Fighting the Content Monster
How to Efficiently Create Content for Social Media
In today’s world of content-driven social networks, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube demand a constant flow of fresh and engaging material. This content-hungry nature can quickly become overwhelming, especially for small teams or individual creators. How can you keep up without burning out? The answer lies in maximising efficiency and getting creative with every piece of content you produce.
Here’s how you can fight the content monster while streamlining your content production process through smart video and photo strategies.
1. Break It Down: From One Video to Multiple Posts
Shooting a single video? You’re actually creating weeks’ worth of content! One of the best ways to feed the content monster is by repurposing one video into multiple assets. Here’s how you can break down a single video shoot into many different posts:
Full-Length Video: Start by creating a longer video that you can post on YouTube or Facebook. Make sure it provides value, whether through tutorials, entertainment, or behind-the-scenes footage.
Short Clips for Reels: Take the best segments from your video and cut them into 15-60 second clips. These clips are perfect for Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts, where bite-sized content tends to perform best.
Stills from the Video: Extract still images from your video. A well-shot video can often provide high-quality stills that can be used as promotional images on Instagram or Twitter.
Quotes and Subtitles: Add engaging quotes or statistics from the video into shorter text-based posts or image graphics. These can be easily shared on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.
With the proper planning, one video shoot can fuel multiple content streams across various platforms.
2. Behind the Scenes Content: Capture Everything
One often overlooked way to create more content efficiently is to document the behind-the-scenes (BTS) process. Audiences love seeing the work that goes into creating polished videos or photos, and BTS content is a great way to showcase authenticity.
BTS Photos and Videos: Film and photograph your crew, your gear, and the process itself. Simple shots of lighting setups, rehearsals, and funny outtakes can be turned into engaging content. This builds a personal connection with your audience, showing them the hard work and creativity behind the final product【30】.
Q&A or Commentary: Record quick interviews or commentary from the crew or talent while shooting BTS. These snippets are great for adding depth to your social media stories and posts, giving followers insight into your creative process.
Time-Lapses: Use a time-lapse to capture the entire process in a quick, digestible format. From setup to final take, a time-lapse video is an easy way to create engaging content without additional effort.
Documenting the creative process is a simple yet powerful way to boost your content production without requiring extra shooting days.
3. Capturing Talent and Location: More Than Just the Final Shot
When shooting content, many creators focus solely on the final product, but you can capture a lot more that enhances storytelling and provides more content for social channels.
Talent Portraits: Take candid or posed shots of your talent between video takes. These can serve as teaser content leading up to the video’s release or can be used to tell the story behind the project【31】.
Location Shots: Don’t forget to capture the environment where you’re shooting. Whether it’s a studio setup or a beautiful outdoor location, these shots help provide context and enrich the overall narrative of your content.
Wardrobe and Props: If your video includes interesting props or costumes, make them part of your content plan. Snap detail shots of these elements to create Instagram Stories or Pinterest pins.
By capturing all aspects of your production, you create a visual journey that you can share with your followers.
4. Efficient Shooting Techniques for Maximum Output
Efficiency during the shoot is key to maximising your content creation. Here are some techniques to help you produce more content in less time:
Batch Filming: Instead of creating content one piece at a time, try filming multiple videos in one session. Change outfits, backgrounds, or even topics, and shoot several videos back to back. This way, you’ll have content ready to go for weeks【33】.
Multiple Angles: During filming, set up multiple cameras at different angles. This allows you to cut between shots for dynamic edits and use different perspectives for additional clips.
Direct-to-Camera Clips: Record short, direct-to-camera clips in between takes. Whether it’s a quick announcement or teaser, these videos are easy to shoot and can be shared as standalone content.
These techniques save time and multiply your content output from a single production session.
5. Editing for Different Platforms: Create More from Less
Once you’ve shot your video, the editing phase is where you can really increase efficiency. Each social platform has different requirements and audience behaviors, so edit your content with this in mind.
Cut for Vertical and Horizontal: Make sure your videos are shot with enough framing space to allow for both vertical and horizontal cropping. This will enable you to post the same video on TikTok (vertical) and YouTube (horizontal) without losing quality.
Use Text Overlays: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok often favor videos with text overlays. This can be a quote, a call to action, or simply a funny comment that grabs attention【31】.
Tailor Intros for Each Platform: Shorter intros work better on TikTok and Instagram Reels, where users expect quick engagement. For YouTube, where viewers are more likely to stick around, you can add more detailed intros or teasers.
With the right editing approach, you can maximise the potential of each video across multiple platforms, giving you more visibility with less effort.
In 2024, content-hungry social media networks aren’t going away, but with the right strategies, you can stay ahead of the curve. By capturing behind-the-scenes footage, repurposing content across platforms, and using efficient filming and editing techniques, you can fight the content monster and keep your social media feed fresh without burning out.
With a little planning and creativity, you’ll have endless content to post, keeping your audience engaged and your brand visible across all your platforms.
