Getting Started Guide

🚀 I'm brand new to Comms Threader

Start here:

1. Read Philosophy & Approach (5 min) - Understand scaffolding vs automation
2. Watch Introduction video (5 min) - See how tools work together
3. Read Quickstart (10 min) - Run your first project
4. Try a tool in Free Roam mode - Get comfortable with the interface
5. Run a full pitch flow when ready - Use Cascade Mode for real project

First project recommendation: Use The Channel in Free Roam to generate social concepts for a brand you know well. Low stakes, quick results, builds confidence.

⚡ I need to run a full pitch (new business)

You want: Cascade Mode

1. Read The Pitch Flow (5 min) - Understand the 5-tool cascade
2. Watch The Story video (10 min) - See the first step
3. Gather your materials:
   • Client brief (PDF or Word doc)
   • Any research, competitor analysis, brand guidelines
   • Budget 90-120 minutes for full flow
4. Launch Comms Threader → Start with The Story in Cascade Mode
5. Upload all context documents in Step 1
6. Follow the cascade: Story → Audience → Message → Plan → Frame

Pro tip: Read Best Practices before starting. Uploading context documents takes 2 minutes but saves 20 minutes of editing generic outputs.

Need help under time pressure? See Workflow Examples for time-boxed scenarios.

🎨 I just need social creative concepts (not full pitch)

You want: The Channel in Free Roam mode

1. Read The Channel documentation (10 min)
2. Watch The Channel video (14 min)
3. Launch The Channel directly (no need for cascade)
4. Fill in: Brand name, strategic territory, communication objective
5. Optional: Check Recent Social Ads (searches competitor campaigns)
6. Choose format, platform, duration
7. Set creative direction with 5 sliders + executional considerations
8. Generate 3 concepts → Export to PowerPoint

Time: 15-30 minutes from brief to client-ready concepts.

🎯 I want to learn strategic frameworks (no live project yet)

You want: Free Roam exploration + Case Studies

1. Read Philosophy & Approach - Understand the methodology
2. Read The Golden Thread - Core concept explained
3. Study case studies:
   • Patagonia - Audience tension and exclusions
   • Shell - Challenger positioning
   • Uber - Broad platform thinking
4. Read Boeing case study - Actual tool usage example
5. Try tools in Free Roam with practice brands (Nike, Oatly, your favourite brand)
6. Compare your outputs to case study frameworks

Remember: Case studies are retrospective analysis, not AI outputs. They show strategic scaffolding in action.

👥 I'm setting up Comms Threader for my team

You want: Team onboarding pathway

1. Read Team Management - Add colleagues to workspace
2. Read Best Practices - Especially "Team Collaboration" section
3. Set up your workflow:
   • Designate single "driver" per project session
   • Use save points before major changes
   • Name projects clearly ("Client Name - Round 1", "Client Name - Sweet Spot Territory")
4. Run internal training session:
   • Watch video walkthroughs together (see Video Tutorials)
   • Run practice pitch with familiar brand
   • Review FAQ for common questions
5. Start with real client work once comfortable

Pro tier: Up to 10 team members. Lite tier: 1 user only.

🔧 I need to use a specific standalone tool

You want: Direct tool access in Free Roam

Tool	Use Case	Documentation
The Channel	Social-first video concepts	Spark docs
The Landscape	Category landscape analysis	Landscape docs
The Estimator	Project costing and scoping	Estimator docs
The Prototyper	Innovation territory exploration	Prototyper docs
The Frame	Strategic platform (without full cascade)	Frame docs

Launch Comms Threader → Select tool directly → Work in Free Roam mode.

Day 1: Learn the philosophy (30 min)

• Read Philosophy & Approach
• Read FAQ (especially "Won't all pitches look the same?")
• Watch Introduction video

Day 2: Practice with low-stakes project (60 min)

• Use The Channel to generate concepts for a brand you know well
• Export to PowerPoint, review quality
• Get comfortable with interface and workflow

Day 3: Study case studies (45 min)

• Read 3 case studies (Dove, Oatly, Nike)
• Read Boeing case study (actual tool usage)
• Understand strategic scaffolding vs outputs

Day 4: Watch tool videos (60 min)

• Watch Story, Audience, Message videos
• See full workflow demonstrated
• Note best practices

Day 5: Run full practice pitch (90 min)

• Choose a familiar brand or past pitch
• Run full Cascade Mode: Story → Audience → Message → Plan → Frame
• Export, review, refine in PowerPoint
• Compare to your usual pitch development process