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| Valuable content contributors at the Ted Talks. |
Always put your best stuff forward. Here is some content on content.
Good content requires deliberate work, persistent learning and most importantly mindfulness. What does this all mean?
Content is the value of which you bring forth to others. You could do so intentionally or unintentionally. So how does this happen?
Intentionally by saying something or doing something that you know will benefit someone else. After having them observe you, they gain a new insight and change/modify their behaviour according to what it is they have perceived.
Some examples of intentional content are attending a seminar or conference, watching a how to video on you tube, reading a non fiction book, going to class. Your parents are probably the best example, because they lead by example.
Unintentionally by observing others and then reacting to them with your own thoughts and feelings. For the curator of content, you do so by acting without the motive of teaching someone else. Again others learn by observing you, the only difference is you are not doing it purposefully for them to learn from you, to say it bluntly, it just happens.
Let me give you a great example of unintentional content. I received a call from someone I was expecting to learn a great deal about their journey as a writer, during that phone conversation I realized that I ended up being the giver of content instead of being on the receiving end.
Yes, it can be reciprocated and each person can gain a new understanding from each other. This I would consider a mentor-mentor mentality, where each person is able to contribute in teaching the other person something that they did not know prior to.
"The interesting thing is how much you know about something when you begin a thoughtful conversation with someone else."
So how does one create great content?
Through consistent hard work, by observing and learning along the way. Being able to regurgitate what you have learned by putting it into your own words so that others are able to relate to your voice.
Now more than ever we can find mass amounts of content in seconds scanning through the internet. The trick becomes filtering out all the useless information which does not serve you, this we call the noise, and paying attention to the information that will enhance your knowledge in any particular field of your choice.
So is it still content if you do not find any value in it? Yes.
My intentions with my writing is to give. To put out valuable content through my personal experience and acquired knowledge. Some of you may already know a lot of what I have to say, yet there are still others who can find this content valuable.
Lastly and probably the most important that brings it all together is mindfulness. When I say mindfulness I don't mean meditation, what I mean is being in the present and understanding what you learned and how it can be applied.
Without mindfulness the giver does not fully comprehend the value of what they can teach others, and the receiver takes nothing away from the content.
Who determines what great valuable content is?
The person on the receiving end. When they want to talk about what you have said in a meaningful way to someone else, a way that has impacted their own life. Anyone who finds interest in your work, that I consider valuable content.
And again it will not be valuable to everyone because not everyone is doing or wanting to learn the same thing.
First and foremost, educate yourself. Secondly listen to people, engage with them and leave an impact.
So now that you understand what content is, let me give you some content, take away.
Whatever field you are in give your best content out daily or weekly on social media, since these are great platforms of which you can reach many people.
You are wondering what can you give? Well you know things that most people don't know about your industry, so give them the behind the scenes and educate them on things that you think they will find interest in it. Don't try and please everyone it will never work.
Tell us what or how something is made. How it can be done better your way or your companies way, what other places are doing. What you don't want to do is force your content on others. The best way to bring it across is by being humble and genuine about it.
"Present your content in a manner that will be a choice not an obligation."
Put out your content and it will attract those who care about it. Simplify what is complicated so that people can understand it. Remember not everyone knows the jargon, you want to be engaging so you need to speak the language of the person that is listening to you.
How can you give content?
My suggestion here is give it away for free. Yes, free first of all by doing this you are building trust with strangers. You are showing them that you care and that you are an expert in your industry. That you want them to walk away learning something without any hidden agenda.
Use all the relevant platforms on social media, build a free word press website. Give it away in writing, speaking or with videos. The key is to do it so that others who find it valuable are able to share it.
You are wondering how could you earn an income giving away free content? When the trust is built and you gave so much, the person who received it will feel obligated to buy whatever it is your selling. Why? Because they believe in you, and that it will serve them. Of course you wouldn't steer them wrong, right?
Here is a take away for entrepreneurs.
"Revers engineer what the big companies are doing, once you understand how big the company is, what they did to get there and why, you can then use that information and apply it to your start up. Double up on what works."
So there you have it, content on content. I hope you enjoyed this read, I know I enjoyed writing it. Now it is time to educate myself so I can give you the reader more content. To be continued....
Image copyright by dictie.ro
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