Why Your Content Is Being Ignored (And How to Fix It)

The internet is crazy.

At the click of a button you can share a creative message with thousands, if not millions of people. It’s quite literally mind-blowing, and probably the single greatest invention that we’ll ever see in our lifetimes.

The thing is, you’re not the only one who has access to it.

Which means it’s harder than ever to stand out, and harder to get the attention your creative work so rightfully deserves. In this issue of the ‘the newsletter that still doesn’t have a name’, I’m going to share why your content is being ignored, and how to fix it.

The Attention Economy

“In the future, our attention will be sold” Mark Manson.

Attention is the new currency - and it’s it’s more valuable now than ever before.

Why is attention so important?
You need attention to have someone to create for in the first place.
You need attention to build a social media following.
You need attention to make a difference.
You need attention to get recognition.
You need attention to make money.

I remember when I first started creating content online. I was so excited on the idea that I could share ideas that I was passionate about - and maybe, just maybe, others would find them interesting too.

But guess what happened when I started sharing my creative work that I’d poured my heart and soul into?

…work I believed could only go viral and be work people simply wouldn’t be able to ignore…

For the first YEAR (probably more actually), my work was completely ignored.

Nobody read my blog posts.
Nobody tuned into watch my YouTube videos.
Nobody gave a sh*t about me and my stupid work.

Hmm… what a strange phenomenon.

How could it possibly be easier than ever before to reach people, yet it’s harder than ever to get noticed!?

So the question becomes; how do we get more attention in a genuine and organic way without paying for advertising or asking friends and fam to share your work?

Solution: Create high quality AND high volume content, consistently.

Yes, I know that wasn’t the super-duper magical hack you were hoping for. I’m a realist - and I’m sure any creator would give you the same answer.

Or as Steve Martin put’s it…

or… create so much they can’t ignore you.

What happens when you consistently show up?

Just like my YouTube sob story, in the beginning you’re probably going to share content nobody will give a rat’s ass about - and that’s a GOOD thing. It means you’re on the right track. So don’t stop.

People give up right before they hit ‘traction’.

Traction = a sign that your work is paying off
Traction = people share more of your work
Traction = audience grows exponentially
Traction = people buy your products

It really doesn’t matter what you share in the beginning. The main driving factor is that you continue creating and sharing to reach traction tipping point faster.

Yep, you need to create… A LOT. Don’t be fooled. You’ll probably have absolutely nothing to show for the hard work you’ve put in so far.

Think of your content like a saving’s account or an investment.

You’re investing your time and energy now to reap the exponential rewards later.

Keep showing up - no matter what. Casey Neistat said this perfectly:

Focus on getting the first 100 pieces of content out. Yes 100 pieces of content.

I know. It’s a lot.

But nothing good happens overnight. Once you nail the consistency part of content creation, there’s something magical that does happen:

The Credibility Flywheel

This is when people start to know, like, and trust you en mass.

Think if credibility like a flywheel:

The more you create, the more the right people* will like you.

*I say ‘right people’ because we want our content to ATTRACT people who love what we do, and REPEL those who don’t.

My YouTube channel didn’t get any major traction for the first 2 years of posting every single week. It wasn’t until I had a solid 100 videos under my belt that people started to regularly tune in, and we were approached by bigger brands for partnerships and opportunities.

My Point: Creating quality content consistently is the fastest way to get better at your craft, and reaching that tipping point of traction where things literally go crazy.

Showing up is the only thing that guarantees success.

And the only way I know to create consistently is to create content around topics that you love. Topics you literally live and breathe. Topics you research for FUN.

Because if you love what you do, you can produce consistently without friction or resentment.

Many people give up simply because they don’t truly love what they do or find it hard coming up with content ideas. They throw the towel in early and decide this content thing is not for them

Pick something you can do every single day.
Pick a topic or interest you actively research that interests you.
Pick something you can commit to and are happy to persevere with patience.

Because you WILL have to go through the ‘no traction’ zone.

It’s coming - and there’s no shortcut or sneaky toll bridge you can take to avoid it. As soon as you understand this, you can weather the storm and continue driving forward towards success as a creator in the online world.

~ Alex

How Are 2 Ways I Can Help You When You Are Ready

1. Free2Paid: I put together this video series which includes 7 steps to getting paid brand deals as an online creator.

Watch it here (it's free)

2. GoPro Video Magic: A complete course containing literally everything I know about action cameras, including setup, shooting, editing, and sharing on social media. 

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