify gaps, align solution tracks, and guide your org toward scalable, future-ready systems.

Because if your foundation is flawed, scaling only amplifies what’s broken.

Our philosophy is simple: Assess. Diagnose. Prepare. Scale.

With each score mapped to a service path, we’re the first consultancy offering a research-backed, actionable roadmap for the future of content and AI.

Led by Sarah Johnson, Founder, Director & Author of Content-first Design

Design smarter products with a framework that starts where it matters most—your message. The Content-First Advantage helps teams align structure, flow, and UX around real user needs from day one. No more placeholder content. No more “we’ll write it later.”

💡 Who it’s for:

Product teams struggling with misaligned workflows, rushed launches, and content chaos.

☑️ What you’ll get:

Tailored for today’s teams. Designed to drive tomorrow’s outcomes.

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Sarah Johnson

Founder & Director | Content Strategist | Author

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Led by Ian Richards, Strategic Content & AI Systems Architect

AI is only as good as your structure. The AI Readiness Framework helps content and UX teams evaluate their readiness across structure, strategy, operations, and ethics—so they don’t just plug in tools, but actually scale them responsibly.

💡 Who it’s for:

Teams looking to harness AI without compromising clarity, governance, or inclusion.

☑️ What you’ll get:

Frameworks you can trust. Experts who build them.

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Ian Richards

Strategic Content & AI Systems Architect,

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From Framework to Impact: Engagements Built to Scale With You

Our frameworks are more than diagnostics—they’re the launchpad for tailored consulting engagements. Whether you’re untangling legacy content, scaling AI responsibly, or aligning siloed teams, we eliminate guesswork and meet you exactly where you are.

These assessments don’t just score your systems—they chart solution paths that help you scale smarter and integrate AI the right way.

Clarity, Not Guesswork. Pricing That Builds Trust.

You won’t find vague estimates or endless upcharges here. Every engagement is scoped with transparency, aligned to your goals, and grounded in real outcomes. Whether you’re just getting started or deep into transformation, we meet you with a plan—not a pitch.

Discovery Workshop

Starting at/

$3,500

A strategic kickoff session to uncover system gaps and align your team with clarity.

Full Framework Engagement

Ranging from/

$7,500-$25,000

A strategic kickoff session to uncover system gaps and align your team with clarity.

Sustain & Scale

Custom pricing

Stay supported as you scale. We provide flexible, high-impact guidance designed for momentum.

Insights from the leaders who’ve seen the frameworks, used the tools, and shaped the future with us.

Trusted by the Voices Shaping Content and UX

Meghan Casey Author of the Content Strategy Toolkit

I value this approach for how it reframes collaboration as a strategic necessity, not a nice-to-have. It means starting where it actually matters.

Kristina Halverston Founder Button Events & Brain Traffic

This isn’t just a new take on content. It’s a much-needed framework for how we think, build, and lead. This is the kind of clarity our field has been missing.

Scott Abel The Content Wrangler

Finally, a methodology that puts content at the center of digital design—right where it belongs. This approach is grounded, practical, and long overdue.

Valu Tenaglia UX Writer & Co-founder, UX Writing Gym

This isn’t just theory—it’s a real-world guide every content designer needs. Practical, proven, and built for the challenges we actually face.

FAQs

Helping You Navigate the Future of Content-First Design

We get it—change prompts questions. This section breaks down what’s new, how it works, and why our frameworks matter now more than ever.

We’ve streamlined our services around two core frameworks: The Content-First Advantage™ and SignalScale™. Each one solves different content challenges—but they’re built on a shared philosophy of clarity, scale, and real human impact.

Not at all. While they're built to scale across enterprise environments, they’re just as effective for startups and mid-size teams looking to build strong foundations before scaling.

The Content-First Advantage™ focuses on team alignment, structure, and human-centered systems. SignalScale™ zeroes in on AI readiness—integrating automation, governance, and content operations for the future. Both can work independently or in tandem.

Yes. Every engagement is tailored to your org’s size, maturity, and goals. The diagnostic is standard; how we apply it is entirely flexible.

You’ll leave with a clear scorecard, a prioritized roadmap, and tangible next steps aligned to your team’s capacity—plus optional implementation or training support if needed.

Yes. Workshops are still available and will soon be offered as package options alongside our framework services. If you're interested in team training or a standalone workshop, reach out—we’re happy to tailor the right experience for your goals.

Absolutely. While the frameworks are our flagship approach, we continue to offer standalone services in AI integration, UX writing, and content strategy. Whether you need a targeted audit, hands-on support, or a custom solution, just contact us to start the conversation.

Still have questions? We’re happy to walk you through it.

Before Content-First Design was a business, it was a belief system—

A philosophy shaped over two decades and distilled into this book. It’s the foundation for everything we offer: scalable systems, strategic frameworks, and the clarity teams need to design smarter—human-first and future-ready.

📖 Order now at:  Amazon | XMLPress | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble

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