You’ve heard it a hundred times: “Pick your content pillars and stick to them.” Well friend, I’m here to tell you—content pillars are kind of dead. Yep, I said it. And before the social media gurus clutch their Canva-made pearls, let me explain why content pillars no longer work.

The Problem With Content Pillars

Content pillars were originally meant to help us stay consistent and organized. You’d choose 3–5 topics and rotate through them: educate, inspire, promote, repeat. And for a while, it worked.

But now? Your audience is craving more than a polished formula. They want realness. Relevance. A reason to stop scrolling.

Let’s be honest—sticking to rigid content pillars can make your posts feel repetitive, robotic, and totally disconnected from what’s actually happening in your business (and in the world). That’s why I say, content pillars no longer work.

That’s where content with purpose comes in.

What Is Content With Purpose?

Content with purpose isn’t a list of categories—it’s a living, breathing approach that shifts based on what your business actually needs right now. It’s intentional. Strategic. And way more human.

Rather than asking, “Does this fit into one of my pillars?” Ask instead: “What is the goal of this post?”

Are you trying to:

• Drive sales for a specific offer?
• Build trust with your audience?
• Start conversations and gather feedback?
• Educate and empower?

When you lead with purpose, your content becomes more than just filler. It becomes a tool that moves your business forward.

Why This Shift Matters

Social media is noisy. Between dancing trends, AI-generated captions, and everyone promoting their “secret strategy,” your audience can smell fluff a mile away.

They don’t want more surface-level content—they want connection. Peope are looking for value – people are looking for YOU.

That’s why posting with purpose outperforms pillar-based content every time. It allows you to show up with relevance and authenticity, instead of checking off a box because “it’s Tuesday and I’m due for an educational post.”

How to Create Content With Purpose (Instead of Pillars)

So how do you shift from content pillars being dead to purpose-driven content? Here’s where to start:

1. Get clear on your short-term goals.
   Are you launching something soon? Need to book more discovery calls? Want to grow your email list? Your goals should guide your content—not your old pillar plan.
2. Start with the outcome.
   Ask yourself, “What do I want someone to do or feel after reading this?” That one question will transform your content strategy overnight.
3. Lean into real-time relevance.
   What’s happening in your world, your audience’s world, or the industry right now? Talk about it. Timely content = shareable content. Need some content inspiration? Check out my 30 Days of Content Ideas Guide – it’s free!
4. Track what’s working.
   When you post with purpose, it’s easier to track impact. Are your posts getting engagement, saving time, or generating leads? That’s your green light.

Let’s Wrap This Up

If you’ve felt boxed in by your content pillars lately, this is your permission slip to break up with them. You’re not a robot—you’re a business owner with a story, an offer, and a mission.

So stop posting just to post. Start showing up with purpose.

Trust me, your audience (and your analytics) will thank you.