10 Tips for Creating More Content

“How do influencers create so much content?” We all have asked some form of this question at some point. With the rise of personal branding, creating content has become a hot topic. But how do you keep up with the rise in content creation?

 You hire a 20-man media team like Gary Vee...

For most of us, this isn’t an option. But it doesn’t mean we can’t start producing more content than we currently are. This article will give you 10 tips on how to create more content.

How to easily create more content

Before I list them, I want to urge you against signing up for any program that will curate content around the web for you. This will not make you a thought leader or an influencer; all it will do is create noise and make you irrelevant. 

You have a unique voice, use it!

1. Have a swipe file

The reason this is first is that this is where you will store all of your content ideas that stem from the following steps. Your swipe file becomes critical when you reach the final step, which is the most important.

Some examples of a swipe file can be Evernote, Trello or even the Notes app on your phone. The thing to focus on is having it easily accessible to throw a thought or idea into right when you think it.

2. Talk with your customers and prospects

Go to the people you are making your content for. It seems simple enough but I have failed to execute on this. It’s easier to sit back and think we know what they're thinking, a lot harder to actually go to them and ask.

Ask them questions not only about their thoughts on your product or service but on what they may want to know more about. What are they struggling with? What do they care about?

Then go answer their questions through your content. When you do this, you not only make more content, but you make better content.

3. READ MORE BOOKS (My favorite)

I think as a culture we are moving in the right direction but I still do not think we read enough. I’ve heard every excuse under the sun why people can’t read. I’ve also seen many people adapt to consume books whether audio or Blinkist if you have a short attention span.

Reading books gives us new trains of thought or things we may disagree with. This makes for great content and even allows you to review it once you’ve read it like I do. 

TIP: take notes so you can easily go back and find key points to make content around. Also, scan those notes so you can access them on your laptop.

4. Get coffee with someone passionate

I come up with some of my best content ideas after engaging in a great conversation with someone passionate. It may be something I care about or something I would have never thought of.

I like doing this because it gets me out of my normal work environment and in a cozy space to just let go and talk. But the important part here is to listen. Ask great questions and watch as the other person generates new content ideas for you.

5. Listen to podcasts or watch YouTube videos/keynotes

This is similar to tip 4 but all you’re doing in this tip is listening. Let a thought they may not develop completely be your next content idea. I find in podcasts they will digress, or switch topics and I will then have a thought on that topic that they didn’t cover fully.

Some of my favorite podcasts are:

? Marketing Swipe File

? The One You Feed

? Seeking Wisdom (If it ever comes back)

? The FlipMyFunnel Podcast

? Coaching for Leaders

? The Official Saastr Podcast

6. Answer or find questions on Quora 

I just recently started using this and it is awesome for either using the questions and asking your community or answering them. I have found both methods to be super effective for generating content.

7. Use Answerthepublic.com to find out what questions your customers or prospects are asking

This is another new resource I have found to be quite effective. This is more useful for businesses or if you know the keywords your community/target market searches.

For me, I can put in “content marketing” and then see from a cool tree-like diagram what people are searching on google around that keyword. You only get 3 free searches a day so choose wisely!

8. Check Buzzsumo for the best-shared content on the web

You can use this resource to get ideas but to also validate any of your ideas you’ve had. You will find out where the topic of your idea is trending and if people will care to re share it.

I haven’t gotten too deep into this resource so if you have, please message and tell me the best practices for it!

9. Unplug your consciousness through meditation or exercise

I saved the best two tips for last. Meditation for me helps me not only come up with ideas but helps put me in a more creative zone to write that content out. Exercising is similar but has its own unique benefits. 

When you stop thinking about content, something magical happens, you get all these ideas that’d be great for content. It also allows all of the ideas and thoughts you just stuffed into your brain to formulate into content concepts. And exercising is good for you!

10. Plan out your content

This is the MOST important tip other than having a swipe file. I typically plan out my content every morning before I get into the rush of the day. I open up my swipe file, after meditating, and create some great content.

I know many people who do this every 3 days or so. The frequency is less important than planning your content and writing it out! You may think you will have time in the middle of the day but you won’t. Put it in a word file on your phone and copy and paste when it’s time to post.

NEXT STEPS:

The main takeaway that I want you to have from this article is to keep a swipe file. That is where the magic happens as so many thoughts and ideas are lost in the shuffle of the day-to-day. Without a swipe file, all the other tips are practically useless.

My challenge for you is to implement just ONE of these tips. And let me know whether or not this helped you start thinking of more content to post. 

Finally, DON’T be scared to post the content once you’ve created it. The only way you will build a personal brand or become an influencer is if you post and give value to others. Sitting in the bleachers never won anyone the MVP trophy.

Thank you for reading and let me know what I missed in the comments!