CONTENT CREATION TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS!

This blog post topic is in response to feedback from Creative Female Entrepreneurs in my social network. You might also be in the same position whereby who are looking to learn more about how to create content via Social Media or Blog Posts. 

According to Hubspot, "Content creation is the process of generating topic ideas that appeal to your buyer persona, creating written or visual content around those ideas, and making that information accessible to your audience as a blog, video, infographic, or other format."

A brief background of how I got started with content creation, which may resonate with your own personal experience. 

I started creating content via my Google Blogger Site over five years ago. Back then, I didn't know anything about Content Creation. I wrote as a cathartic experience during and after life challenging experiences, such as the challenged of coping with mental health conditions. Including, how I overcame the challenges of living with a mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar and panic disorder. It was like writing in a journal; with exception of sharing my experience globally online with strangers.  The fact that I didn’t know who was reading my blogs personally made it easier.

I didn't set out to become a content creator. Nor did I start with the intention to earn money. I started writing, in order to start healing and to connect with other people. During my childhood, I also spent time writing poetry and entered some local writing competitions; even though I never won.

When I started working in my full-time career, I let go off writing more often, due to “time limitations,” and writers block. Regardless of "my self-limiting excuses," I still found moments to write in my journals during my daily train rides to work or scribbling on my work note pad, during lunch or meetings. With the advancement of technology, I easily transitioned to writing regularly on notepad apps on my phone and tablet. 

I found Audio books and Online Seminars made it easier and faster to consume information. Which then re-ignited my interest in writing, reading and sharing my lessons learnt. I started to use Social Media Platforms as fast and efficient means to share self-development, business and marketing information with other creative entrepreneurs and social media connections.  

Eventually, after overcoming self-limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome limiting factors, I progressed onto Vlogging and Podcasting. 

The reason, I am sharing my experience above is that you may resonate with some aspects of my story. You could a person who

• Is interested creatively in writing since you were young, as a hobby, but never truly connected to it until later in life or you still haven’t realized that this is something you are passionate about.

• Has innate creativity, but feels limited in how you can get started, or you feel challenged by how you might be perceived as a result of sharing your work.

• Feels limited creatively in terms of what to write about and how to come up with content ideas.

I often find some people, invest a lot of time questioning and doubting their capability and ability. Some people invest time focus on the technical aspects instead of focusing inwardly in what they are truly connected with instinctively as a creator; what fuels and drives them to. You may find yourself, doubting your thoughts and vision rather than taking the leap and trusting yourself.

Lesson Learnt:

1. Share information based on what you have experienced or learnt and implemented yourself. In most cases, it is always better and easier to connect with people when you share information from firsthand experience. Reason being is that most people, feel more connected to you as a human being. They get the opportunity to realize that you are human being who has overcome certain challenges, whether it be personal or professional life challenges. 
2. Focus on topics that you are already drawn to, which are you are interested in, rather than something you feel as though you are forcing yourself to research and learn about. 
3. The greatest thing about writing about something you enjoy; is it makes it easier for you to continue learning and refining your skills progressively over the years without having to worry. You eventually become more knowledgeable and skilled specialist individual in that area. 
4. Naturally be open to self-development, as this will enable you to become patient with yourself. To be less critical and judgmental of your work. It will enable you to also develop steps for others to follow based on your lessons learnt rather than failures. 
5. Focus on learning from a few sources, who are skilled in the same area you are looking to specialize or grow in. Takeaway your lessons learnt and write based from your own perspective, keeping in mind to acknowledge the person you learnt from. 

It is also always helpful to have a Content Creation Strategy which included your weekly or month plan of the type of topics you are going to write about. This includes using Content Planning Schedules and Apps to plan or automate your posts, if you are limited of time. 

Developing and creating your own content overtime, helps you to attract your ideal clients (which is known as inbound marketing). Rather than you having to chase potential clients, most of the time. 

Micro Blogging & Social Media Content (Instagram): 

According to Statista an estimated 2.65 billion people were using social media worldwide, a number projected to increase to almost 3.1 billion in 2021. Most people now use Social Media platforms as their content creation platforms. Creating a mini blog post via social media enables your audience to gain instant insight into who you are and what you have to offer in terms of informative and educational information. Social Media platforms such as Instagram create the fastest means for most people to digest and consume information. 

Instagram recently implemented the Creator Profile, which demonstrates who creative entrepreneurship is an industry which is now becoming more recognized and appreciated more than before. With the recent removal of functions such as likes, aside from wanting to minimize mental health issues for younger people, Instagram is also focusing on encouraging creators to authentically focus on showcasing their skills more than just the superficial recognition. 

