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How to Create a Hyper-Authentic Content Strategy for Your Creative Small Business
- Elizabeth Manuell
- Mar 3
- 4 min read
Your business's content strategy should be a direct reflection of your mission. Contrary to popular belief, having an online presence isn’t just about following trends. Depending on your goals, your content can be the key to growing an online community and even driving revenue through paid offers.
In this post, I’m breaking down how I create a hyper-authentic content strategy, how I stay consistent, and how I actually see ROI from my content—so that you can do the same.
Why I Focus on Authentic Content Strategy
If you’re new here, I’m Liz! I run two businesses—Essence Presents (my content marketing, photography, and videography business) and a product-based wellness business called Brilliant Pit. In 2020, I went all in on Brilliant Pit, studying herbalism and crafting products. But I quickly realized I was spending way more time creating content than actually running my business.
That’s when I shifted my focus to helping creative solopreneurs, small businesses, and crafters build sustainable content strategies—ones that don’t take over their lives. This blog (and my YouTube channel) is dedicated to showing you how to make content work for you, not the other way around.
My Three-Pillar Framework for a Hyper-Authentic Content Strategy
When it comes to content, most people talk about pillars in terms of topics. But I approach it differently—my framework is based on storytelling, strengths, and impact.
1. Story & Unique Life Experience
Your life experience is what makes your brand different. No two people have the same story, and that uniqueness should be a key part of your content.
Start by listing:
The experiences that shaped you—even if they don’t seem directly related to your business.
Moments that define your perspective and approach.
Any personal backstory that adds depth to your brand.
Your story isn’t just background noise—it’s the foundation of how you connect with your audience.
2. Strengths & Authority
Your content should showcase what you’re naturally good at and what people recognize you for.
Ask yourself:
What do people ask for your help with?
What skills or knowledge have you developed over time?
How does your story highlight areas where you’ve excelled?
Drawing from your personal journey, identify the key strengths that will shape your content and position you as an authority in your space.
3. Impact
Your business exists to create transformation—whether in your customers’ lives or your own. Your content should reflect that.
Think about:
How has your work positively affected others?
What wins are you most proud of?
If you're just starting, what personal experiences led you to create your business?
Impact isn’t always about numbers. It can be as simple as seeing a customer consistently return for your products or services because they genuinely find value in them.
Translating This Into a Content Strategy
Each of these pillars plays a specific role in your content creation:
Your story = Your unique perspective and tone. This is what makes your content stand out.
Your strengths = Your core offering and content topics. This is where you provide real value.
Your impact = Your proof and social proof. This builds trust and credibility.
Bringing It All Together
The key to an effective content strategy isn’t just consistency—it’s making sure everything you share aligns with your story, strengths, and impact. When your content is rooted in these elements, it becomes easier to create, more engaging for your audience, and more impactful for your business.
Let me know in the comments—would you find a structured template for this process helpful? If so, I’ll add it to my free Content Marketing Master Spreadsheet.
Also, if you have specific content marketing questions that I haven’t answered in my videos, join me live on March 29th at 2 PM EST on YouTube. I’ll be answering your questions in real time and helping you build a content strategy that works for YOU. Stay authentic my friends!
Hi, I'm Liz! I'm so BEYOND grateful to be serving you - wellness business leaders, creative solopreneurs and artisan crafters- in streamlining the content creation process off of your plate so that you can get back to doing more of what you love. If you're interested in learning more about what we do at Essence Presents, or your really looking to get your content creation process under control in your business, take your pick below:
Access our FREE Resource Vault + Subscribe to The Latest Newsletter! Gain immediate access to free content marketing tools that I use every day for my clients + stay in the know on all things happening at Essence through monthly roundups of our latest shoots, blogs, shop additions, + be the first to receive exclusive offers for up-leveling your business's digital presence.
Join my private, free Facebook group, Seasons & Sessions! Created to provide you support in connecting to your authentic root, the origins of your business, and the journey of being an entrepreneur- the ebbs and flows that create our evolutionary experience. As someone who values health, wellness and spirituality, Seasons & Sessions stands for the fusion of my two loves; photography & seasonal wellness (the study of cyclical nature, seasonal harmony and astrology). What you can expect:
Monthly videos on the upcoming month/ micro-season: what it naturally brings and how to implement seasonal flow into your daily routine and business
Exclusive season-themed photography mini-sessions
Opportunity to connect and network with other entrepreneurs, creatives and small businesses
Discounts on service offerings, and being the first-to-know about all Essence offerings
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