How To Create Truly Original Content
A LinkedIn connection of mine recently posed a question about whether anyone was still creating “original content” on LinkedIn. And the answer is, absolutely. But is it in the majority? Well now, that depends on how you define “original content”.
So, since I love kicking off an article with a good ol’ definition, let’s create one 😊
Shall we give ChatGPT the first cut?
Original content is any creative work that is independently conceived, developed, and expressed by an individual or organization, rather than copied or replicated from existing sources. It reflects unique ideas, perspectives, or execution, even when it draws inspiration from or builds upon pre-existing knowledge.
I’ll be honest. There’s a lot I like about this (my perspective). Especially that it calls out that original content BUILDS UPON pre-existing knowledge.
So, if we’re looking at building something new, on top of what already exists, how do we access those kinds of insights?
In my opinion? It all starts with curiosity.
Ask Wonderful Questions
I’m 100% a believer in that we all find different things curious about the world around us. It’s why people end up in different places, with different vocations, and different values.
So, if we look at what we currently see in the world as our base set of pre-existing knowledge, we have an opportunity to layer our questions on top of that.
Now here’s the tricky part.
Most of us are not PRACTICED at asking OUR questions.
We are practiced at asking pre-programmed questions.
Things like, “so what do you do?” at networking events.
Or even more dangerous, NOT asking questions at all, but just doing as we’re told (just posting on social media every day because someone told you that you should). It’s happening more than you think.
One easy way we can track to see how curious we’re being a day? By paying attention to how many times we ask a question as opposed to making a statement.
A Challenge: The next time you THINK a statement, try to reframe it as a question. You just might learn something about yourself 😉
Next, Think Your Own Thoughts
Again, most of us get a lot of practice regurgitating someone else’s thoughts. We memorize our company values and elevator pitches. We duplicate the same systems over and over. We get so distracted by running on the hamster wheel, we stop looking at what created that wheel in the first place.
But when we stop ourselves with a good question—one about something we care about—our thoughts can’t help but generate themselves.
Now, if we’re IGNORING those thoughts because we think they aren’t “good enough” or someone else has “better” ones, then we erase the value of the entire exercise.
Your thoughts have value.
Let me say that again so it can sink in.
YOUR THOUGHTS HAVE VALUE.
Exactly as you thought them (grammar errors and all).
And until you decide that your thoughts have value, you’ll continue to find proof that other people’s thoughts are better. And end up right back in the echo chamber.
A Challenge: Write a post JUST because you thought it. You don’t have to actually POST it, but it’s amazing to see what you COULD have said, if you gave yourself permission.
And Then, Transform Your Thoughts into Stories
Once you’ve decided to give your own thoughts the time of day, how do we go about getting those thoughts out to the world.
By sharing them OUR way.
Again, so much distraction in the content world comes from thinking there’s a “right” way to share your story; a way that’s DIFFERENT than how you would naturally share it.
But regardless of whether you like to write (short form or long form) or talk (in conversations, video or audio recordings), there are people who LIKE to consume content that way.
Is it everyone?
No. But more importantly, it’s YOUR people.
Personally, I’m a visual storyteller. I like to use common visual examples to illustrate complex ideas. But’s that’s ME. That’s not the “right way” for everyone.
So, how would YOU share YOUR story?
Only you know. And if you’re still using other people’s ways, I’m telling you now…YOUR story is not coming through. And it’s likely NOT being consumed as original.
A Challenge: Pretend you’re at a campfire, surrounded by all your favorite people who LOVE listening to you. Tell THEM your story. And then compare that to how you wrote your last social media post.
BONUS POINTS: Add Your Flare
I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone reading this that I’m all about authenticity. Which requires all the above three steps; but is emboldened by your secret sauce.
Your unique touch that makes things uniquely YOU.
Maybe it’s a signature color or phrase. Maybe it’s in your tone, or use of jokes. Perhaps it’s wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am, or epic stories.
What would YOU do to put that unique YOU spin on something.
Theres no right or wrong here.
It’s just YOU.
A Challenge (if you’re not quite sure what your flare is): TRY SOMETHING! What MIGHT you like? What MIGHT you say? The best way to find YOUR thing? Try a bunch of things that are NOT it. My favorite place to try this? With your LinkedIn tagline 😉
A Warning RE: Value-Creation
A lot of people associate originality with value-creation. Here’s why there’s a problem with that.
Not everything creates value for everyone.
My original content, for people who don’t care about authenticity or marketing, likely falls on deaf ears. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold value to the people who ARE looking for those things.
One person doesn’t get to decide if one piece of content has value or not (sorry trolls).
Just like a thought doesn’t need to be novel or profound to generate value. In fact, so many people DON’T share their thoughts because they judge them to NOT meet those standards.
The concepts my clients have found to be the most profound?
Completely basic to me.
Good thing I shared them thought, right?
So, don’t get trapped in trying to GUESS what’s going to add value to other people, and simply lean into your desire to be helpful with what you’re sharing; in your lane, in your style.
One Last Thing…
You ARE an original. By make. By default.
And while society will continue to try to cover up your originality, it only happens if you LET it. So, I implore you…
DON’T LET IT 💖
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to take up the charge to be original. And it’s a path that’s too intimidating for a lot of people.
And if you need some support in starting out on your journey, let’s chat.
