What 19 Years as a Professional Writer Has Taught Me About Content
In 2006, I earned my first dollar as a writer. It was a small project—but a big deal to me.
I had no connections, no agent, no credibility.
Fast-forward nearly two decades, and I've worked across publishing, marketing, and brand strategy. I've written books, ghostwritten for executives, and helped founders find their voice.
If I could sum it all up in a sentence?
Writing has been my education.
Not just the craft—but the audience, the platforms, the psychology behind the words.
And in 19 years, a lot has changed.
Here’s what content creation looked like back then:
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Most materials were printed. Whether it was a brochure, magazine, or book—physical formats ruled.
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Attention spans were sitcom-length. You had 20–30 minutes to make your point (not 20 seconds).
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People read with curiosity. They leaned in to learn.
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No one cared about the author’s backstory. Content stood on its own.
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New content arrived seasonally. September was the “launch season” for ideas.
It was calm. Slower. More forgiving.
But now?
Today’s content landscape is an entirely different beast:
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Everything’s optimized for mobile. If your words don’t fit a phone screen, they don’t get read.
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Attention spans are TikTok-short. You have seconds—not minutes—to earn attention.
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People read with skepticism. The volume of content has made audiences cautious, not curious.
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Your personal brand is your resume. People want to know you before they trust your ideas.
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New content is infinite and relentless. It’s not seasonal—it’s hourly.
Despite all the changes, one thing has stayed the same:
Stories still win.
They cut through noise.
They create connection.
They hold attention longer than facts, frameworks, or formulas ever could.
Here’s how I’ve evolved my own content lately:
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I start with a short story—just a paragraph or two.
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The story is the hook, not the point.
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The real value comes after the narrative—once I’ve earned enough attention to share it.
Storytelling isn’t a "soft skill."
It’s a business tool.
It builds trust.
It drives engagement.
It converts readers into clients.
Want to get better at one skill? Master storytelling.
If you’re writing online—whether it’s a newsletter, website, or LinkedIn post—start here: Practice your storytelling.
It never goes out of style.
Want to master the art of storytelling?
Here’s a free story-building resource to help you do just that.