The OTHER ultimate content strategy

As Ben Settle says, “Don’t build a business. Build a world.”

And if you are posting online, you're already world building.

Your banner, profile picture, bio, and pinned post all paint a picture.

A picture that should pull a person into a world that has just opened up around them.

Each post cohesively fits into the digital environment. Another piece of the puzzle, if you will.

To do this you need several pillars to build this world on.

Once you have these pillars, content becomes ridiculously easy.

Easy enough that you don't have to wrack your brain to come up with a killer post or a video idea.

Once you have the structure, ideas just magically appear as you live your life.

Let's dig in!

Macrocosm

The macrocosm is the big picture view.

It's your massive, maybe even delusional vision.

But honestly, the bigger the better.

Think in terms of years. 5-10 years even.

You have to play long term games to get big rewards and earn respect. So, don't pick something that'll be played out in 6 months.

All of your favorite artists, creators, and writers have been at it for at least years. You've got to be willing to do the same.

Ethos

These are the principles the people in your world value.

"People like us do things like this."

The actions these principles lead to are a bi-product of the vision.

Each piece of content should be a bi-product of the vision.

For instance, one of the Optimalist's values is optimism. So it wouldn't make sense or support my vision if I went around posting cynical garbage all day.

Antagonist

Speaking of how much cynics suck, world building includes standing up an antagonist.

Nothing bonds a community more than "Us vs. Them."

You should find an viewpoint that is an injustice and start fighting it through your content.

Here's a good place to start:

• What are some wrongs you see that should be righted?

• What is a common piece of bad advice that your competition is spouting?

Lean into your spiky POVs and write about them online.

You'll find your people.

Biosphere

The biosphere is what makes up the world.

It contains all of the digital real estate you are cultivating:

• Posts

• Blogs

• Videos

• E-books

• Email list

• Podcasts

• In person events

• Online communities

Each piece of content reinforces the big vision and creates community.

Once you have these pillars from which to build a world, the hard part is over.

Every interaction, event, or even story you hear fits into some part of the world you are building.

All you have to do is write it down.

Get building.

Cheers,

Swanagan

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