Ever feel like you’re just throwing content out into the void? I’ve been there. As someone who’s helped countless solopreneurs manage their Pinterest and social media presence, I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming content creation can be when you’re doing it all alone.
You’re probably thinking, “I know I need to create content, but where do I even start?” Here’s the truth: Creating content without a strategy is like trying to build a house without blueprints. You might end up with something, but it probably won’t be what you wanted. Let’s fix that.
Why Most Content Creation Strategies Fail
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s get real about something: Most content strategies fail because they’re too complicated. They’re built for big marketing teams with endless resources, not for solo business owners like us who wear seventeen hats while trying to grow a business.
The secret? Start simple.
Step 1: Figure Out What You Want
Remember when you started your business? You had a clear vision of what you wanted to achieve. Your content strategy needs that same clarity.
Ask yourself: What do you want your content to do for you? And be specific. “Getting more clients” isn’t specific enough. Here’s what I mean:
Instead of “I want more clients,” try:
- “I want to be known as the go-to Pinterest strategist for life coaches.”
- “I want potential clients to understand why they need a VA before they’re desperate.”
- “I want to sell my social media templates to overwhelmed solopreneurs.”
Step 2: Choose Your Content Types
Here’s where most people go wrong: They try to do everything. They think they need to:
- Post on every social media platform
- Write blog posts three times a week
- Create YouTube videos
- Start a podcast
- Send daily emails
- Post on LinkedIn
- Dance on TikTok
Stop. Just stop.
You don’t need to do all of that. In fact, trying to do everything is the fastest way to burn out and end up doing nothing consistently.
Instead, pick 2-3 main content types that:
- You actually enjoy creating
- Your ideal clients consume
- You can consistently maintain
For example, my core content strategy includes:
- Blog posts (like this one)
- Pinterest pins that drive traffic to my blog
- Email newsletters that build relationships with my subscribers
That’s it. And guess what? It works better than when I was trying to be everywhere at once.
Step 3: Finding Topics That Matter
You know that feeling when you sit down to create content and your mind goes completely blank? Let’s prevent that from happening.
Here’s my simple system for never running out of ideas:
- Keep a “Content Brain Dump” document
- Write it down when you’re helping a client and they ask a question. When you’re in Facebook groups and see people struggling with something in your expertise area, write it down. These are gold mines for content ideas.
- Look at What’s Already Working
- Check your analytics (whether that’s blog stats, Pinterest views, or email open rates). What topics get the most engagement? Create more content like that.
- Ask Your Audience
- Simple but powerful. Send an email to your list or post in your social media asking what they’re struggling with. They’ll tell you exactly what content they need.
Step 4: Creating a Content Creation Calendar
I’ve tried every fancy content calendar system on the market. The one that works best is the one you’ll actually use. I use Notion for my content calendar.
Here’s my straightforward approach:
- Plan Monthly Themes
- Each month, pick one main topic to focus on. This keeps your content cohesive and makes planning easier.
- Break It Down Weekly
- Under each monthly theme, plan 4-5 subtopics – one for each week.
- Batch Similar Tasks
- Don’t try to write, design, and promote all at once. Block out specific times for each task:
- Writing days for blog posts
- Design days for Pinterest pins
- Scheduling days for social media
Step 5: Track What Works
You don’t need complicated analytics to know if your content strategy works. Focus on these key metrics:
- Traffic: Are people finding your content?
- Engagement: Are they interacting with it?
- Conversions: Are they taking the action you want them to take?
That’s it. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Making This Work in Real Life
Look, I know what it’s like to read advice like this and think, “Sure, sounds great, but how do I actually make this happen when I’m already stretched thin?”
Start small. Really small.
Week 1: Just plan your content themes for the next three months
Week 2: Set up a simple content calendar
Week 3: Create one piece of content following this strategy
Week 4: Analyze what worked and what didn’t
Remember: You’re building a sustainable system, not an overnight miracle. If you are interested in learning more about content pillars, check out my blog, where I discuss them in depth.
A Final Note
Your content strategy doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to exist and be somewhat consistent. Start with these basics, adjust as you learn what works for you and your audience, and give yourself grace in the process.
The goal isn’t to become a content machine. It’s to connect with your audience in a way that feels authentic to you and helpful to them. Everything else is just details.
Ready to stop throwing content at the wall and start seeing real results? Start with just one step from this post. That’s all you need to do today. Tomorrow, take another step. Before you know it, you’ll have a content strategy that actually works – and feels manageable too.
Ready to streamline and align your content creation process with your business goals? Check out my content creation planner in the shop – it’s your go-to tool for crafting engaging content effortlessly!
