Recently, I launched a week long experiment to only use original content in my online business – my social media blurbs, the pictures and audio I used, the whole thing. Reflecting back (to grow), that experiment had a much larger impact than I ever expected and I thought I might share the takeaways with you so you might get something from it.

First, the week ended two weeks ago and I am still mostly using only original content. Although it was hard, I am now in a groove and have shifted my focus successfully. I have decided I will include some research statistics, but gone are the stale quotes, constant reference links to other people’s work, clip art and more. I am still experimenting, as my overall goal remains to be engaging, informational, and helpful to my audience, but I like how it’s developing. The feedback has been good, so I am going to keep developing this concept. I’ve grown to like it and my audience seems to also – surprise #1!

Second, I have realized, when I went back to my archive of blog posts, that I need to write more timelessly. For example, write about a holiday without saying “today is Memorial Day”.  That way, years later, the blog post won’t seem as dated. As I have offered up my posts for reference in my social media blurbs, I have edited them to bring them current. If I had been more aware in my original writing, I wouldn’t have to go back and edit, so, I am writing differently ongoing. So, writing more timelessly works to preserve longer term relevance – Surprise #2!

Third, this experiment has made me realize the power of simply showing up. Reflecting back and seeing the archive of work to choose from, I realized that I actually have a boatload of work (and if I don’t say so myself, it’s pretty good stuff!). I was just plugging along, doing my thing, but looking back on it now, I really showed up. WOOT! When the days get long and you wonder what the heck you are doing, go back and reflect to grow. Showing up really does add up – it works! Surprise #3!

I can’t tell you I will only offer up original content ongoing. I do like promoting what other people are doing. I’ll figure out how to do it in a creative and fresh way. But, I can say that if I were to takeaway only one thing from my experiment, it would be this – it’s OK to be me. Creators with ideas that are innovative and unique are craved in the market place. You could be that person too. So, be quotable, state your mind, get your groove on, and just show us you. It might surprise you too!

Together, we are stronger!
Vicki Flaugher, aka @Smartwoman