When is it time to cleanse your content strategy?

Creating a content strategy is all about getting really precise on what your ideal customer (friend) loves to consume and to create it in their language (or tone). So how do you even figure out what this is? It’s not as hard as it seems, trust me!

Start your content cleansing with getting real and raw with your values

If you are a nerdy person like me, you’re probably the type of person that Googles everything before making an informed decision. I have fallen down the content rabbit hole so many times, taking advice from six figure successful entrepreneurs about what my content strategy should look like. 

I’ve purchased expensive courses and online programs that have told me to focus on this or that, the industry “secrets” to get more conversions and sales quickly. I’ve been taught how to do hardcore SEO research to learn how to create a perfectly crafted and optimized content plan to get found online, but let me tell you something: the more I’ve learned about content marketing online, the more I’ve decided to un-learn some things. 

I’ve decided to focus on creating content that feels true and authentic to what my brand stands for. Not for the clicks, not necessarily for the immediate sales, I’ve developed my own definition of “valuable content”.

You don’t determine what “valuable content” means to people 

The first time I heard this, it was such a life changing experience for me. I thought: “Wow”, after all these years studying and implementing a million things, this is so true. How could I have been so blind?

Let it sink in: “You do not determine what valuable content means to others”. Some people will find value in a really in-depth how-to guide on how to build a business plan in 30 days, others will find value when you share your vulnerability in a transparent way online. 

So before I had this affirmation in my head, there I was, blogging my days away, writing blog posts, Instagram captions, creating Pinterest pins, and pretty much any sort of content without realizing that I was making a huge mistake.

Stop creating content that doesn’t feel right to you

You won’t hear this advice very often online, because most marketing experts will tell you what you’re supposed to be doing. But when your content isn’t emotionally connected to you in some way, it’s vague, powerless and flat. Instead, focus on creating content that inspires, empowers or drives change.

I’ve helped dozens of people with their online marketing, and many times I often see them blame the algorithms, the sales pages, the product images, the pricing, for when they are not succeeding online, but I think that they forget to take a look in a mirror from time to time to truly understand why their brand isn’t standing out from the crowd.

Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself: what is my message for the world?

If you have an easy answer for this question, you have half of the hard part figured out. If you don’t, well you’ve got to dig a little deeper into your brand. Get clear on your core message and define it. 

If you want to have a brand that stands from the crowd, you need to be comfortable with feeling naked, vulnerable and authentic. How often are you doing this in your marketing strategy?

Make your message more meaningful and impactful, and guess what? You have a chance to do this every time you write a new caption, draft a new blog post or write a newsletter. The difference is, that when you create content with your heart, those who were meant to resonate with your message, will do so. Those who don’t care, won’t care. 

You have to acknowledge that your brand is not for everyone, and it’s ok to shove people out of the way so that you stick with the right people. In the end, the people that love what you do, are the ones who are going to buy from you.

Good luck with your content planning, and if you need professional help, get in touch we’re a little bit obsessed with content creation from the heart.