How To Create Intent-Based Content

I felt like this is such an important conversation to have. We live in a world that is constantly looking for the next best thing. It can leave us thinking that instant gratification and instant hits are more important than creating with the intention of it lasting. I am constantly watching my favs speaking on feeling like they can’t keep up with the way social media and the Internet is moving and how that has affected their mental health, as well as their passion.

Creating content that is easier to consume has its obvious benefits, but for my own sanity, I try to focus on creating content that speaks to those who read it now and those who may read it in the future. Otherwise, you find yourself falling into the trap of curating content for sake of having something to publish and that is a breeding ground for comparison, chasing numbers and it makes it harder to enjoy what you do.

My biggest fear is losing the passion for what I do, and although that is something I am not fully in control of, it is something that keeps me in check when I find myself getting caught up in the things that don’t really matter.

Your Mental health doesn’t care what is and isn’t trending

I have shared my thoughts on social media and mental health before and I feel like we should think about our mental health with this conversation. Creating can be such a freeing and therapeutic experience, however with anything we need to set boundaries and create those safe spaces for ourselves.

Those boundaries within our creative spaces looks like setting time aside to brainstorm our ideas, to give ourselves working/creating hours, to remind ourselves of our why and saying no to those opportunities that do not align with your message, even if it is a “good opportunity“.

I must admit when I started blogging and creating content, I wasn’t thinking about the longevity of my work. I was very much in my own head, whatever was on my mind needed a way out and my blog was that way out. I still do this today, however, after some coaching advice my approach has changed. I now ask myself; what is it that I want my readers to take away from my writing? How can I use my experiences to speak to my audience? 

How do you create intent-based content?

Once you establish what you want out of this space, then you can decide what type of content you want to be producing. There are a few things I think are essential to creating content with intention, and they are very much centred around you and your audience.

Know Your Why

All I do is speak about “why” and to be honest anyone else you speak to will say the same thing. Knowing your why is key! Why you do what you do, why you do it the way you do. The intention behind what you do is going to be your why.

Understand Your Audience

It has taken me a little longer than I thought it would for me to understand my audience,  I think it is because I focused on expressing myself, and I didn’t realise I had the ability to speak to others. Knowing the details of your audience is going to give you someone to focus on when you create the content you do. With that person or group in mind, you will find it easier to focus on those who are important and it helps to draw the focus away from what everyone else is doing.

Your ideas aren’t too niche, there is honestly an audience for everyone and everything,  your job is to find a way to speak directly to your audience in a way that works for both yourself and a your audience. I don’t believe you should compromise your creativity or passion for what’s currently poppin’ –  As Maya said: “do you boo!”

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Details:

Hair – Miyi Hair

Styled & Shot by – LaLa Love

Lipstick – House of Uni (Black Owned)

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