Do you often find yourself flying by the seat of your pants when it comes to content creation? You know, hopping from one incomplete task to another, never quite wrapping anything up. As the day winds down, you shut the office door, feeling a bit bewildered about what you've accomplished. I often throw around terms like systems, processes, and workflows, but do they feel like jargon in the midst of your daily chaos? Sometimes, simplicity is the key. Here are three straightforward tips for creating content that leaves you with a sense of accomplishment rather than leaving you wondering.

Tips for Creating Content: Storage

Yes, storage really is the first in my tips for creating content. Having one centralized system for storing your content is crucial. I've always been a fan of Google Drive, but there are numerous options available – Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, to name a few. The key is to choose the one that doesn't overwhelm you.

I lean towards Google Workspace because it not only offers storage but also includes tools like Docs, Sheets, Forms, and more. It's an all-in-one solution that simplifies content management. Plus, it makes finding files easy, especially if you tend to misplace them.

Consistency is key. If you've been hopping between various free storage platforms, it's time to streamline. Consider creating a Table of Contents in Notion or Airtable (or your preferred platform) that contains links to all your files scattered across different cloud storage services. Whenever you create a new online file, simply copy the link into your Storage Table of Contents.

The goal is to have one go-to place where you can effortlessly locate all your content

How to set up Google Drive to never lose a file.

The Power of Checklists in Content Creation

You've probably heard this one before, but here's the question: are you really doing it? Are you using a checklist to streamline your content creation process? Let's be honest; a checklist might not sound groundbreaking, but it's a powerful tool. With a checklist in hand, you have a clear roadmap to ensure you cover all the necessary steps, from outlining your content to writing, publishing, and promoting it.

Surprisingly, not everyone swears by the power of a good checklist. Some might think it's unnecessary because they've done it countless times before. But here's the thing: familiarity can lead to complacency, and that's when things tend to slip through the cracks.

Here's the second tip in my tips for creating content: take the time to create a simple checklist. And here's the bonus – that incredible feeling of satisfaction that comes from ticking items off the list. It's undeniable proof that you've accomplished something today.

While I know I said three tips for creating content, I want to slip in one more.

Knowing the results associated with the keywords you're trying to rank for is vital. Your chosen keywords must be genuinely relevant to your services.

Before dedicating too much time to creating content around a specific keyword, take a moment for a quick Google search. Examine the results that appear.

When you look at what shows up on page one of Google, ask yourself if those results align with your business. This is a crucial step, one that I've recently added to my keyword research checklist.

In a recent scenario where I conducted a keyword gap analysis for a client's website compared to their competition, it became clear that not all keywords are created equal. Despite extensive research, one target keyword for content creation failed to bring up anything remotely related to my client's business in a Google search.

Here's the bottom line: while aiming for page one of Google is a goal, if a keyword generates results completely unrelated to your services, it's not the right target keyword. Don't hesitate to shift your focus to something more suitable.

As a bonus tip, always perform a Google search using your target keyword to ensure the results align with your content and goals.

Do you know I have a form on my website to submit questions or episode ideas for me? Well, I'm going to cover one that I received. And the question is, “Can you share with me strategies and guidelines for posting content in terms of a timetable?” Refill your coffee because we're going to go ahead and answer that question today.

Why You Need Guidelines for Posting Content

I love it, when I get questions from my listeners, it makes things so easy. I don't have to guess what questions you have. Isn't that such a wonderful thing? So today, we're going to cover the guidelines for posting content so that you can master this for yourself. 

I was so excited actually to receive this question. It's a topic that is near and dear to my heart because I know that I've struggled with it myself.

Determine Your Posting Frequency

Before diving into the types of content you want to create, let's lay the foundation with your posting frequency. It's all about what's doable for you, given your time and energy resources. And hey, let's not forget your audience and the kind of time and energy they have to consume your content. Whether it's videos, podcasts, or social media updates, each has its own time commitment.

Here's your quick action step: Grab a timer and set it for five minutes. 🕒 During that time, jot down how much time you can dedicate to creating content each week. Knowing your “time bank” will help you decide if you're aiming for daily, weekly, or bi-weekly posts. Trust me, consistency is your golden ticket here.

The Magic of a Content Calendar 🗓️

Once you've nailed down your posting frequency, the next step in your guidelines for posting content is creating a content calendar. Trust me, this is your secret weapon against decision fatigue and last-minute scrambles.

Imagine it's Tuesday night, and you suddenly remember your blog or podcast is supposed to go live on Wednesday morning. Yikes! A content calendar saves you from those “Oh no!” moments and keeps you consistently on track.

