Where will you be a year from now?
SHAKING THE TREE #149
A year from now, the U.S. election will be a distant memory and who knows where any of us will be financially, emotionally, or physically?
Maybe you'll have a new job?
Or perhaps you’ll be living somewhere different?
Maybe you’ll be married? Or divorced? Or a parent? Or maybe even a grandparent.
I mean, really? Who knows?
However, and while I realize it might seem strange to be thinking about things twelve months away, if you're dreaming about becoming a content creator, one thing's for certain: dreaming about it isn't enough! You have to DO something to make it a reality.
Which is where planning and action come into play.
Accomplishing anything concrete requires a plan you can stick to and adapt as needed, and it requires taking action on that plan.
If you’re a classic procrastinator or a perfectionist, this puts you in a bit of bind, particularly if you have no clear idea of where to start.
The first things you need to let go of are the ideas that everything will somehow magically all come together (because it won’t), and that everything you put out there has to be prefect (because it doesn’t).
If you insist on waiting for the right time and for the perfect outcome you’ll be waiting FOREVER.
The best way to invent the future lies in creating it now, warts and all. Next year’s outcome depends on this year’s planning and action.
If you're a seasoned content creator you probably have a solid production and publishing process in place to guide you. If that’s you, great. But if that’s not you, start planning now.
Take time over the next few weeks to get organized by:
Defining your niche: What are you passionate about? What do you know a lot about? What experiences have you had that other people could benefit from? What would you happily talk about fro free (although, what would you like to get paid for?). Your niche will guide your content and help you attract a targeted audience.
Creating a content calendar: A content calendar keeps you organized and consistent. Decide how often you’ll post (daily, weekly, etc.) and plan out your topics weeks in advance. Skipping this step will cost you dearly. A content calendar keeps you on track and prevents you from feeling stuck and overwhelmed, while ensuring you have a steady stream of content.
Building your online presence: Choose the platforms that are right for your audience (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, blog). In my and after 11 years using self hosted versions of WordPress, that place for me is Substack. The more control you have over the platform you use, the safer your content will be. Create consistent branding and messaging across all platforms, including your logo, color scheme, and tone of voice.
Engaging with your audience: Even though you may not be a people person, your relationship with your community is crucial. So make it a habit to respond to comments, messages, and mentions from your followers.
Networking with other creators: Again, even though you may not be a people person, it’s important to collaborate with other creators in your niche. When you comment on the material of people in your network and share it with your community, the people in your network become more likely to share your material with their network. In this way, you help each other reach a wider audience while learning from others.
Continuously learning and improving: Staying up-to-date on trends and best practices in your industry keeps you sharp and on point. Taking online courses, attending workshops, or joining online communities helps you stay current.
Remember, anything worth doing is going to take time to put together.
By showing up on a consistent basis and by planning your material and taking consistent action, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals.
Naturally, all of this requires patience because none of this is going to happen overnight.
But one thing is certain: by doing nothing, a year from now you’ll still be where you are right now. So, the choice is simple: start now.
As always, thanks for reading.
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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … Look where you’re going, not where you’ve been.