.png)
WHY YOU NEED TO PLAN YOUR CONTENT AHEAD OF TIME TO SUCCEED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Like many other things in business, a blueprint/plan is a must if you want to become a success.
Imagine posting content randomly as ideas come to you. It would make it almost impossible to understand where you are with your audience and where you intend to go.
Social media has become one of the easiest platforms to connect with new people and convert them into loyal readers of your blog or buyers of your products or service; and with numerous brands competing for a similar audience, leaving your content to chance just won’t cut it.
We always have our content planned out two months ahead of time, and have uncovered the great benefits planning brings, which is why I wanted to share this with you.
I know how taxing it can be running a business and building your personal brand, especially if you're juggling that as a side-hustle for the time being. And so I get that planning your social media content ahead of time may not seem like a priority, but it is.
And what kind of person would I be if I didn't share that and how you can also benefit from making this simple change?
Here are 5 reasons why you should plan content ahead too;
1. You are able to assess and understand the needs of your audience
By planning ahead, you get to research and identify the needs of your audience, in the current moment and as they change. You get to establish what is most important to your them and simply deliver on that.
You no longer have to stay up thinking about where your next ideas will come from because they will come from your audiences needs. All you have to do is consider how you will share that content with them - pic/video, post or story, short Reel or longer IGTV, etc. and what caption and hashtags withh you pair with that post of course.
See how things just got simpler? Coming up with deas for content just got easier.
2. Save time
Things can get crazy busy a times, I know and have been there, and the last thing you want to go through is content for your social media when operations and admin need your utmost attention.
It may seem like a waste of a day, sitting and planning out your content ahead of time, but it ensures your save time in the day to day trying to post on the fly [which would probably take you longer anyway]. I can attest to how great it feels sharing and engaging with our audience on content that is pre-planned on point with their needs; and even better when we book clients from that content. If you're looking to establish and grow your online presence, then your social media should never take a backseat; and it honestly won’t have to if the content has been planned for well ahead of time.
With content scheduled for the future, you get to save time on research and potential topics and posts. You will be well aware of what needs to be done and who needs to do it. No more last-minute scrambles.
3. Increase success and reduce stress
A content plan is brilliant for ensuring that resources and time are allocated efficiently. With a plan, you’re able to focus on exactly what you need to do and what direction to take.
It simplifies the process eliminating many potential problems before they happen and decreasing the number of rushed decisions that may be made without reference to your overall business or branding strategy.
4. Stay ahead of the competition
A successful content plan considers the vital marketing opportunities it needs to take advantage of before its competitors do.
Through careful content planning, you can take a well thought out approach for new launches or identify problems and gaps in the market that you can speak to first or align with methodically, which can help put you ahead of your competition. You get to put more effort into dominating your competition’s content gaps and creating well thought out content ideas and themes that surpass your rivals.
Planning can really be what sets you apart. How do we know this? We’re the master of content planning! We’ve gotten so good at it, small businesses like yours come to us to get superb at it too.
Build credibility
Being consistent with your social media is one of the first ways to build trust and credibility with new followers.
You want your audience to get value from your content regularly and view your brand as the go-to page to get inspiration, insights or information on the topics you cover with your content.
A business social media account that posts scarcely screams unreliable and unserious. Gone are the days you could share content when you wanted, people want to feel like they are getting to know you through your consistent contact and need social proof to feel more assured before buying from a brand.
Whether you have been holding off creating a social media content calendar because you just weren’t sure you needed one or didn’t think it would be worth the effort, it’s time to think again.
We’ve helped small business step up their game by being more strategic in their approach to social media with clear objectives and a monthly plan. You too can enjoy the benefits of planning your content and, most importantly, start establishing your brand, connecting with your audience and growing your business online.