Ann Handley – “Good content isn’t about good storytelling. It’s about telling a true story well.”
We have such an amazing opportunity now to create content and build a personal brand.
I used to make content on multiple platforms before.
For many years
But my results were weak.
There are so many platforms.
I dissapated my energy over all the platforms.
Not doing any of them particularly well.
Now my strategy is simple!
Focus on one platform at a time.
Master it. Automate it or Delegate it.
Then move onto the next.
My Content Strategy
In the digital age, content is king. But creating content that is both engaging and effective in building your profile can be challenging, especially when balancing it with personal growth and efficiency. I’m currently developing a comprehensive content strategy that not only aims to produce top-notch content but also ensures it resonates with my audience, helps people, and boosts my professional visibility—all while optimizing my time. Here’s a detailed breakdown of my approach:
1. Blogging: Building a Routine and a Community
- Daily Articles: I am committed to writing an article each day until the end of the year. Each piece is aimed at sharing useful insights and adding value to my readers’ lives, aligning with topics that are true to my interests and professional expertise.
- Engagement Tools: To foster a community, I will integrate a mailing list and a contact feature on my blog. This will not only help in building a subscriber base but also encourage direct interactions with my audience, making the content experience more interactive and personal.
I do think blogging and writing is a great platform.
Writing is a great medium and it’s the foundation of all social media.
If you can write a good article, you can dominate on linkedin and all the others.
You can write excellent scripts.
You can think clearly.
It gives tons of ideas, and you can see what worked well.
2. LinkedIn: Leveraging Personal Stories and Consistent Engagement
- Weekly Articles: Every Tuesday, I will share an article that includes personal stories, professional insights, or industry trends. This regular posting schedule will help maintain my visibility and engagement with my professional network.
- Weekly Quotes and Posts: Alongside articles, I will share inspiring quotes every Thursday and interesting posts every Saturday to keep the content dynamic and engaging throughout the week.
This is a platform that I’ve already got a following on, with a niche focus on China.
It’s incredibly powerful, and I’m looking forward to scheduling loads of content on there soon.
3. Podcasting: A Platform for Learning and Sharing
- Bi-Weekly Podcasts: I plan to release two podcast episodes each week, focusing on lessons learned in personal and professional life. This schedule ensures a steady stream of content that can be prepared in advance.
- Interviews: Aiming high, I plan to interview leading figures in the study abroad industry and other sectors. This not only enriches the content of the podcasts but also expands my network and reach.
- Repurposing Content: Select podcasts will be transformed into video formats to maximize the content’s reach and lifespan.
4. YouTube: Streamlined Content Creation
- Automated Publishing: By setting up an automated system, I aim to reduce the manual effort involved in publishing videos.
- Vlogs and Long-Form Videos: Weekly vlogs will provide a glimpse into my daily life and activities, while long-form videos will delve deeper into specific topics of interest.
- Content Shorts: Leveraging the popularity of short-form content, I plan to create two shorts per week, which can also be shared on Instagram.
5. Twitter: Maximizing Reach with Automation
- Automated Scheduling: Using tools like Hypefury, I will schedule blog posts to be shared throughout the year, ensuring consistent activity and engagement without daily oversight.
- Networking: Regular time blocks will be set aside for engaging with and reaching out to new contacts on Twitter, fostering professional relationships and collaborations.
6. Instagram & TikTok: Engaging with a Broader Audience
- Daily Content: The strategy includes creating daily shorts that cater to the quick-consumption habits of today’s social media users. These will focus on specific topics or quick tips.
- Content Repurposing: By reusing content from YouTube and interviews, I can maintain a robust posting schedule without additional content creation burdens.
- Collaborations and Reposts: Collaborating with and reposting content from other influencers will help in reaching a wider audience and enhancing content engagement.
Conclusion
This structured approach to content creation is designed to maximize efficiency while maintaining high-quality output. It focuses on building a routine that not only keeps the content pipeline full but also ensures that each piece is impactful, aligns with personal growth, and enhances professional visibility. By planning meticulously and using automation tools, I can manage this extensive content calendar without it overwhelming my daily life, allowing me to focus on creating the best content possible and living the life I aspire to.
Related Quotes
Seth Godin – “Content marketing is the only marketing left.”
Steve Jobs – “People don’t know what they want until you show it to them. That’s why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page.”
Ann Handley – “Good content isn’t about good storytelling. It’s about telling a true story well.”
Gary Vaynerchuk – “The best marketing strategy ever: CARE.”
Bill Gates – “Content is king.”
David Beebe – “Content is fire, social media is gasoline.”
Joe Pulizzi – “Content is the atomic particle of all digital marketing.”
Jay Baer – “Content is the emotional and informational bridge between commerce and consumer.”
Maya Angelou – “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Leo Tolstoy – “Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced.”
Learn More
Learning more about content creation can significantly enhance your ability to engage audiences, build brand presence, and drive business goals. Whether you’re a budding content creator or looking to sharpen your skills, here are several effective ways to deepen your knowledge and expertise in content creation:
1. Read Books on Content Creation
Start by exploring books that focus on the art and science of content creation. Some recommended reads include:
- “Everybody Writes” by Ann Handley
- “Content Rules” by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman
- “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath
- “Killing Marketing” by Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose
- “Epic Content Marketing” by Joe Pulizzi
These books cover various aspects of writing and strategizing content that resonates and lasts.
2. Take Online Courses
There are numerous online courses available that can help you hone your content creation skills. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare offer courses taught by industry experts in areas such as digital marketing, copywriting, graphic design, video production, and SEO.
3. Follow Industry Blogs and Influencers
Keeping up with industry blogs can provide you with the latest trends, tools, and best practices. Some top content marketing blogs include HubSpot Blog, Moz Blog, and Content Marketing Institute. Additionally, following influencers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Seth Godin, and Neil Patel can offer valuable insights and tips.
4. Practice Regularly
The best way to improve your content creation skills is by practicing regularly. Start a blog, create a YouTube channel, or manage a social media page where you can regularly post new content. Practice different forms of content like writing, videos, podcasts, and infographics.
5. Join Workshops and Webinars
Participate in workshops and webinars where you can learn from experienced content creators. These events are also great networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with other content creators and learn from their experiences.
6. Analyze Successful Content
Spend time analyzing content that performs well in your niche. Look at the most popular articles, videos, or social media posts within your target area and identify what makes them successful. Consider their tone, structure, subject matter, and the needs they address.
7. Use Analytics Tools
Utilize analytics tools to get feedback on your content. Tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and YouTube Analytics can provide valuable data on how your content is performing, who is viewing it, and how it can be improved.
8. Participate in Content Creation Challenges
Engage in content creation challenges which can spur creativity and push you to think outside the box. These challenges can also be a fun way to engage with a community of content creators.
9. Get Feedback
Ask for feedback on your content from peers, mentors, or through online forums. Constructive criticism is invaluable in helping you see areas for improvement that you might have missed.
10. Stay Updated with New Technologies
As content creation is heavily impacted by technology, staying updated with the latest tools, platforms, and technologies is crucial. Attend tech conferences, subscribe to tech magazines, and follow tech influencers to stay on top of trends.
By combining these resources and actively engaging in learning and practicing content creation, you can significantly enhance your skills and become proficient in creating impactful, engaging content. Remember, the field of content creation is always evolving, so continuous learning and adaptation are key to staying relevant and successful.
