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The 3 Stages of Content
There’s a common mistake I see from aspiring content creators:
You have an idea that inspires you… so you think that it must excite other people, too!
Therefore, you put lots of time and energy into packaging that idea into a book… or a course… or you create an amazing video, and after a lot of hard work, you share it with the world…
What usually happens?
There’s less response than you hoped for.
Why does this happen?
You fell in love with your own idea, without adequately testing to see…
Practice publishing your raw ideas in obscurity
Is it easier to publish content when you have a big audience, or a small one?
It might seem obvious that a big audience is easier… but what you read below might help you value the small audience you might have right now…
Years ago I went to a Robin Williams’ comedy event called “Raw” where he was testing out new material.
A big fan of his movies — I was very surprised that most of the jokes at the event were terrible. He was so un-funny!
Later I found out that this is how many comedian…
Create only for your future true fans.
you must create better content.
To create better content,
you need a lot more practice creating and publishing.
To get more practice publishing,
you must get over the fear of your audience’s judgment…
Dedicate yourself to the practice of creating and publishing.
Detach from whether (and how) your audience engages or not.
When you are hesitant to publish content, is there any judgmental voice or face in your mind?
Don’t make your content for that person.
Or…
You are perfect enough. You know enough. You are ready.
- “I’m not quite ready yet to put my work out there…”
- “What if I get clients I can’t help?”
- “Maybe there’s another course that will finally give me the tools I need?”
It’s a common trap — the illusion of “arrival” — the idea that there’s an endpoint to learning, a final destination where you’ll possess all the knowledge and skills you need to be finally “ready”…
…but there isn’t.
There will always be more to learn!
Even with a PhD (or sev…
Which of Your Ideas Should Be Free vs. Paid Content?
How to decide what content you should offer for free — versus what to charge for?
Over time my thinking on this has evolved. I initially championed that all content should be free… for its potential to accelerate societal progress, while also building oneself an audience.
While I still believe in the power of free content (and offer it as much as I can!) I now seek to emphasize the vital role of paid content too…
Teachers and Authors Deserve a Livelihood
If you thrive in teaching a…