I don't know about you, but questions provide the best value when it comes to creating organic core content. If you’ve thought: What exactly is a content system, and why is it helpful this is for you? Understanding content systems is key to efficient content creation. A system at its core ensures that you never miss a task.
I know what my jargon means, but not everybody does. Let me explain what a content system is to me and my business and what it's all about. A system is consistent. Having one place where you are consistent will help you with the other areas of your health and wellness business.
Understanding Content Systems
First, what do I mean when I say content system? We'll think of this as everything inside your content bucket. When you tip that bucket over, it spreads the word about you and your wellness business everywhere. But what's really in that content bucket? It is all the before and after you push the record on your next podcast episode. That’s just one item on the checklist for your content creation.
Your content system includes all the steps involved in creating one piece of content, promoting it online, and what you do once a new client says yes to working with you.
It contains all your checklists, processes, templates, and workflows—all the things that ensure the content creation stays smooth and easy.
If you're still unsure what I'm talking about, here are the pieces that I considered to be a content system.
The Key Pieces to an Efficient Content Creation System
The key piece in your content system begins with your core content, let’s say you have a podcast. It will contain all those processes, workflows, and checklists that go under your podcast workflow.
Can you see a long list of to-do items? Or would that make you feel overwhelmed?
It is important to understand how you work best. Are you able to see one super long podcast workflow? If not, you can break it down into individual tasks on separate cards in your project management software.
We all think differently, so some entrepreneurs need to break it down into bite-sized chunks so they don't get overwhelmed. Others can have the whole list, and it does not bother them.
You will need to decide that for yourself, but these are the things that are potentially in your podcast workflow.
The Key Pieces to an Efficient Content Creation System
The key piece in your content system begins with your core content, let’s say you have a podcast. It will contain all those processes, workflows, and checklists that go under your podcast workflow.
Can you see a long list of to-do items? Or would that make you feel overwhelmed?
It is important to understand how you work best. Are you able to see one super long podcast workflow? If not, you can break it down into individual tasks on separate cards in your project management software.
We all think differently, so some entrepreneurs need to break it down into bite-sized chunks so they don't get overwhelmed. Others can have the whole list, and it does not bother them.
You will need to decide that for yourself, but these are the things that are potentially in your podcast workflow.
Podcast Workflow
What is your podcast pre-work?
The pre-work is all the tasks that happen before you press record on your latest episode. These would be tasks like ideation, outline, and all the steps before you record.
Do you need to script things out? Or do you thrive with only an outline?
It’s funny; I need to have a full script. Do I repeat it word for word? Nope. But it will keep me more on track. I’ve tried the outline approach, and I’ve found in the long run, the process will be much longer. I am not efficient; if I don't have a script, I am a squirrel chasing a nut. Who the heck even knows what I’ll end up talking about? It gets worse; the editing becomes a complete time suck for my Content VA. Live and learn, am I right?
A key to efficient content creation is to understand how you work best.
Podcast After The Recording
The bulk of the work is after you record the episode. I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir on this one.
If it's more than one step, it needs to be a process. So, how would you like it edited? Your content VA or Podcast Editor needs to understand this.
What are your personal criteria or values around how you want your podcasts edited. Are you okay with filler words and gaps, or do you want those removed from the edit version? Are you okay when you flub up the words like I do? Words are hard 95% of the time for me, that’s real life.
Are you okay with having these in your podcast? How do you want your podcast to sound?
Other items that may be part of your podcast editing process are the transcription and show notes.
Would having a template make this simpler for you? What most people don’t realize is that templates reduce your decisions, which helps you be consistent with content creation.
What are the repeated steps to exporting, uploading, and scheduling?
You see all those different pieces that go along with that podcasting workflow—so many steps. Am I right?
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What Are Other Pieces of A Content System
Where else are you able to create templates that you use in your content creation—think about your social media graphics—this falls into your content system.
What are those things that you use repeatedly in the same format?
How about your email marketing? Do you have a simple, repeatable process and template you use for the weekly emails that you send out to your list?
Launch Process
Your launch processes are 100% part of your content system. Here is why I think this way.
All the emails that you have in your launch, social media. This is all content that will be created.
That is all content creation so it falls into your content system.
Email Marketing
Your lead magnet? Again content you will be creating to grow your business to your email list.
The checklist for creating a new lead magnet. I'm guessing you have multiple lead magnets. The process to create and launch a new lead magnet is the same. Why not create your workflow in a project management system, that way you don't have to try and remember every single stinking step.
Digital Products
Is one of your streams of revenue digital products?
If so, this is content you’ll need to create. It falls in your content systems bucket.
Digital products and launching courses are easier to do when you’re not reinventing the wheel each time.
Have the process set up as a template so that you won’t miss a task and have to double back!
Think about all the things. The first time you do something is the most difficult; however, if you document what you do along the way, you’ll know what worked and did not work for you.
Your process for a live launch and cash injection launches all have processes that you need to follow step by step. In order to bring them out into the world.
Client Onboarding
Let’s not forget, why your create all the content to begin with it is for your clients. All of your content leads up to your client onboarding process. What's all the content that you create for them client onboarding?
Do you have a coaching doc? Do you use a certain template in Asana or your project management system?
Are you picking up what I'm laying down? Understanding content system in it’s simpliyity is anything that is content.
Your content helps the right people to transform from being lurkers to clients. Come on Friend, I cannot be the only one that lurks before they buy.
So, I've used the content bucket analogy, but here's another way that I want you to think about your content system, if you want to visualize it. So want you to imagine that content system is like a mind map.
Another Way of Understanding Content Systems
Are you visual? If so, think of your content system as a mind map.
With your main piece of content (e.g., your podcast) at the center and all the related tasks and processes branching out from it. Each of these “spokes” is essential to your content system, and you need all of them in place for it to work effectively. Your podcast episodes should drive traffic to your lead magnets, sales pages, and other places where the right people can find and work with you.
The Power of a Content System
I know the list may seem endless, but it's crucial to take one piece of content and multiply it for the most impact on your business. A content system ensures that you don't miss a task; every action, task, template, and process supports creating content for your business. And what does your content do? It drives the right people to you at the right time.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the components of a content system, don't worry! That's where my content creation team comes in. We specialize in taking the load off your shoulders with our done-for-you content repurposing services. We can transform a single podcast episode into eight distinct pieces of content, helping you grow your audience and impact with less effort on your part.
It’s Time To Wrap This Up
A content system includes all the processes, checklists, and templates you need to make content creation easier and ensure that every piece of content works harder for you so you can focus on what you do best.
I hope you found this valuable. Remember, with the right system and mindset, you can achieve the success you desire. Thank you for reading. I appreciate you, and I hope you have a great week!
