WEEK 35. What I've Learned 2 Years Into Making Content Online In My 20's

Good Morning Winners, It is day 234 of this amazing year, starting this writing live from my favorite coffee shop in a small beach town at the top of this paradise I call Florida. As I sit here I realize I need to remove the glass ceiling I put on myself sometimes when writing these. I write best when I write for free.

As I enter season 3 of my content journey I want to make a point to look back at the first 2 years and talk about what I've enjoyed, what I haven't, what I learned & am learning. I'll talk about my take on whether you should start making content, when, and how to stay consistent.

1. It's Simply Hard To Be Authentic At The Start

And that's awesome because that means you get to experiment. It also means you will get reps dealing with everyone else's opinion. It's now Day 238 that I am working on this blog again, and as I read the previous line back, it stands out to me because that's kind of how life in your 20's is too.

In 2020 I was entering my 2nd year of college. 2 years before that I had started my first business and did well over 6 figures in sales on the resale market before I turned 20.

I was ready to talk about it, I was bored in the new reality we all were beginning to adjust to, and I liked podcasts, so I figured why not start one?

I had tried in the past, interviewing high school friends, local business owners, and even myself on a pretty weekly basis. In the past, it hasn't stayed consistent due to inevitable imposter syndrome. It was valid since while I had done some good things, I simply hadn't been in the arena long enough to educate others on the topic. I did not know how to tell a story.

That 2nd year of college I tried podcasting for a 2nd time. This time, it was called Plug Collect. I had always felt like the connector to those around me in my life, I wanted a show that represented that.

Selfish...

Nonetheless, my roommate Jarred, who was also a wizard behind the camera, set up shop in our college dorm and pressed play.

We talked about all things college life, pop culture, sports, business, networking... it was the EVERYTHING show.

Therefore was super indirect, and pretty inconsistent, and while we did have a few viral clips, NFL players, and current 7 figure earners on the show, we didn't really know what we had.

Not to mention my Co-Host and I were still very much in college and very much still figuring things out.

And that's what mattered most.

2. It's The Figuring Out That Matters

One of the highest frequencies in the world is AUTHENTICITY. So if who you are right now is someone who is in a deep state of building who is reading this and feels called to create content, simply start there. Believe it or not, there are more people out there who will resonate with someone vulnerable enough to admit they don't have it all together yet. It is what the social media platforms greatly lack in my opinion, and for anyone who understands supply & demand, you see where I want to get with this.

The ultimate cheat code to both starting with content and finding your authentic style of producing it, is to start throwing paint on the wall, just using your own paint.

Use frames in the language of your content like "In my opinion", "From my experience", "Something that worked for me that could work for you", or "You should try this to achieve XYZ result"

Your audience will let you know when you've established yourself as an authority. Nobody is an expert on Day 1.

3. I Love The Social Networking Side Of Social Media

Imagine a place where you could find people doing things you also love to do, going to places you've always wanted to go (sometimes living there), and thinking with a similar mindset as you. Well welcome to the internet. When you share who you truly are, those that resonate will let you know. When you see someone authentically showing who they are, it is to your benefit to let them know you appreciate it. We all desire a feeling of importance in life and we always remember those who make us feel that way. We do the best work with people we admire and respect. So why not connect with only those people? Not only connect, but follow up, engage, and invite.

Anytime I make plans to travel to a new place, if I want to be surrounded by more like-minded people, I simply make a post about it. Each time I have done this, (since I started taking content seriously) my audience RESPONDS. All of a sudden I know about places to eat, mastermind events to attend, community culture, and in most cases even where I should stay with whom I should stay with.

Showing genuine interest always wins.

4. It's Okay To Take A Break Re-Align & Re-Focus

One thing I noticed after being consistent is the self-created pressure that comes with not wanting to miss a day. This can result in lower-quality content, questioning yourself, and burn out.

Frankly, I think that's okay and more than necessary. We have to test our limits to know what they are. At first, try everything, find what works for you, double down on that, take in audience feedback, realign, refocus & try again. Especially at the beginning, it's okay to work in spurts. I am still in that phase. Each spurt gets more directed, more intentional, more clear with its goal. Like anything, the more reps the better.

A strategy I found extremely helpful in terms of staying consistent and maintaining my mental health, is to write first & batch-create.

Think of who you were a few years ago, and the challenges you had that you have since overcome. The lessons you learned. Write them out. Just a few words. Then go back and expand on those ideas when it comes time to create content.

The written piece is great for X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. I recommend including a picture. These platforms reward you based on the time you get your audience to spend on them. So be elaborate but direct.

The written words can become a video script, your voice your face or AI voice with B-Roll type clips and images. Great posts from this can be made for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and yes even LinkedIn has short-form content now.

Closing Bell

In this content journey, spanning over two years and multiple self-discoveries, the key takeaway is simple: be authentic, experiment freely, and don't be afraid to realign when needed. Starting out can be tough, whether it's overcoming imposter syndrome or finding your voice, but the magic lies in figuring things out as you go. Embrace the social side of social media, connect genuinely, and remember that taking breaks to refocus is just as important as consistency. Ultimately, creating content isn't about perfection; it's about growth, connection, and sharing your unique journey with the world.

If you enjoyed connecting with me here today, I would love to grab a virtual coffee and get to know how we can support each other. Book a 15-minute Winners Meeting with me above and let's connect!