Episode 2
Why Your Content Isn't Working: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Today, we're tackling a big issue that many businesses face—over 70% of them are struggling with consistent content creation. It’s a challenge that doesn’t get enough attention, and we're here to shed some light on it. We dive into what content creation really means, breaking down the process into manageable steps that include planning, creation, distribution, and engagement. I share the crucial five Cs: clarity, conciseness, consistency, creativity, and customer-centricity, which can help guide businesses in their content efforts. We also discuss the various types of content available and how to generate ideas, emphasizing the importance of listening to your audience and measuring success through engagement and relationships. If you're in that 70% feeling overwhelmed, stick around; we’ve got the insights to help you navigate this landscape.
Content creation is a challenge for many businesses, with statistics revealing that over 70% are struggling to keep up. This episode dives deep into the intricacies of what content creation truly entails. I sit down with Larita to unpack the essential process of generating content that resonates with audiences. We discuss the various stages involved, from planning and strategy to the actual creation and distribution of content. A critical part of our conversation revolves around the 'five Cs' of content, which include clarity, conciseness, consistency, creativity, and customer-centricity. Each of these elements plays a vital role in crafting effective content that not only engages but also builds trust with the audience. We also explore the myriad types of content available today—from blog posts to social media and even podcasts. The episode emphasizes the importance of listening to your audience to generate relevant content ideas, as well as the key metrics to track to measure the success of your content strategy. We wrap up by discussing common pitfalls businesses should avoid, like trying to be present on every platform or being overly promotional. By the end, I hope our listeners feel equipped with practical insights to tackle their content creation challenges head-on.
Takeaways:
- Over 70% of businesses struggle with consistent content creation, a significant issue not widely discussed.
- Content creation involves generating ideas, creating content, and distributing it to your audience effectively.
- The five C's of content are clarity, conciseness, consistency, creativity, and customer centricity, all crucial for success.
- Listening to your audience's questions and problems is a vital strategy for generating relevant content ideas.
- Measuring content success involves tracking engagement metrics and building relationships with your audience.
- Common mistakes include trying to be on every platform, being overly promotional, and inconsistent posting.
Transcript
Foreign.
Speaker B:So I got something super cool for you today on Local Content Studio, powered by AI.
Speaker B:I'm Adrian, and I'm here with my brilliant friend Larita.
Speaker B:And we're diving into something that's honestly been bugging me.
Speaker B:Like, everyone's talking about content creation, but most businesses are totally struggling with it.
Speaker B:Right, Loretta?
Speaker A:Oh, my goodness, Adrienne, you're absolutely right.
Speaker A:And get this.
Speaker A:Over 70% of businesses are struggling with consistent content creation.
Speaker A:It's like this massive problem that nobody's really talking about openly.
Speaker A:They're all trying to keep up, but they are drowning in it.
Speaker B:Wow, 70%.
Speaker B:That's.
Speaker B:That's huge.
Speaker B:But let me ask you this.
Speaker B:What does content creation actually mean?
Speaker B:Like, when we say content creation, what are we really talking about here?
Speaker A:Great question.
Speaker A:Content creation is basically the whole process of generating topic ideas, creating written or visual content around those ideas, and making that content accessible to your audience.
Speaker A:And content creators, they're the masterminds who research, write, design, and produce all of this stuff.
Speaker A:It's way more complicated than people think.
Speaker B:Okay, so it's not just writing a blog post and calling it a day.
Speaker B:There's actually a whole process behind this.
Speaker B:What are the essential steps that businesses should be following?
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:So first you've got planning and strategy, then content creation itself, distribution and engagement.
Speaker A:But here's the thing.
Speaker A:There are these five Cs that are absolutely crucial.
Speaker A:Clarity, making your message crystal clear, conciseness, keeping it tight and focused, consistency, showing up regularly, creativity, standing out from the crowd, and customer centricity.
Speaker A:It's all about your audience.
Speaker B:The five C's.
Speaker B:I love that.
Speaker B:But what types of content are we actually talking about here?
Speaker B:And how do people even come up with ideas?
Speaker B:That's gotta be the hardest part, right?
Speaker A:Oh, there's so much variety.
Speaker A:Blog posts, social media content, videos, podcasts like this one, infographics, case studies.
Speaker A:The list goes on and on.
Speaker A:For ideas, the best practice is really listening to your audience.
Speaker A:What questions are they asking?
Speaker A:What problems do they have?
Speaker A:You can also look at trends in your industry, repurpose existing content, and don't be afraid to get personal and share stories.
Speaker B:That makes total sense.
Speaker B:But how do you know if it's actually working?
Speaker B:Like, how do you measure if your content creation is successful?
Speaker A:Great question.
Speaker A:You got to track engagement metrics like likes, shares, comments, look at website traffic, conversion rates, and time spent on your content.
Speaker A:But honestly, the most important thing is whether you're building relationships and trust with your audience.
Speaker A:Numbers are important, but connection is everything.
Speaker B:Before we wrap up I have to ask, what are some of the biggest mistakes you see businesses making with their content creation?
Speaker B:Like, what should people definitely avoid?
Speaker A:Oh, I see many.
Speaker A:The biggest one trying to be everywhere at once.
Speaker A:Ask me how I know.
Speaker A:Pick your platforms and do them well.
Speaker A:Also, being too promotional, people want value, not constant sale pitches.
Speaker A:And inconsistency is a killer.
Speaker A:It's better to post on the regular than sporadically.
Speaker B:Larita, this has been absolutely amazing.
Speaker B:Thanks for breaking down content creation for us.
Speaker B:And hey, if you're part of that 70% struggling with content, don't worry, you're definitely not alone.
Speaker B:That's all for today's local content studio, powered by AI.
Speaker B:Catch you next time.