Are you a busy business owner who feels like you’re just spinning your wheels with content creation? It’s like being on a hamster wheel—you’re running for hours trying to get more visible online, but at the end of the day, you feel like you have nothing to show for it, and you’re still struggling to bring in local customers.
Today, I’m going to walk you through a simple, repeatable 1-week content schedule that will help you create a full week of content in just 30–45 minutes a day. You’ll finally get the online visibility you need, without all the stress. So, let’s go!
I get it: as a local small business owner, you wear a ton of hats. You’re the owner, the manager, the customer service rep, and on top of all that, you’re supposed to be a marketer. With so much on your plate, it’s no wonder content creation feels overwhelming. You’re probably thinking, “I just don’t have time for this!”
But what if I told you there’s a way to stop starting from scratch every single day?
The secret is to think like a chef who’s planning a week of meals.
You don’t cook a brand-new, elaborate meal from zero every night. Instead, you cook one big roast on Sunday, and then you use the leftovers to create different meals all week—sandwiches, tacos, soup, you name it. You cook once and eat for days. We’re going to apply that same logic to your content.
The “Cook Once, Eat All Week” Content Strategy
So, what does this “cook once, eat all week” model actually look like when it comes to content?
Well, each week, you’ll create one pillar piece of content.
This is your “Sunday roast”—it could be a blog post or a video. From that one main piece, you’ll create a bunch of smaller content “meals” for the rest of the week. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 1 main piece (the roast): An 800–1,200-word blog post or a 5–10-minute video.
- 3–5 social media posts (the sandwiches & tacos): These can be quotes, quick tips, or promotional posts pulled from your main piece.
- 1–2 short vertical videos (the soup): Think Reels, TikToks, or YouTube Shorts, which are quick, easy-to-digest versions of your main topic.
- Optional (the garnish): An email update or a post for your Google Business Profile.
This approach doesn’t just save you time; it makes sure your messaging is consistent and that every piece of content is actually helping your business.
Alright, let’s get into the actual 1-week content creation schedule. You’ll spend about 30–45 minutes on it each day, so by the end of the week, you’ll have everything ready to go.
Monday – Plan & Outline (30–45 Min)
Your goal: Choose your topic and map out the week.
- Pick a Customer-Driven Topic: Think about what your customers are always asking. For example, if you’re a plumber, a great topic is, “How to know if you actually need a new water heater.”
- Use a Simple Content Calendar: Think of this as your weekly meal plan. A Google Sheet or a Notion board works perfectly to track your topics, where you’ll post, and the status.
- Outline Your Content: Sketch out a simple recipe for your blog or video. All you need is an intro, 3–5 main points, and a call to action.
- Brainstorm Social Posts: From your main topic, quickly jot down 3–5 ideas for those “leftover” meals—your social media posts.
Tuesday – Create Your Core Content (60–90 Min)
Your goal: Create that one pillar piece of content. This is your biggest time block of the week.
Option A: Start with Video
I recommend this for most people. Grab your phone, find some good natural light, and film a 5–10-minute video explaining your topic. Just talk through your outline. Don’t worry about it being perfect.
Option B: Start with a Blog
Write an 800–1,200-word article based on your outline. To keep it local, make sure you mention your city or service area. This is your pillar content for the whole week!
Wednesday – Repurpose Your Core Content (30-45 Min)
Your goal: Carve up the roast into smaller meals.
If you filmed a video:
- Use a simple tool or YouTube’s auto-captions to get a transcript. Lightly edit it into a blog post, adding some clear headings and bullet points.
If you wrote a blog:
- Pull out 3–5 short quotes or excerpts that can work as standalone tips or myth-busters on social media.
Then, create:
- 3–5 social posts: Aim for a mix of educational tips, credibility boosters (like a testimonial), and a post promoting your service.
- A short summary: Write a quick summary for your Google Business Profile or as a snippet for an email.
