Lessons from a Skeptical Prospect
I followed the link in an obviously paid-placement article to the lead magnet. It was on a page that wouldn’t load because of my ad blocker and VPN. I used my burner browser to access the page. The landing page demanded my contact info. I used a burner name and address to fill out the […]
Writing for the World You Want
Are you serious enough about thought leadership to take your topic seriously? Once upon a time, writing gurus used to say we should write for people at a 10th-grade reading level. Then it went down to 8th. Then 6th-grade reading became the threshold. Recently, I’ve seen people seriously proposing 5th and even 3rd-grade reading levels […]
The Persistent Patterns of Media Consumption
Meet the old feed. Same as the new feed. Back in the day, after your dose of comix entertainment, you’d see a barrage of ads like this. After you read about the heroes you aren’t and the lives you don’t have come the gimmicks sold by promises pegged to whatever perceived shortcomings you might fear. […]
So What?
I can give you the ultimate content algorithm hack in two words: “So what?” Stop playing a game whose rules you don’t control. Post how, what, and when you want. Cut your dependency. Say what matters. Write for people. Everything else? So what? Link: https://the-graceful-thought-leader.syncresis.com/the-ultimate-content-algorithm-hack/
The LinkedIn Paradox
One of the top-performing content types on LinkedIn is content about how to create content on LinkedIn. That’s great for people who sell formulas and frameworks for writing LinkedIn content because they can use their own content performance to demonstrate how good their products are. Social proof and Fear-Uncertainty-Doubt are built in. It’s less great […]
The Dark Side of Content Consumption
There’s a nasty little imp hiding in every corner waiting to prey on your aspirations by amplifying your fears and touting a solution that gives you an illusion of control. These aren’t scams, exactly. But it’s curious how many of them follow the scam playbook. Get your attention, build trust and warm you up, then […]
The Content Professional’s Guide to Value Creation
Content professionals have an opportunity to play a central role in creating value. But not on their current path. Imagine…people who can find and amplify great ideas that drive growth and change. They would be at the center of everything that matters to an organization, wouldn’t they? Senior leaders would trust them innately, seek out […]
Pruning the Web of Smut
I have a mission—to rid the internet of smut content. No, it’s not what you’re probably thinking. Although it’s likely just as lost a cause.
How Content Sours Creativity
This “content thing” is making me into a mean monkey. The mean level of discourse about quality and creativity is making me sneer at ideas that probably deserve better. Mean aspirations beget meager outcomes that I read about and snort at. The need to say or do something, even when you mean nothing, is sharpening […]
The Shift from Filling Spaces to Creating Meaning
Once you start thinking about “content,” it’s over. You’re already in a world of bottomless, numberless containers that need to be filled for their own sake. You’re already shouting messages no one wants to hear into holes no one wants to be in.