How I Stopped Creating Content Every Day and Started Growing My Business
Before I built the system I use now, I felt like all I did was create content. Every day was another post, another reel, another story, another dreaded caption.
And even though I was constantly busy, my to-do list just kept getting longer. I couldn’t update my programs, I couldn’t create new resources for my clients, and I definitely couldn’t think about the next big move for my business. I was so buried in the day-to-day grind of content creation that I could barely think clearly.
Now, I only film my content once a month. That means I do hair and makeup once a month, hit record, and then I’m done. My content brings in email subscribers, sales, and clients while I get to go to Pilates every morning after I put the kids on the bus.
And it’s all because of one simple system I created called The PREP System.
I Didn’t Start My Business to Be a Content Creator
When I first started, I thought that posting more would mean growing faster. That’s what everyone says, right? Show up every day. Be consistent. Post more.
We didn’t start our businesses to become content creators. We started them to help people, to create impact, to build something meaningful and somewhere along the way, social media turned that dream into an endless hamster wheel.
I used to wake up anxious every morning, shoulders tight, scrolling Instagram for a trending audio I could use. I’d spend hours crafting the “perfect” caption, second-guessing every word. I skipped lunches. I skipped workouts. I stayed up late trying to do more, and still ended every day feeling behind.
And one day, I just thought, this has to stop.
So I made a decision: I was going to stop creating content for the sake of being visible and start creating content strategically, with a system that would actually work for me long term.
That’s when I turned all my energy toward YouTube and started building what’s now known as my PREP System.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
The first step wasn’t technical… It was mental.
I had to tell myself: I am not showing up everywhere. I am showing up where it matters most.
Once I stopped chasing reach and started focusing on conversion, everything clicked.
Every single video I create is designed for a ready-to-buy viewer, someone who already has a problem and is actively searching for the solution I offer.
I don’t care about going viral. I don’t care about hitting 100,000 subscribers. I care about making consistent sales and growing my email list, because that’s what sustains a business.
That’s what the PREP System does, it turns YouTube into a repeatable, compounding asset instead of a daily grind.
The PREP System That Keeps My Business Running
The PREP System isn’t just about filming once a week, it’s about setting up your entire YouTube process in a way that works for your business.
I teach my clients a research process called the Profitable Keyword Framework, which helps them come up with six to twelve months of video topics that speak directly to their ready-to-buy viewer.
Once I have my list of ideas, I organize them into five-video series.
This is huge. It means I never have to wonder, What should I post next?
I always know exactly where I’m headed, and how each video connects to the next.
How I Plan and Batch My YouTube Content
Here’s what it looks like behind the scenes.
Once I know my five video topics, I start with the title and thumbnail first.
If I don’t have a strong title and thumbnail, I don’t move forward. Because if the video can’t grab attention, it’s not going to get clicked.
Then I write my hook, using a template I’ve perfected over time. It’s part of what I call my Video Game Plan, a framework that walks you through scripting a YouTube video that actually converts. (You can find it at trenalittle.com/video-plan if you want to see how it works.)
Sometimes, I’ll even use ChatGPT to organize my ideas. I’ll explain what the video is about and what I want to say, and it helps me structure my points clearly and keep the flow natural.
Once I have the plan, I batch four or five videos at once. Each one takes about 15–20 minutes to film. I don’t overthink it; I just talk to my camera as if I’m talking to a client.
After filming, I grab my thumbnail photos right away, simple, clean shots that match the title’s energy. Then I move everything into my Asana board, where I track every video through its stages: planning, scripting, filming, editing, and publishing.
By the end of two days, I have an entire month’s worth of content ready to go.
Why Simple Editing Wins Every Time
Let me be clear. You do not need fancy editing to succeed on YouTube.
You are not creating videos for ADHD teenage boys like MrBeast. You are creating videos for your ideal clients, busy adults who want clarity, not chaos.
Simple cuts, clean audio, and good lighting are more than enough.
Your message matters far more than transitions or animations.
I do work with an editor now, but for years I edited everything myself using basic tools. And my videos still converted because they were built on strategy, not trends.
Every Video Has a Job
What makes this system powerful isn’t just the workflow… it’s the intention behind every video.
Each video in my five-part series has a purpose:
Video 1: Breaks a belief.
Video 2: Builds trust.
Video 3: Handles objections.
Video 4: Shows proof or case studies.
Video 5: Drives action.
Together, they form what I call a YouTube Playlist Funnel, basically a public sales funnel that works 24/7.
Unlike email funnels, you don’t have to worry about open rates or spam filters. Viewers find your videos naturally through YouTube search, watch them back-to-back, and move themselves through your buyer’s journey.
By the time they reach that final video, they’re often ready to buy—no cold DMs, no ads, no chasing.
Proof That It Works (Even With Small Views)
If you’re thinking, Okay, but does this really work?, let me show you what’s possible.
One of my clients followed this exact system and made $8,000 after publishing just two videos.
Another has videos with fewer than 200 views, but those videos alone have brought in thousands in sales, because she’s attracting a specific, ready-to-buy person.
Her videos aren’t trying to go viral; they’re designed to build safety, trust, and authority. When viewers hear her speak, they feel like they finally found someone who gets it.
That’s why they convert.
The Real Reason You’re Overwhelmed
Most business owners aren’t failing because the platforms don’t work.
They’re failing because they’re trying to be everywhere at once.
Instagram. TikTok. LinkedIn. Pinterest. YouTube.
You can’t chase every trend and still create meaningful, high-quality content. When you try to do everything, your content gets watered down and so does your impact.
It’s not a platform problem. It’s a focus problem.
When you focus on one system, one platform, and one clear process, your results compound. That’s what happened for me and that’s what happens for my clients inside The YouTube Coaching Experience.
You Don’t Need to Be “Good on Video” to Start
If you’ve ever said, “But I’m awkward on camera,” trust me… I’ve been there.
In fact, one of my first series was literally called Just the Tips with Trena, where I’d awkwardly sip coffee or wine while trying to deliver business advice in a minute.
I wasn’t confident. I wasn’t fast at editing. But I showed up anyway.
And the best part? None of that disqualified me.
My clients don’t start as video experts either. They use their iPhones. They use Descript. They spend a few hours a week recording videos that connect deeply with their audience and they see results.
One of my clients, Gina, launched her YouTube channel six months ago. Since then, she’s made 80 sales, gained 4,000 subscribers, and booked five high-ticket clients, all while posting just one video a week.
That’s the power of showing up consistently and strategically, even if you’re imperfect.
The Business That Runs Without Me
These days, my business runs smoother than ever.
While I’m at Pilates, volunteering at my kids’ school, or getting my Friday massage, my videos are still working for me.
They’re building trust, nurturing leads, and selling my offers, all without me needing to be online.
I don’t feel behind anymore. I don’t feel burnt out. And I’m no longer available for platforms that eat my time without building my business.
The PREP System has given me my freedom back and it can do the same for you.
Ready to Simplify Your Business?
If you’re done being a content creator and ready to start being a business owner again, YouTube is your next step.
You don’t need to post every day.
You don’t need to chase trends.
You just need a system that compounds over time.
That’s what the PREP System does. It builds a calm, sustainable, profitable content strategy that keeps working long after you’ve closed your laptop.
If you want to see how I build this entire playlist funnel step-by-step, I’ve got a free training that walks you through everything.
You can watch it at trenalittle.com/training and finally see how to make your content work for you, not the other way around.