Here's the deal: A well-planned content calendar helps you map out not just what to post, but when to post it. Take your core content—whether it's a blog post, podcast, or video—and sprinkle it throughout the month. This way, you can keep directing your audience back to that cornerstone piece.

Quick Action Step: 🎯

Spare just 10 minutes to set up a basic content calendar. Whether you're a Google Sheets guru or a paper planner enthusiast, jot down the dates and topics you want to cover.

Pro tip: I keep my content calendar in two places—my paper planner and Notion. Why? Because jotting it down on paper first helps my brain process it better.

Then, I transferred it to Notion for easy digital access. So, if I'm ever away from my computer, a quick flip through my paper planner keeps me in the loop.

Spice Up Your Content Mix 🌶️

Variety isn't just the spice of life; it's the secret sauce in your content strategy. Your audience wants to have a mixture of different content types—from blog posts and social media videos to infographics.

Why? Because mixing it up keeps them engaged and curious. They'll think, “Wow, this infographic is so helpful, what else do they have?”

Quick Action Step: 🎯
Set a timer for 10 minutes and brainstorm a list of various content types you'd like to experiment with this month. Then, pick one new format to try out. Variety keeps your audience coming back for more, so don't be afraid to shake things up!

Timing is Everything in Content Posting Guidelines

When it comes to guidelines for posting content, timing is crucial. You want your content to go live when your audience—especially if you're targeting busy work-from-home moms—is most likely to engage. While algorithms can be unpredictable, you can still play the odds by posting at peak times.

Why Metricool is a Game-Changer 🌟

Here's where Metricool comes in as a lifesaver. It shows you the “hot times” when people are most active on each platform. This allows you to strategically schedule your posts for maximum visibility. No need to dive into analytics; Metricool has got you covered.

Quick Action Step: 🎯

Spare just five minutes to check the analytics on your social media platforms. Identify when your audience is most active and adjust your scheduling tool accordingly. If you're using Metricool, this info is already at your fingertips.

Monitor, Adjust, and Refine Your Content Posting Guidelines

The last but certainly not least step in your guidelines for posting content is to keep an eye on your metrics. Monitoring and adjusting are not just buzzwords; they're essential practices to get the most bang for your buck. Or in this case, your time.

Are people engaging with your posts? Are certain topics gaining more traction? Use this data to refine your strategy.

Quick Action Step: 🎯

Carve out 10 minutes at the end of each week to review your metrics and analytics. Make notes on what's working and what needs tweaking, then adjust your content calendar accordingly.

Pro Tip: The CEO Report 📝

Want to make this process even easier? Create a “CEO Report” using a Google Form. Include questions that prompt you to review your week's metrics and performance.

Fill it out weekly to keep a running history you can refer back to. I've got mine set up in Notion, and it's a game-changer.

Hey there, friend! Are you feeling stuck in the content creation loop? Trust me, you're not alone. The idea behind repurposing your existing content is to get out of the loop and make your life much easier.

Repurposing your existing content gives you more time to focus on other important tasks. Plus, you can create more content with the same amount of effort. Finally, repurposing your existing content can help you reach a wider audience.

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The Struggle of the Content Creation Loop Is Real

Juggling family life and running an online business is no small feat. The to-do list seems endless, and falling into the content creation loop can feel like another full-time job. But here's the silver lining: you can streamline your workflow and reclaim your time with the right systems and strategies. So, refill that coffee mug, and let's get to it!

Content Creation Loop Signs

• You're constantly brainstorming new content ideas.
• You feel overwhelmed by the publishing schedule.
• You're sacrificing family time to keep up with content demands.
• You're spending too much time and energy creating content and not enough time promoting it. 
• It's exhausting and overwhelming for you.
• Don't even get you started on the tech challenges. 

Why You Should Escape the Content Creation Loop

1. Save Time and Resources

Creating new content from scratch is a time-suck. You brainstorm, research, write, edit, and publish—each step eating away precious hours. But what if you could escape the content creation loop by giving an old piece of content a new life? 

Added Tips: 

• Use content templates for common post types.
• Batch create content to save time.
• Outsource tasks that don't require your expertise.

4. Unlock New Opportunities

Repurposing isn't just about recycling; it's about amplifying your voice and expertise. Refreshing old content can catch the eye of industry leaders, opening doors to collaborations, speaking gigs, or business partnerships.

Added Tips: 

• Use social media to tag and engage potential collaborators.
• Keep an updated portfolio to showcase your expertise.

It's Time To Wrap This Up

Repurposing content isn't just a time-saving hack; it's a strategic move. It maximizes your efforts, broadens your reach, deepens your authority, and can even open new doors. So, the next time you create a piece of content, think of it as a starting point, not the finish line.