The Truth About Becoming a Content Creator: Essential Step for Success

Ever thought about diving into the world of content creation?

Here’s a surprising truth: don't start by making content.

As counterintuitive as it sounds, jumping straight into content creation might set you up for burnout and frustration. Instead, invest a little time in laying a solid foundation for your content journey.

These three activities won't take long, and they'll make a world of difference.

Activity 1: Write Down Your Goals

Writing down your goals is your first step towards clarity. It’s easy to feel lost amid the myriad of possibilities in content creation. Having a clear vision helps you focus your efforts and make informed decisions. Whether your goal is to share your knowledge, achieve financial independence, or build a community, understanding your 'why' is crucial.

Take some time to write down your goals. Think about the big picture: what drives you to be a creator? Is it a passion for storytelling, a desire to share your expertise, or the pursuit of financial freedom?

Also, consider your immediate goals: are you aiming for consistency in content creation, expanding your audience, or promoting a product or service?

Here are some prompts to get you started:

- What drives you to be a creator?

- What is your ultimate goal with content creation?

- What are your short-term objectives?

For example, my current goals are to monetize my YouTube channel, which requires consistent content creation. Identifying and focusing on one goal at a time has been my key to overcoming procrastination.

Activity 2: Define Your Ideal Client Avatar (ICA)

Your Ideal Client Avatar (ICA) represents the specific type of person you want to reach with your content. Understanding their challenges, desires, and goals helps you create content that resonates deeply and effectively.

Defining your ICA helps focus your messaging, enhances your content's relevance, and increases audience connection.

Start with these journaling prompts:

- Who are you trying to help?

- What challenges are they facing?

- What transformation can you offer them?

Once you’ve thought about these questions, use this “Mad-Lib” type exercise to define your ICA: 

"I help [description of your audience] go from [their struggle] to [the transformation you offer] so that they can [the ultimate benefit]."

Activity 3: Create Your Content Pillars

Content pillars are essential for keeping your content focused and valuable. They ensure consistent engagement and audience growth by helping you maintain a steady flow of content ideas. Here’s how to create your content pillars:

1. Content Themes

Choose 3-5 content themes that align with your brand and reflect what you want to share. These themes should resonate with your expertise and passion, as well as the needs of your audience.

For example, my content pillars are:

- Content Systems

- Content Strategies

- Content Creation

- Mental Health

- Lifestyle

2. Topics within Themes

Identify 3-5 topics within each theme. This helps you generate content ideas effortlessly. Conducting some market research can provide inspiration. Look up each of your pillars on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok to see what’s trending and what questions are being asked.

Here’s my "Content Systems" pillar broken down:

Content Systems:

- Preventing Burnout

- Consistency

- Planning Ahead

- Repurposing

- Tips to be Efficient

Remember, your content pillars are not set in stone. If you find a pillar isn’t working, don’t hesitate to adjust it. 

BONUS TIP: Utilize AI for SEO Keywords

Since you’ve done all the foundational work, here’s a bonus tip: use AI to generate a list of SEO keywords. This can simplify the process of optimizing your content for search engines. Don’t just use the keywords blindly; research them to ensure they fit your content strategy.

By defining your goals, understanding your ICA, and establishing your content pillars, you’re setting yourself up for a successful content creation journey.

If you want to do this together, watch the video below to complete these activities today and start your content journey!

If you’re ready to start planning your content, check out this video on planning a month of content, complete with posting schedule examples tailored to your goals.