You work with a strategist to help plan out your content strategy. (check)
You’ve identified goals for your content. (check)
You know what content you need to publish, and when. (check)
You’ve identified clear calls to action for each piece of content. (check)
Now it’s time to implement. (Aaack!)
Before you panic, take a deep breath. Implementing a content strategy isn’t as difficult as it might seem. Sure, you have a long list of content to create. But before you slide into overwhelm, know that it’s not as challenging (or time-consuming) as it seems.
It’s all about having a plan. And while the word “plan” might give you hives, that doesn’t mean you have to have a step-by-step guide that takes the creativity and “going with the flow” away from you. Having a plan can actually give you more freedom to do the creative work that you love.
[bctt tweet=”Having a content plan doesn’t mean you have to be super-structured. It’s actually freeing!” username=””]
Know Who’s Doing What
Some content strategists (raising my hand here) will work with you to create the content so you don’t have to. And you might have a team who works with you to take care of some of the writing or administrative tasks that go along with creating content. Make sure it’s clear who is taking responsibility for with tasks—and make sure they know it too.
Make Space in Your Calendar
You should have time set aside for administrative time anyway, but I know that content creation is another story altogether. Scheduling out time to create content isn’t another attempt to box you in. Instead, it offers you the space to brainstorm and draft without worrying about client work or meetings. I like to schedule CEO Dates with some of my biz buddies to help me create the content I need.
Create Content in Batches
It makes no sense to create a blog post here, a video the day before it goes live, your email on a Friday afternoon. Instead, think of your content as a whole package—one you plan and assemble together. Not only are you more likely to provide more value across more streams of content, you’re also less likely to repeat content. Regurgitated content on more than one stream actually works against you because your audience will come to know that you post the same content in multiple places—and will stop following you some places.
[bctt tweet=”Regurgitated content on more than one stream actually works against you.” username=””]
Hire Out Pieces
I’ll be totally honest here and tell you: I don’t walk my content through every step of the process. Though I do all the writing, I have a virtual assistant create my blog graphics and load blogs and social posts for me. First, I hate doing that step. And second, I hate it. Shoot, I already said that.
I’d much rather be creating the content than figuring out how I’m going to find the time to format it all and get it on my website. Next up is hiring out video editing. But one step at a time. Of course I also work with clients who don’t even want to create their own content. Nothing wrong with that! I don’t do my own bookkeeping—we all know where our limits are.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Accountability groups and masterminds aren’t just buzzwords—they work. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the groups of women I’ve surrounded myself with (and I’ll bet they’d say the same). Talk to them about your goals and where you want to go with your business and your content, and ask for their support to hold you accountable. Set a goal, and check in with your biz buddies to report back. Accountability will do wonders for your productivity.
I hate to tell you, but your content strategy isn’t going to implement itself. And you don’t need a super-structured plan to get it all done. But you do need a plan, some time and a little bit of accountability if you want to make it happen.
Now, if you need some convincing that consistency is important in your content, check out my short video:
