Batch Content Like a Pro: Save Hours Every Week!
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Once you finish creating content, you feel like you can never get a break because you have to create content endlessly. I get it. The reason you've been hating to create content is because you're burnt out. Imagine freeing up hours every week while still staying consistent online! Hear me out... Have you ever tried batching content to save time?
Batch creating content is when you create multiple pieces of content in one focused session. This method is great because you don't have to worry about creating a new piece of content every single day. Batching helps you to streamline your workflow, reduce stress, stay organized, and create content consistently. My favorite part about batching is that it's focused. When I work on multiple pieces of content in one session, I'm thinking about all of my content as a whole and how each piece connects with each other. It's also easy for me to avoid task-switching and decision fatigue. Let's discuss how you can begin batching your content as soon as you can!
Step 1: Plan Ahead
- Use a content calendar to map out topics for the week/month. This will be helpful because you aren't making all of your content at once. Instead, you're planning what it's going to be.
- Group similar tasks like researching, scripting, or designing for efficiency. This will help you with figuring out when you're doing each task. By focusing on one type of task, you'll enter a flow state and complete work faster. Plus, batching reduces mental strain of constantly switching between different types of work, helping you stay more productive.
Step 2: Focus on Themes
- Choose weekly or monthly themes to make brainstorming easier. This is my favorite thing to do so that I can easily stay on task. For example, one week’s theme could be “Painting Tips” with posts on paintbrush types, painting timelapses with a voiceover, or mixing paints to get specific colors.
Step 3: Leverage Tools and Templates
When it comes to creating graphics and content layouts, there are several tools you can use based on your needs and experience level. Here’s a quick overview of some popular options and what they’re best for:
Adobe Photoshop
- What it’s for: Editing photos, creating graphics, and designing social media visuals with maximum customization.
- Best for: Intermediate to advanced users who want full control over their designs.
- Cost: starts at $22.99/month as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud plans.
- Note: Photoshop has a steeper learning curve but offers unmatched flexibility and precision. A plethora of YouTube tutorials can help you
Adobe Illustrator
- What it’s for: Creating vector graphics like logos, illustrations, and icons that can be scaled without losing quality.
- Best for: Designers looking to create scalable graphics or work with detailed shapes.
- Cost: starts at $22.99/month as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud plans.
- Note: Perfect for branding projects and designs that require resizing across platforms.
Affinity Designer
- What it’s for: Similar to Illustrator, this tool is ideal for creating vector graphics and illustrations. It also can act as a raster-based program, similar to Photoshop.
- Best for: Budget-conscious users who want professional-grade tools without monthly subscriptions.
- Cost: One-time payment of $69.99 (no subscription needed!).
- Note: Great alternative to Adobe Illustrator with many of the same features at a lower cost.
Figma
- What it’s for: Collaborative design and layout creation, especially for digital content like web and app mockups.
- Best for: Teams or individuals focused on layouts and wireframes for social media, websites, or apps.
- Cost: Free for individuals; paid plans start at $12/month for teams.
- Note: Excellent for designing layouts but doesn’t have robust tools for creating illustrations or detailed graphics. Personally, I like using Figma sometimes because it's a very "light" program and doesn't make my laptop run hot when I'm laying out social media posts.
Canva
What it’s for: Creating quick and easy designs with pre-made templates and drag-and-drop functionality.
Best for: Beginners or non-designers who need simple, polished graphics quickly.
Cost: Free plan available; Canva Pro starts at $12.99/month.
Note: Great for laying out social media content or flyers but offers limited customization compared to Photoshop or Illustrator.
Step 4: Schedule Posts (If possible)
Batch scheduling posts using apps like Hootsuite, Later, or Meta Business Suite. This helps to save time because you don't have to worry about posting each individual post. Try spending one day a week scheduling all content. Some people like to batch create content bi-weekly instead. Personally, I batch create content bi-weekly and it truly makes it feel like I can breathe because I already have all of my content lined up, leaving time for me to do other things on my to-do list.
Step 5: Analyze and Refine
Review analytics to see what content performs best. Adjust your batching strategy based on audience preferences. For example, if your audience engages more with your video content, try to dedicate more time to scripting and editing videos. Regularly analyzing trends will ensure your content stays relevant and continues to meet your audience's needs.
Now, you've got everything you need to start batching content, so you have no excuses! Be prepared to live the lifestyle of a consistent, stress-free, time-saving business owner. When you plan ahead, stick to themes, use the right tools, and analyze your posts, content creation becomes way less overwhelming. It makes you realize how doable it is.
And hey, if you're ready to take things to the next level, I'd like to present to you our Creative Business Owner Toolkit for a stress-free workflow. This isn’t just about content—it’s about setting up your whole business for success. I’m talking branding, client workflows, contracts, and so much more to help you work smarter, not harder. Say goodbye to the chaos and hello to a business that runs smoother than ever—because you deserve it.
Until next time!
Ja'Tara of Couch Potato Designs 🛋🥔🌟