I know.
It’s the first of November, not the first of January.
Which is why it’s the perfect time to make your resolutions for your content. Producing great content becomes easier with two things: time and practice. By taking the time now, you’ll reap the rewards all year.
What’s that got to do with resolutions?
Well, your crucial resolution could be to take the time to plan. Planning means that you have the best opportunity to create really great, innovative content.
Why?
Quite simply, you’ve got time to think about it. There are very few people who create their best work right off the top of their heads, and particularly under time pressure. It’s not as though J.K. Rowling knocked out the first Harry Potter book in one afternoon.
Resolve to plan, take the time to plan, and you’ll find that you have better ideas. You’ll remember important events in your business’ history to feature. You could take the time to research relevant awareness days or weeks or months and plan content around those. Or you could buy something like Janet Murray’s media diary which does a lot of the leg work for you at least on the knowledge front.
Why should you keep that resolution?
You’re not convinced yet? Putting out better content isn’t motivation enough?
Maybe it’s a bit like keeping going to the gym. The first few weeks in January are usually a nightmare at my gym, car park packed out. The third week starts being easier and then by the end of the month…perfect, loads of space.
So, why do people give up? Why isn’t the original motivation still strong?
Who knows, it’s quite personal. Or maybe they just didn’t pick the right reason in the first place. I’ve only been able to keep going to the gym for two years by being focused on a healthy later life, unlike some in my family. Worked better for me than saying I was going to go three times a week.
I would absolutely resolve to plan because planning gives you an absolute essential weapon in ensuring your content has real impact:
Timeliness
Timeliness is key in great content. You can write incredible content around Valentine’s Day for example, but it loses 99% of its immediate value if you don’t post it until 15th February.
These events can also have a nasty habit of creeping up on you, particularly when you’re busy running your business. It’s like all those people who don’t start Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve, like it’s a surprise that Christmas Day is December 25th that year.
There’s no point of being aware of National Doughnut Day if you don’t do anything with it if it’s relevant to your business. And there’s no point doing something a week later. No one is going to fall for it being about being well prepared for the next one.
So what are your resolutions for your content?
Make them now. Write them down, then put that note somewhere you can see it, a constant reminder. The best resolutions are those that you are always thinking of, always seeing.
Then, put a couple of hours aside, and get planning now. It won’t be, can’t be, a static plan, but it’s an incredible starting point for a year of well thought out, engaging and impactful content.
Ready to make resolutions? I’d love to know what you decide on.
