7 tips to break free from posting paralysis

POSTING PARALYSIS: when you’ve reached a standstill with your social media content because you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious. 

Do you ever find yourself paralysed by the thought of creating content for your social media channels? You’re not alone! The blank screen on your laptop can be a daunting sight, and it’s easy to get lost in the scroll of others’ brilliant posts, wondering why you can’t seem to produce anything equally impressive.

Before you know it, you’re stuck in a loop of overthinking, indecision, and stress, which ultimately stifles your creativity. You might even find yourself procrastinating to avoid the mounting pressure.

Posting paralysis can have various underlying causes: perfectionism, the comparison game, overwhelm, anxiety, a lack of confidence, and fear. It’s a vicious cycle that leaves you feeling stuck and unsure about what to share with your audience.

But here’s the good news! You have a wealth of valuable insights to share, and your audience is eager to hear from you. It’s time to break free from posting paralysis with my 7 tips to move you from content dread to getting ahead. ⚡

1. Review your business foundations

Take a step back and simplify your approach. Grab a sizable piece of paper and start brainstorming. Ask yourself, “What do I genuinely want people to know about me and my business?” Clarify your brand’s values and how you want to be perceived.

Who is your target audience? If you haven’t already, prioritise understanding your ideal client. This knowledge will really help you refine your messaging – you want to always talk directly to them in your posts.

Also, think about your focus this month. Whether it’s promoting a new offering or highlighting your brand’s core values, define your priorities. Keep in mind any dates coming up that you need to bring into your plan; they could be business-related, public holidays, or awareness dates relevant to your business.

2. Block out time

This step is critical. Without it, you may find yourself back at square one. Block specific time slots in your calendar for content creation, scheduling, and planning. Commit to it now; your future self will thank you.

3. Craft content buckets

Create content buckets (sometimes referred to as pillars) to make sure you have an even distribution of posts going out. They are also really helpful when planning your blogs and emails.

Examples of content buckets include:

⚡Promotion (Posts which sell products or services).

⚡Engagement (Posts designed to spark conversations with your audience)

⚡Inspiration (Share case studies, stories and motivational content)

⚡Authority (Demonstrate your expertise through client feedback and testimonials)

⚡Empathy (Show understanding of your audience’s pain points and how you can help)

Why do this? A month’s worth of sales posts = icky and won’t engage your followers. If you have a selection from each bucket going out on social media, it will help you bring variety to your content. It also keeps your feed fresh and engaging.

4. Keep an ideas journal

This can be in any format you like – voice notes, apps, or a good old notebook and pen. When you come across something interesting or thought-provoking, jot it down.

The perfect companion for organising your ideas is my FREE workbook. Step-by-step, you will identify your content buckets and have the space to capture inspiration and ideas.

5. Create a content library

Make it a habit to save all of your content in one place. This digital library will become an invaluable resource for future posts. I like to use Trello to do this and categorise each piece of content, but you can also do this in a spreadsheet. There’s no need to constantly think up new ideas – make sure repurposing is part of your planning (see step 7).

6. Start writing

Don’t aim for perfection; focus on getting your ideas down for the upcoming month. Once the planning stage is complete, start crafting your captions. Don’t forget to include a CTA (call to action) at the end of every post.

“When you aim for perfection, you discover it’s a moving target” – Geoffrey Fisher

7. Repurpose!

Don’t stress about constantly brainstorming new ideas. Instead, tap into your existing content goldmine. Dive into your content library or revisit those high-performing social media posts and give them a fresh lease of life. Transform a blog into a series of engaging posts, or breathe new life into a popular social media post by adding a fresh image or tweaking the copy. Repurposing is your secret weapon!

Say goodbye to posting paralysis 👋

I understand that managing your own business can be tough, but these tips will help you regain control over your content. You have a unique voice, and your audience is eager to hear it. It’s time to conquer posting paralysis and share your inspiring message with the world.

If you’d like to feel more in control and keep paralysis at bay, contact me to find out how I can help.