"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."
- Colin Powel
There is no such thing as the perfect time to make your dreams come true. Whether you want to take a new step in your current business, grow as a leader, or are ready for a switch - the time to take action is now. In my 20 years of experience in business and as an entrepreneur, I have learned that a strong personal brand is not just a luxury, but the secret weapon of your career. And it starts with your content.
Visibility = Profitable
When I started as an entrepreneur, I found it challenging to present myself on LinkedIn from a new position. I asked myself, "Who am I now and what do I have to say?" Looking back, I can say with conviction: visibility proved profitable. LinkedIn became the place where I built a warm network and met most of my clients - often silent followers who turned out to have been following me for a long time.
Stop scrolling. Start selling.
To optimize your online presence, focus on these three key points:
1. Observe, not consume
2. Use friction to adjust your routine
3. Create a content system
1. Stop consuming and start producing
Everyone is a creator by nature. Because as you read this, your mind is simultaneously creating ideas. It makes a logic out of what I write based on your past experiences.
Maybe you're skeptical of the idea of replacing scrolling with selling. Maybe you just got an idea for your own newsletter. Or you're currently thinking about something completely different and are just "passively reading. The same content affects everyone differently.
Your mind is a creative jukebox. It creates content by default 24/7. But all that content is lost if you don't actively observe and document these ideas.
The goal is not to stop consuming e.g. LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. It is to become aware of the content you are reading. And whether you are spending your time consuming what matters to you. Since becoming aware of the content I consume, I have become much more focused on valuable input that nourishes, enriches and gives me new insights. And at the same time, I capture all my ideas in my brain dump (I use Notion).
Every time a topic touches/inspires me, I make a tag/notice of it and add it to my Notion file. Then I use the ideas collected as inspiration for my own content creation.
2. Use friction to adjust your habit
If you want to learn how to become a more effective creator, you need to understand how to change habits. Scrolling is a habit. Creating is a habit. Selling is a habit.
I write about it more often, but it worthwhile to 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear. It is one of my favorite book on habits/routines. Using the lessons from this book, I was able to change my content behavior 3 years ago.
A habit trick that has worked well for me is the framework: MORE-BETTER-NEW
- Remove friction for desired habits (MORE)
- Add friction to unwanted habits (BETTER)
- Accept friction when learning new habits (NEW)
Digi-minimizing: friction reduces scrolling
Because of these simple habits, my social media usage dropped by > 50%:
- On my phone, I have turned off all notifications. And I only see new messages after opening social media apps.
- On my laptop, I did not download any social media apps.
- I block out set times in my calendar for social media and I close my laptop just before dinner every day.
- I put my phone away around 8 p.m. and then the next day (after breakfast) "only" look at my phone again.
Make a routine of content creation
If you want to create more content, make it easy for yourself to create. Making it a routine will make it easier for you, and you will find that you will also create more valuable content (power of repetition) which will give you more reach and reach (power of stacking value - compound effect).
A few routines I employ in my own creation process:
1. I post many of my concoctions and notes on X, directly in public. Most don't get picked up, but some do. It helps me formulate, as well as communicate more concisely and succinctly.
2. Using me dictaphone on my phone (but you can also use e.g. Otter.ai use) to record transcripts. This makes it easy to record thoughts AND also get the transcript out and reuse it. When I'm walking and have an idea, I record it here. I send the recordings to my brain dump in Notion to create content for me later.
3. Repurposing good content. Both in a different format, and across multiple social media platforms (omnichannel / omnipresence strategy).
4. This one I want to do more of and thus add as a new habit. Recording an adhoc/quick video more often via Loom or Zoom about it and share it online. Here I can further enrich my own content process and reach even more with my content.
Achieve more in less time through strategic creation and smart (re)use of your value. It increases your visibility , as well as your profitability:
- You create more content
- You improve your skills faster
- You care less about the performance of each piece of content
- You create even more valuable content because you don't care what other people think of you. After all, you want to reach your target audience/clients not for "everyone else.
- You'll make more money because more people will see your material, start following you and will knock on your door to help them.
