Last week was a bit out of the ordinary: after a bit over a year of blogging and posting consistently, last Wednesday, we went radio silent.
We disappeared for a little bit. And while it might seem weird, it happens to all of us—and that is ok.
While Social Media does not sleep, sometimes life will come in the way of your Social Media strategy and posting schedule. Having a content bank can be great for those moments—particularly when, due to budget, hiring an agency is out of discussion.
What is a Content Bank?
A content bank is a repository of pre-created content you can draw from when life gets busy, you have a creativity block, or you need a break. Like a regular bank where you save your funds, your content bank is a perfect place to save all those ideas that come to you when you least expect them: you can save content for those inevitable moments when sticking to your regular schedule gets hard.
Having a content bank is a great way to relieve the pressure of having to create new material, as it ensures that you always have content available—even when you are not in the office or on top of your Social Media Accounts—and can help you maintain a consistent online presence even when preoccupied with other responsibilities.
Why Should You Build a Content Bank?
There are a couple of reasons why having a content bank can be helpful, the main one being preserving your ideas. Sometimes, content ideas will come to you at times and places where you cannot use them or make them come to life. Having a journal—or using the notes app on your phone—and writing down those ideas that come to mind is always a good practice and a great way to start a content bank.
Another good reason to have a content bank is to prepare for the less creative times: creativity is not linear. Some days, the content will flow, and ideas will feel natural; others, you will spend hours trying to get ONE post live. Taking advantage of your most creative times by building a bank of content for you to use at any time can make the difference between a constant flow of content and having unexpected breaks in your Social Media profiles.
How Do I Create a Content Bank?
Creating a content bank is easier than you might think.
- Plan Ahead: Dedicate specific times in your schedule to batch-create content. You can spend a few hours on the weekend writing blog posts, taking photos, or making videos. You could take advantage of the moments when you feel more creative to create extra content or whenever you attend any events. The idea is to build a robust portfolio from where to take at any time.
- Repurpose Content: Don’t hesitate to reuse and repurpose your best content. Nobody said that your best-performing content has to be exclusive to one platform. Adapting your best-performing posts from one platform to another can help you increase your content bank.
- Stay Organized: Use folders, tags, and categories to organize your content bank to make it easier to find what you need when needed.
- Stay Updated: Be sure to update your content bank regularly to ensure it stays fresh and relevant and to avoid using a post more than once.
Creating a content bank is the perfect way to step back for a bit without disappearing completely (like us last Wednesday, LOL). You can continue to be present online with your audience, even when life throws you a curveball.
So, start creating your content bank today. Your future self will thank you for it—and of course, if you can, consider asking for help. We are here to guide you through the process.
