Turn one idea into three drafts
Start from one source you own and draft a short video outline, a caption and a carousel, ready for your review.
8 min · BeginnerRead guide
Content creation
Plan a useful content week
Pick one problem your audience has, plan three useful topics, choose formats and check the workload before the week starts.
Before you start
What you’ll work toward
You will have a one-week content plan with three topics, a takeaway for each, formats and a workload you can actually manage.
What you’ll need
- A business, project or community with an audience
- A notes app, a document or paper
- An AI assistant is optional and not required
Cost
- No paid tool required
Scope
- A manual planning walkthrough; nothing is scheduled or posted for you
STEP 1 OF 5
Choose an audience problem
Pick one real problem your audience has this week.
- Think of the questions customers or followers asked you recently.
- Pick one problem that comes up often.
- Write it as a sentence from the audience’s point of view.
Worked example. “I never know when to water my indoor plants.”
Expected result
One audience problem written in the audience’s own words.
Check your work
Check you have heard this problem from at least one real person.
If something goes wrong
- If you cannot recall a recent question, look at your inbox or messages.
Read all steps
Choose an audience problem
Pick one real problem your audience has this week.
- Think of the questions customers or followers asked you recently.
- Pick one problem that comes up often.
- Write it as a sentence from the audience’s point of view.
Worked example. “I never know when to water my indoor plants.”
Expected result. One audience problem written in the audience’s own words.
Check your work. Check you have heard this problem from at least one real person.
If something goes wrong
- If you cannot recall a recent question, look at your inbox or messages.
Map three topics
Break the problem into three smaller topics.
- Write three angles on the problem, such as a common mistake, a quick tip and a simple how-to.
- Give each topic a working title.
- Cross out any topic you cannot cover from your own knowledge.
Worked example. 1. Three signs a plant is overwatered. 2. A finger test for dry soil. 3. A simple weekly check routine.
Expected result. Three topics with working titles.
Check your work. Each topic should stand alone and relate to the same problem.
If something goes wrong
- If a topic needs research you do not have time for, swap it.
Attach a takeaway to each topic
Write the one thing the reader should do or remember after each topic.
- Write one sentence for each topic starting with a verb.
- Keep each takeaway to a single action.
- Note the fact or source you will rely on.
Worked example. Topic 2 takeaway: “Push a finger two centimetres into the soil. If it is dry, water.” Source: my own experience.
Expected result. A takeaway and a source for every topic.
Check your work. A reader should be able to act on the takeaway without further explanation.
If something goes wrong
- If a takeaway has two actions, split the topic.
Sequence the formats across the week
Choose a format and a day for each topic.
- Choose a format for each topic, such as a short video outline, a caption or a carousel.
- Place the topics on three different days.
- Leave at least one day free for review and replies.
Worked example. Monday: carousel. Wednesday: caption. Friday: short video outline.
Expected result. A week with three topics, formats and days.
Check your work. Check no day holds more than one piece.
If something goes wrong
- If the week looks crowded, drop to two topics.
Review the workload
Check the plan is realistic before you begin.
- Estimate the minutes to draft, review and post each piece.
- Add them up and compare with the time you really have.
- Cut or simplify until the total fits.
- Write the plan where you will see it on Monday.
Worked example. Three pieces at about 40 minutes each is two hours. I only have ninety minutes, so I will make the Friday piece a short caption.
Expected result. A realistic one-week plan with estimated time.
Check your work. The total time should fit inside what you have already set aside.
If something goes wrong
- If you keep running out of time, plan fewer pieces. Consistency matters more than volume.