What if you could prep your content like a pro chef preps for a busy dinner service? I’ve had days where content creation felt like chaos. Sometimes, I scramble for topics, write under pressure, and hope it turns out okay. It reminded me of those moments in the kitchen when I’d light the gas, ready to cook, only to discover I was out of one ingredient.
In this blog, I’ll share how cooking taught me to build a content strategy that’s both efficient and flavorful. One that hits the mark instead of feeling like a last-minute or stale stew.
1. Planning and Preparation
Whenever I cook, I don’t just jump in and start tossing ingredients into a pot. I plan. I decide what I want to make, check my pantry, write a grocery list, and make time for prep. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I map it out. That’s how good meals happen.
Content works the same way.
Just as Ghanaian jollof isn’t made the same way as Nigerian jollof, your content needs its own custom recipe. You must choose your topics carefully, align them with your audience’s taste, and set a publishing schedule. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself on deadline day, tossing together random ideas like unseasoned stew.
Now, when I plan content, I treat it like a menu. I outline what’s coming up, research my ingredients (aka keywords and sources), and prep the structure before I ever hit “write.”
2. Batching and Efficiency
In the kitchen, I don’t chop onions every time I cook. I batch my tasks: peel everything at once, chop everything at once, and store what I can ahead of time. It saves time, reduces stress, and makes me more productive.
That mindset changed how I approached content.
Instead of writing one blog post at a time, I batch my content creation. I block out time to brainstorm a week’s worth of ideas, then write drafts back-to-back, or design several visuals in one go. Batching helps me stay in flow and get more done in less time, with better quality.
3. Flexibility and Adaptability
You might have intended to prepare a high-calorie meal before. Still, after detecting a diabetic patient who wants to consume the meal, you will have to change the schedule, considering the calorie intake of the intolerant consumer, to prepare low-calorie and high-protein meals.
Similarly, content creation requires flexibility and adaptability. Trends can change quickly, and your audience feedback can necessitate adjustments to your content plans, creating well-tailored content for your audience. By being flexible with your content, you can easily respond to changes in the market and your audience’s needs, ensuring your content remains relevant and practical.
Pro Tip: Modify your existing content to fit different formats, channels, or audiences, similar to repurposing leftovers in meal prep.
4. Consistency and Quality
No one would want to go hungry. To prevent an ulcer or its symptoms, you will stay committed to your regular routine of meal consumption and stick to the special ingredients you use in preparing that meal to give it that exceptional, unique taste.
In content marketing, consistency and quality matter just as much.
That means sticking to a regular posting schedule, maintaining a clear brand voice, and never sacrificing depth for speed. Whether you’re writing a blog, crafting an email, or posting on social media, you should aim for the same quality ingredients: relevance, clarity, and value.
Over time, this builds trust. Just like a go-to dish you always rely on, your audience begins to count on your content to deliver something worth their attention.
It’s Not Done Until It Looks Good
First, you will want to garnish your food to obey the first sensory evaluation perception, ‘sight.’ The meal should appeal to your consumers, making them curious about its taste. I.e., freshly fried Akara (a Nigerian bean-based meal) with a golden brown color, well fried on low to medium heat, and without fat accumulation. The color alone will be the first thing that will push the consumers to taste that Akara.
That’s how it works for content marketing, too. Formatting for readability and SEO is crucial in any content creation step. This step will make it easy for your audience to scan through, read through, and find/navigate information easily on your site. It will also help your consumers and make search engines understand what your content or site is all about. With this, you can rank high on search engine results pages (SERPs), generating meaningful traffic and engagement for your site.
Final Thoughts
Cooking taught me a lot. But most of all, it taught me to respect the process. Great content doesn’t just happen. It’s prepped, batched, adapted, seasoned, and served with purpose.
So the next time you sit down to plan your content, think like a chef. Prep your ingredients. Know your diners. Cook with intention. And always, always taste before you serve.
What you create should leave people wanting more, whether it’s food or content.
