Mastering Content Creation: How Systems Drive Success for Creators
Written on
Chapter 1: The Power of Systematic Creation
What drives the remarkable consistency of many content creators? How do they keep generating fresh ideas? It's apparent that top creators consistently produce a wealth of content, but there's more to it.
Photo by Erik van Dijk
It's not just about quantity; the quality of their work is equally impressive. Creators I admire seem to produce content that aligns perfectly with my interests, often when I need it most.
So, what’s their secret?
They rely on systematic approaches. Each of them adheres to a structured method for their creative output.
Creativity Can Be Systemized
Many people claim they're not creative or believe that inspiration must strike spontaneously. This is a misconception. The truth is, taking the initiative and producing content regularly fosters creativity.
Ali Abdaal has mentioned in one of his videos that his creative workflow—encompassing ideation, creation, and publication—is highly organized.
“Creativity is a systematic process” — Will Guidara
These creators follow a consistent method, and interestingly, their processes share many similarities.
Section 1.1: Understanding the System's Structure
So, what do these systematic approaches entail? Here's a breakdown of the framework that Ali, Justin Welsh, Dan Koe, and possibly Peter McKinnon utilize:
- Idea Generation
- Research
- Writing
- Editing
- Publishing
- Repurposing
- Analytics
In the initial stages, you might handle all these tasks yourself. However, as you gain momentum, consider delegating certain aspects.
Section 1.2: A Real-World Example
As I prepare to head into the forest for a photography session, this serves as a perfect illustration of the system in action.
Idea Generation
I have a well-organized system for generating ideas. I use the default notes app on my phone, where I keep a pinned note titled “Content Ideas.” This setup allows me to jot down thoughts whenever inspiration strikes.
For instance, I plan to write a newsletter focusing on woodland photography. I find capturing woodlands challenging due to their complexity, which often leads to cluttered images.
Research
Next, I’ll explore common advice regarding woodland photography techniques:
- Capture wider shots to encompass more scenery
- Utilize a high f-stop (f8 to f22)
- Employ a tripod for longer exposures
- Aim for golden hour for optimal lighting
- Look for patterns or contrasting elements
I will also reflect on my own experiences. For instance, I appreciate incorporating slightly blurred foreground elements to enhance depth, while some professionals advocate for sharpness throughout the frame.
Writing
When it comes to writing, I prefer to delve deeply into my newsletters. I first define the style of the content: will it be a narrative, a list, advice, or a conceptual piece? What issues or ideas will I explore? What are the main takeaways? Is there a call to action?
The newsletter will cover the best times for woodland photography, recommended tools, camera settings, and a segment on photo editing.
Editing
During the editing phase, I evaluate several factors:
- Is the grammar correct?
- Are my sentences succinct?
- Is the content clear and focused?
- Does the hook address a pain point or promise?
- Are there links to relevant sources?
- Have I ensured readability?
Publishing
This step is straightforward, but I make sure to include an engaging thumbnail or introductory image, as these elements are crucial for capturing attention when sharing content.
Repurposing
One of the most rewarding aspects of this system is the ability to break down the main content into smaller pieces, which can be shared as tweets, Instagram posts, or YouTube shorts. Recently, I've begun drafting shorter Medium articles inspired by my newsletters. For example, I could develop topics such as:
- ISO settings and their significance
- The rationale behind using f8-f22 for woodland photography
- Ideal lighting conditions in woodland settings
- The primary subject focus in forest photography
- Pros and cons of tripod usage in woodland shoots
- Optimal shooting times: sunrise vs. sunset
- The impact of shutter speed in woodland imagery
- Composing forest photos effectively
- Editing techniques for forest photography
- Enhancing landscapes with fog
- Tips for working with water in landscape shots
With this approach, I can generate numerous additional topics for articles, each valuable to individuals seeking knowledge in this photography niche.
Analytics
Finally, analytics play a crucial role in evaluating what resonates with your audience. Understanding what captures attention, what garners applause, and analyzing readership statistics can provide insights into how to enhance your offerings.
By examining this data, you can continually refine your approach and provide even greater value to your audience.
Conclusion
All the creators you admire implement systematic processes. This is the key to their prolific output and consistency.
The good news is, you can adopt similar strategies for your work. We've explored a straightforward example of how to create a system that suits your needs. Once you find what works, you may even outsource certain tasks to focus more on your passions.
I encourage you to take this information and develop a system tailored to your preferences. Some prefer tools like Notion, while others favor pen and paper. Personally, I appreciate the simplicity of the default iPhone notes app, as it is always accessible.
I hope you find this helpful! I'm excited to apply these systems in my daily routine moving forward.
Let’s make 2024 a remarkable year for creativity!
Chapter 2: Insights from Successful Creators
The first video, "The Teams and Systems it Takes to Hit $10M+ In Your Creator Business," explores the structured approaches that successful creators implement to achieve significant milestones in their careers.
In the second video, "If I Was Starting NOW, as a Creator, here's what I'd do!" the speaker shares actionable strategies for new creators to kickstart their journey effectively.