Templates 🫠
Ah, the allure of an easy download, the anticipation that everything will fall into place. Let’s face it; the reality often feels more like a wild rollercoaster of frustration and hopelessness, leaving us questioning our life choices and giving us that awesome imposter syndrome.
Just like this newsletter format changes from time to time 🫣, so should your templates.
By the time you reach the end, you will be able to:
• Unlock creativity
• Approach templates strategically
• Be flexible
• Start from scratch to save time
We’ve all been there. Templates create frustration. These seemingly simple documents give major imposter syndrome.
The perfect template does not exist because life, experiences, and templates are rarely one size fits all.
I don’t even use a template for managing my house and finances. I created spreadsheets that work for me based on some inspiration from other templates. I’ve wasted hours, probably more than a day at this point, searching for the perfect template – AKA wasting my time!
Remember, I started doing social media for businesses when it was created – I didn’t have the luxury of strategy, calendar, and reporting templates. I’m kind of glad I didn’t.
Navigating Templates:
INSPIRATION
I browse template libraries from time to time for design inspiration; often, it helps, but more often, it creates mental roadblocks while designing. Maybe it’s a me-thing; I’m very intuitive.
Templates can be intimidating. Maybe you’ve never reported on that metric before, don’t know how, or don’t know what it means. Why are you stressin’? You don’t need to report on it! (Well, maybe you do, but I trust you're fantastic at your job)
For these reasons, I will be sharing versions of templates I’ve created that I use consistently in my life and business with you (coming in 2024). They’ll be free because they’re for inspirational purposes.
I may sound a bit contradictory here “Don’t use templates, but use mine.” I’m sharing mine with you because those who have seen what I’ve created (colleagues, clients, industry pros) have asked for copies and have said it makes their lives easier.
With that said…
THE SHELL
Before you even think about browsing templates for inspiration, write down a list of everything that needs to be included in the document you're creating.
If it’s a social media report, refer to your SOW and strategy for the deliverables that should be included. Yes, KPIs should be defined in your strategy because your strategy is all about how you’re going to achieve them. Content calendars could have a variety of components: date, content pillar, paid, organic, copy, asset, networks, approval process, etc.
There is no perfect new business pitch. I’ve done everything from a text and one sheet to a 109-page deck.
Everything you do with and for your client should be unique to their business.
ADAPT AND MODIFY
Templates are the starting point, not the destination.
Just like strategies aren’t set in stone and are always evolving (because you’re adjusting based on your reporting), templates usually aren’t set in stone. Needs change, KPIs change, random campaigns pop up that need a dedicated section, etc.
Client’s needs vary. Some of my clients want a quick 1 page with all numbers, no insights. Another has insights and numbers (preferred).
Being intuitive, flexible, and strategic like this makes you a better marketer and thinker in everyday life. What do you need? How can you create or modify something to make it what you need? It becomes so natural you start to not even consciously acknowledge this thought process when you sit down to create.
Templates are tools, not constraints. It's much more rewarding when you put together a banger template that all of your information fits perfectly into.
What has your experience been with templates?
🦀 Seas and greetings,
ChelSEA
BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE!
I polled the people of LinkedIn and X what the next issue should be and "Q+A with Chelsea" won, so that's what next week's will be, a nice chill, post-Christmas entertainment piece. I need your questions!
About me:
📍California since 2007, Michigan until then
👩🏻🏫 Journalism degree > Editor in Chief > Social Media Strategist (Corporate) > Freelance Social Media Strategist/Consultant
🏢 Food + beverage, non-profit, agency, retail, health, wellness, sports, b2b, tech, SaaS, entertainment
👩🏻💻 Retired award-winning blogger
🤳Social media strategy, content, graphic design, copywriting, reporting, client/account management, reporting, education, training, speaking
🏆 (if logos are your thing) Rubio’s, Google, Sephora, MLB, McKinsey & Co, Edelman, WPP, Dave & Buster’s, Sazerac and literally 125+ more
🤓 I’m not one for trends and memes
⚾️ Padres season ticket holder, Oceanside National Little League board member
🤟 a son, 2 bonus daughters, a phenomenal cinematographer (@blake.chill.creative), 3 dogs, 3 reptiles (and me @chelsearhane)
🚤 If I’m not at my desk or at the fields, I’m on the Pacific photographing whales extremely close (check out Monday's orcas! @chel.sea.pear)
🖤 Shopping, skincare, cupping, wellness treatments, THC, sparkling water, peppermint, red, black, neutrals, Ring Concierge, Sephora and Skims.
Anything is fair game, though topics like freelance, community, and social media may be most beneficial, but I'm down to have some fun, too.
