How to Stay Consistent (and Inspired) as a Content Creator
Creating content is the fun part. Ensuring you continue creating content? Not so cut-and-dry. Whether you’re a brand-spankin’ new blogger or more than a decade into your craft, knowing how to plan content is an invaluable skill that will always serve you well. It not only ensures consistency; planning ahead also leaves room for you to savor the creation process (and get inspired) even more.
“Planning out the content helps you stay sane and aligned with trends and conversations,” says Ty Alexander. The multi-hyphenate creator (writer, DJ, podcaster, to name a few) and former BlogHer speaker could teach a class on organization, as she successfully manages her personal brand TyAlexander and wellness community Self Care IRL. Her secret is simple—always work four weeks ahead.
“It can be easy to drive off the road with all of the things I’ve created. But I’ve noticed that when I am off my game it’s because I failed to plan out my content for the month,” she says. “Because I am heavy on storytelling, I keep a month-long document of captions that I create images from as inspiration. For my brand Self Care IRL, I schedule everything the month prior. This allows me to be super present with my audience to give them the most engaging experience possible.”
So while your month-ahead plan may include scheduling social posts or writing content to schedule later, those preparation weeks are crucial to maintaining a routine that can thrive, even when inevitable surprises come along.
The content itself should also be a reflection of your personal evolution. According to Alexander, “creating content that is vulnerable and purpose-driven will be what sets you apart and what will garner longevity for you.”
Outside of your website, Instagram is a great place to begin nurturing and growing your readership. Instagram Stories is particularly helpful for sharing in the moment.
“People don’t buy products they buy products from people or brands they like. So figure out what about you makes people want to tune in. If you were watching you, why would you be watching?,” Alexander adds. “To this day I still watch or read my content with a big hearty belly laugh. That is what my audience expects. That is what I need.”
And if you consider yourself a renaissance woman like Alexander and have no idea what to focus your creating on, she suggests you “try and do it all” so you can “decipher what brings you the most joy” and devote your time and resources to mastering that craft.
“Know that contrary to what the world has conditioned us to believe, you can and almost always will change your mind and that will be OK. Navigating your career moves doesn’t have to be linear and is more enjoyable when it isn’t.”
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Ultimately, if you’re hesitating to get started as a content creator, it’s important that you start and never stop. Don’t spend so much time in the “when/if” mindset that you psych yourself out of doing it.
“A lot of content creation requires you to learn as you go. Take the biggest little steps you can and enjoy the journey along the way,” says Alexander. “Celebrate each win that comes and stay open to learning new ways to do something, especially if it didn’t work the first or second or third time. Hint: Try often!”
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