How To Create Content for Social Media

Meet your instructors!

Andrea Valeria

A former TV news reporter, Andrea Valeria took a risk and transitioned her side hustle into her dream job of full-time travel vlogging and living as a digital nomad.

With her passion for digital media and seeing others reach their creative and professional goals, Andrea offers the motivation and knowledge you need to do just that.

On her book 'So You Want to Vlog?,' she shares the vlogging tricks that took her years of trial and error to perfect.

Andrea's vlogs help you push past the fears and doubts of working remotely, and she was featured on Forbes in the article "How These 6 Millennials Travel The World For A Living."

Instagram: www.instagram.com/itsatravelod

Website: www.itsatravelod.com

Cassandra Le

Copywriter and Content Strategist, Cassandra Le is the founder of The Quirky Pineapple Studio; a copywriting & content strategy boutique agency for small business owners, and brands in the hospitality and tourism industries.

The Quirky Pineapple Studio creates heartfelt connections for their clients' communities through strategic words and content. Their main focus is to help brands get noticed with words, strategy, and events, to create communities online and in real life.

Her work has been featured in publications like Huffington Post and she has collaborated with business worldwide in both English and Spanish.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio

Website: www.thequirkypineapple.com

What is content (for social media)?

In this unit we go over what is considered content, different types of content for social media, and start brainstorming content ideas for your platform.

Thoughts to consider...

• What type of content do you consume?

• What type of content could a potential client consume?

What are the different types of content?

Content is queen, but is all content created equal?

In this section, we will walk you through all the different types of content you can create and the best types of content to...

• Make money

• Grow your platform

• Best content for a specific platform

• Ideas to get creative with your content

We dissect the different types of digital content there are and even go through some of the more traditional pieces!

Your homework:

Answer these questions below to get started on the best types of content to start making money -

• What kind of content are you drawn to and enjoy consuming?

• Where can your creativity really flourish to create unique and engaging content?

• What is your forte in content creation?

• Where can people easily consume your content (in what medium)?

What are the different digital platforms to share content & which to use?

There are many different platforms out there to share content... to name a few, there is

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Spotify

• Soundcloud

• Pinterest

• and more

In this section we'll walk you through the functionalities of each digital platform, who they're best for, which platform is best for your goals, and how to optimize the platform to work for you.

Your homework:

Create a list of the digital platforms that you know of and that you feel like you "should" be active on. From that list, decide where your audience (aka clients) hang out on most, what they enjoy using, and then base that off of what platforms you like using and use most.

From there, list out different content ideas for each platform.

How do you use your skills now to create content?

What skills do you have right now, that can be used to create content and generate money!

Most people think you have to go out and learn something, but chances are, you've already got a list of skills that can be turned into services.

While watching this video, we suggest taking out some pen and paper and write down all the skills you have that are related to the type of content you want to create. We'll share some questions to get you started:

1. What do you enjoy doing and are good at?

2. What do people usually ask you for help with?

3. List out all your accomplishments and the skill set needed to achieve each one.

4. When you're creating content, what is the workflow? (ie: writing, creating graphics, etc).

Once you have a list of skills, group them together based on skills/tasks you enjoy doing and what you don't necessarily like. Then, from there, create another grouping based on the skills that people have shared with you that they admire about you.

The importance of your written content

Sure, video is quickly growing, but written content isn't dead.

Search engines LOVE written content!

In this video we talk about written content, how to stand out online with written content, and how to be more searchable. Yes, being more searchable through Google, hashtags, and more. We talk about SEO, messaging, branded words, and a "word bank".

Your homework:

1. Create a "client word bank" and a "branded word bank" for your content

   1. What words do your clients use when searching or talking about the topic you want to create content on?

   2. What words do you use when describing actions, things, ideas, etc?

2. KEYWORDS

   1. Make a list of 100 keywords that you want to rank for on Google (these words need to be related to the subject of your content)

   2. Use your list of keywords while writing, so your content is easily searchable by Google

Start there, first!

Why you should add video to your strategy

Video content is quickly growing and one of the best ways to start making money with your content! It is supported on all social media platforms and can also help you get discovered quickly!

In this section we share about how to make videos, skills you need, and some tips for easier and faster video creation.

Your homework

Ready to add video to your content strategy (and start making money with video content)? Answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper:

1. What is your on-screen camera personality?

   1. Do you want to be on camera?

   2. Do you prefer the behind-the-scenes?

   3. Practice recording a few IG stories and tag us on Instagram (Andrea: @itsatravelod, Cassandra: @thequirkypineapplestudio) using the hashtag #MAKEMONEYCREATINGCONTENT so we can see you!

2. Invest

   1. Research what equipment you need to start vlogging / creating video content.

   2. Do you have something simple to start practicing now?

3. Content & Storytelling

   1. Decide what type of video content you want to create: inspirational, educational, or informational?

4. Organic promotion

   1. How can you add value in your video strategy to have people share your content?

   2. If they watch your videos, what services can you sell them?

5. Distribution

   1. What platforms and channels can you use to share your video content?

   2. Will you be investing in paid advertising?

How to create your own personal brand?

Transition your mindset from using social media for fun to using it for professional purposes. In tis section we teach you how to keep a bigger goal in mind and ways to revamp your social media to get clients, offer professional services, and work with brands.

Your homework

In this section, we're dividing homework into two categories: personal branding and social media. Work through the personal branding homework, first, and then with your new brand clarity, implement changes to your social media platforms.

Personal Brand

1. What is the "why" behind your brand?

2. What goal do you want to achieve with the brand?

3. What is the core emotion you want people to receive when consuming your content?

4. Why is it important for you to have a personal brand?

Social Media

1. Which platforms do you want to start curating?

   1. Curating - when you choose the best content that highlights your brand, experience, and the work you want to be known for.

2. Pick an aesthetic / look for your platform

   1. What colors?

   2. Do you have a posting pattern?

   3. Are you posting phone quality shots or only HD photos?

   4. Etc.

3. Communication

   1. How do you plan on communicating with your audience? (Casual, formal, storytelling, etc.)

   2. How do you want your audience to communicate with you?

After doing that, go through and create (or audit) your social media channels to curate them to best fit how you want to represent your personal brand online!

How to find the balance between quality and quantity?

QUALITY > QUANTITY.

In this video we talk about posting schedules, consistency, and the difference between creating quality content that actually provides value or something quick to keep up with your content schedule?

Use this checklist for quality vs. quantity:

• Does it inspire, motivate, or educate?

• Is there a clear purpose for the content?

• Is there an end goal for the person consuming the content?