Content Inc. - The Podcast

Most of the time, content creators are alone...working on content. While this can be productive for the content, it's not good for your mental health or overall business (if you need to be more creative or sell things).

So we must network, and often, we need to use forced networking. In this episode, I talk about three ways to do it:

1. Quarterly in-person events
2. Monthly small-group meetings
3. One-on-one planned coffee meetings

This process has been instrumental in my creator success. It will be for you as well.

Pre-order my new book, Burn the Playbook, here ---> https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/

Come join me at Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX) in Cleveland August 24-26. Use coupon code CEXDAY to save $200 - https://cex.events/

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Most creators are following the rules...and that's exactly the problem.

They listen to the podcasts, follow the gurus, and try to reverse-engineer success based on surface-level metrics.

But the truly successful creators do things a bit differently.

Here are six rules the top creators break...and what they do instead.

1. They Don't Chase Platforms—They Build Homes

2. They Start Tiny

3. They Monetize Early

4. They're Long-Term Obsessed

5. They Create Signature Content

6. They Treat It Like a Business

Pre-order my new book, Burn the Playbook, here ---> https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/

Come join me at Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX) in Cleveland August 24-26. Use coupon code CEXDAY to save $200 - https://cex.events/

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Like this episode? SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify or Google. See all Content Inc episodes at the Content Inc. podcast home.

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If you're a content creator in a business niche and you're NOT going to live events, you're missing one of the easiest ways to grow your influence, revenue, and network.

But just showing up isn't enough. You need to be strategic about it.

Let me walk you through exactly how to make live events your secret growth engine.

1. Pick the Right Events

Don't just go to every conference in your industry. Be selective. Ask yourself:

• Will my ideal audience or customers be there?
• Will the people I want to partner or collaborate with be there?
• Will there be speakers who are already where I want to be?
• Will the people in attendance be critical to my business model of the future?

Smaller, niche events are often better than the giant ones because it's easier to have real conversations.

2. Have a Plan Before You Go

Treat this like a marketing campaign.

• Make a hit list of 5–10 people you want to meet.
• Connect with them on LinkedIn before the event with a simple message: "Hey, I see we're both going to [Event]. Would love to say hi while we're there." If they respond, you can add, let me know if you want to grab coffee while there. It's an easy ask.
• Follow the event app so you can see where people are gathering.

Most creators go in blind and just "see what happens." Don't do that.

3. Work the Room (Even if It's Uncomfortable)

Yes, some of this will feel awkward. Do it anyway.

• Sit at a different table each meal.
• Go to every networking event, even if you're tired.
• After a speaker session, walk up, introduce yourself, and thank them. 90% of attendees don't bother, so you'll stand out.
• When you sit in a session, introduce yourself to at least one person sitting by you. They will thank you for it as they are probably uncomfortable sitting by themselves.

4. Buy the Book, Get It Signed

Here's a power move: If the speaker has a book, buy it BEFORE the event. Bring it with you, and after their talk say: "I loved your session. Would you mind signing this? I already bought it—it's been really helpful."

Why? Because now you're not just another attendee—you're someone who invested in their work. People remember that.

When I first spoke at Hubspot's inbound, Douglas Burdett from the marketing book podcast, was standing in the back with my book Epic Content Marketing. How could I not stop and talk to him? Since then, we became fast friends and I was on his podcast I think seven times. He did that with so many speakers.

5. Follow Up Fast

The magic isn't just at the event—it's what you do after.

• Send a quick LinkedIn or email note the next day: "Great meeting you yesterday at [Event]. Loved our chat about [Topic]. Let's keep in touch."
• If you promised to send someone a resource or an intro, do it within 48 hours.

Most people don't follow up, which is why this works so well.

The Big Picture

Look, content creation can feel like sitting alone behind a keyboard. But the fastest way to build authority and trust is face-to-face. People buy from people they know—and live events shortcut years of online grinding if you do them right.

So don't just attend. Be strategic. Have a plan. Make yourself known. That's how live events turn into partnerships, clients, speaking gigs—and real friendships.

Pre-order my new book, Burn the Playbook, here ---> https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/

Come join me at Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX) in Cleveland August 24-26. Use coupon code CEXDAY to save $200 - https://cex.events/

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Like this episode? SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify or Google. See all Content Inc episodes at the Content Inc. podcast home.

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Jesse Itzler believes the key to goal setting is in the Misogi Challenge. Jesse's Misogi Challenge is one big, audacious goal that you accomplish during each year. For example, Jesse's one big goal for 2025 is to run 2025 miles. Every day, that's the major goal. Sure, he does the things he has to for work and play, but his Misogi goal is always top of mind.

2025 was the first year I tried Jesse's challenge. My Misogi Challenge was to focus on optimum brain health.

And I have to admit…focusing on the one big goal got me super focused, which is why I believe this all seems to be working for me.

Jesse states that to do this properly, your Misogi Challenge goal needs to be three things.

1. It should really push the limit.

2. It should scare you a little bit.

3. It should be for you…not anyone else.

What should your Misogi Challenge be for 2025?

Need help? Pre-order my new book, Burn the Playbook, here ---> https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/

Come join me at Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX) in Cleveland August 24-26. Use coupon code JP100 to save $100 - https://cex.events/

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Like this episode? SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify or Google. See all Content Inc episodes at the Content Inc. podcast home.

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For most Americans, the Big Beautiful Bill is destructionist legislation. But, I started to to look at it like any small business owner, entrepreneur should. There is a silver lining for creators.

Congress has just passed one of the biggest tax packages in recent history, billions in adjustments.

And there are four key areas that are critically important for content creators.

