Be Your Own Algorithm: The Future of Content Creation
Stop chasing trends, start building a legacy: the future of creation is authentic.
Remember that feeling? You pour your heart into a piece of content, hit "publish," and...crickets. It vanishes into the endless scroll. The algorithm changes AGAIN, and your reach plummets, leaving you questioning everything.
Sound familiar? This isn’t just frustrating; it’s soul-crushing.
As creators and solopreneurs, our voices deserve to be heard.
This week’s newsletter'll explore how to break free from algorithm dependence and build a lasting connection with your audience through authenticity.
But the pressure to conform silences authenticity.
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment," - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
By giving in to that pressure, burnout becomes inevitable.
So, why are we doing this? Why let an algorithm dictate our worth?
What if there’s a better way?
Harrison Moore recently inspired me to look into this as a topic, because it starts with a shift in taking the pressure off to be someone you're not, but being who you really are instead.
Consider this your invitation to reclaim your voice and discover how authentic connection can be powerful.
It’s time to step off the hamster wheel and build it up instead by using the "Authenticity Engine" to connect and reach audiences.
No algorithm can provide that.
But where do we start? Let's dive into the Authenticity Engine, the secret algorithm you already possess.
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Engineering Authenticity: The Secret Algorithm You Already Possess
People think algorithms can be “gamed.”
They think they can unlock the secret by trying to go viral, and they are trying to look for that shortcut to quick success.
But this is an illusion of control. As Aristotle said, "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."
By knowing yourself first, you can create content that helps foster audience loyalty, creates engaging, and more relatable ideas.
Gaming algorithms do not equal loyalty, and they lead to the loss of unique brand voice and inauthentic content. People aren't easily fooled; they can usually spot inauthenticity.
When people can’t “crack the code,” they get discouraged. In frustration, they change direction, and they question whether to continue.
Authenticity, as shared from Dan Koe, "will be the differentiating factor for the future generation of creators."
To me, authenticity fosters genuine connection. People choose authenticity, even if it isn't smooth or relatable, and it creates deeper connections.
Authenticity can grow a community. It provides a sense of belonging and generates shared values to make a sustainable business.
Let me share my transformation to being authentic. I first thought that I should look like the other content creators, but my personality wasn't resonating with that look.
My transformation led to authentic writing by telling stories that help connect and further illustrate reliability.
You can read more about the power of storytelling below to help with authenticity:
I made a scary choice to be myself. As soon as I connected to that engine, people started to relate to people with my jokes and my writing style.
Authenticity led to engagement and fulfillment. All I needed to do was to be me and share my ideas. I discovered that being me was what built value.
What does it mean to be your algorithm?
It means emphasizing your internal compass, not external validation. Stop trying to please vanity metrics. Pursue what feels authentic to you.
You want to define what success means to you. So think about alignment and your purpose. What moves you? How do you want to impact the world?
Embrace your individuality to achieve influence. Build real influence by developing a unique brand voice that keeps people coming back.
When you have that power, that’s all you need.
The Authentic Content Creator: Going Outside the Algorithm With The Real You
The relentless pursuit of algorithm-friendly content often leads to a homogenized digital landscape, where original voices are drowned out by echoes of trending topics.
This results in a sea of "sameness," making it harder for creators to cut through the noise, build genuine connections, and achieve sustainable success.
The key is staying true by tapping into the insights of your intended audience by speaking to pain points and offering a better perspective. The solution?
Deliberately focusing on authenticity to create your own framework, a.k.a, "The Authenticity Engine"!
As a solopreneur, I'm sure you know you can always create content with it, right?
Well, don't follow what others are doing just to follow what others are doing; follow what others are doing to see where you're at!
You don't have to follow trends; you ARE the trend!
1. Uncover Your Authentic North Star: Find Your Why
When lost in the noise, content lacks direction and purpose.
Your Authentic North Star is an internal value for creating content and is the guiding principle to share your unique perspective.
Align your heart with your actions and let the rest flow from it - like content!
Start the search for your Authentic North Star by asking yourself about your core values, passions, and beliefs. And then you can inject more of your personality that helps separate you from the content that is relatable or generic - the key is you!
Identifying your North Star is like calibrating a compass.
Build authentic content through genuine inspiration and finding your "WHY."
The solution?
Deliberately focusing on authenticity by getting real and getting raw!
What core value can you focus on for the next piece of content you create?
2. Conduct an Authenticity Audit of Your Content: Prune What Doesn't Resonate
Creators feel pressured to create ALL THE THINGS and keep up with current trends.
