NOVEMBER 24, 2023

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Welcome to The Tilt, a twice-weekly newsletter for content entrepreneurs.

As the holiday season begins and the calendar winds down, we took a moment to reflect on The Tilt and CEX community’s list of mistakes for content entrepreneurs to avoid in 2023. Not surprisingly, all of them are good things to dodge in 2024. So, here are five things NOT to do in 2024.

1. Think too big: Anthony Fasano, founder of The Engineering Management Institute, says creators mistakenly think if they create content for a broad audience, they will get more views. “The opposite is true,” he says.

“If you find small niches and create content very specific to them, you will build a loyal following. I also recommend selecting a niche that has the money to buy products and services from you.”

2. Go all in for AI: Ashley Cummings, co-host of the Freelance Bitters podcast, cautioned creators against abusing AI to generate content. (And a lot didn’t heed her advice. In September, the impact of generative AI led Amazon to restrict authors on its self-publishing platform to publishing no more than three books a day.)

Here’s why Ashley says all-in on AI isn’t smart: “AI can generate content incredibly fast, but it’s not generating unique or interesting new ideas. Not to mention, with Google’s helpful content update, generic AI content won’t fly. It will be extremely tempting to output content non-stop, but it will be essential – if creators want to continue to stand out – to use it to generate ideas and not take over creation.”’

3. Forget the strategy: Maliha Khan, principal of Khanect the Dots, sees content entrepreneurs failing to realize the importance of a strategy and consistency to their business and audience. “The last thing you want to do is promise users new content but then fall behind or post content that completely misses the mark because it wasn’t well thought out,” she says.

4. Expect a quick, big bank account: Justin Moore, founder of Creator Wizard, says many creators think a content business is a fast-money idea. “The people who are going to win at the end are the people who have this long-term mindset,” he says. “It’s (about) having the resilience to be able to withstand the ups and downs that come from being a content entrepreneur.”

5. Work for the landlord: No list of mistakes published by The Tilt would be complete without this one from Katie Brinkley, social media expert and consultant. Don’t build your audiences on rented land. “Make this the year that you focus on building that email list, that podcast, or YouTube channel,” she says, and we agree.

For 13 more mistakes to continue avoiding in 2024, read the original story.

– Ann Gynn

Learn from expert speakers at Content Entrepreneur Expo (May 5-7, 2024). Registration is now open!

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• The biggest problem right now with new content launches is differentiation (or lack of it). Today, we talk about two things you can do. (Content Inc.)
• Joe and Robert discuss the up-to-the-minute mess at OpenAI​. (This Old Marketing)
• Let’s talk about the business side of a content business. Join Michelle Peterson Clark and Ann Gynn for the weekly conversation Tilt Your Business at 12 p.m. EST on Tuesday.​
• Learn revenue opportunities and much more with experts at Content Entrepreneur Expo (May 5-7, 2024). Registration is now open!
• ICYMI: Get Some Help for Your Content Business​

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