Content.

It’s a word you hear quite often in the digital business world.  To me, the term is overused, and applied in the wrong ways when business is involved.

This article represents my thoughts on content.

First of all, I feel it needs to be original… and that means no spinning, no rehashing directly, and if the piece of content is supposed to be yours, you need to write it.

Not outsource it, not hire a ghostwriter, etc… you need to write it, produce it, record it… whatever… you need to be involved with content that is about you.

Now, obviously, if you have created a content machine like EzineArticles, obviously you won’t be producing the content… but you are responsible for what is produced.  I don’t care how big your site is… you are responsible for any content that is part of your business.

I know, I know, that is debatable… but that’s my stance.

Content is important to the Internet, so we have to draw the responsibility line somewhere.

Anyhow, content needs to be original… and it needs to have an impact… so don’t contribute to the garbage already on the Internet by spewing forth more of it.  Think about what you’re saying online, extrapolate how it will impact people… then produce it.

More later.

Creation.

Once you have ideas for content, or a product for your business… you have to create.  Aside from the obvious needs for creativity and time to devote to this, you’ll need to have the proper mindset to get it all done.

This article represents my opinion on the process of creation.

There is an abundance of content on the Internet.  The last thing we need is more garbage, fluffy content, and opinions that lack proper research and basis.

So don’t contribute to that mess, which I call The Internet Slushpile.

Besides, there is so much “noise” online, you won’t be able to distinguish yourself if all you’re creating is “me too” content.

So how do you address this?

Simple… do the work.

It really is that simple, all you have to do is be willing to work smarter, and harder than your competition.  You have to be willing to go to lengths greater than others doing the same thing as you (and someone IS doing what you’re doing somewhere in the world, trust me on that).

Now, just because it is simple, doesn’t mean it’s easy… these terms are very easy to confuse.  Simple means there aren’t complicated steps, easy means there aren’t very many steps.

If a process takes 100 steps and they are not complicated… the process is simple.

If it only takes 5 steps and they are not complicated… the process is easy.

So get creating, we need you to start a new revolution of ideas, content, and collaboration.  Get to work.

Remember this post for the years/decades to come… it will represent the keys (the 5 C’s) to exponential success for microbusiness owners everywhere…

Content — you have to create content to succeed, build trust, and get noticed.

Creation — you have to create, and keep creating, even when it scares you… in fact because it scares you.

Collaboration — involve your potential clients and customers in your creation, get feedback, and perfect your offering as a result.  There are a whole host of other benefits to collaboration like networking, gathering resources, skills etc… but those will be discussed in the future articles on this site.

Community — in this “always turned on” connected society, you’d better create  a community of people who follow your every word.  But this isn’t a “forced” idea… you cannot just “build” a community.  Trust is the number one factor, and you have to earn it.

Completion — Dammit you have to ship something, you can’t keep starting projects and never finish them.  If you do the other C’s well, you won’t be allowed to fail here… you’d better ship… you’d better complete what you’re working on and deliver.

Each one of the 5 C’s are going to be covered in detail in upcoming articles… stay tuned.  But please, share this post with others so we can get the word out.