February 9th Edition

Leveling Up

Welcome back to Leveling Up. Let’s finish this week on a high note.

Here’s what I’ve prepared for you today:

• How I “fixed” my YouTube channel to go from 66k to 2.1M views

• The quickest, easiest way to escape writer’s block

• Andrew Huberman’s stress protocol to clear your mind

• And more…

- Eric Siu :)

Let’s Link

Here are the top 5 most helpful links to check out today:

1. 🧓 Why human content continues to rank higher than AI content

2. 📈 Pinterest announces major ad partnership with Google

3. 🤖 Human creativity vs generative AI: what’s your tradeoff?

4. 🗺️ How to create your perfect business roadmap

5. 👾 Get ready to market to Generation Alpha with these tips

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Podcast Highlights

How I Went From 66,000 to 2,100,000 YouTube Views In 1 Month

I sit down with Neil Patel to discuss my tremendous success in generating 2.1 million YouTube views within a short period of time.

We explore the strategies and insights behind this growth, diving into topics such as content quality, effective hooks, audience retention, and the importance of consistency.

Here are the key insights:

• 📈 My YouTube channel saw a massive increase in views from 66,000 to 2.1 million in just a month, with some videos gaining over 200,000 views.

• 💰The shift from traditional industries to tech media sales is highlighted as the key to making significant financial gains, sparking debate on the most lucrative career paths.

• 📈 Consistency is key in content creation, leading to a breakout in views after a period of lower engagement.

• 🎣 The first 5-10 minutes of a video are crucial for hooking viewers and keeping them engaged.

• 🎯 Focusing on quality over quantity is key to successful content creation.

• 🍻 John Moro's strategy of testing his hook by reading it to people in a bar, including some who were drunk, is a unique and effective way to capture attention for content.

• 📊 Repurposing popular short-form videos into blog posts and webinars has significantly increased engagement and view count across multiple platforms.

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Deep Dive

How to Open Your Creativity Faucet and Escape Writer’s Block

In the online world we’re living in, making content is key to grabbing attention and growing big. But there’s a snag almost everyone hits at some point: writer’s block. It’s that annoying thing that stops your creative flow dead in its tracks.

Luckily, there’s a little exercise we call the “creativity faucet” that you can use to open up your mind to ideas you’ve been hunting for.

Understanding the Creativity Faucet

There’s a good chance that you’re reading this because you’re dealing with writer’s block. And you’re not alone.

One survey acknowledged that 78% of content writers go through writer’s block at some point or another. But like all good writers, they eventually have to climb out of the dark pit that’s stymying their creative flow.

That’s where we look to the creativity faucet.

The creativity faucet is like a trick for beating brain fog and sparking new ideas. Imagine a tap that’s been off for ages — it’s going to spit out some gunk before the water clears up, right? That’s how our brains work, too. We need to let out all the random, cluttered thoughts before we hit that creative gold.

The trick is to just start writing — anything, really — and keep going without stopping to think if it’s good or not. It’s about getting those thoughts flowing freely to clear out the cobwebs.

Imagine that you’ve got to come up with the next big piece of marketing content, but your brain is just…stuck. Instead of panicking, you sit down and just start typing. At first, it’s all over the place — random tasks you need to do, what you ate yesterday, a funny meme you saw. But you keep at it, no stopping, no judging.

Suddenly, amid the random stream of consciousness, you unearth a gem. Maybe it’s a half-remembered chat from a coffee shop that sparks an idea for a campaign that feels genuine and new. You wouldn’t have gotten there if you hadn’t allowed yourself to wade through the nonsense first.

That’s what the creativity faucet does.

Sometimes, you’ve got to let your brain dump out the junk before you can find the treasures hidden underneath. It’s a simple, no-frills way to beat writer’s block and get those creative juices flowing again, especially when you’re under the gun to deliver something fresh and impactful.

Creativity Faucet: Practical Application and Benefits

Using the creativity faucet trick can really up your content game. Just spending a few minutes each day writing whatever comes to mind can clear your head like nothing else. It’s like hitting the reset button on your brain, making way for sharper, catchier ideas to pop up.

Here’s the real deal on how the creativity faucet works and what it does for you:

• Boosts Mental Clarity: Just like physical exercise keeps the body healthy, this mental workout keeps the brain sharp and clear. It’s about dumping out the day’s or even the week’s frustrations and distractions, making room for fresh, creative thoughts.

