105. The Truth About Content Creation Burnout — How I Fixed It Fast (And How You Can Too)
- Brittany Miller
- Nov 18, 2025
- 14 min read
Updated: Dec 12, 2025
If you’re anything like me, content creation started as a spark — an exciting way to show up, connect with people, and grow a business. Then it slowly became a time sink, a pressure cooker, and finally something I dreaded. After years of running a social media business, working with clients, and raising a family, I learned what causes content creation burnout and, more importantly, how to fix it fast.
In this blog I’ll walk you through the real reasons content creation takes so long, the practical steps I used to cut my creation time dramatically, and an action plan you can use this week. You’ll have the clarity to create a content plan that saves you time, keeps you consistent, and actually grows your business.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Why content creation feels impossible (even when you know what you sell)
1. When your messaging and branding are fuzzy, content creation stalls
2. Your lack of B-roll is silently killing your content creation speed
3. No content pillars = no direction. That’s why content creation drags.
How trends can slow you down (and how to use them without burning out)
Batching: the single best habit that rescued my content creation
How I use ChatGPT to speed up content creation (without losing my voice)
Final thoughts so content creation can be simple, strategic, and even fun
Why content creation feels impossible (even when you know what you sell)
Creating content shouldn’t take hours every single time you sit down to do it. Yet so many business owners feel stuck — they know their services or products, but when it comes to content creation they freeze. The truth is, content creation is easy when the foundations are solid. It becomes a drag when messaging, branding, and systems are missing.
Over the years I’ve seen three consistent root causes that make content creation take far longer than it should:
Unclear messaging and weak brand fundamentals.
Not having a B-roll or asset library to pull from.
No content pillars or repeatable topics to anchor your work.
Each one of these alone can slow you down. Combined, they turn content creation into a chore. Below I’ll unpack each issue, share exactly what I did to fix it, and give you step-by-step exercises to get unstuck.
1. When your messaging and branding are fuzzy, content creation stalls
I’ve coached business owners who can describe their product features in great detail yet still struggle to write captions or add text to a 15-second reel. That’s because clarity about what you sell is only one part of messaging. The other half is knowing how to talk about it in a way your ideal client immediately recognizes and responds to.
Clear messaging makes content creation faster in three ways:
It gives you a predictable voice to write in, so captions and hooks come faster.
It shortens decision fatigue: you don’t waste time wondering what to say.
It helps you reuse content because each piece aligns to a clear transformation people want.
If your content misses the mark, it’s usually because the messaging focuses on features instead of transformation. People don’t care about the thing itself — they care about what the thing does for them. When you can describe the transformation (the before and after), content creation flows because every caption, hook, and post supports that transformation.
How I nail messaging faster (and how you can too)
When I work on messaging, I follow a short, repeatable process that I teach clients and use for my own business. It’s simple, and it makes content creation so much quicker:
Define the ideal client. Describe them in detail: goals, frustrations, phrases they use to describe the problem.
Translate features into benefits. For every product or service element, write down what it allows the client to feel, fix, or achieve.
Create 3-5 core messaging lines. These are short sentences that describe who you help, how you help, and the outcome.
Build a swipe file of words and phrases your audience uses. This becomes your go-to language when writing captions or hooks.
Do this once and all future content creation becomes faster because you don’t start from zero every time. When I have that voice written down, a 500-word caption takes me a fraction of the time it used to.
Quick exercise: 20-minute messaging sprint
Set a timer for 20 minutes.
Write a paragraph answering: Who is my ideal client and what keeps them up at night?
Write three one-line transformations your service delivers.
List 10 words or phrases your clients use to describe the problem.
Now staple those notes to a document or screenshot them into your phone. When content creation time comes, you’ll have a ready-made voice note you can copy from.
2. Your lack of B-roll is silently killing your content creation speed
There’s a difference between a good idea and a post you can actually publish in five minutes. That difference is assets: images, short clips, and photos that stand in for talking-head videos. I call these assets your B-roll library, and if you don’t have one, content creation takes longer — a lot longer.
B-roll reduces friction because it removes the preparation step. You don’t need to redo your hair, change outfits, or set up a tripod every time. Instead, you grab a clip you shot last month, drop it into a template, add text, and publish. That’s the power of a B-roll library.
