When we start writing, from the very first step, we get overly concerned about:
- Is this LinkedIn post any good?
- Will it make me look smart?
- Will it get any attention?
And other similar things.
Worrying about these questions is like putting lipstick on a pig. Sure, it might give us a false sense of progress and even calm our lizard brain for a little bit.
But which athlete won an Olympic gold medal because of the running shoes they wore?
The reason behind the athlete’s success is much more foundational.
Ignoring these foundations and worrying about the cosmetics and the presentation leads to mediocre writing.
Of course, hooks have a place.
The platform matters.
There are factors that will decide how your writing gets shown.
But forget all that. At least for now.
Writing starts with something much more foundational. The core. The quality of the idea. That’s where we begin.
What am I trying to say?
Is it even worth saying?
Once you’re sold on the idea and know exactly what you want to communicate, we can move to the cosmetics. Once the foundation is laid out, you can worry about the platform and the algorithm as much as you want.
Sacrificing the quality of the idea for the algorithm is a recipe for unhappiness.