We create massive amounts of content each and every day.
Most of the content is for our clients, but because we are such a content producing machine, we also create loads of content for ourselves.
I am often asked how we come up with so many ideas for new content, month in and month out. I am not going to lie … it can be hard, but we have learned a few tips and tricks that I want to share with you:
Rule # 1 – Everything Gets Recycled
When we create an article, much like this one, we find a way to reuse it.
I can assure you that this article will eventually be found on our blog. It may be submitted to a publication (or two) that we work with. Portions of this content might be turned into a YouTube video or audio clip. In some cases, I will even use portions of an article in a free report, book, or sales letter. We try to have very little of what we do be “one and done” pieces.
Rule #2 – Everything Has a Theme
One way to make creating content easier is to give everything you create a theme.
This month, our theme is reusing your content — hence this article. We noticed that not enough of our clients are using the cool content we create for them on their blogs or other media outlets, so our theme was designed to educate and get them thinking about how they can get more value out of what we are creating for them already.
As a business owner, I want my clients to get as much value as possible from my services (as I am sure you want the same for your clients). By theming your message, you don’t have to do as much research to come up with the content you need to create. Everything has a similar message!
Rule #3 – Everything is Pre-Planned
The best way to make a theme work is to pre-plan the overall topic and types of pieces that need to be created.
This has many benefits, but one of them is the ability to work ahead. If you know what you are going to talk about in two months, you can create that content in advance.
Planning ahead also allows you to be on the lookout for sources for future content you will need to create, which takes a bit of the research pressure off your plate. Finally, when you are planning ahead, you will also want to include planning for whatever sales promotion you may be running at that time — you can use the content to support your promotion.
Rule #4 – Research
Far too often, people who struggle with content feel they have to be the expert on every subject in order to write about it.
There is nothing wrong with doing a bit of research to make sure you have your facts straight and that your points are solid.
I am always on the lookout for websites, magazines, and whitepapers where I can swipe a good idea or bullet point from; however, there is nothing wrong with not knowing everything. If you are trying to write an article that you have very little or no expertise on, and you’re trying to come across as an expert, the task becomes much more difficult. It is far easier to write when you have at least a foundational knowledge on the topic you are writing on.
Rule #5 – Tell Stories
As a species we have been telling stories for 10,000 years or so, and we have been learning via stories for an equal amount of time.
One of the simplest and most entertaining ways to write is by just telling a story of your experiences.
I find that when I create content around stories, I can knock them out in 1/3 of the time it normally takes me to write an article.
At the end of the day, like anything else, content creation takes planning and practice. If you follow these five rules, you will easily be able to whip out content with the best of them.
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