Every month, before I plan content for the next one, I spend time reviewing my analytics. Not obsessively. Not to judge myself. Just to listen.
I think this step gets skipped a lot, and it’s usually why content starts to feel frantic instead of intentional.
Why I Always Start With Analytics
When content feels overwhelming, it’s usually because we’re guessing.
Guessing what to post.
Guessing what people want.
Guessing what’s “working.”
Looking at analytics removes some of that guesswork. It gives me context before I start planning anything new.
I don’t look at everything. I don’t spiral. I don’t overanalyze. I simply ask a few questions:
- What got the most reach? (This is for my awareness content pillars)
- What did people actually engage with? (This is for my nuture content pillars)
- Did people visit my profile of follow me? (This is for my convert content pillars)
Those answers matter more to me than chasing trends or trying to reinvent my content every month.
What I Pay Attention To (and What I Don’t)
When I review my Instagram insights, I’m looking for patterns.
I notice:
- Which posts got the most reach and interactions
- What sparked profile visits or conversations
- What topics felt natural for me to talk about
I don’t get caught up in:
- Daily ups and downs
- Comparing one post to someone else’s
- How many likes something got
This step isn’t about pressure. It’s about clarity.
How This Shapes My Content for the Next Month
Once I’ve reviewed my analytics, planning ahead feels calmer.
Instead of starting from scratch, I’m building on what already exists. I can see what resonates, what aligns with my energy, and what makes sense to continue.
By looking at my metrics, I know:
- I need to make some trendy reels to reach new people
- Create helpful or service based carousels to nurture/engage my current audience
- Continue to prioritize stories to nurture and convert my current audience
Where the Content Garden Comes In
After I review my analytics, that’s when I reach for a content calendar.
I created The Content Garden calendars for this exact reason. They’re not meant to tell you exactly what to say or force you into a rigid plan. They’re meant to give you structure after you’ve listened to what your content is already telling you.
The calendar helps me take insights and turn them into a plan that fits real life. One that supports consistency without pressure.
https://nostalgiamedia.info/content-gardenIf you want to follow along with this process, you can download the free monthly Content Garden calendar here:
👉 https://nostalgiamedia.info/content-garden
What’s Next
This post is part of a bigger rhythm I’m sharing called From Frenzy to Feed. This week is about analyzing and planning. Next, I’ll walk through how I use the calendar to map out posts and start writing captions, then how I batch content and schedule it so it doesn’t run my life.
If content has ever felt chaotic for you, I hope this gives you permission to slow down and start with clarity instead of urgency.
Sometimes the calmest way forward is to simply pay attention.
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