Want better social content? Think like a TV Producer!
Want better social media content?
Think like a TV Producer!
When I was working as a field producer for the nationally syndicated talk show, Maury, we produced two primary types of episodes - paternity stories or cheating stories.
Aside from the occasional curveball episode - out-of-control teens, controlling men and makeover shows - paternity and cheating continues to be the show’s bread and butter.
I know, really uplifting and empowering shit, :)
Regardless, these stories make for some incredibly compelling and dramatic television that millions of people tune in to watch and solves a lot of questions for the people involved.
But, with cranking out the same types of content over and over again, therein lies an extremely challenging proposition - how the hell do you keep the same topics fresh and interesting despite each story revolving around the same questions and the same topics?
It’s all about gaining deeper insights.
Before guests would step on stage, the show producers would conduct extensive, pre-interviews where they would ask a million and one questions. By digging deep, they would be able to paint a much broader picture of the situation.
As a result, they’d unearth unique story points that Producers would then incorporate into the guest’s segment. Now, I’ll spare you some of the more ridiculous shit that we’ve discussed on the show, but, let’s just say that these conversations and digging for that unique insight led to some amazing storylines, crazy plot twists and pure entertainment value for the audience at home.
On a show where thousands of paternity and cheating stories have been shared, it’s these unique insights that separate one segment from the next, and keep the audience coming back for more.
Consequently, I’ve translated this philosophy of continuously digging to create unique insights and experiences into my social media, content creation.
Although I share as many lessons as I can as an expert photographer, business owner and human being living and breathing on this Earth, it can be difficult to create new lessons to share with my audience.
I touch on perhaps 5-6 central themes throughout my social and blog posts, and oftentimes, it’s challenging to keep up and think of new ways to rehash different scenarios without sounding repetitive.
Whenever I start to feel stuck, I put on the TV Producer hat and get to work.
First, I’ll take a theme that I want to touch on and write it down in a blank document. Then, I’ll remember the ways in which I’ve discussed that particular topic in the past, whether I wrote about it on social, or I expanded the idea to a full-blown blog.
After that, I start my own “pre-interview” process.
I think back to the conversations I’ve had that week, or, look through the idea nuggets I’ve written down in my phone, and see if there are any new dots to connect with all this raw material I have.
If I do, awesome.
I let these new, raw insights marinate in my mind for a bit, or, just take a walk around the block and let everything simmer together before I head back upstairs to start stretching out those ideas and putting them together in an interesting way.
If I don’t, then I free write to let the brain experiment and do it’s thing. As I’m free-writing, I keep a couple central points in mind at all times:
What is the lesson I’m trying to impart here for my audience?
How is it different from what I’ve shared before?
Is this unique angle on a similar theme valuable enough to share with my audience?
If not, how can I make this more valuable?
Is this a complete thought, or, do I need to dig further?
Fortunately, for this article, I’ve never touched on this concept before, so, it was a freshie, which means it's easier to create! The next time I write about thinking a TV Producer, however, I will have to dig a little deeper, :)
How do you approach content creation? Do you have a process, or, do you just wing it on a daily basis?
Well, if you’re winging it and are looking to upgrade your approach to create compelling content that speaks directly to your tribe, I’d be more than happy to help you with that.
In fact, I offer a one-on-one program that deals specifically with that.
It’s called the Idea Nugget Incubator program - wanna learn more about it? Check it out here.
Not sure if it’s a fit for you? Set up a call with me and let’s chat about it!
PS - For those of you who aren’t in the know, I mail out these blogs 3x a week, and lemme tell you, they’re a real party, so, if you’d like to get in on this, sign up for it here and I’ll throw in a free gift for you, because I care, :)