Celebrate GroundHog Day with Some Changes In Your Content Marketing

This morning was exceptionally cool for February. In this part of South Texas, I have become accustomed to two seasons: spring and summer. Not surprisingly, for Groundhog Day, it has been predicted that we will have 6 more weeks of winter weather. 

No complaints here. 

This day got me thinking about the movie GroundHog Day, starring Bill Murray and how it relates to our content marketing routines - how we create and develop content to share across the web. 

In the film, the weatherman is going about his regular routine to predict the weather but gets stuck in a time warp that leaves him repeating the same day, over and over. Sound familiar?

The movie is hilarious and Bill Murray has never disappointed in any role I've seen him in (from Ghostbusters to Scrooged). However, this movie presents a very real issue that many of us can face when approaching our content marketing routines - getting stuck, repeating the same mistakes over and over again, and sometimes unsure of how to get out of the "time warp."

In the film, Bill Murray had to repeat the same day until he was able to figure out where he went wrong, and get it right. As business owners we learn the value of repeating the same processes and create a daily routines that work. This can also help us improve our content marketing efforts, including writing articles and publishing blog posts on a regular basis.

However, we should assess the profitability of what we are doing and then decide if should continue to repeat the routine or not. Is your content marketing routine working? Do you even have one?


My point is that until we pin-point where we are making our mistakes, we are doomed to continue the same mistakes. With so many businesses coming online on a daily business, we must stay vigilant in our content marketing and using this tool to increase the visibility and credibility of our businesses. 

One very real issue for business owners is lacking the time to be able to execute what they already know they should be doing. 

As a consultant, I am always pleasantly surprised at how much time and effort some of my business clients have already put into their content marketing planning. 

Honestly, there are times I receive information from clients that prompts me to be more attentive to certain areas in my own business. From keyword research, to scheduling their content, I have encountered some very well prepared clients which have helped me implement changes in my own routine, and maybe a few of these tips would be useful for you as well.

Here are some changes you may find helpful in developing or improving your content marketing routine:

1. Schedule days for different tasks. Do not attempt to do everything all in one day because you will only overwhelm yourself. For instance, if you are writing a blog and publishing a newsletter on Monday, you might find it easier to promote them the same day on your social networking sites, rather than attempting to repurpose your content for blogs or videos. It could be reverse for you, but the point is to schedule the time on your calendar, iPhone or Android device and make set aside time to accomplish these tasks. Make yourself accountable and write down the weekly goals you hope to achieve. 

Your weekly goals for content marketing should include creating and publishing your content as well as promoting it and sharing it across platforms that will help get it in front of people who are interested in your product or service. Writing down your goal gives you something to work towards as you are developing your content. You might also consider improving some of your current content instead of creating something new.

Do not get caught up in creating your blog posts, articles or videos exactly as you've read others do it because we are all different. The way you see things and the way you write your content will resonate with people, so be careful not to copy other people's tone in your writing. Establish your own. 

2. Be authentic and use your own unique voice. It is wise to use the blogs, articles, and videos you consume as a starting point as you develop your content. I definitely think there is value in consuming content pertinent to our own products and services to stay abreast of changes or advances. 

However, it is not wise to attempt to duplicate what someone else has to say. This is not the same as repurposing content, where you can use something you have written in a different way. 

There are many ways you can address the same topic in your own way. 

Have faith that someone appreciates what you have to say and the way in which you say it. 

Writing is about grammar and punctuation, true. But it is also about connecting with people in a way that matters and compels them to act. 

Many readers will return back to your blog or other publishing platform several times before making a purchase, so the more you write, the more chances you have of convincing them to come back again. 

No matter how many makeup channels are on YouTube, there are certain ones that I favor simply because I like the persons personality. It could be the same tutorial or advice, but the personality makes all the difference. 

The same applies to your content marketing. People are interested in what you have to say and the personality behind the product or service, so be yourself. 

3. Stop second-guessing yourself and get busy already. There is a popular post I have seen floating around my social media sites which points out a true dilemma we can all face: while the pessimist and optimist discuss if the glass is half empty or half full, the opportunist drinks the water in the glass! 

If you are waiting for the perfect conditions to start blogging, or the perfect weather ... you'll be waiting. Nothing will ever be perfect, but everyday we are given 24 hours to do with it what we please. 

Use your time wisely and begin publishing your content. You will make mistakes and you will be able to correct them as long as there is an 'edit' function. 

Most importantly, your mistakes will give you new content ideas and experience you can share with someone else. 

Start and you'll be surprised what you can do. Sometimes ideas begin to flood my mind as soon as I begin writing. I have to write them down because I'll lose them if I don't. 

Sometimes just getting started on your new content is the change you need to see an improvement.

At the end of the popular movie, we see that Bill Murray is able to move forward. Fixing the issue requires us to identify what it is, then make a change.

Hopefully, these tips have been helpful in identifying areas you can improve your content marketing routine.

Do you have any tips you can leave in the comment section?