You have the ability. You have the skills. You have everything it takes!
Okay now that we’ve gotten that part out of the way, we can really have this important conversation. Today you’re going to become someone who creates “contagious” content.
Contagious: exciting similar emotions or conduct in others.
If you’re like us, you’re probably sick of hearing the word “content”. But the truth is, it’s necessary for all businesses and we know it. AND what’s even truer is, if your content doesn’t excite emotions or conduct, you could be wasting your time.
Most content out there sucks. Seriously. You’ve seen it. You’ve read it. It’s not interesting. Even some of the stuff WE have created sucks. AND some of the stuff YOU have created sucks too. (refer back to the first sentence in this blog, if you’re the sensitive type)
There are two main reasons your content sucks.
A lot of people either create lackluster content or they just don’t create anything at all. And there are a million reasons that I’ve heard for why people either don’t create content or create lame content. Such as…
- I don’t have the time.
- I just don’t know what to say.
- It’s too hard to be consistent.
- Nobody is interested in what I have to say.
- I’m not a writer.
I could go on and on and on. But like I said, there are two main reasons why you’re not creating awesome, amazing, contagious, content. And honestly, the reasons aren’t that hard to overcome.
So let’s get to it…
Reason #1
You’re not taking the time to intentionally absorb and embrace new knowledge, wisdom, insight, or perspectives. Seriously, the reason many people can’t create content, is because they don’t have much substance to draw from when it’s time. sure they ingest a lot of content. But it’s mostly junk. This is literally one of the biggest reasons most people stink at creating content that connects with, and moves, their audience. If we’re going to ask people to spend their time listening to us speak or write, it’s imperative that we have something outstanding to say. Not just interesting, but it has to be intriguing enough that it captures their attention, AND KEEPS IT! …creating an emotion or conduct in the future.
For years at Aeonian Ovia we have studied how to “create”. And what we’ve learned is some of the best ideas, the best speeches, the best “content” comes from our past. Great thought leaders actually drive forward, from behind. Our awesomeness as people comes from our past conversations, past books we’ve read, speeches we’ve heard, and visuals we’ve previously seen. This is not to say that we simply copy what somebody else has said. But we must recognize, it’s our past that helps us to decide how to craft our future.
What we take into our minds and hearts actually drives us to create, produce, and innovate.
BUT… The key is, it only works if we’re taking the time to absorb, embrace, and implement this knowledge. Most people learn new things and then in a week, they’ve forgotten it. It’s like going to church and hearing this conversation…
“Mannnn the pastor preached a WORD on Sunday?”
“Oh yea? What was the sermon about?”
“You know what I don’t remember really, but it was POWERFUL!!”
If this is you, then you’re a content hoe.
If you can’t remember what the super impactful podcast said 2 weeks later, then you’re just taking in advice from everywhere, letting it get all muddled up, and probably not seeing any results. It’s super important we don’t just let things “pass through” our minds. If every day we are listening to 3 podcasts, 5 inspirational YouTube videos, and scrolling through a bunch of business builder TikToks, we’ve heard a lot, but chances are we’ve learned very little. Thus we have nothing to draw from to help us create contagious content.
To make creating contagious content a staple in our lives, we have to stop the parade of advice running through our minds.
I promise you, the new new breakout idea you’re looking for is locked up in past conversations, old books you’ve read, shows you’ve watched, and art you’ve marveled over. But you’ve got to spend time with all of that. You’ve got to spend time with what the book said. You’ve got to sit on what that show revealed to you about yourself. You must really allow the concepts you absorb to permeate your being. Allow it to saturate your mind fully and slowly. Then, apply them to aspects of your everyday life to begin radiating the results.
This is how we create content that spreads from one person to another over and over again.
Scientific American said it best, “Ideas originate from pregnant minds.”
Smithsonian Magazine said it this way, “Prior art propels the creative process.”
We must find ourselves in a position where we are receiving regularly, in order for us to give properly.
Reason #2
You’re trying too hard. You’re starting conversations even though you don’t really have anything to say. All because some guru told you to.
One of the worst things that happens in life is when people start talking but they actually have nothing to say. They either feel like they should be saying “something”, want to hear themselves, are afraid of the silence, or are just doing what someone else told them to do. Seriously if you don’t currently have anything of substance to say, it’s best to just keep quiet. If what you’re saying won’t “excite emotion or conduct” then say nothing for now.
I know, some YouTube video told you, in order to succeed you had to create a new blog post twice a week. Or a friend told you about the success they found from doing a podcast every day. And you’ve been doing that for nearly a year and seen almost no improvement in your sales. Sure more people follow you and like your posts, but they aren’t buying.
Why? Because you’re trying to hard.
Let me be the first to say… Relax.
Only post content when you have something contagious to say.
Only write blog posts when you’re bringing so much value to the table that people can’t help but like, comment, and share (like this one).
Posting just because it’s been so long since you’ve posted, is never the best practice.
“But I haven’t posted in forever. I’ve got post something!”
Do you know why you haven’t posted in forever? Refer back to reason #1
The only time you should post because “it’s been so long” is if you’ve been holding out on a hundred ideas, and blog posts, and videos, and podcasts. Only if you been so busy, making money or making a difference, that you genuinely haven’t had time. (If you’re making money, you’ll know it. If you’re making a difference, you’ll see more money.) If you’ve got genius in the tank and haven’t released it to the world, then you need to sit your wobbly butt down, carve out some time, and schedule the release of your awesome.
When you’re locked in on reason #1 and you’re receiving, embracing, and grasping new ideas, perspectives, information, and concepts. You’ll find that reason #2 is no longer an issue for you. Creating content that excites emotion and conduct, won’t be so difficult.
You’ll no longer find yourself trying too hard.
You will no longer have large gaps where your audience isn’t connecting with you.
You’ll see a more seamless and coherent content process. Then it’s simply a matter of scheduling your distribution.
Remember…
You have the ability. You have the skills. You have everything it takes!
