“Just Create Content” no longer works (but this is easier)

This is the quickest way to get noticed online nowadays…  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Issue #52 | August 22nd, 2023 Hi, it's Pat! Once upon a time, one could start an online business simply by creating content. To many, those were the good ol’ days because “if you create it, they will come.” In today’s online world, however, this is no longer the case. For some, this is unfortunate… but for the wiser, this is ideal. I’ll tell you why, and if you’re stuck in the content creation crater and having trouble climbing out, I’ve got you. Let’s get unstuck. QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Stop trying to be so interesting, and start getting interested [in what others need].” – James Schramko THE STORY In 2008, I started a blog to help architects pass an exam. The test material I published on[GreenExamAcademy.com]( couldn’t be found elsewhere, and because of that, my business did very well. Within a year, I was seeing thousands of organic visitors per day and making more than $25,000 per month selling an ebook all about this single exam. The riches are in the niches, as I often say, and that still holds true. However in today’s landscape, it’s not enough. A quick Google search today will show you thousands of websites about the same exam. So if I were to start over and follow the same content strategy I did back in 2008, it would be nearly impossible for me to find success. Don’t let this get you down though, because there is a better way to stand out, create unique content, and quickly grow your business. It’s a strategy I like to call the community pillar strategy. Instead of creating valuable content for Google and the random traffic that may find you one day, you create content and have conversations with people within an existing community. The value exchange is directly between you and the end-user, so there’s no longer a need for search to even be part of the equation. Goodbye middleman, and hello to the people you’re trying to help, even if they weren’t actively searching for it. Take my friend Gavin, for example. He’s a fellow creator in the Pokémon community and a massively talented graphic artist on the side. Within our community, he readily steps forward as an extremely helpful resource whenever anyone needs graphic design work. He even helped me out with a few designs, and when I needed some bigger design work done, I hired him on the spot. Now, several other creators in the space are also sporting a Gavin-original design as their logo or YouTube channel artwork. Gavin has become the de-facto graphic artist in our community, serving as a pillar for this type of work. Bryan Harris, another friend of mine, consistently participated in a Facebook Group by freely sharing his expertise in creating video sales letters. Despite providing valuable info for free and taking the time to answer questions within the group, he received tons of private inquiries for his services. In the niche of financial blogging, when someone is selling a product and needs help, they go to Monica Louie, a Facebook ads expert known for creating profitable campaigns tailored to this particular industry. She has attended various events, developed friendships within the community, and even spoke on stage at FINCON. As a result, when others need help with ads, they know exactly who to go to and who to recommend. Her active involvement has established her role as a go-to resource within the community. Yes, there’s still work required — but no longer are you just creating more of the same content for a blind audience on Google, praying that someone will click on those search results. In a niche community, you’re showing up, providing value, and attracting the right kind of clients. Those clients could eventually become students for a course or your coaching program, testers for your software — whatever you end up providing, you’d already have a built-in audience. Lastly, if the founder or creator of those communities takes notice, there are some amazing partnership and collaboration opportunities there too. Trust me — I’ve experienced this on both sides of the equation. CALL TO ACTION What I love about the community pillar strategy is that you’re connecting directly to the end-user, the person whom you’re here to help and serve. The feedback loop is quicker, and you get right into learning how to communicate and serve others. It’s awesome, and some of the most fulfilling work you can do right now. Furthermore, it fosters support within the community and has the potential to encourage others to step forward and serve the community as well. We see it in [SPI Pro]() and in the [SPI All-Access Pass](=) communities all the time. So here’s what you can do: - Find a community where your target audience exists. There needs to be a conversation happening. It’s not just a comment section of a YouTube channel or even a hashtag that you follow — join a real group of people. It can be on Facebook Groups, LinkedIn, or another platform where like-minded people connect. - Serve first. You may need time to understand the dynamics of that particular community. This includes who’s there and what topics are being discussed. Pay careful attention to what questions are being asked. If you see specific questions, pick one and start a new thread. Be sure to tag the person who asked the question, and deliver the best answer on the Internet. Again, do this without asking for anything else in return. - Listen, keep showing up, and then let the magic happen. Become a pillar in that community. You got this! SPONSORED BY VISTAPRINT Make Your Mark with Unique Branding Your business is one-of-a-kind and your logo should be too. Whether you know exactly what you want or could use help refining your vision, there’s a VistaPrint logo design service for you. - Logomaker by VistaprintⓇ: This is a do-it-yourself, free tool that you can use to create a logo in minutes by providing a few simple details like your business name and industry. - Hire a designer: Alternatively, for just US$149, you can connect 1-to-1 with a professional designer to create a custom logo. - Start a design contest: Unsure what style of logo you're looking for? Start a design contest and a global community of professional freelance designers will submit unique, custom concepts to your brief. You just pick your favorite. Your logo is just the beginning! From designing a new website to printing head-turning merch, VistaPrint will be there to help you and your business stand out. [Get your new logo today!]() SPI NEWS AND EVENTS We work hard at SPI to remain unstuck and consistently provide you with the best ways to support your business. Check it out: Level up your audience engagement! Join us on August 24th from 1:00 to 2:00 PM PT for a workshop led by Pat Flynn, available only through the All-Access Pass. Short-form video platforms have taken the digital world by storm, and we're thrilled to offer you an opportunity to master attention-grabbing techniques on YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels. This event is just a few days away, so [sign up for the All-Access Pass now and secure your spot!](=)​ Are you ready to fast-track your online income journey? In this episode of the Smart Passive Income podcast, join Pat Flynn and Jared Bauman as they uncover the art of purchasing and flipping websites. Don't miss this chance to learn actionable insights and strategies that could revolutionize your online business. [Tune in now](=) and elevate your entrepreneurial journey! Unleash your podcasting potential! On August 28th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT, join us for an exclusive Ask a Pro event inside the All-Access Pass, featuring Junaid Ahmed. Learn how to seamlessly integrate video into your podcast and take your content to the next level. If you're already a member, [secure your spot today!](=) New to our community? [Sign up now!](=)​ DAD JOKE OF THE WEEK When is a door not a door?... When it's ajar. Did a cool person forward you this email? [Sign up here for free](. Want to reach over 125,000 entrepreneurs? [Become a sponsor](. [Link to SPI's Website](=) [Link to SPI's Twitter Account]( [Link to SPI's LinkedIn Account]( [Link to Pat Flynn's YouTube Account]() You are receiving this because you signed up for Pat Flynn’s newsletter at [smartpassiveincome.com](=). If you'd like to adjust which emails you receive or update your name and email address, click here: . If you'd like to stop receiving all emails from SPI, click here: . 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