How Smart Research Fuels Sticky Content

Do you ever feel like your content isn’t connecting, no matter how much time you pour into creating posts, videos, or newsletters?

Content creation is one of the most time-consuming tasks for solo business owners, and it can be incredibly discouraging when the results don’t match the effort put in.

In this episode of the Amplify Your Authority podcast, we’ll tackle the “content blues,” and I’ll share simple research methods to help you understand your evolving audience, boost engagement, and finally see your work pay off.

Discover actionable ways to align your brand, build authority, and create content that sticks.

 

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• Why are many entrepreneurs burned out by ineffective content creation
• How understanding your audience’s needs helps shape your strategy
• The power of quizzes as lead magnets and audience research tools
• Creative, non-intrusive ways to use surveys for fast audience insights
• Free and practical SEO tools to keep your content relevant

 

Key Takeaways:

• Treat every piece of content as an “employee” with a specific job—know who it’s for and what it should accomplish.
• Your audience’s needs are always changing—regular research keeps your message relevant.
• The best content strategy starts by listening, not guessing.
• What your audience wants and what they need are different—learn how to bridge the two.
• Simple research fuels sticky content that connects, resonates, and drives action.

 

Quotes to Remember:

• “We want your message to be not only magnetic, but sticky.”
• “Our audience doesn’t stay put. They keep growing, changing, and evolving.”
• “You want each content piece to be like a little employee, with a specific job.”
• “Give them what they want, and then bake in what they need.”

 

Resources MentionedFree Marketing Strength Quiz

Free Quiz Bonus: How to Create Effective Lead-Generating Content ebook.

Ready to clarify your brand and build momentum in your solo business? Catch the follow-up episodes and take the quiz to discover your marketing archetype and get the bonus resource for effective content creation!

 

Simple SEO Strategies 

 

 

 

 

 

All About Free SEO Tools

Rank Math SEO on YouTube

 

Best (FREE) SEO Tools

Google Ads Keyword Planner: https://business.google.com/us/ad-tools/keyword-planner/

Wordstream Keyword Tool: https://www.wordstream.com/keywords

Answer Socrates https://www.answersocrates.com

 

Audo Timestamps

Introduction to content frustration and purpose of the episode The problem with rushed content creation Reframing content as ‘employees’ with purpose Understanding your evolving audience Using quizzes for research and lead generation Using surveys effectively Extracting insights from webinars and Zoom chats Using SEO tools to understand content demand Aligning offers and content with real-time audience needs Final thoughts and next episode teaser

 

Follow Marisa on Social Media:

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisashadrick/

 Subscribe to the Podcast:

 Subscribe and receive each episode in your email inbox: https://marisashadrick.com/listen

 Rate, Review, & Subscribe:

As always, I’m grateful for your support, and I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to rate and review our podcast on Apple Podcasts. Your review would help this podcast reach a wider audience while continuing to provide you with valuable content.

Shoutout to Elijah Mark! Thank you so much for the heartfelt review. 

Thanks so much for leaving a review! CLICK HERE!

 How to Leave a Podcast Review

Podcast Transcript

Amplify Your Authority Podcast

Podcast Transcript: Episode 138

Title: How Smart Research Fuels Sticky Content

Host: Marisa Shadrick

 Welcome and Episode Overview

Marisa Shadrick :Too many entrepreneurs pour hours into content creation with little to show for it. Yes, I mean hours. Most of their week is either writing, recording, or taping videos, and they’re not seeing any results. That can lead to discouragement, self-doubt, and a whole boatload of negative junk. No more, my friend. In this episode, we’re going to talk about content creation, fix some misconceptions, and get you back on track. So stay tuned for episode 138: Got the solo business blues? Wearing too many hats? This episode understands where you’re at.

From Burnout to Breakthrough

Marisa Shadrick :From burnout to breakthrough. We’ll rewrite your story with AI and strategy. Let’s amplify your authority. Hello, my friends, and welcome to the Amplify Your Authority Podcast. I’m your host, Marisa Shadrick, and I am so honored that you are listening. Thank you so much. It means the world to me, and I’m going to bring you a lot of value in a short amount of time.

Why Content Strategy Matters

Marisa Shadrick :We’re talking about content creation. A lot of entrepreneurs—myself included—crank out content on the fly. Maybe between meetings or because we see something on the calendar and realize we have to get a post out. Sometimes we do it quickly —maybe with AI, maybe not —and there’s no real strategy. Then we’re disappointed when it doesn’t perform.

If we just slow down and spend a little time thinking about why we’re creating content, who it’s for, and what we expect from it, we’ll get better results. Think of each piece of content as a little employee. What job do you want it to do?

Making Content Magnetic and Sticky

Marisa Shadrick :You want your message to be magnetic and sticky. I know, sticky sounds weird, but it works. You want it to resonate with your audience so they remember. It might take five, six, or even seven times for someone to finally say, “Yes, I want to sign up for this. I want to hear more.”

Your Audience Is Evolving

Marisa Shadrick :Here’s the tricky part: our audience is evolving. Just like we grow and learn, so does our audience. What was a problem for them a year ago might not be an issue anymore—they’ve got a new one. That’s why we need to keep our finger on the pulse. Stay close to their needs and create content that’s relevant.

Simple Research Methods: Quizzes

Marisa Shadrick :Research doesn’t have to be hard. One way is through quizzes. Yes, they take a little work upfront. Inside my private community, I have a custom GPT and tutorials that help you build quizzes. You could join for one month, go through the training, and cancel if you want—it’s just $37. (Of course, I’d love you to stay and experience AI Lab for Solopreneurs.) Quizzes are great because people love a self-discovery process. Plus, you grow your email list and get your intel on your audience.

Surveys Without the Overwhelm

Marisa Shadrick :Surveys are another simple tool. They don’t have to be boring or overwhelming. I often use one-question surveys at the end of coaching sessions. You can keep them anonymous and make them multiple choice. Ask clear questions like, “When it comes to , what is your biggest struggle?” or “If you could wave a magic wand, what would the ideal outcome be?”

Collecting Insights from Live Events

Marisa Shadrick :Another strategy? Attend webinars or workshops that your audience also attends. Export the Zoom chat to see what questions people are asking. That’s valuable insight. I’ve used this strategy for years. You can also check Facebook groups if that’s your style—though I personally don’t hang out on Facebook much.

Free SEO Tools to Stay Relevant

Marisa Shadrick :Don’t ignore SEO—it’s just a way to see what people are searching for. There are great free tools like Google Ads Keyword Planner, WordStream, and Answer Socrates. These tools help you find high search volume, but low-competition keywords, so you can create relevant content.

Aligning Your Offers and Messaging

Marisa Shadrick :When you collect quiz responses, survey results, and keyword data, you can start to spot patterns. You’ll understand what your audience wants now—not last year or next year, but today. Use that data to shape your products, content, and promotions.

As the saying goes, give them what they want, then bake in what they need.

Final Thoughts and Next Episode

Marisa Shadrick :Everything you create—your opt-in page, website, sales page, podcast, articles, and social media—should reflect what your audience needs today. Stay curious. Keep asking questions. And keep refining.

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you’d leave a rating and review. And don’t forget to take the quiz at marisashadrick.com/quiz. Until next time, take care. Bye-bye.