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Improve Your Content With Yoga Basics — No Downward Dog Required

Improve Your Content With Yoga Basics — No Downward Dog Required

Much like yoga, improving your content takes time and practice.

About a year and a half ago, I began taking hot yoga classes after a trip to the doctor about my back. I had never taken a yoga class before, and let me tell you, I am not flexible. (No touching toes for this gal!) But, of course, if it was going to benefit my health in the long run, I wasn’t going to chicken out. 

My first class was horrible. I was lying on my mat practically the whole time and nauseated from dehydration. (A 90-minute class in a 90-degree room will do that to you.) But as I returned week after week, I started craving it because it had become more than just a yoga class.

During each session, the instructor would talk us through our practice, reminding us to set an intention, leave our egos at the door, and listen to our bodies. It wasn’t just a workout — it was a place to connect with my inner self. 

Creating valuable content follows the same rules: You should focus on what your brand (body) has to offer and listen to your audience. As a marketer, entrepreneur, or other professional, the thought of adding yet another task to your plate might be scary (just as yoga is to most people), but realizing the benefits of content for your brand can help you understand how it will work in harmony with and improve every aspect of your company. 

Here are three yoga basics that can improve the longevity of your content marketing efforts: twitter_blue Tweet this

Set an Intention 

Before we begin each class, the instructor tells us to set an intention. What do we want to get out of the class that day? Some yogis may just be after a workout, while others are looking to release the stress of a busy day. 

Setting an intention is just as important to content creation. It’s essential to develop a content strategy before you jump in so you stay consistent and continually work toward your goal. At Influence & Co., we work with our clients to create a detailed blog strategy that digs deeper into the client’s target audience, content goals, blog strategy deliverables and effective distribution efforts. Then, we take our clients through our process to help them create quality content that educates their community and positions them as a leader in their space.

So ask yourself: Is the purpose of your content to educate, lead your audience to a specific action, or offer an alternative opinion? Whatever you’re hoping to achieve, set an intention for all your content creation efforts so every piece you create supports your goals. 

Engage Your Core

You’ll hear it 20 times in one class: Don’t forget to engage your core.

Building strong core muscles helps you develop a foundation that will allow you to excel in your yoga poses. Just as you’re engaging muscles during your yoga session (some you never knew you had), you need to fuel interaction with your content. twitter_blue Tweet this

Each article or blog post should tackle a common pain point, answer a question, or engage your audience by provoking a specific feeling or prompting a reaction. If you’re not engaging your core, you’re not going to be able to stick that one-legged downward dog, and if you’re not engaging your audience, your content isn’t going to accomplish your business objectives.

Maximize Your Practice

At the end of the class, we take our final savasana (also known as “corpse pose”), where the teacher emphasizes the importance of staying still so we can maximize the benefits from our yoga practice.

Now don’t take this as “my content should stop moving after publishing.” Instead, think of savasana as a reminder to maximize your content marketing efforts after publication. twitter_blue Tweet this

Distribute your content to professionals in your industry, start a Twitter chat on the topic, or spark discussion in a LinkedIn Group or Google+ community. You might even consider doubling down and repurposing that piece to develop a guide or presentation. Leveraging your content is one of the best things you can do to gain exposure for your content and create more content. 

As you set your sights on what content can do for your business, remember to set an intention, engage your audience with topics that are meaningful and interesting, and maximize its benefits after publication. Don’t think of it as work; think of it as a practice that can benefit your entire organization and lead to introspection. Be one with your content, and you’ll see long-lasting benefits.

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About Maya Szydlowski Luke

Social media is my happy place. My best days are spent discovering trends about coffee, health, content strategy, and fashion, 140 characters at a time. Let's connect! @MayaSLuke

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