Value Chain Analysis

Map Where You Create Value

What is Value Chain Analysis?

Value Chain Analysis helps you identify all the activities involved in creating and delivering your content or products. It separates activities into Primary Activities (directly creating value) and Support Activities (enabling the primary activities).

For content creators, this means understanding every step from ideation to audience delivery, and identifying where you can improve efficiency, reduce costs, or add unique value that sets you apart.

Primary Activities

• Inbound: Research, tools, resources
• Operations: Content creation
• Outbound: Publishing, distribution
• Marketing: Promotion, SEO, ads
• Service: Community engagement

Support Activities

• Infrastructure: Systems, admin
• HR: Team, freelancers, yourself
• Technology: Software, equipment
• Procurement: Buying/licensing

Progress Step 1 of 10

Step 1: Inbound Logistics

What inputs do you need before creating content?

Your Inbound Activities

Example: "Browse Reddit/Twitter for trending topics" | "Subscribe to industry newsletters" | "Access stock photo library"

Step 2: Operations (Content Creation)

How do you actually create your content?

Your Operations Activities

Example: "Write 2000-word article in Google Docs" | "Record 4K video footage" | "Edit video with transitions and B-roll"

Step 3: Outbound Logistics

How do you publish and distribute your content?

Your Outbound Activities

Example: "Upload to YouTube with optimized description" | "Schedule email via ConvertKit" | "Cross-post to LinkedIn/Twitter"

Step 4: Marketing & Sales

How do you promote and monetize?

Your Marketing Activities

Example: "Optimize for SEO keywords" | "Run YouTube ads campaign" | "Email list promotion" | "Affiliate marketing"

Step 5: Service (Community Engagement)

How do you support and engage with your audience?

Your Service Activities

Example: "Reply to YouTube comments daily" | "Host monthly live Q&A" | "Run community polls" | "Customer support via email"

Step 6: Infrastructure (Support)

What systems, processes, and admin work support your business?

Your Infrastructure Activities

Example: "Use Notion for content calendar" | "QuickBooks for accounting" | "Google Analytics tracking" | "Annual tax filing"

Step 7: Human Resources (Support)

Who works on your content business and how do you manage them?

Your HR Activities

Example: "Solo creator (self-training)" | "Work with part-time editor" | "Outsource thumbnail design" | "Take online courses"

Step 8: Technology Development (Support)

What technology, software, and equipment do you use?

Your Technology Activities

Example: "Premiere Pro for editing" | "ChatGPT for ideation" | "Canon R5 camera" | "ConvertKit for email" | "Custom website"

Step 9: Procurement (Support)

What do you purchase or license to operate?

Your Procurement Activities

Example: "Artlist music license" | "AWS cloud storage" | "Namecheap domain" | "Adobe subscription" | "Equipment from B&H"

Your Value Chain

Here's your complete value creation map:

Support Activities

Infrastructure

Human Resources

Technology Development

Procurement

Primary Activities (Value Creation Flow)

Inbound

Operations

Outbound

Marketing

Service

Use Your Value Chain To:

• Identify activities where you add unique value
• Find inefficiencies or bottlenecks to optimize
• Decide what to outsource vs. keep in-house
• Understand your competitive advantage

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