Difficult. Time consuming. A straight-up challenge!
This is what countless entrepreneurs struggle with in maintaining consistency in their content marketing.
With the many hats that we wear, it’s not surprising that this is a common pain point for womenpreneurs.
Especially for those who truly desire to make an impact to the people they serve.
The good news is, you CAN stay consistent in your marketing!
This is true whether you’re still working a full-time job while growing your business on the side or you’ve grown your business so much that you’re uber-focused on your clients’ goals rather than your own marketing.
The tips provided in this guide will help you crush it in your content marketing.
Let’s go!
#1 Flesh Out Your Content Calendar Ideas
Your first step in staying the course is to have a vault of content ideas that will take you through the quarter.
Planning your content in advance allows you to be strategic and take your followers on a journey they can follow.
You get to tell a story and add amazing value as opposed to wondering what you will blog about or post on social media every week.
It also positions you to align your content with your ultimate business goals instead of “hoping” your content sticks.
With that said, the easiest way to brainstorm topic ideas is to have themes for each month and create content weekly around that theme.
So, for example, if you’re a real estate agent, then Month 1 you could highlight first-time homebuyers and the process and challenges associated with that audience. Month 2, your content could focus on credit building to qualify for a home, and the following month on how to find down-payment assistance.
I wrote a helpful guide on how to brainstorm some great blog post ideas to get your juices flowing.
Once you’ve established your theme, create supporting topics that will cover your content on a weekly basis.
The ultimate objective here: to have at least 12 weekly topics or 3 months of content ideas.
#2 Map Topics into Your Content Marketing Calendar (Template)
Asking yourself, “well, how do I make a content calendar for my business?”
Ah, no worries! I got you covered.
Once you’ve fleshed out your twelve subtopics, you can easily insert them into this easy handy-dandy content template👇🏽
Download Your Free Content Calendar for Marketing
This template is simple to use and keeps your topics organized. It’s also on Google Sheets so you can adjust and make tweaks so it works for you.
In fact, check out this tutorial video below on how to best use your new content calendar.
This is your editorial calendar. The companies crushing their content marketing leverage tools like this.
Using one will give your brand an unfair advantage.
That’s what I’m talking about💥!
#3 Create Your Content
With your calendar laid out, it’s time to execute on actually creating your content.
This is usually the part we get hung up on. Planning is fun, but the execution can be a bore..ugghh.
It doesn’t have to be though.
The key is creating a schedule that works with your busy life.
So, depending on what works best for you, here are a few different routes you can consider to get your content creation done!
Choose the one that resonates with you.
#1 Batch It Up
Content batching is when you create all of your content for the month in one sitting or over 1-2 days like a weekend.
The advantage is, everything is done and out the way. Content batching puts you in a creative and consistent flow, so you get faster at cranking out your content throughout the day because you’re focused on that one task.
If this sounds like your approach, check out this fun and engaging resource on content batching. If you’re a Beyoncé fan, you’re gonna love it!
Now frankly, this approach is not the best for me but I know it works wonders for those who can zero in, eliminate distractions, and knock it out.
#2 Chunk It Up
If your attention span is similar to mine where it’s harder to focus on one task for a long period of time, break your content creation tasks into smaller chunks instead and set aside 30mins to an hour daily to do a little each day.
In fact, here’s a very similar example of how I create my blog content weekly:- Thursday: Research topic, list appropriate keywords, create outline
- Friday: Write 500 words
- Saturday: Write 500+ words (finish article)
- Sunday: Edit and optimize with images
- Monday: Publish
In addition to chunking up your content creation, you can set aside one day when you conquer a lot. Saturdays tend to be that day for me.
Either way, design a schedule that fits your personality and work habits to set yourself up for success.
#3 Source It Out!
I love how Sara Blakely says “As soon as you can afford it, outsource your weaknesses.”
I am a fan of outsourcing some of your work to complement what you’re doing so the whole load isn’t on your shoulders.
Thing is, this doesn’t have to be an expensive option. There’s choices that fit all budgets.
In fact, here are my favorite sources you can check out to outsource some of your work:
- Blog content: Verblio
- Social media content: Nicole S. Cooper
- Graphic design: Think. Create. Build.
#4 Schedule Your Content in Advance
Automation tools position your content to work for you so you’re not always glued to your phone trying to get the message out.
Once you’ve created your content, go ahead and schedule it for the month. Use some of these tools to get it done:
⇒ CoSchedule: One of my favorites to schedule my Pinterest pins. CoSchedule also has amazing analytics and a requeue feature where it automatically publishes your popular posts to keep your social media page buzzing.
⇒ Facebook Group Scheduler: Did you know you can preschedule your group content? Yup! Keep your community engaged by setting up all your messages at once. Your people will totally dig your continual presence.
⇒ Canva: Are you using Canva to create your images? Well they have a content calendar built right in their tool where you can publish your content in advance to post right on your social media channels. Super brilliant of them to add this feature.
⇒ ConvertKit: An easy email marketing tool for bloggers and entrepreneurs. I love it’s simplicity and, yes, the ability to schedule your email content in advance.
*Just a heads up that affiliate links are mentioned which means I will receive a commission if you decide to use this tool. It doesn’t impact you in any way and I only recommend things I personally use. You can check out my full disclaimer here.
#5 Keep Your Eyes On the Goal
If I can throw a productivity hack up in here, I’mma do it!
As you’re doing all the things in your content marketing, it’s vital to keep your eyes on your why to help you remain consistent in your efforts.
You see, knowing the reason why you’re doing something will keep that fuel going during hard times, when engagement is low, when the results don’t seem to be showing yet.
Stay👏🏽the👏🏽course👏🏽.
Consistency is the key to the breakthrough.
So hang visual reminders on your wall or your phone’s home screen. Take a break during the day and visualize yourself achieving your goal. Speak declarations that serve as reminders.
The mindset work is so important to staying consistent in all the things❤️.
Crush It With Your New Content Marketing Calendar
Several studies show people want to hear more from their favorite brands. Leveraging a content calendar will position you to give your people more of what they want: YOU!
So use this guide and your free content calendar template to maintain consistency in your marketing and accomplish your business goals.
You have the tools and tips to get it done and do it with confidence.
Let’s go!
