How to start 2024 prepped - your content plan
Hey there! Welcome to 2024! It’s time to hit the ground running with your content this year and SMASH THOSE GOALS!
If you’re anything like me, this statement has got you thinking “I can’t believe it’s 2024!”. Trust me I know how you feel.
Don’t hate me when this question: Have you thought about your content plan yet…?. If not, it’s okay! Don’t be too hard on yourself, remember Rome wasn't built in a day. These things take time, and in our eyes, love.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or maybe you don’t even know where to start with your content, this is the blog for you. We have a 3-step process to help you create and execute your 2024 content plan with ease! You will be delivered everything you need to get started now!
The 3-step plan
First things first, do not rush! If you haven't already got a content plan, take January as a right-off. It’s okay to keep things the same for now and start fresh in February (don’t worry, this won’t affect your goals).
It’s important to set out a day, or even a few days, to plan your content and get ahead. This process will set you up to succeed and keep you consistent, however, don’t be worried if this initial plan changes, content is an iteration process that requires testing, trialling, and measuring!
So, to start you off, go through these 3 things:
1. Research
Here are 6 aspects of your business you should look into before beginning your plan. We call this the research stage:
Look at your data from last year and evaluate it
Look at your channel suite (do they talk to each other, are they linked)
Look at the demographics and purpose of each channel. Really think about why you are on that channel in the first place
Reassess your audience and ask yourself if you need to make any changes so that you are focussing on the correct fit for your business
Reassess your brand strategy (to do this, check out the podcast I did with Jen Bowers here)
Lastly, ask yourself these reflection questions and read more about why refection is an essential part of the business (click the link to do that):
What worked?
What didn’t?
What did I love?
What didn’t I love?
What gave me loads of reward for my effort?
What didn’t?
2. Strategy
Strategy is consistently changing, it is important to remember that this is normal! As your business and content evolve, so will your strategy. This is why when you are planning, start by making assumptions and decisions about your platforms.
When you begin to make assumptions that correlate with the goals you have for your business, you can start asking yourself these things:
How many channels will I show up on (and what channels these are)?
How many days do I want to show up?
What is my sales strategy and what are my overall priorities?
What type of content do I want to share?
What content ideas do I have that align with my goals?
What goals do I have and what do I want to achieve?
These questions are integral in formulating the base plan that your strategy will be built from. Remember, this will take time to create so go easy on yourself!
3. Process
Then we reach the process, this is where our plan comes into play. This is also when we visit the logistics and decide how we are going to execute the plan. For example, what tools will you use?
At Content Queen, we primarily use ClickUp, Airtable, Google Drive, and Google Docs, but even though they work well for us, do they work for you?
You also need to think about what days you are going to create and which platforms this content will show up on. Are you going to post on Instagram every day and Facebook every second day? Will you focus on LinkedIn and email marketing? This is up to you to decide, just don’t forget to test, trial and measure.
In the process section of your content plan, this is also a good time to think about outsourcing. For business owners who are ready to expand their business, this is for you to think about. Ask yourself if there is any part of your business that you can offload and delegate. If you have just started your business or are happy doing everything by yourself, that’s okay don’t worry about this just yet.
Lastly, make sure to add a date to revisit what you have in place. Evaluation is one of the most important stages and is often overlooked. Whether it is quarterly or even monthly, revisit your plan/strategy and see if it is still working for your business, and if it isn't, what you can change.
I need help to:
Learn how to tell my unique story online
Start with content marketing strategy
Find out the content channel I should use
Not sure what I need. Can we please chat?
Final thoughts
Every part of this plan is specific to each business and business owner, so really take the time to reflect on these for yourself, and don’t compare your goals to someone else’s.
Content is an iteration process, it is constantly evolving and changing with your business. Remember this and don’t freak out if things aren't working, nothing is set in stone and you will find what works for you!
To help you get started on this journey, make sure to check out our Content Bootcamp to get your strategy in shape for 2024.