inspiring content marketing

Are you motivated?

I recently read a lengthy piece that really touched me. A content marketer bemoaned the status of thought leadership and content marketing in it.

His main grievance? the diminishing value of content distribution channels like Medium, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even industry journals. The author accused algorithmically based content marketing of being to blame.

The content marketing articles, according to him, offer little helpful ideas or knowledge but invariably include a commercial pitch. They may be identified by headlines like “6 Easy Steps To Solve X Problems,” which makes them obvious to recognise.

He questioned whether the rise of subpar material signalled the beginning of the end for content marketing.

The death of content marketing?

In my opinion, no. But it might go into a new stage where you can’t rely on computers to highlight distinctive material.

Put things aside for the time being.

More than anything else, the author’s article’s dissatisfaction touched me. He no longer finds motivation to practise.

Has your material lost its inspiration due to the oversaturated market for content? Saying, “Oh, I’m sure that’s been covered a million times,” is an all too common way to brush off an idea. Who are we to attempt to respond to that? Thus, you don’t.

Have you stopped being inspired?

Inspire is a weird word.

The majority of people believe that inspiration is fleeting. It’s that sudden surge of emotional vigour that spurs you on in a miraculous direction. In a single word, it is wonderful.

When you’re motivated, you dive headfirst into life. Every chance seems to rouse another. Whatever you’re doing—playing a sport, creating art, developing a business plan, or even changing a diaper—you transcend the ordinary experience. You are here. You are the best at that thing right now, not anyone else.

It’s the best medication there is. Why would someone let their inspiration wane?

You don’t stop being inspired. Your motivation wanes.

Motivation is not just inspiration.

People occasionally believe that action, pushing themselves, and moving forward can restore their inspiration. However, such a way of thinking conflates motivation with inspiration.

Motivation is unique. The word itself has fascinating antecedents. It literally means “to inhale” or “take a breath” and indicates “impact of the divine.” It occurs when you are compelled to act without effort. You simply let things happen through you rather than forcing them to.

When your drive wanes, so does your belief in the task’s usefulness. When your motivation wanes, your belief in your ability to complete the work wanes as well.

The author of the piece I previously cited provided a remedy for the content marketing overstimulation. It was an appeal to everyone (mainly content marketers) to take their time and speak only when they have something important to say. While I agree with the idea, it seems unlikely in today’s society to slow down or be thoughtful. There is a strong bystander effect at work. The more participants, the less likely it is that anyone will do anything beneficial.

How can you help? How do you ensure that your creative inspiration never wanes? You are aware that inspiration cannot be forced. But can you raise your odds of remaining inspired or inspiring others?

It seems that you can.

How to remain motivated

Researchers mention a number of potential solutions. I can think of two.

The first is “an openness to experience” — be more receptive to thoughts and aware of how that receptivity could lead to the emergence of more of them. The breath enters at that point. Give your audience a breath or take one yourself. You can have a higher chance of discovering inspiration if you release the pressure to be moving.

Exposure is the second factor that boosts inspiration. The more inspiration people are exposed to, the more motivated they become, according to these researchers. If you’re having trouble becoming motivated, consider seeing Rudy, reading a poem by Maya Angelou, or listening to Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

The problem is this. Because it’s my job to be motivated, I got into content marketing to encourage others as well. Imagine having a job where your responsibility is to use the media to illuminate universal truths, provoke thinking, amuse, and impart value.

The breath is the ironic part of that post about content marketing overload. I was discouraged to see that the author had lost his motivation in the opening paragraph. Take a look at what it inspired in the second breath. I was inspired by that author. I found inspiration in a sea of content marketing.

Only by allowing for inspiration can you, as content marketers, help him solve his own obstacles. A good place to begin is by asking, “Who is the audience? What is the audience interested in?

Do more of whatever it is you’re doing.

Every great inspirational narrative begins by not giving away the ending. Breathe in deeply. Be open to possibilities. What follows may motivate you.