This past week, I carved out an hour to work on creating my Content Topic Map for the next 12 months.

That’s right, just an hour although it wasn’t always like this.

I was notorious for using all the avoidance tactics I could think of … checking emails, checking Facebook analytics, clearing my desk, you get the idea. I would have a wonderfully organized office and desktop but still no content.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t think of anything. I had so many ideas, information and thoughts to choose from that it resulted in the old ‘paralysis by analysis’ syndrome.

So how do I now do it in an hour? This is the cool part!

I’ve been slowly converting years (and years!) of paper files into digital docs and on one of those ‘do anything other than write’ days, my choice of procrastination was to digitize some of my university papers. In that folder was a term paper that I had written with everything from notes to final copy and in those notes was a piece of paper divided into 4 columns. At the top of each column was a category and underneath, I had listed talking points and topics related to that category that comprised the entire content outline for that paper.

Brilliant! See? You can go to institutes of higher learning and still forget things as simple as a content map!

How to Make a Content Map

Creating a content map is extremely easy to do and you can have your content outline for the next week, month or the entire year done in short time. The number of columns and subsequent Talking Points will depend on the number of pieces of content you intend to publish. This suggestion is based on a weekly blog.

1. Create 7 columns in excel or numbers (I used to do this on lined paper but I’m working on going paperless, remember? )

2. Label each column with a category related to your expertise. For example, mine could be SALES, CUSTOMER SERVICE, COMMUNICATION, MARKETING, ORGANIZATION, PERSONAL GROWTH and NETWORKING.

3. Choose 7-8 individual topics or ‘Talking Points’ for each category. So for NETWORKING, 8 things I could teach would be: networking online; networking in person; following up after networking; Intriguing Introductions™; where to network; initiating conversation; the value of networking; and networking platforms.

4. Once you complete each column, you’ll have 48 PLUS content ideas. But wait!! (here’s where the math comes in!) Write a blog post AND record a video AND create an ebook. 48+x3 now equals 144+ content pieces. WOW!

Use this technique to get your knowledge out there because the value of knowledge diminishes if you just keep it in your head.

“Knowledge Shared is Success Magnified.” ~ CK

When you put out content, you help people; establish yourself as an authority on the subject; raise your profile in the search engines and ultimately attract clients.

P.S. if you’re so inclined, you can take each of those categories and the corresponding talking points and turn it into a paid webinar. Just sayin’…

To your success ~ Cathy

Now Go Get  Connected!

An award-winning Leader, Entrepreneur and Business Development Consultant, Cathy teaches entrepreneurs how to increase their influence; build their business and stay sane while doing it. She helps you to let go of limiting beliefs to “Stand Up, Stand Out & Step Forward” for business success. Named one of the Top Ten Mentors by StartUp Canada, Cathy is recognized across the country for her expertise on “All Things Small Biz”. She is the Founder of The Connected Woman Association, is a Director on the Board of WeBC (formerly the Women’s Enterprise Centre), author of numerous books and articles specifically the internationally known “Daily Espressos- Your Read it and Delete it Kickstart to Your Day”, and is a networking maven. (whew!)

For information on upcoming workshops, business coaching or to engage Cathy as a Keynote speaker at your next event, visit www.cathykuzel.com