Why you need to build a content library

SHAKING THE TREE #108

Photo by Jessica Ruscello on Unsplash

As a content creator who is in it for the long haul you will fight a consistent, almost daily battle to remain fresh and relevant while remaining visible.

If you set out to post something every day and your plan is to create new content from scratch for each day, the likelihood that you will fail due to burn out is high.

I know this from painful, personal experience.

I suggest you AVOID posting content every day until you have built yourself a content library.

You see, the relentless pressure to pump out new content daily can leave you struggling for inspiration.

If you’re not inspired you’ll flounder. If you flounder you will stop.

If you stop you may not start again.

This is where the concept of a content library comes in.

Think of this as your personal secret weapon to guarantee you show up consistently, while continuing to grow, and while increasing the chances of your longer-term success.

I want you to think of your content library as a well-stocked larder or store cupboard.

Just as you’d stock up with food and fuel if you were having company or if there was a storm coming, your content library is a repository of multiple pieces of content that create in advance and that you then pull from to fuel your creative endeavors.

This next bit is super important: you need to build out your content library BEFORE you get started as a content publisher. You do this by creating collection of articles or videos or whatever that you then pull from over time.

Here's your content library empowers your creative efforts:

• Consistency: Building your library means you’re better prepared to schedule posts in advance, ensuring a steady stream of content even when inspiration wanes or life gets hectic. This consistency keeps your audience engaged and prevents them from drifting away to other creators.

• Repurposing: Don't be a one-trick pony! Your library allows you to repurpose existing content into new formats. A detailed blog post can be broken down into social media snippets, an infographic, or even a video script. Maximizing the use of your content stretches your resources and saves you valuable time.

• SEO strength: Search engines love fresh, high-quality content. A library full of valuable content strengthens your website's SEO ranking, making it easier for potential viewers to discover you. This organic growth attracts new audiences and expands your reach.

• Potential: A diverse library is a goldmine for creating premium content. You can compile your best blog posts into an ebook, offer exclusive video tutorials, or even create a membership site housing your most valuable resources. The possibilities are endless!

• Collaboration: A content library showcases your expertise and can attract collaboration opportunities. Other creators might see your library as a valuable resource and propose partnerships like guest posts, interviews, or even joint projects. Collaboration fosters community and exposes you to new audiences.

• Authority: A comprehensive library positions you as an authority figure in your niche. The sheer volume of high-quality content demonstrates your knowledge and commitment to your field. This builds trust with your audience and establishes you as a thought leader.

• Future-proofing: Trends come and go, but a strong content library transcends fleeting fads. Evergreen content with lasting value will continue to attract viewers and bring in traffic even years down the line.

Building your content library doesn't have to be overwhelming, if you take the time to break the big goal down into smaller goals.

Your first step is to make a list of as many of the subjects within your niche as you can think of. Spend as much time on this as you need—don’t set a deadline.

Next, make another list of the various formats of content you’d like to create content in—from blog posts, videos, and infographics to articles, social media posts, and podcasts.

You don’t need to create all this stuff right out of the gate, you’re simply listing kinds of content that cater to different audience preferences.

Schedule dedicated time for content creation and prioritize consistency over perfection. If you can crank out 10 articles a day, great.

If you’re happier producing 5 articles, that’s OK too.

If it takes you a month of sustained effort to create a content library, TAKE A MONTH. Heck! Take two months! Three, even!

The point here is that the better prepared you are, and the more content stock you have on hand

Remember, your content library is a living, breathing entity.

Update existing content with fresh information, experiment with new formats, and analyze your audience's response to refine your strategy.

With dedication and planning, your content library will see you through the lean times when you’re just not feeling it.

Don’t worry about the time it will take you to stock your pantry—the time is going to pass anyway so why not spend it creating content at your leisure instead of fretting about having run out of ideas.

Don’t make the mistake I made. Take the time to prepare, THEN set out to publish your material. When I set out back in 2010 I didn’t prepare and it cost me time, heartache, and angst.

As always, thanks for reading.

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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … How to build your content library.