What good B-roll looks like
Good B-roll is purposefully varied and simple. It doesn’t have to be cinematic; it has to be usable. Think of 5–30 second clips that show real activity and feel authentic to your brand:
Pouring coffee, opening a laptop, typing
Walking into a space, getting into a car (safely), leaving the house
Preparing a product, packaging an order
Short clips of a call or a meeting (mute audio if needed)
At-home life — folding laundry, making dinner, playing with kids (if you want to share personal content)
For photos, capture a mix of headshots, action shots, close-ups of tools you use, workspace images, and product details.
How often should you build your B-roll library?
I recommend a brand photo or B-roll day at least once a quarter. If budget allows, do more. If budget is tight, do shorter mini-sessions once a month. The key is consistency — build up a bank of assets you can draw from. Store everything in an organized folder system so you can find it quickly when content creation time comes.
Ideally, do your shoots in a studio or place with good lighting like a coffee shop, outside etc. but you can shoot b-roll at home as well.
Practical B-roll tips I use
Shoot everything on your phone. Good lighting and a steady hand go a long way.
Keep clips short (5–30 seconds) and label them descriptively.
Use one folder per month or quarter and tag clips by topic (e.g., “emails,” “behind the scenes,” “parent life”).
Batch record: spend an hour, capture 20–30 different clips, then file them away.
Once you have B-roll, content creation becomes much less reactive. You’ll find more ideas become executable because you already have the footage to back them up.
3. No content pillars = no direction. That’s why content creation drags.
When I started working with clients, I often saw the same pattern: endless scrambling and posting random topics. Without content pillars, every piece of content is a one-off. You’re reinventing the wheel each time. Having content pillars is like building a map for your content: it tells you where to go, what to say, and how each post supports your business goals.
Content pillars are the topics you repeat until your audience understands your expertise. They reduce the question “What should I post?” to “Which pillar am I posting about today?” and that alone speeds up content creation massively.
How I define content pillars
I break pillars into three to five main categories. A simple framework I use with many clients is:
Educate — teach something useful that proves your expertise.
Attract — entertain, inspire, or share personality-driven posts that attract attention.
Behind-the-scenes — humanize the brand and show process or life.
Offer — direct posts that explain how to work with you and make offers.
Social proof — client wins, testimonials, and results.
Within each pillar, I then define specific subtopics. If “educate” is a pillar, what exactly are you teaching? For me, one education pillar is email marketing. That becomes a recurring theme where I can post about subject lines, how email fits into your marketing ecosystem, and how to write better emails without feeling spammy. Those smaller topics give me a steady stream of content ideas that are easy to create and repeat.
Creating repeatable post ideas from pillars
Take one pillar and list 10 post ideas. Then do the same for the next pillar. You’ll end up with a bank of 30–50 posts you can recycle. Repurposing becomes easier because you’re not trying to invent new topics — you’re recycling themes in new formats.
For example, a single post idea like “seven email subject lines” can become:
A B-roll reel with subject lines popping on screen.
A talking-head video explaining why each subject line works.
A carousel where each slide features a subject line and short explanation.
A static post listing the subject lines in the caption for quick saves.
That’s four pieces of content from one idea. Multiply that over a month and content creation becomes exponentially more efficient.
Repurpose like a pro: make content creation work harder for you
I keep repeating this because it’s a game-changer: recycle your best topics. Your audience needs repetition. They may not have seen your post the first time. They may need several reminders before they take action. So being comfortable repeating themes isn’t lazy — it’s strategic.
Recycle smartly:
Change the format: turn a reel into a carousel, a caption into a blog post, a podcast segment into social clips.
Adjust the hook: same message, different angle. Try a curiosity hook one week and a results-driven hook the next.
Keep evergreen core content at the centre of your strategy and sprinkle trend-based content for reach.
When you repurpose, content creation time drops because much of the heavy lifting — the idea, the research, the messaging — is already done.
How trends can slow you down (and how to use them without burning out)
Trendy audios, viral formats, and fleeting Instagram features can be tempting because they promise reach. But trends are time-sensitive and often not reusable. If you’re short on time, chasing trends can make content creation feel endless because you’re always creating something new to catch the wave.
