How to Start Content Creation in 7 Easy Steps
Ready to start creating? Here’s how to master content creation in seven easy steps:
Set SMART Goals
Do Your Research
Build Your Toolbox
Brainstorm Content Pillars
Create & Edit Your Content
Schedule & Post Your Content
Analyze Your Results
Step #1: Set SMART Goals
Setting social media goals is the foundation on which your content creation strategy will be built.
It'll inform the type of content you create, the cadence, and define your "why."
If you’re a creator, you might be looking to improve engagement.
If you’re a brand, generating leads may be top of mind.
But in order to drive success, your goals need to be SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timely
Learn how to set intentional, SMART social media goals in this Later blog: How to Set Social Media Goals in 2023 (+ Achieve Them!).
Step #2: Do Your Research
The next step to content creation? Stop, drop, and research.
Scroll your feed and take note of the type of content (from other accounts) that generally produces a lot of views or comments.
Look for similarities and gaps within your own content strategy — and see where you can put your own spin on what you find.
TIP: If you don't know where to start, consider what you love to engage with — which creators (or brands) do you follow?
Step #3: Build Your Toolbox
The right tools can make all the difference in streamlining your ability to create scroll-stopping, consistent content.
And from educational resources to editing apps to scheduling tools, there are tons to choose from.
FYI: We’ve rounded up some of our favorites that’ll work for creators (and brands too!): The Top Content Creation Tools for Creators and Influencers in 2023
Step #4: Brainstorm Content Pillars
Remember that research we did earlier? It’s time to put your brainstorming hat on and get to defining your content pillars.
With content pillars, you'll have a clear guideline for consistently creating posts (and writing captions!) rather than scrambling at the last minute.
But what happens when you’ve hit a creative wall and are short on ideas?
Enter: Later's new AI-powered Ideas tool.
With it, you can define and generate relevant content pillars by inputting a few keywords and phrases (maximum 300 characters):
Later will recommend five content pillars based on your description:
You can also generate content ideas for each content pillar — whether it's a behind-the-scenes Reel, an infographic, or a series of tutorial videos:
By leaning into AI content creation, you can generate both content pillars and ideas quickly, so you can spend less time brainstorming and more time creating meaningful content that resonates with your audience. Win-win.
Start using Later’s AI Ideas feature today — available on all new paid plans. 🎉
Step #5: Create & Edit Your Content
You’ve completed all the necessary steps and alas, it’s finally time to create your content!
Whether you’re assigning tasks to your team or bringing your vision to life solo, take the time to draft, review, and re-film (or re-write) if you need to.
Once your content is up to par, congrats — the hard part is officially over.
Get all the deets on Later’s content strategy: How We Plan Our Social Media Content Strategy at Later.
Step #6: Schedule & Post Your Content
The sixth and final step is to share your shiny piece of content with the world.
If it’s headed to your socials, using a social media scheduler to plan and post your content is the best way to save time, stay organized, and be consistent.
With Later, you can plan all of your social posts from one centralized dashboard, and schedule them ahead of time.
When it's time to post, Later does all the hard work for you. Simple as that.
Step #7: Analyze Your Results
By reviewing your insights on a weekly (and monthly) basis, you'll see how your content is resonating and whether you're tracking towards your goals.
For blog and website traffic, keep an eye on your Google Analytics dashboard.
For social media content, Later’s Analytics tool is the simplest way to track in-depth social media data like growth rate, views, and more.
