Everyone starts somewhere with content creation, including all of us Developer Advocates! First and foremost, we are experts in ServiceNow who, over time, have done our best to learn the tricks of the trade with regard to evangelizing this knowledge online. We each had our own unique pathway to our current means of putting out technical enablement, so I thought it might be interesting to share with you some of my favorite resources! Below are five pieces of media, each targeting a certain hurdle that a lot of newer content creators, including myself, are expected to clear in order to achieve success.
Gaining the Courage to Start Creating
Before one creates anything at all, one must acquire the chutzpah to do so. I found Andrew's video, start before you're ready, incredibly inspiring in this regard. While not specific to content creation, the video's core message - success isn’t about making the 'right' choice every time, but making choices 'right' - applies perfectly to getting started. You will have a lot of false starts when it comes to creating, whether that is your chosen niche subject matter, your filming setup, your style of editing, etc., but what matters more than making sure all of this is perfect is making sure you just start.
The Basics of Starting a YouTube Channel
If the specific content you're seeking to create is YouTube videos, look no further than Ali Abdaal's channel. Ali, a doctor-turned-productivity influencer, led a 12-week course that helped me make the leap from burned-out Solution Consultant to Developer Advocate! This 13-minute video distills a lot of what was covered in length in that program, including his three-step process to starting YouTube: Getting Going, Getting Good, and Getting Smart. If you listened to my Break Point episode on Content Creation, you will notice a LOT of my system is derived from his. Who do you think was the wizard who told me about the "10 Second Rule?"
Creating Interesting Technical Content
Look - I know it's not an incredibly flashy video, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't watch this video prior to interviewing for this team. It has a lot of helpful tips, this time specific to creating technical enablement content, but what I particularly like about this video from Microsoft was the importance of still creating a story. It doesn't matter if you're teaching people about the value of source control or how to use Build Agents: relate to your audience, describe things accurately and thoroughly, but, most importantly, never forget to specify the "why" behind steps being taken.
What to Create While You're Still Learning the Subject Matter
Do not worry - yes, this is a book recommendation, but anything but a long one. Writer and artist Austin Kleon, put out this book, Show Your Work!, back in 2014, and I've been a fan ever since. The core message of this book is that art or content does not have to exhibit mastery to be great. He even suggests the opposite: that by being open and consistently showing our process, how we navigate our ideas and our journey, we can create work that is even more impactful. While the book focuses on traditional art, the lessons apply just as well to technical content. One of our team's most successful series is Live Coding Happy Hour, and that is this book exemplified to a tee! Perfect mastery is not a necessary ingredient to making content on a subject.
How to Pick Yourself Up From Unfair Criticism
Finally, the topic no one wants to talk about: what do you do when you do finally get one of those nasty comments? I'm not talking about a comment gently correcting information in your blog or video, or someone tossing a good-natured joke. I'm talking about a comment meant to hurt or embarrass. Because of the internet's anonymity, it happens to all of us, but one source that always helps me roll with it is Teddy Roosevelt. In 1910, Roosevelt gave a speech in Paris, right on the heels of his presidency ending. The entire speech is much longer, revolving mostly around the responsibilities of people within a society to do good things for the welfare of all. It's in the middle of his speech where he begins this "Man in the Arena" segment, tearing down those who only seek to criticize and belittle. Content creation, and life, really, are for those who try, who work, who fail and try again, who, even when they fall short, fail "while daring greatly."
What do you think of my list? Has any content shaped your journey as a creator? Share it in the comments - I’d love to see your recommendations!
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