Edition 19: Shiny New Objects Can Be Good and Always Be Thinking About Simplicity
There's a fallacy that shiny new objects are nothing but a distraction, but that's not always the case. On occasion there's a diamond in the rough. And, when building for your community, think simple.
We’re often told that shiny new objects are nothing but distractions.
That they perpetuate this notion that the grass is always greener.
There’s some truth, here, but occasionally you can be surprised.
There's a natural obsession with shiny new objects when you have at least one foot in the content and marketing worlds. Every few years - or, hell, anymore every few months - there’s some shiny new object that appears which promises to change our lives forever.
This is rarely the case. The companies supporting these shiny objects tend to fail as often as any other startup. Occasionally, however, something that comes along changes the narrative and can make a real impact.
I may have found a shiny object that has the potential to do just that.
Volley Is Pretty Damn Cool
I was recently on a call with one of my favorite people on LinkedIn, Martin Barnes, and he recommended that I check out an asynchronous video chat app called Volley.
My phone is bogged down with apps like I'm sure yours are, so I hesitated a little at first. But, after checking out the testimonial and walkthrough vids on their website, I relented and downloaded it.
I think they’re really on to something here, y’all!
We’re all sick to death of Zoom meetings, right?! I know I am. I deeply value building relationships with my connections beyond hitting Connect on LinkedIn, but even blocking calls consecutively is getting moderately taxing for an extroverted introvert like myself.
I think Volley has the potential to change that. With the app, you can record a video that is sent to one of your Volley connections. They can then respond to that video asynchronously, at their convenience, to continue the conversation. So, so smart.
I potentially see this as a way to hold “meetings” that aren’t tied to a specific time and build value-adds into virtual workshops and other offerings I’m working through.
Check it out, and let me know what you think.
And, if you like it, add me on the app here so we can try it out!
Disclaimer: I’m in no way an affiliate of Volley or whatnot; I think it’s a cool idea!
Complexity Can Often Be Your Worst Enemy
Oh, Avril. You’re right.
I realize now, in retrospect, that I made the process to sign up for my first LinkedIn and Content Strategy workshop WAY too complicated.
I had 25 people signup for the waitlist, but no one committed to complete the signup process and pay to join. This was perplexing at first until I started asking questions.
I sent a feedback form to everyone via Airtable, and what I found out was really interesting. First, the cost wasn’t an issue.
One issue was that people couldn’t commit to several nights of a seminar. Another issue was the flow of signing up and some confusion surrounding it.
The biggest takeaway from that feedback?
Keep things simple, stupid.
That’s definitely an old axiom that I’ll be applying to any new offerings that I build in the future.
Fight the Urge for Pixel Perfection
There’s an understandable urge to want every bit of content we publish to be pixel perfect. After all, the content we share is a direct reflection of who we are.
Well, sort of.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting your content to be high-quality, but there’s also a point of diminishing returns that’s pretty quickly reached when you push too hard to make it so.
Especially with video, there’s a ton of time spent in post-production, making everything look perfect. Breaking news: Most of the pixel-perfect content you see out there isn’t edited by the creator. They don’t have time to put in that work, so it’s offloaded to someone who does.
When you’re busy building a business around content, time is limited. So spend that limited time creating authentic content. That’s truly you.
Who cares if you share a grainy video now and then?
That “graininess” shows a little humanity, and people LOVE it.
Consider Subscribing to Content Snacks 🍪
The LinkedIn algorithm is a fickle friend.
Sometimes it works in your favor.
Other times not so much.
Most people these days are downright sick of it.
Along those lines, I'm thrilled to introduce Content Snacks!
🍪 What are Content Snacks?
Content Snacks are high-impact, bite-sized tips delivered fresh to your LinkedIn DMs 3 times per week every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons.
🤔 Why Should I Subscribe?
You'll receive tips on LinkedIn, building your brand, content marketing, relationship building, mindset, sales, lead generation, and so much more from specially-selected Content Snacks members (and from me 🙂)
No more having to depend on your LinkedIn feed to get the best content that's available!
Content Snacks amplify your LinkedIn experience for a few bucks a month!
🎖 What Else Do I Get?
As a Content Snacks member, you're automatically also a Content Snacks contributor, able to share your best tips with our membership community straight to their LinkedIn DMs to build exposure for who you are and what you do.
All you have to do is fill out a Submit a Snack form and get added to the queue for your snack to be shared with our members.
You'll also receive access to the Content Snacks Archive on Airtable, no matter when you subscribe, to see all of the snacks that have ever been created!
🦎 You get all this for only $9 a month via a recurring subscription payment setup in your PayPal account (PayPal or credit card).
Let's flip the LinkedIn algorithm on its head and build a community that lifts each other through best practices, our most impactful tips and tricks, and a collective body of knowledge!
Til next week:
Shiny new objects aren’t always bad. Volley’s worth checking out. If you do download it, add me!
Complexity can often be your worst enemy. So no matter what you’re doing, always keep simplicity front of mind.
Fight the urge for pixel perfection. Create authentic content, not content that looks flawless after post-production.
Also, I’d LOVE to hear your feedback about Content Notes!
Like the GIFs? Think they’re annoying as hell?
Taking any value out of the content?
Too afraid to unsubscribe even though you hate it?
Hit me up at kris@krishughes.com and let me know.
I want to make this what y’all want it to be, so we all have a good time with it!
Happy Weekend!