5 Simple Rules for Content Creation That Took Me From 0 to 3 Million Followers by Dan M.
Over the past 18 months, I’ve grown my personal brand to over 3 million followers across all platforms, generating over 100 million views monthly. In this blog post, I’ll share the five simple rules of content creation that helped me achieve these results.
Rule #1: Build Your Collection
The foundation of great content creation starts with building a collection of knowledge. When I started, I dove into Think and Grow Rich, a book that transformed my perspective. To deepen my understanding, I read over 200 books that influenced its author.
Here’s the truth: New wisdom grows from ancient roots. Most modern concepts are remixes of historical best practices rooted in the Bible, stoicism, poetry, and philosophy. To create world-class content, you need to build your collection of ideas.
The 5 Formats of Knowledge Collection
- Books: Don’t just read; study deeply. Take notes, rewrite passages in your own words, and integrate the knowledge into your life.
- Questions: Pay attention to what people ask you. These questions provide insight into your expertise and allow you to test new ideas and methods.
- Observation: Learn from family, friends, and the world around you. Frustrations often reveal lessons worth teaching. Use these observations to craft content.
- Top Content: Spend time exploring trending content on platforms like TikTok. Follow creators in your niche and analyze what resonates with audiences. Let your feed inspire and educate you.
- Your Past: Reflect on what you needed at different stages of your life. The struggles you overcame are relatable and valuable to others. Share those stories authentically.
Once your collection is built, you’ll have a rich reservoir of ideas to fuel your creativity.
Rule #2: The Content Creation Flywheel
Creating consistent, high-quality content is about building a system. This is where the content creation flywheel comes in:
- Collect: Use the knowledge and ideas from your collection as inputs.
- Create: Dedicate time to focused creation. I prioritize my mornings when my mind is fresh to write books, create outlines, or draft social media posts.
- Teach: Find opportunities to share your knowledge. Whether it’s coaching calls, podcasts, or speaking engagements, use these moments to refine your storytelling and inspire others.
The key to success here is focusing on what only you can do—your zone of genius. As you grow, delegate tasks like editing, posting, and logistics. Free yourself to focus on creation, and let others handle the rest.
Rule #3: Be 100% You
Authenticity is your superpower.
For years, I was ashamed to share my story of being in prison at 17 and going through rehab. But when I finally opened up about it, the connection I built with people was transformative.
Your unique experiences, struggles, and triumphs make you relatable and inspiring. Don’t shy away from sharing the moments that shaped you—even the uncomfortable ones.
How to Embrace Your Authenticity
- Talk About Your Struggles: What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
- Share Your Journey: Be transparent about your growth and evolution.
- Infuse Your Personality: Let your quirks, energy, and emotions shine through your content.
The people you admire—Oprah, The Rock, Lady Gaga, Post Malone—are loved because they are unapologetically themselves. Authenticity isn’t just a strategy; it’s the glue that binds your audience to you.
The Key to Content Creation Success
To succeed in content creation, remember these three rules:
- Build your collection of knowledge and ideas.
- Create a flywheel that streamlines your process and keeps you focused on your strengths.
- Be 100% yourself—on and off camera.
Your story, your struggles, and your unique perspective are what will set you apart in a crowded world of content creators.
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