Clarify Message; Simplify Content | Mother Maker No. 2

What we've learned about social media and how it can help you simplify your life...

Welcome to Mother Maker— a community of Christian mothers working for and from the home. Each month, we’ll share a monthly newsletter with a specific topic and we’ll discuss that topic in depth during our monthly live workshop! This month’s topic is Clarify Your Message; Simplify Your Content.

Sneak peek: August’s workshop is called Business Without Burnout (and we know it’s going to be refreshing so don’t want to miss out). Become a paid subscriber to join our life-giving and encouraging membership (for only $10 monthly) so you don’t run this race alone.

Inside Mother Maker, you’ll find theological truth and the practical business support to keep you going in your unique calling. Mother Maker is for the woman who isn’t ~quite~ a stay-at-home Mom who is craving community at any stage of motherhood and business!

Liz: Clarify Your Message

I got this message on Instagram back in February from a fellow mom and entrepreneur. In that same month I got an email confirmation that my podcast pitch had been accepted! It was one of the most surreal moments of my life— traveling to Charleston to be on Jess Connolly’s podcast. I started my newsletter back in 2021 and despite many seasons of discouragements, re-brands, pivots, YouTube research, and setbacks, Declutter Discontent™ is still going and growing (praise be to God).

There’s so much I could say but here’s what I think matters (I will definitely share more on this topic in our live workshop). You could focus on a niche and your ideal target audience or client. While I do think that step matters, I believe that before you can simplify your content and come up with a strategy, you need to clarify your message.

I’m definitely a newbie when it comes to going on podcasts (there’s a couple that I wish I could re-record honestly because they flopped). But the Lord used this particular opportunity to encourage me. As I sat in Jess’s sunroom to record the episode, she said, “I think you’ve really found your niche and what you’re good at— this content on decluttering the home and heart.” To hear an author, podcaster, and gifted communicator say I’m good at content?! WHAT. A. DREAM.

Start clarifying your message. Get a notepad or use a Google doc. Instead of asking, “What’s my niche? Who’s my target audience?” Consider this— What are you really trying to say? And why does it matter? What’s the problem or pain point that needs to be addressed? Get specific. Nothing broad like “motherhood content.” I realized along the way that I wasn’t the only Christian woman struggling with discontentment, impulsive shopping, and anxiety. Eventually in 2023, the name came to me after three years of posting about it (Declutter Discontent™) and I began communicating it clearly. Because the message ultimately becomes the mission.

Emilee: Simplify Your Content

Whether you love social media and do it as part of your living, or it’s the dreaded task you are always stressed about, being a necessary evil to your other passions, we all have moments of overwhelm and discouragement. Our mission is that after this month inside Mother Maker, we all feel freed to use our online tools for the good of others and the glory of God, and leave the results up to Him!

Whether we are stewarding laundry or social media, we need a system.
It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but it has to help us tend to our tasks faithfully.

By organizing your thoughts on a platform that makes sense to you, it will breathe new life into you and your content.

If you are currently creating graphics and writing captions on the fly in the Instagram app, here are some places to start getting comfortable managing content. Full list of resources is featured below the paywall (only $10/mo to join our membership)!

Content Calendars + Organization

• Notion

• Trello

• Asana

Video Editing

• CapCut

• Adobe Premiere Pro

Social Media Management

• Buffer

• Planoly

Members, which platforms did we miss that you’re loving? What is your best unhinged social media tip or a win you can share with the class? Comment below and let’s chat.

Remember, the magic isn’t in the system you use. The magic is in finding something that works for you that allows you to show up consistently.

Have you ever heard the analogy of the unbalanced plate? If one half of the plate is heavy, you can feel like there’s no more room left. Adding one more thing would be too stressful. However, by placing an apple on the other side of the plate, the plate suddenly… balances (instead of flopping over). Finding a social media system that works for you will be like that. After the first few days or weeks of discomfort, it will lead to a simplified schedule and social strategy that will allow you to put more energy into content that’s fully you.

We’re hosting our next LIVE workshop on Thursday, July 30 at 7 PM CDT/ 8 PM EDT! We’ll share more on how to clarify your message and simplify your content. We’ll dive into the lies that keep so many of us stuck when it comes to creating content—and the truth that will help you move forward with confidence in your business, ministry, or passion project. The link to join July’s workshop is below this paywall and it’s only $10/mo to join our membership). We’ll meet for one hour for a time of practical coaching, biblical encouraging, and a fun Q&A of course!

Here’s what we’re loving (and wearing these days)!

Emilee: A comfortable linen matching set from Old Navy that I got last summer! Here’s a similar top and bottom. It instantly makes me feel more put together, you can add or take away accessories for the occasion, yet it’s comfortable enough that I wore it home from the hospital after giving birth to Mabel.

This Joyful Pine t-shirt! I love dressing it up with colorful flowy pants from Marshall’s or dressing them down with my bright green sweats from Old Navy. I’ve created so many outfits by drawing out the different colors inside! Bonus: Savannah is an incredible, godly mom with such amazing encouragement online - follow her!

Liz: This Old Navy crinkle gauze dress is my go-to for errands, house chores, or over my bathing suit! I’m pretty sure most women in their thirties would agree that Old Navy is their go-to store for clothes. I’ve been wearing slippers since high school and these butterfly ones from Amazon are comfy and SO cute. Slippers are must-have as a WFH mom right?! I think I inherited this slipper and robe-wearing gene from my mom.

💌 Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, we would be honored if you left a like or a comment. This helps us grow the Mother Maker community with more lovely women like you!

🫶🏻 Follow Emilee and Liz on Instagram.