How to Create Content While Social Distancing
1. Create at Home
It’s time to get creative, sis. That ring light collecting dust in the corner needs to be pulled out and turned on. If you were forced to cancel an upcoming photoshoot, don’t fret, just make a home photoshoot happen. Turn a bedsheet into a backdrop and use your plants as props. If you always had the desire to become a food and beverage blogger, this is your chance to try new recipes and share them with the world. After being quarantined for a few months, my mindset for creating has changed. I always used to think I needed to be outside to create, which is simply not true. There are tutorials waiting to happen, books that need to be written, YouTube channels and podcasts ready to be launched – all from the comfort of your own home. With non-essential businesses and locations not operating like they used to, keep in mind this is our new normal. Try and make the best out of it!
2. Create in Real-Time, Online
Virtually engage your followers in real-time. When was the last time you got on IG live to chat with your audience? Find unique ways to pull them in with like a gem-dropping Q & A, fireside chats with other thought leaders, and much more. Are you an artist? Do a live virtual drawing class. Dancer? Ask people to join you for a live virtual dance class. What’s most important is you need to fill a void for your audience while they are spending more time behind their computers and phones. Don’t forget platforms like Zoom and GoTo Meeting are perfect for one-on-one sessions, webinars and workshops too! Continue to do what you love to do, but virtually.
3. Create in Your Backyard or a Large Park
If you have access to a backyard or large open green space such as a park, perfect! Grab your tools, or your set-up and go outside and create. Have a picnic, brainstorm, write, paint, and create. I decided to have a picnic in a park where there is more than enough room to distance yourself from strangers.
4. Create with Others
I know you’re probably thinking, “But doesn’t social distancing make it hard to collab?” I disagree. You can definitely collaborate from afar. NYC-based photographer, Lydia Hudgens created magic with the beautiful Nikki Dei via FaceTime. Yes, a FaceTime photoshoot and the end result was stunning. Networking events can still happen. Panel discussions can still happen. Interviews can still happen. Podcasts episodes can still happen. As I mentioned previously, there are a multitude of platforms available that will allow you to switch from “in-person” to digital. Reach out to the person you’ve always wanted to collaborate with and brainstorm ways you can still do so while social distancing.
5. …or Don’t Create at All
It’s perfectly fine to use this time to be STILL. Creating content when you are ready is ultimately what’s most important. The last thing I want you to do is create just because everyone else is doing it. You still need to produce content that is authentic, organic and genuinely from the heart. If you have nothing to give at the moment, that’s perfectly OKAY. Remember: we are still in the middle of a pandemic and not everyone will be their most creative selves. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself or anyone else at a time like this. Rest, rejuvenate and mentally prepare yourself for what you want to create in the future.