How to Build a Month of Content in 1 Hour
Let’s start with the obvious: content planning can feel like a full-time job (and honestly…that’s because at most larger companies, it is!). But here’s the good news for small business owners and founders: it doesn’t have to be.
You don’t need to spend hours every week figuring out what to say. Here’s the cheat sheet for how I do it for myself and my clients.
Step 1: Start with Your Content Pillars (10 minutes)
If you’ve ever opened Instagram and thought, “What the heck do I post today?” you probably need content pillars.
Your pillars are 3-5 key themes that reflect your brand, your values, and your offers. They give your content consistency without being repetitive.
Example content pillars for a small biz owner might include:
Behind the brand (your story, your day-to-day, your process)
Thought leadership (insights, tips, perspectives)
What you offer (education around your product/service)
Client transformations (wins, testimonials, use cases)
Lifestyle or values (the energy, aesthetic, or beliefs behind your brand)
Write your pillars down - these are your buckets to pull from each month.
Step 2: Map Out Your Monthly Content Calendar (15 minutes)
Next, pull up a simple calendar (digital or on paper) and start assigning post types to days of the week.
For example:
Mondays = motivational or mindset
Wednesdays = educational/tips
Fridays = behind-the-scenes or lifestyle
1x a week = soft promo of your offer or service
Aim for 2-3 posts per week to start. That’s 8-12 total posts for the month. You see what we’re starting to pull together here? Ok, let’s keep going.
Step 3: Brainstorm 2-3 Ideas Per Pillar (15 minutes)
Now that your structure is in place, plug in your ideas. Think about what your audience needs to hear right now and what you want to be known for.
Quick prompts to get you started:
What’s a common question you get asked?
What’s one shift you helped a client make recently?
What’s a small moment from your week that connects back to your values?
Keep it simple. Think in headlines, not full captions. This part is just about the ideas.
Step 4: Repurpose, Don’t Reinvent (10 minutes)
Look back at past content that performed well - or that still feels aligned - and reuse it. Repost, rephrase, or reformat. You can also break one idea into multiple pieces. For example, one blog post = three Instagram captions + a story sequence + a newsletter intro (honestly, this is where ChatGPT comes in handy).
The goal here is to reduce stress. You don’t need to start from scratch to show up with value.
Step 5: Block Time to Batch (Bonus Step)
You’ve got your topics and post types. Now all that’s left is execution. Block 1-2 hours in your calendar each week to create graphics, write captions, or schedule posts in advance. Even if you don’t get everything done ahead of time, you’ve already removed the decision fatigue, and that’s half the battle!
Final Thought
Creating content as a founder doesn’t have to - and shouldn’t - feel like a never-ending hustle. With a little planning, you can build a content strategy that supports your business and your sanity.
And if you need help getting started? That’s why I’m here!
At High Frequencies Collective, I help small business owners build intentional content plans rooted in their brand message so you can show up clearly and consistently, without burning out or winging it every time.
Let’s co-create a plan that fits your life → email me at lara@highfrequenciescollective.com, and let’s chat.