Let’s be trustworthy — rising on social media whereas working full-time (and nonetheless making an attempt to relaxation and stay life) is not any small feat.
There have been seasons after I promised I’d publish on daily basis. I’d open Buffer, make a lovely calendar, and inform myself this may be the month I confirmed up persistently. After which… work bought busy. Or I hit a artistic wall. Or I simply didn’t really feel like saying something in any respect.
From chats with fellow creators and Buffer teammates/neighborhood, I do know I’m not alone on this — it’s a fairly common expertise.
The reality is, rising on social media doesn’t require you to be on-line continually, it simply wants a system that works in your actual schedule. Not the one you want you had. The one with back-to-back conferences and 30-minute artistic home windows.
During the last six months, I’ve examined totally different posting rhythms, tried three scheduling workflows, and eventually landed on a system I can keep on with — no strain, no burnout.
Step 1: I picked a tempo that labored for me
The most important fable I needed to unlearn was that consistency meant posting on daily basis.
That recommendation is in all places, and it might work for some folks. However for me, making an attempt to publish day by day whereas working full-time was a quick observe to burnout. This occurred for a number of causes:
If video was concerned, I used to be naturally a bit slower at creating since I gravitate extra in direction of textual content.Attempting to publish a video on daily basis additionally meant that the standard wasn’t at all times the place I wished it to be.Weeks the place I didn’t have any “buffer” content material (which I’ll clarify in a number of steps) meant that I used to be creating on the fly and publishing.
I spent extra time feeling responsible about what I didn’t publish than celebrating what I did.
So I finished chasing quantity and targeted on what I might really maintain. As soon as I gave myself permission to publish much less, I confirmed up extra — as a result of I wasn’t setting myself as much as fail.
Today, I goal to publish 2–3 instances every week throughout LinkedIn, Threads, and (often) TikTok. Generally it’s extra, typically much less. However I’ve discovered a baseline that feels doable, and that consistency is what has helped me develop.
Rising on social media doesn’t imply you must overexert your self within the course of. A repeatable system can be higher reward than stops and begins. If as soon as every week is all you’ll be able to handle proper now, that’s nonetheless progress. The bottom line is constructing a rhythm you’ll be able to sustain.
📝 Over to you: What’s your ideally suited posting tempo — not the one you want you had, however the one that truly matches into your present week?
Step 2: I discovered content material pillars in my day by day life
Earlier than I constructed my present system, I used to overthink what to publish. I’d stare at a clean display, making an attempt to give you one thing intelligent or scroll-worthy out of nowhere. It felt like creating in a vacuum, and it made every part more durable than it wanted to be.
Today, I begin with what’s already occurring in my life.
I take a look at what I’m engaged on, what questions preserve developing, and what I’d naturally discuss to a buddy about. That’s the place my content material pillars come from — not a method template, however actual life.
Proper now, mine embody:
These concepts evolve with me and provides me artistic lanes to remain in, so I’m not reinventing the wheel each time I publish.
If “content material pillars” feels too formal, simply suppose: What are three belongings you do or take into consideration typically? That’s your start line.
📝 Over to you: Listing 3 belongings you do often or take into consideration typically. These are most likely your content material pillars — even in the event you haven’t named them but.
Step 3: I captured concepts on the go (not simply at my desk)
Most of my greatest publish concepts don’t come after I’m gazing a clean doc — they arrive whereas I’m strolling to the shop, scrolling by means of social media (and bookmarking attention-grabbing posts), or speaking by means of an issue with a buddy.
So as a substitute of forcing creativity right into a time slot, I constructed a behavior of capturing concepts wherever they really occur.
Right here’s what that appears like:
I jot down concepts or hooks in my Notes app, or document a fast voice memo if I’m outIf I’m working in Buffer, I drop messy concepts into the Concepts tab (even when they’re half-formed)I loosely tag by format (video, textual content), platform (LinkedIn, Threads), or pillar (like “content material suggestions”) so I can discover them later
It’s not an ideal system, however it means I’m by no means ranging from zero. Even one line with an concept is healthier than a clean display with none.
📝 Over to you: Decide one place to seize your concepts this week — Notes app, Google Doc, Buffer’s Concepts tab, no matter works. Keep it up. That small behavior will prevent later.
Step 4: I created content material in pockets of time, not lengthy classes
There’s this concept that content material creation wants a protracted, quiet morning, the right instrument stack, and deep focus.