I don’t ignore trends entirely. I use them intentionally. Here’s how I decide whether to spend energy on a trend:
Does it fit my brand voice and messaging? If no, skip it.
Can I repurpose the trend idea later? If yes, consider it.
Does it align with a pillar or business goal? If yes, it’s worth testing.
If it’s purely novelty and won’t convert, I pass.
Trends are great for discovery and new followers, but they should not replace evergreen content that actually moves people toward a purchase. If you have limited time, prioritize building evergreen pillars and a B-roll library first. Use trends as bonus plays.
Batching: the single best habit that rescued my content creation
Batching is the reason I stopped dreading content creation. Instead of doing one reel at a time, I set a block of time, get into the mindset & record multiple pieces. I do the same with writing: I batch captions for a week or month. The cognitive switching cost is real — it’s why content creation takes longer when you hop in and out of different elements of content creation.
Cognitively, batching all your video at one, then your captions is faster and easier then doing one video and one caption at a time.
My batching recipe:
Choose one topic or pillar per session.
Start with a short planning step: pick 6–12 ideas and the formats (reel, carousel, static).
Record all videos and B-roll needed in one session.
Write accompanying captions in a second session.
Schedule posts for the week or month.
After a few batching sessions, content creation becomes less of a daily grind and more of a weekly or monthly project with predictable output.
Tools and templates that make content creation faster
I use a handful of simple tools and templates to streamline my process. You don’t need expensive software to get faster — you need strategy and structure. Here are what I rely on:
Template system: save 3–5 templates for reels, carousels, and caption structures. Swap in your B-roll and messaging and you’re done.
Organized drive: keep B-roll and images in clearly labeled folders by month and topic.
Swipe file: a living document of hooks, subject lines, CTAs, and client language.
Repurpose checklist: for every content idea, list how you can turn it into three additional formats.
ChatGPT prompts: use AI to generate caption variations, hooks, or 30-second scripts once you’ve trained it on your brand voice.
Templates alone cut content creation time dramatically. Instead of starting from blank, you have a structure that is already proven to convert.
How I use ChatGPT to speed up content creation (without losing my voice)
AI is a powerful assistant when used correctly. I use ChatGPT to rephrase hooks, shorten long-winded ideas into 100-character social captions, and brainstorm post variations. But the key is training the AI on your voice and providing clear prompts.
Example prompt I use:
Write five social media hooks (100 characters or less) for an entrepreneur who helps service-based businesses set up simple email funnels. Use a friendly, confident tone and reference common pain points like low opens and inconsistent revenue.
From that prompt I get hooks I can tweak and paste directly into captions. That kind of assistance makes content creation faster because it removes writer’s block while keeping the voice consistent.
Measuring what matters: small tests and big wins
I’m a big believer in simple A/B testing. If you want to know whether a hook or call-to-action works, test one small change at a time. For example, test two different hooks on the same video. Only change the hook; keep everything else the same. That way you learn what actually impacts performance and you don’t waste time guessing.
Instagram’s trial reels or similar features on other platforms are great for micro-testing when you have access to them. But testing is only useful if you design the test with one variable changed at a time.
What to do when content creation still feels hard
If you’ve tried everything and content creation is still draining you, consider these options:
Hire help for the pieces that take the most time (editing, captions, or design).
Work with a copywriter to nail messaging so you have a voice to recycle.
Reduce the volume: less content, clearer strategy. Quality beats quantity if your time is limited.
Prioritize repurposing evergreen content instead of chasing trends nonstop.
Remember: content creation is a tool to help you grow your business, not the goal itself. If it’s taking over your life, change the system, not just the tactics.
My quick checklist to slash your content creation time
Use this checklist as a one-page guide when you plan your next content day. If each item is in place, content creation should go smoothly.
Messaging: 3 core lines that define who I help and the transformation I provide.
Brand visuals: consistent fonts, colors, and a few visual templates saved.
B-roll: at least 20 short clips labeled and stored in an accessible folder.
Pillars: 3–5 content pillars with 10 ideas each.
Templates: 3 reusable templates for reels, carousels, and captions.
