Creative Brief Template

A one-page brief to align goals, audience, message, deliverables, timeline, and KPIs. Built to hand off directly into Plays and /create Mode.

Project Goal / Objective

Simplify and standardize how businesses manage their financial transactions. Provide a clear guide + free downloadable template that helps companies organize, track, and analyze financial performance.

Background / Context

As businesses grow, managing financial data becomes complex. A Chart of Accounts (COA) is a fundamental tool that provides structure by categorizing transactions into assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses. Many businesses lack a clear format or numbering system, making financial reporting messy and inconsistent.

Target Audience

  • Small to mid-size businesses looking for scalable accounting practices

  • Finance teams or founders who want cleaner reporting

  • Accountants setting up systems for new clients

Key Message / Proposition

“A well-structured Chart of Accounts saves time, improves reporting accuracy, and makes better financial decisions possible.”

Deliverables

  • Guide content: definition, importance, format, numbering systems, examples

  • Examples section: categorized lists of common accounts (assets, liabilities, equity, income, expenses)

  • Template: downloadable Excel/Google Sheets COA with placeholders

Tone / Voice

Clear, professional, instructional. Avoid jargon; explain in plain English with practical examples. Should feel like a finance pro guiding you step by step.

Must-Haves

  • Explanation of what a COA is and why it matters

  • Step-by-step “How to Create a COA” instructions

  • Sample categories and account examples

  • Free downloadable COA template

  • Consistent naming + numbering conventions

Constraints

  • Keep to one downloadable template (customization left to user)

  • Educational, not a replacement for professional accounting advice

Timeline / Next Steps

  • Write and finalize structured guide content

  • Design template for Excel/Sheets (with categories, numbering, placeholders)

  • Publish landing page with download gate (email capture optional)

KPIs / Success Criteria

  • Template downloads

  • Time on page / content engagement

  • Positive feedback from finance/accounting users

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Don't Feed the Algorithm

“Top 3 tech + AI newsletters in the country. Always sharp, always actionable.”

"Genuinely my favorite newsletter in tech. No fluff, no cheesy ads, just great content."

“Clear, practical, and on-point. Helps me keep up without drowning in noise.”

Don't Feed the Algorithm

“Top 3 tech + AI newsletters in the country. Always sharp, always actionable.”

"Genuinely my favorite newsletter in tech. No fluff, no cheesy ads, just great content."

“Clear, practical, and on-point. Helps me keep up without drowning in noise.”