You're juggling multiple content creation tasks. How do you maintain quality amidst shifting priorities?

There are always many important things that must be accomplished, but not all of them are 100% equally important, so try to arrange the tasks according to the timeline, the importance of the client, and the time required to complete them.

As a content creators, we're often underestimated and given multiple platforms to manage and create content for. Looking at stakeholder goals and the determined metrics for success is a great way to prioritize content. It's also efficient to repurpose and reuse content when possible, such as shortening a LinkedIn post for a X post or taking an Instagram photo and making it into a piece for LinkedIn audiences.

Effective prioritization is crucial for maintaining quality while juggling multiple tasks. A content creator might use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. For instance, a time-sensitive piece on a breaking industry development would take precedence over a general evergreen article. This approach ensures that high-impact, deadline-driven content receives immediate attention without sacrificing overall quality.

By recognising that quantity should never override quality; if there's a backlog or workflow issue, solve this issue at the root by allotting more time or pushing back on tasks. Go back to the drawing board and assess whether more time needs to be allocated, as you can only do great work when you have a clear mind.

Prioritize Wisely: Be a Content Curator, Not Just a Creator. Think of yourself as a museum curator selecting the most valuable pieces for an exhibit. Shifting priorities might mean a blog post you were working on gets put on hold. But instead of scrapping it entirely, ask yourself: "Can I repurpose some of the research into a social media post or a quick video snippet?" This way, you're not starting from scratch and can still deliver valuable content.

There is an example that says: If you want to eat an elephant, divide it into parts. This proverb applies to work, especially if you have complex or difficult tasks. All you have to do is divide them and simplify them so that you can move between the tasks smoothly.

Start mapping a workflow by thinking about the ultimate goal you want to achieve. Write down the goal for your workflow. To do this, fill out this sentence: I want to _______, when I _______, so I can _______. This approach helped me determine what I need to do, when I need to do it, and what success looks like. By clearly defining the end goal, you can create a roadmap that guides your actions and decisions. Consider the distinct groups of information in your workflow, and start to sketch out what falls under each group. This will serve as the foundation for creating a workflow.

As we scaled the business at Confluent, pattern recognition became a critical skill. Templatising without mandating (to allow for different culture and geographical nuances) is extremely effective, but I highly recommend identifying and measuring the potential impact to ensure you allocate resources appropriately. Also important here is to ensure key stakeholders and consumers of the template agree it’s worthy of the effort so that it doesn’t become shelfware.

Streamline Processes: Batching is Your Best Friend. Imagine filming ten recipe videos in one afternoon instead of one a day. Batching similar tasks together minimizes the mental shift needed between projects. This could be writing social media captions for the entire week, recording a series of podcast interviews in one go, or scheduling photo shoots for multiple blog posts at once.

Organização é uma grande aliada na rotina de trabalho! Montar uma “linha de produção” do dia a dia nos ajuda a não perder tempo com coisas banais e a focar no que realmente importa. Isso viabiliza a entrega de um trabalho eficiente com menos erros.

Leveraging technology streamlines the content creation process. A content team might use project management tools like Trello or Asana to track tasks, deadlines, and progress. For writing and editing, tools like Grammarly or Hemingway App can help maintain consistency and readability across multiple pieces. Content scheduling tools like Hootsuite or Buffer can ensure timely publication across various platforms, allowing creators to focus on producing high-quality content rather than manual posting.

Utilize Tools: Tech is Your Force Multiplier. There's a treasure trove of apps and software out there to streamline your workflow. Project management tools like Trello or Asana can help you visually track your content creation pipeline. Scheduling software like Buffer or Hootsuite lets you pre-plan your social media posts, freeing up time for higher-level content creation. Even AI writing assistants like Grammarly or Jarvis can help with brainstorming ideas, checking grammar, or generating outlines – saving you precious time to focus on the creative spark.

Use project management tools to keep a clear picture of your content development duties. These tools enable you to assign tasks, create deadlines, and measure progress, ensuring that everyone on your team understands their roles and responsibilities. A thorough content calendar may also help you organize assignments, deadlines, and publication schedules. By having everything recorded and immediately available, you can successfully manage changing priorities without sacrificing quality. This systematic method not only improves productivity, but also assures that all content is produced on time and to the highest grade.

Offload some of the creative or copy-related tasks where possible onto Gen-AI. This gives you time to focus on what's important.

Collaboration can significantly enhance content quality. A team could implement a system where each member focuses on their strengths – one researching, another writing, and a third editing. This division of labor allows for specialized focus and peer review at each stage. For example, a data analyst could provide insights, a writer could craft the narrative, and an editor could refine the final piece, resulting in comprehensive, well-rounded content.

Collaborate Effectively: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work. Don't be afraid to delegate! If you have a team, consider assigning tasks based on strengths. A strong writer can handle blog content, while a visual person might excel at creating social media graphics. Bouncing ideas off a teammate can also spark new approaches and keep you motivated, especially when priorities shift and the solo grind gets tough.

Stay Informed: Be a Content Chameleon. Keeping your finger on the pulse of your industry is crucial. What are your competitors doing? Are there any trending topics you can integrate into your existing content calendar? Tools like Google Trends or social media listening platforms can help you identify relevant conversations and adapt your priorities to ensure your content stays fresh and engaging for your audience.

When I'm juggling multiple content creation tasks with shifting priorities, I maintain quality by first taking a step back to understand the specific requirements of each task. I then create a mental map of the key messages, tone, and style needed for each piece of content. Next, I focus on one task at a time, dedicating a set amount of time to researching, writing, and editing each piece. If priorities shift, I adjust my approach accordingly, ensuring that the most critical tasks receive the necessary attention.

Reflect and Adapt: Be a Content Connoisseur. Schedule regular check-ins with yourself to assess your workflow. Are there bottlenecks slowing you down? Is the quality of your content suffering because you're spread too thin? Don't be afraid to experiment and adapt your approach. Maybe a new scheduling system would free up mental space, or perhaps focusing on fewer, higher-quality pieces might be a better use of your time. By mastering these strategies, you'll transform from a juggling newbie to a content creation maestro, effortlessly navigating shifting priorities while consistently delivering high-quality content for your audience.

Motion and change is quite common in smaller organizations because there are so many areas to grow. Likewise having a creative role means dealing with changes can be as unpredictable as the weather. Being agile but thoughtful is a great trait in these situations. Lean on your listing skills if that’s how you see value and ROI or talk to a teammate you trust - but come to it with an open mind. You never know what you’ll learn from whatever change comes your way.