Batching plan: one content day blocked for recording and one for writing.
Repurpose plan: each idea should become at least 2 additional formats.
How to get started this week: a 7-day action plan
If you want a practical start, here’s a 7-day plan to overhaul your content creation process. You don’t need all seven days to be long — short focused blocks work.
Day 1 — Messaging Sprint: Do the 20-minute messaging exercise above.
Day 2 — Pillar Planning: Pick 3 pillars and list 10 post ideas per pillar.
Day 3 — B-roll Day: Spend 60–90 minutes shooting 20 short clips and 10 photos.
Day 4 — Templates: Create or download 3 templates for reels, carousels, and captions.
Day 5 — Batch Record: Film talking-head videos for the next 2–4 weeks.
Day 6 — Write & Edit: Write captions and edit clips into your templates.
Day 7 — Schedule & Test: Schedule posts for the next two weeks and run one A/B test.
Follow this mini-plan and content creation time will drop dramatically. You’ll start with clarity and end with a system that repeats.
A simple, repeatable content creation workflow you can use today
If you want to stop wasting time and start producing content that actually moves your business forward, here’s a workflow I use and teach to clients. It’s designed to be actionable and repeatable:
Weekly planning (30–60 minutes): choose pillars, pick 6–10 post ideas, assign formats.
Batch recording (1–2 hours): film talking-head clips, capture B-roll, take photos.
Writing session (60–90 minutes): write captions, create hooks, and prepare CTAs.
Design and edit (60 minutes): drop clips into templates, add text overlays, export files.
Schedule and monitor (30 minutes): schedule posts and note early metrics for iteration.
When you repeat this rhythm weekly or bi-weekly, content creation becomes a reliable system instead of a stress-filled emergency.
Why most fixes fail (and how to avoid the trap)
People often look for a single tool or hack to fix content creation. The trap is believing the tool will do the work for you. Tools help, but the real work is strategy: messaging, pillars, and an asset bank. If you skip the foundation and jump straight to trendy tools, you’ll be back where you started.
Fix the foundation first. Then add tools to scale what’s already working.
Final Thoughts so content creation can be simple, strategic, and even fun
I want you to leave with one idea: content creation should support your business, not own it. When you clarify messaging, build a B-roll library, and create repeatable content pillars, content creation stops being a guess and becomes a reliable channel that grows your business.
Start small. Do the 20-minute messaging sprint. Pick one pillar and list 10 ideas. Shoot one hour of B-roll this week. You’ll be surprised how quickly the muscle memory kicks in and how fast content creation gets easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start improving my messaging without hiring someone?
Begin with a short sprint: spend 20 minutes defining your ideal client, list three transformations you provide, and collect 10 phrases your audience uses. Use those notes for your next five posts. Over time refine the language based on which posts perform best.
What is B-roll and how much do I need to build a useful library?
B-roll is short video clips or images that show activity, process, or context. Start with 20–30 clips and 10–15 photos. Organize them by topic and use them across multiple posts to save time during content creation.
How many content pillars should I have?
Pick three to five pillars to start. Too many pillars dilute your message. Keep pillars focused on what supports your business goals — for example: education, behind-the-scenes, offers, social proof, and entertainment.
Can I use trends without wasting time?
Yes. Test trends selectively: only when they align with your brand and can be repurposed later. Prioritize evergreen content first and sprinkle trends to increase reach without destabilizing your system.
How often should I batch content?
Aim to batch weekly or bi-weekly. If that’s not feasible, batch once a month. The key is predictability: set aside dedicated time blocks for recording, writing, and editing to minimize switching costs during content creation.
What’s the fastest way to create captions?
Use templates for caption structure (hook, value, CTA). Fill in the template using your messaging notes and a swipe file of hooks. If you use AI, train it on your voice and ask for short caption variations to speed up content creation.
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Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
0:00 Episode start
1:00 Making content creation easier
1:10 Reason #1 Branding & messaging
6:20 Reason #2 Not enough b-roll
11:20 Reason #3 No content pillars
14:20 keep talking about your business
17:30 Trending content
21:25 Trial reels
23:00 ChatGPT for content creation
24:20 Wrap up
