What is content? And how to make more
I often hear people say that they are “Content Strategists” or the explain how to “Create Content”.
And although I know what content is, it seems to me to be a weird and jargon-ey term that causes so much confusion.
I was thinking that we could just rename it to: “Sharing your brilliance”
Because that is all we really need to do. We all know so much and have so much brilliance to share. But to clarify: what is content? And how can you make more?
Content comes in so many different forms.
It can be:
Image based
Video
Audio
I am sure there are more categories too that I’ve glazed over.
And then there’s the length. I’m calling them micro (or snippet), small and long.
Examples:
A reel on Instagram = I would say that is a micro-video.
An Instagram image post with a caption = is a written and image small piece of content.
A Facebook text only post around 2000 words = a long, written piece of content.
That same Facebook post on your blog with images as well = is a long, image and written piece of content.
A podcast of the same article would be = a long, audio piece of content.
Using Headliner to turn that podcast into a video makes a snippet of video content.
Transcribing that podcast into a written blog with images = is a long, written and image piece of content
But more important than the classifications and definitions is the purpose.
For a long time I found it really hard to create content and I did not enjoy creating content.
I spent a long time creating content with the idea in mind that I had to do it to reach clients and that content would help me sell my services. The only content I was able to make easily were “how-to” videos. I think these felt easy because they were of service to my clients with low expectations of reward. They were more of a selfless service.
In the yoga tradition I studied for many years, selfless service is called karma yoga. In karma yoga you work for others and try to release your expectations of reward.
Recently, I have been loving creating content. Short videos, long videos, short written posts, longer writing. All kinds. And I think what has changed is my frame for why I create content.
Now, I create content as a practice for myself. As more of an enquiry and creative expression. The things I think about it are more like:
“How can I say this in 60 seconds?”
“I wonder if anyone agrees with this?”
“How clearly and simply can I explain this in writing?”
“Can I explain those instructions in writing?”
“I wonder what my peeps think about this idea?”
And now I never really think:
“I need to create this so I can sell my offer/service”
If I want to offer my service I just do it. I create a separate post, or separate piece of writing that speaks directly to the offer.
Sometimes, while I’m developing offers, I do some research and get excited about that topic so I’ll naturally share about it, but since I separated my selling and my content, my content feels a lot cleaner and a lot free-er. I feel that I can experiment more and genuinely share with people who I care about.
This is my story around creating more content.
I wonder – what do you think about when you try to create content? Could those thoughts be hindering your ability to create content like mine were?
“I pay my respects and acknowledge the people of the Yuin Nation, traditional custodians of the land on which I live and work. I also pay respect to all Elders — past, present and future.”
Do you just want to talk to me about your business and website?
I’d love to chat. You can book a free chat and we can discuss website set up and all of the other things I mentioned here. We can even set it all up of ryou and save you the headace.
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