How Solopreneur Programmers Turn Content Into Cash
Lean Startup • Software Development Career Advice
Making videos, podcasts, or blogs could be just what your career as a programmer needs. But it could also be a complete waste of time.
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Navigating Content Creation in Tech: When It’s Worth Your Time and How to Make It Work for You
In today’s digital age, the internet is flooded with content about programming and technology, making it challenging to stand out. Whether you’re considering starting a YouTube channel, podcast, or blog, it’s essential to understand when creating content is truly beneficial for your career—and when it might be a complete waste of time. This article explores the two main purposes of content creation, debunks common myths, and offers practical strategies for using content marketing to enhance your tech career, build your reputation, and even grow a successful business.
The Importance of Sharing Your Unique Voice
There are certain people out there who have heard the same thing you’re going to tell them, but until they hear you say it in your voice and the way that you explain it, it’s never going to make sense to them. So, you’re depriving people out in the world of having their problems solved if you don’t have the courage to get out there and share your take on what may have already been talked about!
The Overwhelming Amount of Programming Content Online
The internet is packed with content about programming now, but is it just noise? Videos, podcasts, and blogs could be just what your career needs, but they could also be a complete waste of time to make. I see a lot of people in tech online posting their thoughts and ideas, but a lot of times they’re just doing it because they’re following the crowd.
If you’ve ever considered whether it’s worth your time to create videos on YouTube or other platforms, maybe start podcasting or make some blog articles, this article is for you. I want to teach you what I’ve learned about when it’s the right time to do it – and when it could be a waste of your time.
The Two Purposes of Creating Online Content
There are really two purposes for making online content:
1. Social Status and Influence
The first purpose is just for social status and influence. I see a lot of people online making content this way. For example, if you want to make money, and your business model is to get people to sponsor your videos, you’ll need a huge following. Unfortunately, to get that huge following, you’ll often have to create a lot of sensationalist content. On YouTube in particular, you’ll see a lot of hot takes about programming that are really just meant to stir up engagement and play on your emotions. While this can be fun, it’s also a very hard job because you have to constantly one-up yourself.
2. Demonstrating Competence Through Content Marketing
The second reason you might create content online is to demonstrate your competence with something—this is called content marketing. The purpose here is not to grow a huge audience but to add value to the person consuming your content. For example, I make videos that get a range of views, but my focus is on helping the person watching with a real problem they have. If you help them enough, they may trust you and eventually pay for your services, products, or courses.
How Content Marketing Can Help Your Tech Career
1. Getting a Better Job
Content marketing can help you potentially get a better job. The way to do this is to create content that shows how to solve real problems in the specific technology or process related to the job you want. For example, if you want a job using Elixir or React, create content focused on those technologies. Showing versatility by posting about all sorts of unrelated topics can actually create noise and be less effective.
2. Selling Products and Services
Content marketing can also help you sell products and services and potentially break free of working for companies. By solving real problems that your potential customer has, you can build trust and eventually offer them products or services that address their specific needs.
Common Myths of Content Marketing
Myth 1: You Need to Have Something Original to Say
When I started my YouTube channel, I worried that I wouldn’t have anything original to say. However, the reality is that even if the information isn’t new, your unique voice and way of explaining things can make a difference. There are people out there who need to hear it from you for it to finally make sense.
Myth 2: You Have to Post Everywhere
You don’t need to be on every platform. I tried this when I started, and it spread me too thin. Instead, focus on one or two platforms where you can consistently deliver content. For me, that’s YouTube.
Myth 3: You Need to Post All the Time
You don’t need to post constantly. Quality outweighs quantity. When I tried posting daily videos, I burned out and produced a lot of filler content. Now, I focus on producing one quality episode per week.
Myth 4: You Should Cover a Wide Range of Topics
Focusing on a narrow niche is more effective than covering a wide range of topics. While versatility might seem appealing, sticking to a specific area helps build a more targeted and engaged audience.
Myth 5: You Need to Use All Mediums
Choose the medium that suits you best. Whether it’s video, audio, or writing, pick what you’re most comfortable with. While video can be a multiplier (easily converted to audio or text), it’s important to start with what feels right for you.
How Content Marketing Can Build a Business
1. Give Something Away for Free
A key strategy is to offer something valuable for free in exchange for an email address, such as a lead magnet or ethical bribe. This could be a PDF guide, checklist, or coupon. The goal is to provide something meaty enough that it helps the recipient and builds trust.
2. Have a Contact Form on Your Website
An easy way to drive business from your content is to have a contact form on your website. This allows interested viewers or listeners to reach out directly, creating opportunities for business discussions without the need for heavy-handed sales tactics.
3. Encourage Referrals Through Content Sharing
If your content helps people solve problems, they’ll share it with others who have the same problem. These referrals, or shares, build social proof and increase the likelihood of new viewers engaging with your content and potentially becoming clients.
Conclusion
Are you thinking about creating content? Are you already doing it? What challenges are you facing? Have you considered stopping after hearing this? If you’re interested in discussing this further, I’ve got a Patreon community where you can interact with me and other like-minded developers. Check it out if you’d like more support.
About the THRIVING TECHNOLOGIST show
On YouTube and all major podcast networks, Jayme shares teamwork and leadership strategies, guidelines for healthy company culture, and stories about real projects so you can have a sustainable career in the software industry.
Jayme Edwards
A family man and veteran of nearly 40 software projects, Jayme experienced many wins and losses over his career as an architect and consultant.
Now he's coaching software developers, managers, and business owners to overcome challenges in the IT industry - so they keep growing.