• Increases Content Engagement: When ideas flow more naturally, they tend to be more authentic and resonate better with audiences. This authenticity enhances engagement, as readers or viewers feel a stronger connection to the content.

• Enhances Creativity Over Time: Regular practice trains the brain to tap into creative zones quicker and more efficiently. Over time, you’ll find it easier to come up with innovative ideas on the fly, almost like strengthening a muscle.

• Reduces Stress and Anxiety: The act of writing without expectations can be incredibly freeing. It serves as a stress relief, reducing anxiety about creating the “perfect” content, and fosters a more enjoyable creation process.

• Encourages a Habit of Daily Writing: Making this writing a daily habit not only improves writing skills but also instills discipline in the creative process. This discipline can translate into other areas of work and personal life, promoting overall productivity.

• Facilitates Unexpected Connections: By allowing thoughts to flow freely, you’re more likely to stumble upon unexpected connections and ideas that you might not have considered in a more structured brainstorming session.

Adopting the creativity faucet approach is more than just a technique to overcome writer’s block; it’s a pathway to deeper self-exploration, better content and a more fulfilled creative life. The key is consistency and openness to where those unfiltered streams of consciousness might lead.

Techniques to Amplify Creativity

Tapping into your creative potential requires more than just waiting for inspiration to strike. By incorporating specific strategies, you can significantly enhance your ability to generate innovative ideas.

Here are some tried-and-tested techniques to boost your creativity:

• Diverse Reading: Broadening your reading list can ignite your imagination. Whether it’s a blog post outside your niche, a novel or an industry report, mixing up your reading material can lead to the discovery of fresh perspectives and ideas you can adapt to your work.

• Social Media Insights: Use platforms like Twitter or Instagram as a creative playground. Test different content snippets and see what gets people talking. The feedback and interactions can be a goldmine for understanding what captures attention and can be applied more broadly.

• Scheduled Creativity Sessions: Block out time specifically for brainstorming and creative thinking in your calendar. Treat these sessions as non-negotiable appointments with your muse. Regular, uninterrupted time devoted to creativity can strengthen your idea-generating abilities.

• Mind Mapping: Start with a central concept and branch out with related ideas, thoughts and questions. This visual brainstorming technique can help organize your thoughts and uncover connections between seemingly unrelated concepts:

• Collaborative Brainstorming: Two (or more) heads are often better than one. Organize brainstorming sessions with teammates or peers. The dynamic exchange of ideas can spark new thoughts and directions you might not have considered solo.

• Creative Constraints: Set challenges or limitations for a project (like a word limit, theme or specific color palette). Constraints can actually fuel creativity by forcing you to think within a set frame.

• Rest and Recharge: Never underestimate the power of stepping back. Sometimes, taking a break and engaging in a completely different activity can provide the mental space needed for ideas to flourish. Whether it’s a walk, a workout or a hobby, time away from the task can lead to significant breakthroughs.

• Embrace Curiosity: Ask questions, seek out new experiences and explore the “why” behind things. A curious mindset leads to a deeper understanding of the world, which can inspire innovative thinking and creative solutions.

Integrating these techniques into your routine can elevate your creative process, making it easier to navigate through periods of stagnation and spark those moments of brilliance that lead to compelling and impactful work.

Last Thoughts on Opening the Creativity Faucet

The creativity faucet is not just a tool for overcoming writer’s block, it’s a comprehensive approach to nurturing and sustaining creativity. When you start by letting your thoughts run wild and free, you keep your work cool, catchy and meaningful.

Think of making content as an adventure where you’re always learning and growing, and using tricks like the creativity faucet is key to nailing it online.

It’s all about changing how you see things. It’s turning those tough spots into chances to get better. By hunting down new ideas, sticking to creative habits, and hanging out with other creative folks, finding fresh inspiration gets a whole lot easier. So, really lean into this idea, weave it into what you do, and watch your work light up with new spark and appeal!

If you’re ready to level up your marketing strategies with some creative inspiration, Single Grain’s creative marketing experts can help!👇

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😄 Try the Huberman stress protocol to clear your mind

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To your growth
- Eric Siu

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• Listen to our Marketing School podcast for daily marketing news

• Subscribe to the Leveling Up YouTube channel for interviews with key marketers, entrepreneurs, and more

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