20% Qualified Business Income Deduction (QBI)

No Tax on Tips (up to $25,000)

No Tax on Overtime (within limits)

100% Bonus Depreciation

This bill is a giant flashing neon sign that says:

"We reward people who own things."

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If I am you, and I have a job working for someone else, I'd start moving plan B to plan A right now. Build something that only you can do. That's your Tilt. Communicate that Tilt out in a regular way. Start building even a handful of followers. At some point, you'll be able to make a living off of that.

If you want to build IP for someone else, go do that…but why? Why not build something that leads to complete and total freedom. We talk about freedom in this country, but most of us don't actually have it for many reasons. What's your reason? Could it be self inflicted?

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We think we need to keep reinventing the wheel. New idea. New angle. New take. But the truth is… if you're doing it right, you'll feel like a broken record.

Repeating yourself as a creator is a necessary strategy for success.

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When we talk about creator content strategy, we usually cover audience building, monetization, consistency. But today, I want to talk about something rarely discussed in the creator world: silence.

Not the dramatic kind. Not the "quitting social media forever" kind, although that has merits for sure. I mean intentional, strategic silence. Creative whitespace if you will.

Here's a question for you: when was the last time you sat in a room without a screen, a podcast, or a notification... and just let your brain drift?

In a noisy world, clarity belongs to the ones who dare to unplug.

Silence isn't the opposite of content—it's part of the process.

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A very special episode of Content Inc. - #500.

In this episode Joe discusses the Content Inc. podcast origin story from 2014, why he stopped in 2017, and how he restarted in 2020.

Joe goes into detail about two key issues:

1. Four key thoughts from the previous 499 episodes. What went right and what went wrong.
2. Four additional areas about content creation that changed Joe's thinking.

This is an important listen for any podcaster or content creator.

You don't want to miss this very special episode.

Key Links:

The Content Inc. Book - Second Edition

Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX) - August 24-26, 2025

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If I lost everything – the audience, the money, the reputation – and had to start over, here's what I'd do.

Step 0: Take Inventory

What do I still have? My skills. My story. My scars. Just because the list is gone doesn't mean the asset is. This helps frame that even starting from "nothing" isn't truly nothing.

Step 1: Cry

I'd spend at least a week screaming into the void. "Why me Oh Lord, why me?" Then I would get down to business. I'd remind myself:

"There's never been a better time to start over. The tools are free. The gatekeepers are gone. The only thing missing is your plan."

Step 2: Pick a weirdly specific niche

I'd need to spend time to really find my purpose…my Tilt.

As Warren Buffett and Simon Sinek discuss, every successful person is really good at one thing. What am I really good at or know something about to truly differentiate?

And it's not about being louder or flashier. It's about being more specific, more real, and more essential to a group of people who need exactly what I have.

I'd need to work on it, but things like:

· Helping laid-off corporate marketers build a business around one weekly email.

· Guiding former agency owners to repurpose their network into a publishing-driven business.

· Helping Midwest Gen Xers who want to escape the job ladder and own something by 50.

· Coaching marketers over 40 to build businesses that don't require social media.

· Teaching people with 1,000 email subscribers how to make a full-time income.

· Helping podcast hosts averaging over 10,000 downloads per month turn their show into a live event, a book, and a revenue flywheel.

I'd obsess over a tiny group of people with a burning problem.

I'd need to remind myself that you can't be too niche. The more specific the better. I'm already thinking that a number of the ones I listed are not specific enough.

Step 3: Define Success

What will success look like? I'd spend some time visualizing what that could be. Family life? Money needs? Living situation? Career goals?

Basically, what do I really want here? What's the dream?

Then, I would write that statement down in my journal and review it every day. Something like:

We are the leading event education resource for podcast hosts and sell the company for two million dollars in 2028.

Something like that.

Step 4: Start an email newsletter. Twice Per Week. Non-negotiable.

I'd write one useful, entertaining email two times per week. No fluff. No templates. Just my honest take.

This would be the home base for everything. The email list is the new land. Social is just rented space.

Even though I really like using Kit (how you received this email), I probably would opt for Substack, where you get the benefit of the direct connection (email) with a little more help from a network (social media).

Step 5: Spread the Word

I would create a list of 15-20 places where I believe my audience is hanging out, mostly other newsletters and podcasts. I would reach out and form relationships with these people to do guest articles and serve as podcast guests.

I would also prepare a few sample speeches and start submitting to relevant in-person events.

Step 6: Write the Book

As I create my newsletter I would start thinking about how I can take these newsletters and put it into a print, ebook and audiobook for sale. This will, ultimately, become my greatest marketing vehicle…the business card everyone wishes they had. Of course, I would use Tilt Publishing.

Step 7: Launch a product before I feel ready

By month 2, I'd offer something—a digital guide, a paid workshop, a 1-hour consult. Not to make money at first. But to get skin in the game and test what people will pay for.

Revenue doesn't come from a viral moment. It comes from consistent service to a small, loyal group.

Step 8: Build in public

I'd document every win, fail, and lesson. Why? Because people don't follow perfection. They follow momentum.

I'd most likely include my own creation strategies in every newsletter.

Step 9: Stack assets

By month 6, I'd package my best content into a course I could sell forever. Not for viral growth. For long-term leverage.

Step 10: Diversify into second channel

By six to nine months, I should have a small but growing email newsletter following, a newly published book, a speaking event here or there, some podcast appearances, a couple small consulting clients and a newly launched course.

If the small wins are there, I'd diversify into a second channel, most likely a podcast, which could also be a YouTube show. More than anything, this would be marketing for the main channel, the email newsletter.

Register for Content Entreprenuer Expo at CEX.events today.

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Like this episode? SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify or Google. See all Content Inc episodes at the Content Inc. podcast home.

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