You know you should create content. But, it’s a pain. This is exactly why it’s the first thing to fall to the side in the face of all your other pressing concerns. You know like, running your business, serving food to people and dealing with your staff.
If you don’t plan for it and make time, it doesn’t get done. So here is the plan I introduce to all busy food business owners.
It’s a simple set of workflows and tips to help you fit it in. All it needs from you is a little bit of time to plan each week, and then a commitment to stay on top of it.
Tip 1: Set yourself up
Step 1
Find a scheduling app you like and can work with. Working with a scheduler will change your life.
The most recommended are
Using a scheduler means you pre-schedule content to post, and remove it from your brain. You can now create content ahead of time, instead of on the fly (which, let’s be honest, will always be the last thing you do.)
You’ll also now be able to plan your content, which means better quality posts.
(Don’t like planning content? Feel like it ruins your creativity? That’s ok! But then you shouldn’t be reading this article. This article is all about helping you manage the time you have, to do what you need to do.)
Step 2
Find a place to store all your pictures and videos. I upload pictures to Dropbox so I can access them from both my phone and my laptop. You can also use your Google Drive.
Saving your pictures centrally saves you from having to scroll through your phone to find the picture you want. They’ll all be in one place. And you’re less likely to lose them, so you can re-use pictures. It’s great!
Step 3
Set up a spot in your kitchen or restaurant where you can take pictures. Make sure you have good light, and it’s a spot that can sit undisturbed.
Tip 2: Organize
Mark out in your calendar when you will be planning and creating content. Plot out your sessions for the month. Book times when you are able to concentrate and won’t be pulled in 100 directions.
Tip 3: Plan
Once a month, take 2 hours and plot out your posts and reels in your calendar, like the example below.
Decide what types of content you will need: images, graphics and videos.
Use this session to start drafting captions, and gathering your images.
In another 2 hour session get the rest done:
- Design carousels if you’re posting any
- Design reels cover images
- Finish captions
- Schedule your photographs and videos for the month
Use a final session to do your filming and editing.
Schedule your content as you go and post it automatically. Set reminders to manually post non-scheduled content, like reels and videos.
Tip 3: Build a content bank
At the start of each week
- Decide which orders you want to photograph/film
- Write them up in your kitchen or near your desk
When those orders come up
- Photograph or film
- Upload to your Dropbox or Google Drive
You can edit when you have an hour to spare.
The great thing about content is that it doesn’t have to be real-time. You can post items that were taken months ago. No one will know the difference.
Tip 4: Outsource what you can
- If you use graphics, it helps hugely to have a designer set up some Canva templates. You can quickly edit them, and they’ll have your branding already.
- If you battle to take pictures book a shoot with a photographer. The benefit of having 2 months of pre-shot content far outweighs the cost.
