Do you ever feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done that you need to? Been there! Want to know the #1 thing that has saved my butt when it comes to creating SOLID content and saving myself time? Two words: Content Batching.
What is Content Batching?
It’s exactly what it sounds like! Creating content… in batches! You may think that sitting down and creating a ton of content in big batches is a recipe for disaster and headaches, but trust me, there’s a right and wrong way to do it.
This might seem like a lot of work, but by focusing on content creating for the week in one sitting, you will actually be way more efficient and creative since you don’t have to switch your brain from task to task.
My brain trying to function when I don’t content batch for the week.
What Types of Content Should You Batch-Produce?
Anything and everything. Email marketing campaigns, social media posts, blog posts, social media graphics, freebies, eBooks, etc. Personally, I like to content batch each thing at different times. I start with blog posts for the week, then the graphics for those blog posts, then social media posts, and then email marketing campaigns. Again, this helps your brain stay productive and on-task vs. switching around to different types of content.
How to Rock Your Content Batching Sessions
Once you master your content batching sessions, you will see a huge increase in productivity and the quality of content you are producing. Heres what I do:
1. Set aside one day per week to content batch: Some people like to content batch once a month, but that just did not work for my brain or my business. Things come up, industry updates get released, I would forget what I wanted to produce, etc. Especially in my industry, I don’t want to wait until next month to give my audience an Instagram update that was released a week ago. Plus, doing a full month’s worth of content in one sitting is A LOT.
PRO TIP: Set aside a day of the week you love to do this. If you hate Mondays, don’t plan your content batching on Mondays. Your content will reflect your energy. I do all of my content batching on Fridays for two reasons.
1) Not a lot of people work on Fridays, so my inbox is slow.
2) I absolutely love Fridays (seriously, it’s as simple as that).
My content very much is a reflection of my energy level, and i’m happy and motivated almost every Friday. Mondays I am usually stressing over the to-do list that built up over the weekend, so my content feels rushed and sloppy. Therefor, I content batch on Fridays. Boom! Easy.
2. Work somewhere that stimulates creativity: For me, it’s coffee shops. Every Friday morning, you can catch me at a different coffee shop blogging, planning social media posts, creating freebies, etc. Why? Because that’s where I feel the most creative.
For me, coffee shop work sessions are a treat that I look forward to every week. Maybe for you it’s outside, or in your office, or on the couch, or the library, or a local cafe. Wherever you LOVE to work, content batch there.
3. Create a plan going into it: Don’t just show up and sit down like “okay, ready to create some content” and then sit there staring at your screen like “uhhh… where to start…”. Have a plan. Outline exactly what you are going to focus on. I will do voice memos to myself throughout the week if an idea pops into my head, then I leave it for Fridays. This also helps keep you on task throughout the week on the things you need to get checked off your to-do list.
Determine a set amount of each content category that you are going to complete. For me, it looks a little something like:
- 2-3 blog posts (depending on the week)
- 1-2 email marketing campaigns
- 3 social media posts
- 6 social graphics
Content Batching Tools
There are some tools you can use to help you on this content batching journey, and I highly recommend using them:
- Canva: I use Canva to create all of my social media graphics because they have gorgeous templates that you can use and customize quickly and easily.
- Planoly: Manage, plan, and schedule your Instagram posts from your computer OR your phone. Not only does it have an auto-post feature for business accounts, but it allows you to see what your posts are going to look like ahead of time on your feed.
- MailerLite: My go-to email marketing provider. I schedule campaigns and sit back throughout the week and watch them pop into my inbox when I wake up.
- Unsplash and HauteStock: These are my go-to stock photo places for creating social media graphics.
The Bottom Line
Content batching will save you time, brain strain, and boost creativity and productivity. Schedule out one creative day a week, and don’t do ANY content creation any other day. If an idea for content pops into your head on a Wednesday, but your content batching day is Friday, pull out your phone, and voice memo it to yourself (or add it to your notes).
Streamlining your content production process is one thing I recommend to every business owner, so give content batching a shot and let me know how it goes!
