QUICK & EASY CONTENT CREATION WORKBOOK WORKBOOK FOR BUSY BUSINESS BLOGGERS (Includes 10 Content Templates + BONUS Productivity Tip)
TABLE OF CONTENTS QUICK & EASY CONTENT CREATION INTRODUCTION... 3 HOW TO USE CONTENT TEMPLATES... 4 #1. THE LAWS... 5 THE LAWS TEMPLATE... 6 #2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW... 7 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TEMPLATE... 8 #3. FACTS YOU DIDN T KNOW... 9 FACTS YOU DIDN T KNOW TEMPLATE... 10 #4. MUST-HAVE... 11 MUST-HAVE TEMPLATE... 12 #5. WRONG WAY, RIGHT WAY... 13 WRONG WAY, RIGHT WAY TEMPLATE... 14 #6. THE NEWS JACK... 15 THE NEWS JACK TEMPLATE... 16 #7. WHAT I LEARNED... 17 WHAT I LEARNED TEMPLATE... 18 #8. HOW TO START... 19 HOW TO START TEMPLATE... 20 #9. THE CHECKLIST... 21 THE CHECKLIST TEMPLATE... 22 #10. SUCCESS STORY... 23 SUCCESS STORY TEMPLATE... 24 BONUS PRODUCTIVITY TIP... 25 GO ON A WRITING BINGE!... 26
3 INTRODUCTION SAVING TIME WITH TEMPLATES Every part of your business needs some type of content, and you need to develop content consistently to reap the benefits. Using content templates can simplify your writing time by providing structure - sort of like filling in blanks. That means you can be done and onto your next task in no time. Don t waste time staring at a blank screen. Pick one of these templates and plug in your ideas to create fresh original content in no time. This technique allows you to compose your articles quickly. It also gets you writing different types of articles to improve your skill. Bonus! You can also use these templates to re-purpose the content you ve already written. You ll find tips for doing that later in this workbook. Linda Daley workbetternotharder.com
4 FAST, SIMPLE AND... ORIGINAL! HOW TO USE CONTENT TEMPLATES GET STARTED FAST Don t waste too much time choosing a template! 1. Pick a topic. 2. Pick a template. 3. Open a Word doc and follow the steps to create your draft article. POLISH FOR PUBLICATION Once you have your draft, let it sit for a day or two then come back to it with fresh eyes. Spend twice as much time editing as you did writing. Don t forget proofing (try reading out loud) and spell-checking. COMBINE TEMPLATES Use two or more templates to create lengthier articles and white papers. For example, you might start with The Laws template to give an overview and then use the Need to Know template for each one.
5 AKA THE RULES, THE BASICS, THE PRINCIPLES, THE GUIDELINES #1. THE LAWS TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO DO SOMETHING THE RIGHT WAY Pick a topic and give your reader the rules or the laws the basics of doing something correctly. For each rule, explain why it s important or give other details. Your article doesn t have to be serious. This is a good template to use when you want to be funny. TITLE EXAMPLES email Marketing for Small Business - The Basics 5 Laws of email Marketing for Small Business 10 Principles of Successful Content Promotion
6 TEMPLATE THE LAWS Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduction Law #3 Why is it important? Law #4 Why is it important? Law #1 Why is it important? Law #5 Why is it important? Law #2 Why is it important? Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business.
7 CREATE A CHECKLIST TO SHORTCUT MAKING A DECISION #2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HELP PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS This is an article for people considering trying or buying something new. The template could also be called, Is It for You? Give people a checklist to help them quickly evaluate and make their decision. Include information like what to expect, prices, where or how to buy, and so on. TITLE EXAMPLES What You Need to Know about Antispam Laws email Marketing - Is it for Your Small Business? What You Need to Know Before Starting Your First Blog
8 TEMPLATE WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduction Question #3 Answer and explanation Question #4 Answer and explanation Question #1 Answer and explanation Question #5 Answer and explanation Question #2 Answer and explanation Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business.
