Saving me 1000’s of hours, serving to me create greater than I can
Raised by a father with a navy background, self-discipline, group, and compartmentalization come simply to me.
And if there’s one phrase that defines me completely, it’s ‘record.’ If my identify hadn’t been Lipika, it absolutely would have been Listika…unhealthy joke…pbbt
I’m an inventory individual; I’ve an inventory for virtually every thing. I’m obsessive about them. Identify it, and I’ve an inventory for that.
Issues I would like to choose/purchase, individuals whose birthday fall this month, my daughter’s lunchbox choices, music playlists [english funky, Sufi, workout, + 4 other], my upcoming trip planning……I can go together with many extra.
No marvel once I began my writing profession, true to my nature, I had lists for every thing, although they weren’t on paper anymore.
However what began as a product of behavior quickly turned a lifesaver and time-saver. As I scaled up my content material technology, these information turned my lifeline.
So, in case you are a author, particularly within the honeymoon part of your writing, that is the perfect time to begin organizing your work. And for individuals who have already traversed a long way — sweat not. Begin anyway.
Let’s dig in to disclose all.
Doc kind: Google spreadsheet
I’m large on headlines. No surprises there that this was developing. So, what all goes on within the headline sector?
a) My headline templates:
Everyone knows how a lot time it takes to write down headline. Hell lot. So, it solely is smart to reuse it, proper? This sheet shops the templates of all my headlines for future reference.
PRO TIP: By no means publish two headlines with the identical templates, very shut to one another. It sounds repetitive, and readers discover such issues.
b) Different headlines:
No, it’s not stealing. You’ll be able to accumulate different peoples’ headlines that you simply like and suppose you possibly can work on. And also you MUST do that. I’m not saying to repeat it totally however templatize and retailer it.
c) LinkedIn opening strains:
Once more, these are headlines solely however are extra ‘hooky.’ I stash them in a sheet of this file for reuse.
d) Energy phrases:
Energy phrases add that ‘punch’ to your headlines that arouse potent feelings, making them extra clickable. Having such phrases helpful is a horny cheat code.
That is one other excel sheet that hoards an almost-exhaustive record of energy phrases I take advantage of for my headlines and saves me eons of time.
Say I need an alternate energy phrase for ‘protected.’ My sheet tells me I can go for — ‘research-backed,’ ‘accredited,’ ‘worry-free,’ ‘fail-proof,’ and many others. Equally, I can decide energy phrases for quite a few different phrases as properly.
You might entry this strongroom of 700+ energy phrases right here. 👈
PRO TIP: After you obtain this sheet, don’t overlook to maintain including your energy phrases and construct on this.
Doc kind: Google spreadsheet
That is my second most vital go-to sheet. With a complete stack of concepts, I’ve by no means encountered author’s block.
Burnout, sure. Block, by no means.
Frankly, my thought dump is scattered all around the home — the kitchen counter scribbling pad, writing pocket book, 2 WhatsApp teams [LinkedIn breadcrumbs and Writing muse].
However every thing finally finds its manner into my thought storehouse — The Concept Dump.
This broadly incorporates:
- Medium writing concepts
- Linkedin submit concepts
However a factor or two that helps me maneuver this concept land simply is:
a) I elaborate as a lot as I can on the thought. A easy line like — Numbers are for comfort; don’t begin defining issues with numbers, may confuse me later in regards to the exact context I had in thoughts. So, I am going like this:
Numbers are for comfort; don’t begin defining issues with numbers/fewer likes, fewer followers, don’t soar to conclusions, totally different success in numerous platforms, psychological bar graph…
Complicated for you, I’m certain, however later once I learn it, my thoughts is instantly wired again to my authentic thought course of.
b) Cleaning the dump: When you find yourself a creator, concepts flock to you, and it’s good that you simply retailer them. However letting them pile on is a hazardous follow.
So, upon getting acted upon and used an thought, keep in mind to dump it from the record. AND copy the hyperlink to the ultimate product within the backup file (we’ll come to that later).
Doc kind: Google spreadsheet
As I used to be saying — collating your completed product and retaining them helpful.
I’ve a content material planner that I take advantage of for Medium and one for LinkedIn.
What goes into it?
Every little thing — the lengthy and in need of it. Every little thing that I’ve printed is fastidiously categorized, earmarked, and arranged in neat rows and columns.
In case you come up and ask me — Lipika, are you able to pull up that headline story you probably did a yr again that talked about energy phrases? I can do this earlier than you decide up the espresso mug and sit again to sip.
Benefits of utilizing a content material planner:
There are lots of execs to documenting your content material and having them on the ideas of your fingers.
- Inside linking of tales: Subsequent time you need to hyperlink again a narrative, you don’t must go rummaging via your outdated tales. Set the acceptable filters within the file, and it’s easy-peasy.
- Repurposing: In case you plan to be right here for the long term, you can’t shrink back from repurposing. It’s a lifesaver. With older tales helpful, repurposing turns into a cakewalk. Else…lord save your soul…
- Earmarking for future initiatives: My articles are categorically earmarked for my headline e-book, Medium e-book, and on-line course. So, once I sit for the mission, all I do is filter those earmarked and get to work.
Doc kind: Varied
Now, this one will probably be distinctive to everybody. However I strongly and vehemently counsel everybody have one.
It is a doc, or paperwork, that you should parallelly create alongside along with your common content material creation.
A product that you simply envision creating sooner or later, that manufacturers you as a creator, and that you simply intend to promote/market — a one-time factor.
It may be an book, a journal, a web based course, or a easy compilation of essays — something.
For me, it’s my headline book and LinkedIn information. And one free digital product that’s all the time within the pipeline.
Consider this as dropping cash in your piggy financial institution as you save on your dream sneakers.
Preserve creating content material and including mass to that dream mission. Earlier than you realize it, you will have a sizeable quantity of information to begin engaged on.
After the preliminary pleasure of beginning a brand new writing mission fades away, the truth of the each day grind units in. Deadlines, author’s block, distractions, and self-doubt can derail even probably the most motivated and disciplined author.
Earlier than lengthy, you’re in a rabbit gap.
I discuss so much about productiveness as a result of as soon as the honeymoon interval of being a beginner is over, it’s the hell-breaking-loose scenario in a author’s life.
Having methods round you to work with ensures that you’re accountable for issues, therefore, sustaining productiveness and momentum.