That’s hardly ever my actuality.
Some days, I get quarter-hour between conferences. Different days, I’m drained however nonetheless wish to keep constant. So as a substitute of ready for excellent circumstances, I began utilizing the time I even have — small home windows scattered all through the week.
Right here’s what that appears like:
I draft publish outlines whereas beginning my day or winding downI collaborate with an AI instrument to assist form concepts after I’m caught or low on artistic energyI batch-schedule content material after I’m feeling productive — however I don’t drive it after I’m not
Some posts come collectively in a single sitting. Others stay in Buffer as tough drafts till I’m prepared to shine. Both manner, I’ve given myself permission to construct steadily — and that’s what retains me constant with out burning out.
📝 Over to you: Block off half-hour this week to stipulate a number of posts. Don’t goal for excellent, simply get your concepts down. Your future self will thanks.
Step 5: I constructed a “mini buffer” for low-energy days
Even with a strong system, there are days after I simply don’t have it in me to jot down, movie, and even suppose creatively. That used to derail my posting rhythm. Now? I plan for these days prematurely by conserving what I name a “mini buffer”. (Pun meant!)
My mini buffer is a small stash of low-effort content material I can flip to when vitality is low, however I nonetheless wish to keep seen. These aren’t high-concept or extremely produced — they’re fast to complete, straightforward to publish, and nonetheless aligned with my voice.
Right here’s what’s often in mine:
Quick reflections I can share with out a lot editingTemplated graphicsOne-liner insightsB-roll or visuals I can repurpose with a voiceover
I consider these as posts I might hit “publish” on with out hesitation — even when I’m drained, touring, or simply not feeling it. They preserve the momentum going, even after I’m not at 100%.
📝 Over to you: Begin constructing your mini buffer. Create 1–2 low-effort posts this week — a quote, a screenshot, a note-to-self. One thing your future self can schedule quick.
It’s not about doing extra — it’s about doing much less, extra reliably
I used to suppose that rising on social media meant hustling more durable — displaying up day by day, chasing each development, and pushing out polished content material on repeat. However that wasn’t sustainable, and it positively wasn’t working.
What really helped me make progress? Constructing a system that revered my time and vitality.
Now, I create briefly bursts, reuse what I have already got, and preserve a number of backup posts prepared for low-energy days. I don’t publish on daily basis, however I publish often. And that’s made all of the distinction.
The change that led me to this course of wasn’t tactical however emotional. I finished measuring success by how a lot I posted and began measuring it by how repeatable it felt.
So in the event you’re busy (which, let’s be trustworthy, most of us are), right here’s your reminder: You don’t have to develop a 3-month-long content material calendar or rent assist to remain seen. You simply want a system that makes it simpler to indicate up in your phrases.
If you wish to save the system in your personal use, right here’s a grab-and-go guidelines. Decide one concept from it to do that week. Set your individual tempo. Seize a number of concepts. Construct your mini buffer. No matter you select, preserve it gentle, repeatable, and rooted in your actual life, not another person’s schedule.
☐ Select a posting tempo you’ll be able to really stick with. Decide a frequency that matches your actual week.
→ Instance: “I’ll publish twice every week — as soon as on Wednesday, as soon as on Sunday.”
☐ Decide 2–3 content material pillars based mostly in your actual life. No have to invent new matters. Begin with what you are already doing, studying, or excited about.
→ Instance: 1) Distant work life, 2) LinkedIn monetization, 3) Profession suggestions for entrepreneurs
☐ Seize concepts as they arrive (not simply whenever you sit right down to create). Select one instrument to log sparks: Notes app, Buffer’s Concepts tab, or a operating doc.
→ Immediate to attempt: “What shocked me at this time?” or “What would I inform a buddy who’s simply beginning out?”
☐ Define posts briefly bursts. Use 10–20 minute pockets of time to jot a hook and a pair of–3 bullet factors.
→ Instance: Whereas having espresso, draft a tough publish in your Notes app — no have to excellent it.
☐ Hold a mini buffer of 1–2 backup posts. Save low-effort content material for the times you’re drained or uninspired.
→ Instance: A one-liner, quote graphic, or screenshot with a brief caption
☐ Let instruments do the heavy lifting. Use Buffer to tag concepts, set up by platform, and schedule posts prematurely.
→ Tip: Batch-schedule as soon as every week so you are not scrambling day by day.
