Content is king
In 1998, Harry Potter creator J. K. Rowling was a single mother on welfare. Today, her net worth is more than $1 billion – making her richer than the Queen of England.
Rowling’s secret to success is content – she owned an idea that other people wanted to be part of. Other mainstream content mavens include Oprah ($1.5 billion) and Martha Stewart ($6oo+ million).
Becoming a content provider is not only easier but also more important in today’s increasingly connected, wired world. Anyone with a laptop and a broadband connection can start a global conversation (and sometimes a revolution). Here’s how to become a content provider:
- Create a core idea. Writers talk about finding their “voice” – something about which they are both passionate and curious. Everybody has a core belief or idea. Finding your own voice means translating that core idea into words that you can share with others.
- Find and attract people who share your beliefs. You don’t have to change people’s minds. It’s easier (literally and technologically) to find people with common views and attract them into your conversation. You can attract similarly minded people by publishing frequently on your website; sending emails to friends and peers; participating in social networking sites; writing a blog; and reading and responding on other blogs.
- Be consistent and persistent. Every meaningful conversation has a tipping point. You have to be consistent in your content and patient enough for the audience to develop. Keep in mind that, at the start of her career, J. K. Rowling was rejected by almost every publishing house in London.
Related posts: