Content Pioneers Left Bloody And Wounded After Razor-Sharp Arrows Pierce Their Backs
This is often the fate of those who strive to be original.
I know the pressure from feeling and thinking that everything I share must be new or original to me. You know, something that I created that nobody has ever thought of before.
This is another thing that holds people back.
The reality is that there's nothing new under the sun.
I heard Dan Kennedy talk about this in one of his seminars. He said that he doesn't have an original bone in his body. Nor does he try to be original because, as he says, "pioneers end up with arrows in their backs."
Instead, he borrowed and modeled ideas from other successful marketers, thinkers, and entrepreneurs that came before him. He focuses on being prolific and working fast.
I didn't just see this from Dan… I see it in all the content producers and entrepreneurs I follow.
Again, even though I was taught, aware of, and witnessed it in all the content I followed… I STILL didn't produce.
This is a painful and challenging path.
This doesn't mean you can't combine existing ideas to create a new blend.
Often, good ideas come from combining two concepts in a fresh way.
Another way to spruce up your content is to weave your unique personality into your content.
So you can take this formula:
Curated Content Topic 1 + Curated Topic 2 + Your Personality/Opinion + Infotaining Stories = Fresh Unique Engaging Content
This is what many successful creators, entertainers, writers, etc., have done for centuries.
You may be saying, but why would people be interested in me and my content if they can get it elsewhere?
Good question. I've asked this and wrestled with it for years.
In fact, this is another big reason why it's taken me so long to get my info/content business off the ground.
A frustrating part of this is that my mentors told me this over a decade ago.
No matter how often I heard this, I would still let my doubts, fears, and over-analytical mind get in the way.
But again... why would your audience go to you for this?
Your audience will want to get this from you because they like you. You've built a relationship with them. They resonate with your personality and opinions. They like the "flavor” that is YOU.
Now that I'm finally creating consistent content it's a relief knowing I don't have to create from scratch.
Another benefit to this approach is that I get to share my journey with my audience.
This is part of the approach: “Document, don't create," which I first heard from Gary Vee.
Being stuck in "Creator Mode" slows down the process.
When you put on your "creator hat," you feel like you must sit down with a blank canvas and create something new from your mind and ONLY your mind.
Again, this is not how most creators, writers, and artists work. They get ideas and inspiration from sources around them.
At first, they would copy or mimic these influences. Then, over time, their work will take on a blend of its own and have their fingerprint on it.
This is also how to discover and create content in your unique voice.
In case you're still unconvinced and think all your work must be brand-spankin' new…
Here are 12 potential drawbacks when you try to be original in all your ideas, content, and products:
- Time Consumption: Creating entirely original work from scratch requires significant time. The research, brainstorming, and development phases can be lengthy, which could delay product launches or content publication.
- Increased Costs: Innovating without references or borrowed ideas can lead to higher costs. The trial and error involved in creating something entirely new can be financially taxing.
- Risk of Failure: Being original carries a higher risk of failure, especially if the market is not ready for the new ideas or products you are introducing.
- Over-Complexity: Trying to be original can lead to over-complicating simple ideas or processes, confusing your audience, and unnecessarily increasing the project's complexity.
- Reinventing The Wheel: There's a chance of wasting resources on solving problems that have already been solved before, leading to an inefficient use of time and effort.
- Resource Intensive: Originality often demands more resources - both human and financial. This might strain your business, especially if you are a small entrepreneur or a startup.
- Mental Exhaustion: The constant pressure to come up with original ideas can lead to mental exhaustion, creativity burnout, and stress, which can have a detrimental impact on overall productivity and well-being.
- Isolation: Being overly focused on originality can isolate you or your business from industry trends, community, and collaborative opportunities, which can be vital for growth and staying relevant.
- Unpredictable Outcomes: The market's reaction to entirely new concepts or products is often unpredictable, and the lack of proven models can lead to uncertain outcomes.
- Learning Curve: Every new original idea requires a new learning curve, which could lead to delays and additional costs, especially if new skills or knowledge are needed.
- Difficulty in Marketing: It can be challenging to market a totally original idea as it may require educating the market, which can be a long and arduous process.
- Lack of Expertise: A lack of expertise or experience in dealing with entirely new concepts may lead to unforeseen challenges and mistakes.
Man!… when you consider these factors, trying to be original really puts unnecessary pressure on you when the payoff just isn't there.
Alright, alright… enough jibber jabber.
Time to move from discussion and theory into fast action.
So…
Who are your mentors? What resources do you follow?
Use and borrow ideas from these sources to create your content. Also, add stories and experiences from your journey.
This simple process will free you up and relieve you of the feeling that you need to be original.
And of course, it’s important to state that I’m not advocating here for plagiarism or copying verbatim. That of course is wrong, unethical and illegal.
What I mean here is that you’re just borrowing and getting inspiration from these sources, and then blending them using your own unique voice to create your content.
Until next time,
Josh Ford
