Content creation can often feel like solving a complex jigsaw puzzle. From crafting engaging social media posts to producing captivating videos, every piece must fit together just right to create a meaningful and impactful experience for your audience.
If you're feeling stuck or in need of inspiration, sometimes all it takes is a few words of wisdom to reignite your creative spark. As I prepare to be a part of this year’s USA Jigsaw Nationals competition, I’m sharing the insights from jigsaw puzzle quotes that inspire my content production journey:
Prioritize first, then create
“Every day is sort of a jigsaw puzzle. You have to make sure that you're putting the most important things first.” –Julia Hartz
Content production is becoming increasingly complex as new features on social media channels and technology rolls out every day. Working in digital content, there are plenty of requests from teams across my company on what to create. As someone who loves coming up with ideas, I find inspiration everywhere. My content to-do list is often jam-packed, but I realize that bringing these ideas to life doesn’t always happen.
One of the jigsaw puzzle quotes that helps me as a digital content creator is Julia Hartz’s reminder to take everything one step at a time. With so many possibilities, it feels overwhelming to get started. You might think you’re checking off your list when you attempt to multi-task, but in reality very little gets accomplished. As you try to juggle multiple jobs, you get more and more distracted, forgetting what you were supposed to do in the first place.
Checking in on each day’s to-do list helps me understand what I need to focus on first before I move on to the next thing. Before the end of every week, I also take a moment to look at what’s coming the following week and month to see both the small steps I need to take and the bigger goals. Each journey starts with one small step, and determining my priorities beforehand gives me direction so I can see content production from ideation to publication.
Every piece has its purpose
“There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle.” –Deepak Chopra
Just like life itself, content creation is about piecing together different elements to create something coherent and meaningful. When I’m moving around to take photos from various viewpoints or reviewing b-roll to edit for a video, I look at each object in the frame to see how it all connects. Even small items that may not seem important become essential to the overall composition.
Deepak Chopra’s thoughts have become one of my favorites among jigsaw puzzle quotes as a reminder to find the value in everything around us. A short sound byte or clip might make a huge impact on the final content piece. Even if a design or image doesn’t work in one project, that doesn’t mean it won’t work in another. There are many times I’ve abandoned a content idea, then revisited it later and used it for another purpose. Embrace the process of exploration and discovery as you search for the perfect combination of words, images, and ideas to convey your message.
Get the right pieces in the right place
“All pieces of the puzzle need to fall in the right place to be a champion team.” –Shreyas Iyer
Content production is more than individual pieces; it's about how those pieces come together to create something greater than themselves. What people often see is the final result of a fully-produced video, an audiogram on social media, or a graphic in a digital ad. What they don’t realize is how many people it takes to produce the final result they experience.
From the audio producer recording the sound to the editor piecing together the sound files, video clips, photos, and logos, content production is a multi-step process. Putting the right people in the right seats to do the job is essential to having a strong content team. Much like a jigsaw puzzle, each person’s expertise is like the pieces that fit together to create a finished puzzle.
While there are some job postings out there asking one person to do it all, it’s refreshing to see more companies realizing that you need many different roles including copywriters, video editors, photographers, and motion-graphic designers to produce what you want. Keep in mind how many people you’ll need to have on board when you strive to create something that is truly impactful and meaningful.
Be open to experimentation
“Finding your style is like putting puzzle pieces together.” –Lara Spencer
Content creation is an art form that thrives on curiosity and exploration. The only way to figure out what approach captivates your audiences or the style that evokes the emotions you want is to experiment and take a look around you.
Among jigsaw puzzle quotes, Lara Spencer’s reminds us to embrace the mystery of creativity and allow yourself to delve into uncharted territories to figure out what style works best for your content. It's often in the unknown where the most brilliant ideas are waiting to be discovered.
Usually the ideas I get the most excited about are ones that come from the everyday world around me. Inspiration can come from unexpected places. And it often comes when you least expect it. Stay open to new experiences and ideas, and don't be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone. You never know when you'll stumble upon the missing piece that completes your content puzzle.
You have to fail in order to be successful
“Innovation is like looking for pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. You have to find a lot of pieces that don't match to find the one or two pieces that match.” –Edward Conard
Failure and challenges are a natural part of the creative process. If you’re like me, it can be easy to dwell on mistakes and head on a downward spiral instead of viewing them as opportunities for growth and innovation. The reality is no one is perfect and even those who seem like they have content production figured out make mistakes. In fact, the lessons they’ve learned from their mishaps are why they are successful.
Edward Conrad’s words of advice remind me of the numerous times I’ve started editing an Instagram reel or designing a graphic only to abandon my original idea and restart. Online anyone can share their two cents on your copy, photography, or videos, and it can be hard to not dwell on what you did wrong. Throughout my experience, I’ve found ways to determine what’s an opportunity to improve and what’s a comment from someone getting frustration off their chest. Learn how to filter the noise and embrace the difficulties you encounter to propel yourself forward in your content production journey.
Content production is a puzzle waiting to be solved, with each piece playing a crucial role in the final masterpiece. By drawing inspiration from these insightful quotes, you can navigate the creative process with confidence and purpose. Embrace the challenges, stay true to your passion, and remember that every puzzle has a solution waiting to be discovered.
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