1. Know who your audience (prospective avatar) is and their persona, prior to starting with posting your content creation, makes it easier to narrate a story based on their point of view.
2. Aside writing captive captions, always remember to provide context to your photo and your story. As context helps to add personality and can even inspires others to act. According to Later wrong format, “one of the biggest trends to hit Instagram in 2019 was creators and brands tapping into the power of long-form captions to engage and connect with their followers. It is expected that this trend will continue in 2020.The character length of content has go up from 145 words in 2016, to 405 words in 2020. Longer captions have a longer engagement than shorter captions.”

I often come across some Creative Entrepreneurs, who only either do not write anything, aside from Hashtags, or a few words as their caption.

The story should determine the length. The length doesn’t determine the story! People from every generation still consume long-form content if the content is interesting and compelling. Don’t make the story conform to algorithmic standards. Let the story dictate the proper length. Instead of long-form or short-form, maybe we should aim for ‘right-form’ content.” - Mark W. Schaefer, Executive Director of Schaefer Marketing Solutions

3.      Social Media is about building relationships and giving people (your audience) the opportunity to connect with you, you vision and core values. Most people are like to be motivated in investing their time and money, in someone who they feel, they know like and trust.

4.      Be more strategic in how you plan your Social Media Content and Images. This includes taking the time to edit your images in terms of adequate lighting (keeping in mind that you do still want to look like you and authentic). 

5.      Keep in mind your branding theme and colors, as this is what people will connect with visually and remember you for; we are visual beings by nature. 

6.      Remember to use paragraphs, spaces and bulletins in your content in addition to your captivating heading caption. Most people including myself, often steer away from long formant content on Instagram which has not been formatted. It is easier for people to lose attention and focus. Don't be afraid to use emoji's either, as these tools help to build an image in the readers mind. 

7.      Post regularly as much as possible, so that people know that you are still around. Your Instagram Analytic Tools will also enable you to review, approximate times your audience engages most.

8.     Use Instagram Stories and as prompter and reminder for your audience to review your post recent on your profile timeline. Fortunately, Instagram has made it easier for us to post latest post directly to our stories page. Remember to use your Geotags, relevant Niche Market Hashtags, Partnership Tags (if applicable) as well as other necessary tools provided to help you connect with your prospective and ideal clients. 

9.      Trust your voice and your ability to add social value in other people's lives. Even if they don't immediately engage or like your posts. Learn how to focus more on adding value, rather than gaining immediate external gratification. 

In the beginning you may find it more challenging to find your voice. Eventually you will connect with your voice and brand personality, through regular learning and content creation. 

To end, it is useful to review your blog posts overtime using data analytics provided on the platforms you are using, so that you can assess which topics your audience are interested in, to enable you to curate similar topics. 

Learn more from the Resources and Tools which can potentially help you with your Content Creation:

1. Buffer App -"is a software application for the web and mobile, designed to manage accounts in social networks, by providing the means for a user to schedule posts to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Instagram Stories, Pinterest, and LinkedIn, as well as analyze their results and engage with their community." - Wikipedia 

2. Plann - is a powerful Instagram scheduling app. Available on iOS and desktop, it features scheduling, strategy and analytics tools.

3. Lightroom Adobe -is the ideal tool for photographers, helping you to capture and edit stunning images. With easy-to-use image editing tools, presets, and filters for pictures. 

4. Inshot Editor- is a photo and video editing app especially designed to improve the final result for any video you want to upload to your Instagram. 

5. Canva -Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to create social media graphics, presentations, posters and other visual content. It is available on web and mobile, and integrates millions of images, fonts, templates and illustrations. - Wikipedia

6. Click Funnels, Leadpages, AWeber and Get Response Marketing Tools- For landing pages and email marketing. This is especially if you are looking to create content on a Landing Page and through email marketing. 

7. Commun.It  is the easiest way to automatically drive traffic to your Blog and Social Media content, including the ability to increase engagement and followers. 

 8. Content & Marketing Templates  and Copywriting Templates  to help you with connecting with your audience and prospective clients. 

9. 10 Days Attraction Marketing Bootcamp Learn More Here! 

Thank you for connecting and reading my latest blog post.  Your views and feedback do matter, do feel free to contribute by leaving your comment below.

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• Instagram: @ChikoCfm

• Youtube: Chiko Matenda

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