9 INTERESTING AND USEFUL INFORMATION NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE #3. FACTS YOU DIDN T KNOW GIVE PEOPLE USEFUL INFORMATION Present interesting, little-known facts about a topic. Make it useful by connecting each fact with a piece of advice, an action step, or a link to more information. This type of article will get shared a lot if you make sharing easy. TITLE EXAMPLES 5 Facts You Didn t Know about Anti-spam Regulations 4 Things You Don t Know about email Marketing Software Applications 3 Little-Known Facts about Facebook Advertising
10 TEMPLATE FACTS YOU DIDN T KNOW Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduction Fact #3 State the fact, the implications, and related sources Fact #4 State the fact, the implications, and related sources Fact #1 State the fact, the implications, and related sources Fact #5 State the fact, the implications, and related sources Fact #2 State the fact, the implications, and related sources Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business.
11 WHAT S REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ACTIVITY #4. MUST-HAVE TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE ESSENTIALS Number the items in your list for quick scanning, comprehension and memory. Use a number in your title to ensure it gets attention. TITLE EXAMPLES 10 Must Have Templates for Writing Compelling Content 5 Skills You Must Have to Build a Website Get Current: 3 Must Read Business Books from 2017
12 TEMPLATE MUST-HAVE Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduction Must-have item #3 Why it s needed, Where to get it Must-have item #4 Why it s needed, Where to get it Must-have item #1 Why it s needed, Where to get it Must-have item #5 Why it s needed, Where to get it Must-have item #2 Why it s needed, Where to get it Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business.
13 EXPLAIN HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS #5. WRONG WAY, RIGHT WAY SAVE PEOPLE FROM HAVING TO LEARN SOMETHING THE HARD WAY Most people are open to learning from others mistakes. 1. Tell people the wrong way of doing something. 2. Identify why it s wrong. 3. Explain the right way. Another option is to reverse those steps. Change this one to Worst Way, Best Way to write a funny article. TITLE EXAMPLES The Right Way to Build Your First Mailing List The Wrong Way to Proof a Newsletter The Best Way to Get People to Read Your Blog
14 TEMPLATE WRONG WAY, RIGHT WAY Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduction Wrong Way #2 Why it s wrong & The right way Wrong Way #3 Why it s wrong & The right way Wrong Way #1 Why it s wrong & The right way Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business.
15 HELP PEOPLE STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH NEWS THAT AFFECTS THEM #6. THE NEWS JACK GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT FAST IS CRITICAL! Help people stay up-to-date with news that affects them, such as breaking industry news or new regulations. There are two times to use this template. 1. Set up Google alerts. When breaking news comes your way, pull out this template. 2. Check trends online and write now. View Google searches and Twitter trends to find a relevant news story. Keep it short - the words, sentences and paragraphs. Give it the tone of a news story. Be accurate. Check other sources so you know what you are reporting is true, not a hoax. Timeliness is more important than style and formality. Throw your schedule out the window. Your news-jacked article needs to get out right away to be valuable. TITLE EXAMPLES New Anti-spam Regulations Confusing to Small Business Owners Open Rates are Trending Upward - Is it Really Good News?
16 TEMPLATE THE NEWS JACK Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Your advice or opinion Let your expertise shine through. What it means A longer explanation of the news story. The impact on your readers What will or might happen and the implications. The news Brief and straight forward summary. Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business. The source Where you heard about it, other places you checked. Reminder: Link your sources within the article.
17 HELP PEOPLE LEARN SOMETHING NEW... AND THE BEST WAY TO LEARN IT #7. WHAT I LEARNED When you start with the purpose of learning something new, there are two types of relevant information you can share. 1. What you learned - in summary or with detail 2. How you learned - the best way to learn, what worked and didn t, what tools were best, who taught you, and so on Your learning experience will be unique and useful, even if what you learned isn t. You can get at least one article out of a learning experience, even if it s a what-not-to-do. TITLE EXAMPLES 10 Useful Things I Learned at ABC Conference Why Learning How to Code May Not be for You
18 TEMPLATE WHAT I LEARNED Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduction What led you to want to learn something new? Practical application How you will use the learning; your advice. Your learning experience and how others can do better One thing I learned Brief and straight forward summary. Conclusion Why it was good or bad to learn it Goals met or not? Repeat for each point. Wrap up & Call-to-action
19 CREATE AN AWESOME RESOURCE FOR BEGINNERS ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC #8. HOW TO START Ultimately useful, this type of article will attract readers that could eventually become customers. Search engines also like this type of article because it will contain the common keywords people search when initially researching a subject. Your article might be a high level overview, drill down to details, or fall somewhere in between. When quick & easy is important, it can be short, like a numbered list. When you have more time, write a lengthy piece with several sections. Whenever it makes sense, link back to past articles with more details. Consider adding a visual, such as a simple process flowchart. Later re-purpose this article into an infographic showing the steps or key points. TITLE EXAMPLES How to Start Your Own Newsletter Best email Marketing Applications for Beginners A Beginner s Guide to Blogging for Small Business Owners
20 TEMPLATE HOW TO START Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduction Why the audience wants to start something new. Second step Include resources they can use to find out more. More steps Include resources they can use to find out more. Why it s important to start right What to do next First step Include resources they can use to find out more. Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business.