3. Create a content system
People tend to be averse to routines and systems. But systems are power and value multipliers. Your input stays the same, but your output explodes. Two years ago, I spent over 4 hours a day on content. Today, I spend 2 hours a day on content. Yet I produce 4X more content with 50% of time spent. This is possible because of two things:
I developed my own systems to turn one masterpiece such as a transcript, as well as these Empowered Letters, into 20 different pieces of content.
I use tools as well as in collaboration with my team to reuse my content for. Because the masterpiece is 100% my input and my value. And from there I and my team use Artificial Intelligence, AI tools that creates new content pieces from my long form content.
Develop a system to efficiently produce content:
- Use transcription tools to capture thoughts
- Reuse good content in different formats
- Implement an omnichannel strategy
- Use AI tools to generate content from your core message
To make this work, you need 3 things:
1. A strong personal brand and strategy for what content to create at what time and in what way.
2. Knowledge of how to create, present and strategically repurpose good content to increase your visibility and reach.
3. Setting up your own systems, using the right tools and building your team with A-players that fit the stage of your business and ambitions. A team of experts/freelancers who will help you grow strategically. Allowing you to free yourself and spend your time on the things you are good at and that matter to you.
Clearly, the way we create and share content is changing. But are you making the most of your own content? Because we all have so much value already created and now mostly sitting on the shelf, a shame!
Strategic reuse of your content
By being smart about your content and reusing it (content repurposing), you can spread your value in multiple ways and platforms and reach a wider audience.
By being smart about your existing content, you can:
- Achieve more in less time
- Increasing your visibility
- Increase your profitability
For that reason, I have created a golden guide for you to help you achieve more with your existing value.
Free download: "Repurpose your Value"
Want even more concrete tips and strategies to maximize your valuable content? Then download my free guide "Repurpose your Value" now. In it I share:
- Step-by-step guides for content reuse
- Examples of successful content transformations
- Tools and techniques to optimize your workflow
- Strategies to spread your expertise more widely
Click here to download your free copy and start maximizing your content value today! Discover how you can streamline your content creation, expand your reach without constantly creating new content, and make more impact as a result.
Once you start applying these techniques, and there your own system of it, you'll find that your message reaches much further and you don't have to constantly create new content. This saves you time and energy, and ensures that you continue to give and share value regardless of the platform.
I'm very curious to see how you will apply this in your own work. Let me know if you run into anything or need more examples!
Claim your own guide here. Good luck reading and let me know if you have any questions.
I'd love to help you on your way to a powerful personal brand and a profitable online presence! Because you are worth being seen, heard and appreciated for and on value.
One Life. Lead it. Live it.
Have a great week,
Gerdi
PS1. If you'd like to know how I can help you, your position or your company become the visionary leader of your life and business in your own remarkable way, schedule a free appointment with me. I will be happy to discuss what opportunities and growth possibilities I foresee for you.
Whenever you are ready:
✅ Ready to do things differently? Start to Lead your Life and Business including Leaders of the Future Community
✅ Want more time and freedom for yourself and grow your business? Scale to Unlimited Freedom
✅ Working together on the new future and focusing on healthy living, leadership and entrepreneurship? Life, Leadership & Legacy including The high-value Health & Business Leadership Club
✅ A 4-week Sprint collaboration for your specific strategic issue: Whether it's your LinkedIn Sprint, Strategic Positioning Sprint or Growth Sprint.... Your strategic issue developed into a clear plan with the right actions to achieve your 2025 result.
Because you want to get more out of life AND Continue to grow profitably personally, professionally and financially
PS2. My next free Masterclass - From Idea to Profitable Impact is scheduled for Feb. 20 from 10-11 a.m. You can sign up directly here.
Book tips:
Leadership & Entrepreneurship
The Diary of a CEO - Steven Bartlett
Tribes - Seth Godin
Principles - Ray Dalio
The Lean Startup - Eric Ries
Leaders Eat Last - Simon Sinek
Leading From The Emerging Future - C Otto Scharmer
Transformational Presence - Alan Seale
The Big Leap - Gay Hendricks
PS3. I have a whole book list. If you are interested and would like to receive my favorite books list? Send me a message and I'll send you my favorites list.
Invest in yourself, invest in your business and invest in your future
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