That old saying "if you don't use it, you lose it?"
Yeah, in terms of content, let it fade into obscurity. There's no need to get rid of everything, but it starts with the mindset to create something new that isn't someone else's idea.
Eliminate anything that is not genuine that could be preventing you from creating good content.
Now that we've calibrated our moral compass to our heart, remove outside influences that make you want to quit and, instead, build something new and build something authentic.
Start with assessing your existing content with your "Authentic North Star" as your guidance.
Prune that collection with guidance by what resonates and what doesn't.
Ask yourself:
Does this piece truly reflect my values?
Am I saying something that I genuinely believe, or am I just echoing popular opinions?
Does this content feel forced or natural to me?
The goal here is to create content that speaks to what your heart wants to convey, and how you can convey that authenticity that makes others want to relate without needing to become another brand bro/gal.
3. Embrace Imperfection and Vulnerability: Break the Perfect Facade
It's tempting to only broadcast your wins to show how perfect you are.
Share imperfections to highlight vulnerability and relatability and create deeper connections.
Be okay embracing when something doesn't work and the honesty of what happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
It's okay to be vulnerable.
When you show your imperfections, it unlocks powerful connections because everything seems to be falling apart, and you’re just doing your best to keep it all together.
Let down your guard, and watch how people gravitate to you. In my case, I decided to be honest about my challenges. That made it okay when I decided to step outside to post content and express/post/reach.
This also translates to your business! Instead of being "number one every year," what did you DO to get to number one? Give your audience the WHAT of what you did. IN the age of AI, we can all look up the HOW. Let the audience know!
4. Focus on Connection, Not Clicks: Measure What Matters
Content creation becomes an empty game of chasing vanity metrics. How can we connect better rather than striving for perfection?
Go beyond surface-level engagement by taking yourself out of yourself and speaking to "the others."
Redefine what true engagement looks like to you, and then measure what creates a greater connection by going back and forth. That relationship is vital!
Redefining how engagement looks to create and promote new content is like switching from tracking steps to measuring the depth of a conversation.
Authenticity is a two-way street, not a one-way mirror.
5. Build Your "Authenticity Shield": Guard Your Voice
What does being unapologetically you look like? Lean into yourself!
What beliefs may be deemed "unprofessional?" Lean into those to a degree without breaking the moral compass you set up!
It becomes harder to hold to your voice over time.
How can you create more authentic content from today to infinity?
Focus on not following what's being said and start making decisions for yourself because you rock!
What does being unapologetically you look like? Then create content based on that. For example, I shared in my Annual Review about my shoulder dislocation.
With that, this may be the hardest thing to find - yourself.
And what's worse is when you do find yourself, people are going to let you know they don't like who you are, or you may get *crickets*.
If it vibes with your heart, let them hate.
It's more important now to say screw it; no fake content to play nice. You, as of this moment, are in control! That said, there are some land mines to look for.
Common Authenticity Mistakes to Avoid:
Trying too hard to be edgy or controversial just for attention.
Oversharing extremely personal details that are irrelevant to your audience.
Neglecting to provide value while focusing solely on personal stories.
Failing to be consistent in your authentic voice.
So, how are you feeling about these thoughts about being you and being your algorithm? It is with sincere hope that this piece inspired you to stand out!
But it all starts with your willingness to tap into, embrace, and share your unique voice.
Now, I invite you to help shape the future of this newsletter community. Share your insights, suggestions, and questions at Freeform. This will continue to drive discussions that are beneficial in allowing creators to keep learning.
If today's message resonated with you, hit that heart button and re-stack this post! Sharing these thoughts is one of the best ways we can bring in new people because we rise by lifting others with the power of authenticity!
If these are useful for you, consider becoming a paid subscriber. For a limited time, we're offering a discount on annual subscriptions, giving you access to premium content, exclusive tools, and a supportive community that focuses on success and authenticity.
With that, I would like to shout out to Nikki Finlay for becoming a paid subscriber this week! Make sure you check out her publication Nikki’s Economics Stories, by Nikki Finlay PhD that dives into making the economic world more understandable for us all! Thank you again, Nikki!
Until next week, remember, please take care of yourselves.
-Matt
Additional Resources
As a thank you for making it this far, if you’d like additional help, be sure to check out the free guide below:
I often find it tricky to balance being vulnerable with presenting confidence.
My writing often feels like one or the other. As a shield I think I err towards a confident voice.
Nice one Matt! Have you read the book called Algorithms to Live By?