IDGAF what the algorithm wants, and neither do you.
The reason it’s been so challenging for you show up consistently online is because the way you’re “supposed” to do it feels painfully unaligned and fake.
Luckily for us - this is exactly where our power is. We are going to take the typical content creation rules and do something different.
If you are over hearing the same trending songs, feeling like you’re being talked at by “yapping” videos, and feel overwhelmed by the amount of recycled noise on your feed…you aren’t alone. Many of us are.
People like us avoid content creation because it feels so stale and soulless, and yet we are the exact people needed to create a significant wave of change in these spaces.
So here is a list of basic content creation “rules” and a fresh take on how I want to show up differently. Feel free to try them out for yourself or better yet, put your on spin on them (since carbon copies are what we are overcoming after all, right?)
Basic Rule #1: Think of your audience first
Fresh Take #1: Think of yourself first
I’ve spent so much time trying to figure out wtf my audience wants to see, and while I am intuitive, I’m not a mind reader and I don’t think I want to be. Instead of spending my precious energy trying to appease others and make them happy, what if I just followed the nudges of my own curiosity? I find I have more FUN when I’m actually pursuing a topic or idea that I feel personally engaged with in the first place. Not only that, but my energy goes from needing external validation to creating from an unconditional and truly engaged place - and THAT is what normal people actually gravitate towards.
When the priority is on the audience, it automatically makes it conditional - creating then revolves around what you can get out of it externally (views, likes, engagement)
When the priority is on you, it becomes unconditional - creating then revolves around what you receive from it internally (expression, learning, curiosity, interest, discovery, experimentation… the list goes on)
What would I create if no one saw it?
When do I feel my most creative?
What have I been attracted to lately? (topics, concepts, artists, ideas, curiosities, etc)
Basic Rule #2: Every post must have a call to action
Fresh Take #2: Give everyone (& yourself) a break
Listen, we are all busy and have never ending to-do lists we’re tending to - sometimes the last thing we want to see when we’re just trying to escape our reality (i.e. scroll) is to feel like there is one more thing to do. Not every post needs to have a call to action. Not every post requires audience participation.
We don’t need people to comment “lobotomy” under every post so they’re indoctrinated into our marketing funnel. Relax everyone.
There’s something that’s quite charming about someone sharing without asking anything of us in return, you know? I’d even venture to say that sharing without an agenda creates more trust within ourselves and with those that see our work.
Call to actions aren’t “bad”. They serve a purpose, but don’t feel like everything you share HAS to have a next step.
Basic Rule #3: Stay relevant - post multiple times a week or daily
Fresh Take #3: Share from inspiration, not a schedule
IDK about you, but nothing kills the buzz of creativity quite like the pressure to share a certain # of times a week. Something about expectations really turns me off.
What if instead of forcing yourself to create and show up the exact same way each week (which breeds copy/paste culture btw), you simply commit to one simple creative practice for yourself on a semi-regular basis.
For example: I feel incredibly creative and expansive when I’m writing, so if I can create a blog post each week with the mindset that I don’t have share this with anyone, I just desire creating - I feel a lot more willing to show up for my practice. In turn, this blog post gives me a lot to work with if I do decide to share and create short form content from it - BUT I don’t have to.
Take the pressure off. Remind yourself what drives you to create in the first place. Welcome in a practice that actually feels exciting and supportive to connect with regularly. As they say, it’s all about the journey (creative practice) not the destination (posting the content).
Energetically speaking, I’d rather only show up and share when it feels aligned instead of forcing myself to post. That being said, I’m going to contradict myself here because in January I did challenge myself to post every day which was a really great experience for me at the time, and did see the benefit of creating within constraints to push past perfectionism… so I guess it’s all about intention.
Basic Rule #4: niche down
Fresh Take #4: Create your own world
Not everyone is meant to “niche down”. Some of us are multi-passionate and aren’t meant to post about the same exact topic week after week. Who wants to be a one trick pony? I don’t.
Narrowing down on a niche feels almost impossible when you’re just starting to post anyway - it’s like trying to hit the bullseye on your first try. What feels more sustainable is creating a world and essence organically - one that can grow and move with you. As you begin posting based on true inspiration and curiosity, you may start to realize this season you’re focused on 3 main topics that you rotate between instinctively.
What could you talk about or research for hours? What are the topics of the books, podcasts, and media you’re engaging with? What vibe/style is calling to you? What have you recently learned or experienced that you want to share? What feeling do you want to have when you’re creating? What feels relevant for you? This is the world you’re creating, and one that gives you plenty of space to breathe.
Basic Rule #5: focus on what’s performing and recreate
Fresh Take #5: Break free from the machine
If you want your creative process to look like plugging in a formula or just going through the motions to rinse and repeat - by all means, focus on what’s performing well. Honestly, I don’t want to spend my spare time looking at analytics. Sure, it’s cool to know what seems to resonate with people, but I don’t want to constantly feed that animal.
What I created before was “of the moment”. There’s something insanely sacred about that. Why would I try to recreate that moment again, and again, and again. Let it go.
It feels like when people are nostalgic to their own detriment and end up being the all-star football player in high school that just can’t let go of his glory days. Let go of the past and step into the now. Don’t expect applause, don’t expect a “good job”, don’t expect virality.
What is sacred that is dying to be channeled through you in this moment? Surely it’s not the exact thing you shared 2 months ago. The reason this is even a thing is because everything feels urgent. MUST POST NOW, MUST STAY RELEVANT.
Our relevancy needn’t drive our desires and creations - that’s a job for the Soul.
TL;DR Grab your creative force back from the evil clutches of social media “shoulds”, and do whatever the fuck you want (with a passion)
No influencers, coaches, or podcasters were harmed in the making of this post.
