Once you’ve built the habit of consistently creating and distributing content, the next step is to optimize, expand, and systematize. Here’s how to level up your content marketing plan without overwhelming yourself:
Phase 1: Solidify Your Foundation (0-9 Months)
Focus on building consistency and engagement.
- Double Down on What’s Working → Look at what content is getting engagement and lean into that format (podcasts, videos, or blogs).
- Repurpose More → Take one core piece of content (a podcast episode or video) and turn it into:
- A Social post, or 10
- A short-form video, or 3
- An email to your list
- A blog post, keep it short (TLDL - Too Long, Didn’t Listen)
- Batch Content Creation → Record 4-5 podcast episodes or videos at once to create a backlog of content.
- Engage With Your Audience → Ask questions, start discussions, and reply to every comment.
Time commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Phase 2: Expand Your Influence (9-18 Months)
Increase your reach, refine your messaging, and start leveraging systems.
- Introduce Lead Magnets → Create downloadable guides, checklists, or mini-courses to capture emails.
- Strengthen SEO & Discoverability → Optimize your blog posts, YouTube videos, and podcast descriptions with the right keywords.
- Cross-Promotion & Collaborations → Partner with complementary professionals (lawyers, accountants, business coaches) to expand your audience.
- Leverage Paid Distribution → Boost top-performing content on LinkedIn or Facebook to reach more ideal clients.
- Automate Content Distribution → Use scheduling tools (Buffer, Hootsuite, HubSpot) to save time.
Time commitment: 3-5 hours per week
Phase 3: Systematize & Scale (18+ Months)
Build a content machine that runs without you doing everything.
- Hire a Content Marketing Assistant or Agency → Delegate video editing, blog writing, and content scheduling.
- Create a Thought Leadership Strategy → Start speaking at industry events, guesting on other podcasts, or hosting live Q&As.
- Develop a Paid Marketing Strategy → Retarget warm audiences through Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, or Facebook Ads.
- Launch a Membership or Community → Convert your audience into a network of engaged followers via a Facebook group, LinkedIn community, or paid membership.
- Track Performance & Adjust → Use analytics (Google Analytics, podcast stats, email open rates) to refine your strategy.
Time commitment: 1-2 hours per week (with outsourcing in place)
When Should a Professional (Medical, Financial, Legal) Outsource Their Marketing?
The Reality:
Most professionals running and scaling businesses don’t have time to master marketing. Content marketing is a long-term investment, and while creating content yourself in the early stages helps build your voice, outsourcing is inevitable if you want to scale.
Outsource Immediately If:
- You have zero time to create content but know you need it.
- You want a professional-level production for podcasts, blogs, or videos.
- You’re ready to leverage paid marketing but need expertise.
Outsource Once You Have a Foundation If:
- You’ve been consistent but need help scaling efficiently.
- You have a backlog of content but struggle with repurposing and distributing.
- You want to focus on high-value client work while a marketing team amplifies your brand.
Who to Hire?
- Freelancers → If you need specific tasks handled (editing, copywriting, social scheduling).
- Agencies → If you want a full-service team to handle strategy, content creation, and promotion.
- Influence Media Experts (Like ProudMouth) → If you want to turn your expertise into a content engine that fuels authority and growth.
The Bottom Line
- If you’re just starting out, build the habit of creating and distributing content consistently.
- Once you’re consistent, expand your strategy by repurposing content, using lead magnets, and leveraging paid growth.
- When you’re scaling, outsourcing is the smartest move. You should be running your business, not stuck in content production.
Where are you in your content marketing journey? Are you still DIY-ing or ready to scale with professional support?
Related: Stop Chasing Clients: The Proven Way Experts Build Consistent Demand