Initial Decision Making

This is one of a series of essays originally published in book form as The Content Marketing Hurricane. If you’re interested in a well-rounded content marketing strategy designed specifically for SMBs and solopreneurs, here’s a table of contents to the whole series.

The first step in the process of moving from just a bunch of “disparate forces” to actually creating a “tropical disturbance” is to ask some in-depth probing questions to unmask which of the intersecting points you’ve identified has the legs to carry your storm all the way to land and beyond.

In other words, which topic(s) are you both interested in building as an expertise, and capable of doing so?

To begin the process of becoming an expert, you’re going to need to spend some time quietly contemplating the answers to some very important questions.

Don’t rush this process. Give it the time and attention it deserves.

The answers to these basic questions form the foundation of the entire formula. Therefore, if you rush through, do a shoddy job answering these questions, or allow yourself to get caught up in trying to force the answers you “want”, you’re only hurting yourself and your chances of success.

So schedule at least an hour or two away from the job, the family and the Boob Tube to sit in a quiet place with a pen and notebook in hand.

The following list of questions is designed to help you focus your thoughts. They should be answered in the order…