Let’s talk about content creation basics.
Because, let’s be real, creating content can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to start.
You hear everyone saying, “You need content to grow your business!”
But if you’re new to the content creation world, you’re wondering: Okay, but what does that even mean?
And how do you create content that people actually want to read, watch, or engage with?
Regardless of whether you’re writing blog posts, social media updates, or email newsletters, knowing the content creation basics is the key to making an impact without feeling like you’re stuck on a never-ending hamster wheel of posting.
So, let’s break it down in a way that’s easy, fun, and (most importantly) effective!
Before You Start Posting, Learn These Content Creation Basics
Before we talk about the HOW, let’s define the WHAT.
What content actually is.
Content is anything you create and share to inform, entertain, or engage your audience.
It can be written, visual, audio, or video-based.
Basically, if it’s something people consume online (or offline), it’s content!
Here are some of the most common types of content:
- Blog posts – Great for SEO, storytelling, and in-depth explanations.
- Social media posts – Quick, engaging updates that help build brand awareness.
- Videos – From short-form Reels to long-form YouTube videos, video content is Queen.
- Podcasts – A great way to reach people who prefer to listen rather than read.
- Infographics – Visually appealing, easy-to-digest information that people love to share.
- Email newsletters – Direct communication with your audience right in their inbox.
Creating content isn’t just about throwing random words or images into the void.
It’s about strategically writing messages that connect with your audience, answer their questions, and solve their problems.
From Blogs to Reels, These Content Creation Basics Cover It All
All that is well and good, but how exactly do you go about writing them?
And not just writing them.
But writing them so that they connect with your audience and keep them coming back for more.
Blog Posts
Blogging isn’t dead.
It’s simply, let’s say…evolved.
A great blog post isn’t just a bunch of words on a page.
It’s a valuable resource that answers your audience’s questions.
Here are some blogging tips:
🟣 Start with a strong topic that your readers WANT to read about.
🟣 Make it easy to scan, with subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs.
🟣 Include keywords naturally (like we’re doing with content creation basics here!).
🟣 Add visuals like images, GIFs, or infographics to keep your readers’ attention.
🟣 End with a CTA (Call-to-Action) to guide readers to what you want them to do next.
Remember, don’t just throw stuff out there.
Find out what your audience WANTS.
Then give it to them!
Social Media Posts
Social media content is all about grabbing attention fast.
Keep it quick, engaging and almost more importantly…shareable!
Short-form content should be easy to read and interact with, regardless of whether it’s and Instagram Reel, a LinkedIn article, or a tweet (er…X post).
How to create social media content that will grab attention:
🟪 Know your platform – Instagram loves visuals, X is great for shorts, LinkedIn prefers thought leadership.
🟪 Use visuals – Photos, graphics, or short videos perform better than text-only posts.
🟪 Encourage engagement – Ask questions, run polls, or use interactive features.
🟪 Be consistent – A single viral post won’t grow your brand, but showing up regularly will.
The key here?
Short. And Sweet.
Videos. THE Most Engaging Type of Content Creation Right Now
If you’re not creating video content, you’re missing out.
And yes, I’m including myself in this. And…videos are on my 1st quarter gameplan.
Videos are the most engaging and shareable content type today.
Luckily, you don’t need a professional camera crew to make great videos.
How to create effective video content:
💜 Keep it short and engaging (especially for social media).
💜 Use captions – Most people watch on mute!
💜 Have a hook in the first 3 seconds to stop the scroll.
💜 Be authentic – People connect with real, not perfect.
Let’s create some great video content and stay on our game!
Mixing Your Own Ideas With Others? Here’s Where Content Creation Basics Come In
If you’re anything like me, when I first heard these two, I was like…Wait, what’s the difference?
Content creation is when you make original content from scratch. This could be blog posts, social media updates, or videos that you create specifically for your audience.
Content curation is when you share relevant, high-quality content from other sources that add value to your audience. Think of it like being a DJ—you’re not making the music, but you’re selecting the best tracks for your audience to enjoy.
Both are important!
You don’t need to create everything yourself.
Curating great content along with your original work keeps your feed fresh without burning you out.
Quality Over Quantity
A common mistake people make when getting started with content creation is focusing on quantity over quality.
Posting every day won’t help your business if what you’re posting isn’t valuable.
Here’s why high-quality content beats a bunch of low-effort posts:
Builds trust
People will follow you because they know you provide real value.
Increases engagement
Quality content gets shared, liked, and commented on more often.
Improves SEO
Search engines love well-written, valuable content.
Saves you time
Instead of scrambling to post something daily, focus on crafting fewer, better pieces.
If you’re ever stuck between posting something rushed vs. waiting to create something worthwhile, always choose quality.
Great content lasts longer, works harder, and gets better results.
The hardest part of content creation?
Getting started.
I feel you. It took me over a year to get my blog up and running.
Why?
Fear.
Don’t let fear stand in your way.
Now that you understand the content creation basics, you have the tools to start creating with confidence.
Still not sure WHY creating content is SO important to your small business? Download my FREE infographic that gives you the 10 Reasons Content Creation is Important for Small Businesses.