Thursday – Create Short-Form Video Clips (30-45 Min)
Using your main topic, record 1–2 vertical videos that are about 30–60 seconds each. Don’t overthink this. Here are a couple of easy formats:
- “3 mistakes to avoid when choosing a [your service] in [your city].”
- “Before you hire a [type of provider], ask them these 2 questions.”
Just focus on one main idea per video. It’s totally fine to repeat ideas from your blog or long-form video. If you filmed a long video, you can also just note the timestamps of 1–2 good segments to clip out later.
Friday – Schedule Everything & Do a Quick Review (30-45 Min)
Time to get everything loaded up.
- Schedule Your Posts: Use a simple scheduling tool or the platform’s native scheduler to spread your 3–5 social posts out over the next week or so. Update your Google Business Profile and schedule your blog to publish.
- Quickly Check What’s Working: Take a quick look at your posts from the previous week. Which ones got more comments, saves, or clicks?
- Add Notes to Your Calendar: For instance, you might jot down, “Got two DMs asking for a quote from that tip post.” This is great info for planning future topics.
Weekend/Flex Time (Optional, 30 Min)
If you have a spare 30 minutes, you can use it to get ahead. Snap a few photos of your work, your team, or your equipment. Listen for common questions or phrases your customers use during the week—those are pure gold for future content ideas.
To make this schedule actually stick, a few habits are key:
- Batching: This is like meal prepping. Instead of cooking every day, you do all your chopping and prep work in one go. Group similar tasks together. For example, film all your short videos for the week in one session.
- Time Blocking: Protect this time on your calendar. Maybe Monday mornings become your “Content CEO Time.” Treat it like any other important appointment.
- Use a Simple Content Calendar: This is your GPS. It keeps you from getting lost and feeling scattered by showing you exactly where you’re going with your topics, formats, and statuses.
- Set a Realistic Pace: One blog or long video, 3–5 social posts, and 1–2 short videos per week is a fantastic goal.
- Reuse; Don’t Reinvent: Most of your best content ideas are already in your head! They come from FAQs, customer objections, or behind-the-scenes stories.
When It Makes Sense to Get Content Creation Help
As your business grows, you might need to hand some of this off. Think of yourself as a head chef. At first, you do everything. But, as the restaurant gets busier, you hire a prep cook and a dishwasher so you can focus on what you do best: creating amazing dishes. Here are a few signs it’s time to hire help:
- You find yourself constantly skipping the editing for your blogs or videos.
- You’re so busy with client work that you’re turning down jobs, but you still want to keep your marketing going.
- You have a folder of raw video clips or a list of ideas that just never see the light of day.
Start by handing off the “prep cook” and “dishwasher” tasks—the low-risk, time-consuming ones. Things like designing graphics, editing, and repurposing your content, and scheduling posts are great places to start. This frees you up to be the creative expert.
Easy Content Ideas for Local Service Businesses
Now, what if you’re stuck on what to actually talk about? Here are some ideas perfect for local service providers that you can use right away:
- FAQs: “How often should I service my [X]?”
- Cost & Expectations: “What does a typical [service] cost in [your city]?”
- Before & Afters: “Here’s how we fixed [customer’s specific problem] in under 24 hours.”
- Local Angles: “3 things homeowners in [your neighborhood] need to do before winter hits.”
- Safety/Risk Content: “5 red flags that mean it’s time to call a professional right now.”
- Process Explainers: “What actually happens when we come out for a [service] visit?”
- Behind the Scenes: “How we actually make our [product].
Each one of these can be a pillar piece of content that you then break down into multiple social posts and short videos.
Consistency Beats Perfection Every Time
By following this simple, repeatable schedule, you can finally take control of your online presence without all the overwhelm. Just remember, consistency is what really matters. Stick with this for a month, and you will start to see the results.
If you want more tips on creating great content while juggling a busy business, get in touch with Numero Uno Web Solutions today.
