By: Carley Kershaw
Content makes the digital world go round. However, good content stands out, captivates viewers, and drives business! So, what exactly separates good content from the rest? Good content easily communicates your message, is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, grabs viewers' attention, and, most importantly, stays true to your brand values. So, whether you're just getting started or looking to revamp your content, here are a few basic steps that can help you get started on bringing your creative ideas to life.
Step 1: Define Your Goal and Your Audience
Before designing your next masterpiece, sit down with your team and ask, "why are we making this content" and "who are we trying to reach?" Answering these questions will help guide your project and keep you on task. After defining your audience, you can research what type of content works best for connecting with them. This will help you deliberate what kind of content to get started on and where to post it.
Step 2: Decide on Details
After establishing your purpose in making the content and defining your audience, you are ready to start the creative process. The first step is deciding on the details that will make up the foundation of your content. These are brand colors, font, tone of voice, and style (graphics, photos, or both). This step is not one to overlook, as it will define the look of your brand. As you post more content, you'll want to keep these elements the same so that all your content is cohesive. Make sure that the details you choose align with your desired brand persona. One question that might help you make decisions is, "what does this color, font, or overall style communicate?"
Step 3: Design Your masterpiece
Once you establish the basics, you are ready to create! This is the fun part. Any graphic designer knows that the creative process is not always a straight line. It takes trial and error. Don't be afraid to try new things or make different versions of a design until you find one that resonates with you. When in doubt, it's best to keep it simple.
It's better to keep your content minimal and your message clear than to create something too busy and confusing. Another pro tip is to ensure that all photos and videos are focused and clear unless you are going for a specific blurred look.
Step 4: Review
The last thing you want is content going live with spelling errors and grammar mistakes. Once you've put the finishing touches on your content, step away from the screen for a couple of minutes. Then, come back and look at your project with fresh eyes. Read through every word and double-check your grammar. If you post videos, make sure that your video plays correctly, the sound works, and the captions are spell-checked. When designing graphics, be sure that objects are aligned and spaced correctly. If you can, have a colleague or team member take a look at your work. Once you are confident that your content is up to par, you are ready to post.
Step 5: Observe and React
The job is not over. Now that you've posted your content, it's time to observe and react. This learning phase of content creation will help you continue to make your content great. Pay attention to how your audience reacts to your content and listen to feedback if you can. You'll know if your content is working based on the amount of engagement. If engagement is low, you may have to make some adjustments, and that's okay! Look at what other successful brands are doing and try it out.
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