21 GIVE PEOPLE A USEFUL TOOL TO COMPLETE A TASK MORE EFFCIENTLY #9. THE CHECKLIST SHOW OFF YOUR EXPERTISE Because it is so useful, people will bookmark this article and return. Part of its usefulness is its simplicity: no long paragraphs, no complex sentences. The secret to this article s success is its completeness. If a key item is missing, it won t have credibility, and neither will you. Your list might be actions or items, numbered or not. The benefits to the reader are twofold. 1. Completeness: They are assured they won t miss something critical. 2. Speed: They save time by having the list to refer to, allowing them to complete the task faster. TIPS: Make sure your article is print-friendly or have a downloadable pdf. Use boxes or circles for bullet points. TITLE EXAMPLES Small Business Branding Audit Checklist The Ultimate Packing List for Camping in Canada The Cat Sitter Checklist
22 TEMPLATE THE CHECKLIST Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduction Be brief but include prerequisites or assumptions. For example, a checklist for designing a brochure may assume you already know how to use Photoshop. writing those articles first.) As a final step, research similar lists online to make sure you haven t missed something important. The List Don t worry about complete sentences unless they re needed for explanation. Brainstorm your list and then reorganize it if a certain order or grouping makes sense. For example, a camping checklist might have all the cooking utensils grouped together. Encourage deeper reading by including links to articles you ve already written about any of the list items. (If you don t have an article covering each point on your checklist, consider Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business.
23 THERE S POSITIVE EMOTION AROUND A GOOD STORY #10. SUCCESS STORY PEOPLE LIKE TO READ AND SHARE It s a bonus that success stories come in many different forms: testimonials, case studies, photos of happy customers or completed work, statistics, even video. Don t stop at collecting testimonials. There are many more ways to tell your story. In text form, there are some pieces you ll want to make sure to include, like the circumstances and the results. Your success story might even be in the words of your customer. Prepare a few questions to send in advance, then interview them or ask them to send you their responses. TITLE EXAMPLES A Small Business Success Story: Launching an enewsletter Make a Personal Connection - A Success Story
24 TEMPLATE THE SUCCESS STORY Open a Word doc and start typing the information following this format. Use this page to collect your ideas. Introduce the situation Introduce the situation. How the fix was implemented Bullet list, flowchart, project plan, etc. The results Use numbers and charts; be specific. Your fix Short description of your solution. Mention different options only if they re relevant to the story. Testimonial Use this testimonial to make a point that hasn t already been said elsewhere in the article. Wrap-up and call-to-action Conclusion & call to action related to your business.
25 RECYCLE YOUR CONTENT USING TEMPLATES BONUS: PRODUCTIVITY HACK REUSE YOUR CONTENT WITH THIS SUPER FAST METHOD Re-purposing content is strategic, not just time saving. No one will read everything you write. If what you write is important, you need to present it more than once and in different ways. Use these templates to re-purpose old content, presenting it differently. HERE S HOW: 1. Pick one of your past articles. 2. Select a template. 3. Plug the information from your article into your selected template. Were there details left out of your original article? Now is a good time to add them. Don t forget to include a link to the original article, if it makes sense.
26 CHALLENGE GO ON A WRITING BINGE Now are you motivated to write? Keep your momentum. Challenge yourself to write one article using each of the templates in this workbook. You can find many more suggestions and tips to get the most out of each piece of content you create on our blog. WORKBETTERNOTHARDER.COM