The key to staying consistent is staying ahead. That’s my go-to tip for anyone struggling with consistent content creation.
If you’re like most of us trying to juggle a million things while keeping your online presence fresh and engaging, you know how challenging it can be to consistently create content. Whether it’s for your social media, blog, or newsletter, the process can feel never-ending. But here’s a little secret that can save you time, reduce stress, and keep the creativity flowing: batch producing content.
This, my friend, is how you stay ahead!
Why Batch Producing Content is a Game-Changer
Imagine this: instead of scrambling every day (or week) to come up with something new to post, you set aside specific blocks of time to create all your content for a week, month, or even a quarter. That’s batch producing. It’s not just about efficiency—though that’s a huge benefit—it’s about freeing up your mental space so you can focus on other aspects of your writing life.
You know that creating content for your blog and for your favorite social media platform is key to building your brand as a writer. But at the end of the day, you are a writer, so you want to write! When you batch produce your online content, you will have more time to work on your book or work on the essays, articles, poems, screenplays, or short stories you’ve been dreaming about.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of batch producing content:
Time Efficiency: You can get into a creative flow and produce more in less time. No more switching between tasks and losing focus.
Consistency: Maintaining a regular posting schedule becomes easier, which is key for building trust with your audience and readers.
Reduced Stress: Say goodbye to the last-minute scramble to create content. With everything planned and ready to go, you’ll feel more in control.
Enhanced Quality: With dedicated time for content creation, you can focus on quality, making sure your posts are engaging and valuable.
Making the Most of Your Content Creation Batching Session
To have a successful content creation batching session, you need a plan. Here are some tips to help you gear up for a productive session:
Plan Your Content Calendar
Before you start creating, you need a clear roadmap. Outline your content calendar for the next few weeks or months. First, you need to think about the overall goal for your content. Are you trying to establish yourself as an expert on a particular topic? Are you trying to sell something such as your book or your writing services? Maybe you want to do both. Keep your goal in mind as you’re brainstorming content ideas.
Also, ask yourself what five adjectives you want people to use when they’re describing your content. Make sure the content ideas you settle on align with the tone and vibe you want to convey.
Think about upcoming holidays and any themes that align with your writing goals and personal brand.
Once you have a list of ideas, assign each idea to the day you wish to post it. (This means that you’ll also need to determine your posting cadence. Perhaps you’ll publish a new blog post or newsletter each week and post to Instagram daily, for example.)
You can use a content calendar tool like Trello, Asana, or even a simple spreadsheet to organize your ideas and deadlines. I’m old school and I actually use a big blank calendar to plot out my content.
Gather Your Resources
Once your content calendar is set, make sure you have all the resources you need. This might include research materials, images, templates, or any other assets that will make the creation process smoother.
Create a folder on your computer where you store everything you’ll need for your batch session. This way, you won’t waste time hunting down files.
Set the Scene
Decide where you’ll go to work on your content. Maybe you’ll work in your home office or at your kitchen table. Perhaps you need to go to your favorite coffee shop or library instead. You need a place that will spark creativity but also allow you to get in the zone. Try to eliminate distractions—turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and let those around you know you’re in work mode. If music helps you focus, choose a playlist for your session. If you need silence, try some noise-canceling headphones.
Break It Down
Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, break your session into manageable chunks. Start with brainstorming ideas, then move on to writing, editing, and finally, scheduling. This step-by-step approach prevents overwhelm and keeps you productive.
Try using a timer to work in focused intervals (like 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break). This is known as the Pomodoro Technique and I’m a HUGE fan. It helps me maintain my energy and concentration.
Batch by Type
Consider batching similar types of content together. For example, you could dedicate one session to writing blog posts, another to creating social media graphics, and another to drafting email newsletters. This way, your mind stays focused on one type of task, which boosts efficiency.
Stay Flexible
While planning is crucial, it’s also important to stay flexible. If inspiration strikes for a different piece of content, go with it! The beauty of batch producing is that you can adjust your content calendar as needed without throwing off your entire schedule.
Keep a notebook or app handy to jot down new ideas that pop up during your session. This way, you can revisit them later without losing your focus.
Ready to Batch?
Batch producing content might take some getting used to, but once you find your rhythm, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Not only will you save time, but you’ll also feel more organized and less stressed—leaving you more energy to focus on your writing.
Are you ready to give batch producing a try? Let’s do it together! I love batch producing content with a friend. If we’re in person we can even help each other snap photos or record quick videos for social media. Even working together virtually via Zoom is helpful as it holds me accountable and forces me to set down, focus, and DO THE WORK.
That’s why I’m hosting two Content Creation Coworking Sessions during Labor Day weekend to make sure I’m staying ahead in September.
If you’re in the Birmingham area, join me on Friday, August 30 from 10 am to noon at Forge Coworking, You can register here. SPACE IS LIMITED.
If you want to work together virtually, join me on Sunday, September 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. CT via Zoom. Sign up here.
Both sessions are FREE.
Let’s go!