The Content Effort Scale

What is the Content Effort Scale?

The CES is a system I developed to optimize the creation and distribution of content across multiple formats. Think of it as a checks and balances system that ensures you're putting maximum effort into every piece of content, achieving the highest possible return on your time and creativity.

The Five Pillars of CES

CES is divided into five main categories, each critical for a well-rounded and effective content strategy:

1. Video
2. Audio
3. Copy
4. Photo
5. Social Media

Each category has specific tasks that, when completed, maximize the impact of your content.

Breaking Down the Content Effort Scale

Video

Creating video content is the first step. But it doesn't stop there! To fully optimize, you need to:

• Create vertical shorts: Perfect for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
• Generate stories: Share engaging snippets on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.
• Pre and post-call-to-actions: Encourage your audience to engage before and after the main content.
• Thumbnails: Design eye-catching thumbnails early in the process.
• B-roll: Supplementary footage that enhances your main video.
• Add music, intros, outros, lower thirds, and captions: These elements add polish and professionalism.

Audio

Repurpose your video content into audio formats:

• Podcasting: Strip the audio and upload it to platforms like RSS feeds, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Anchor.
• Create an audio experience: Ensure the audio content stands alone as a valuable resource.

Copy

Your content should live beyond video and audio:

• Transcriptions: Turn your video or podcast into text.
• Blogs: Expand on your content in blog format, enhancing SEO and reach.
• Descriptions: Craft compelling descriptions for YouTube and other platforms.
• Prescripts, titles, and hooks: Plan your content with engaging intros and structured outlines.

Photo

Visual content is vital:

• Behind-the-scenes photos: Share glimpses of your process on social media.
• Stills from videos: Use these for promotional posts.
• Photo carousels: Create engaging posts for platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn.

Social Media

Break down your content for social media:

• Micro-content: Create posts for Twitter (threads), Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.
• Distribution: Ensure your content reaches the widest audience possible.

Implementation Strategy

By systematically checking off tasks in the CES, you can achieve a "perfect score" of optimized content. This means you've left no stone unturned and no platform untapped. Whether you're hitting two out of 20 or a full 20 out of 20, the CES allows you to audit your efforts and identify areas for improvement.

Leveraging AI Tools

Incorporating AI tools can streamline your workflow:

• Transcription services: Use tools like Otter.ai to convert audio into text.
• Content creation: Utilize AI to generate blogs, summaries, and social media posts, saving time and effort.

Final Thoughts

The Content Effort Scale is more than a method—it's an accountability mirror. It forces you to ask, "Am I doing enough?" Consistently hitting those 20 out of 20 marks means you're putting in the effort and reaping the rewards. This system is for practitioners who want to make the most out of their content, distributing it effectively and efficiently across all available channels.

So, how does the CES work for you? What can I add to make it even better? Your feedback is crucial as I refine this concept. Let's optimize our content together and achieve that perfect score.

Keep a force field around your he(art), and I'll see you guys on the next one.