Now that you’ve identified your target audience (“Who“), and the content you intend to create (“What“), it’s worth looking at “Why” you do it. Not just why you write, but, rather, why do you share what you write?
This question is worth examining. If you are like me, writing is hard work. I write to think, to work things out, to explore an idea, or to solidify it. Knowing why you write is what will keep you writing. It’s useful to understand your motivations—and your limitations.
In the digital world, connection is going to happen around the content that you create. As a Real Teacher, in a digital environment, you are going to be creating content in whatever you do. In other words, you have no choice. You’re going to write, no matter what.
So, the key question then is why do you share your content?
“Education is sharing,” says David Wiley of Brigham Young University. “If there’s no sharing, there’s no education.” He continues, “Successful educators share most completely with the most students.”
So, it comes naturally to you, right? In your own classroom, sure. But let’s examine the reasons you might share beyond your own classroom.
Why do you share?
- You have a rare talent. You have the ability to get an idea across—to simplify it enough for a novice audience. That’s why you’re a teacher. Maybe you have a unique view of a particular topic. Maybe you have discovered or developed a new approach, sparking the understanding of a difficult concept—a concept that’s worth sharing with your peers.
- You are free to do so. Let’s get beyond your own classroom. Why? Because you can. This was difficult to do even just a few years ago. But now, the cost of distribution is nearly zero. You are creating content anyway. Get it out there!
- You might help someone. Content is connection. So in whatever content you create, you are seeking a connection. Think of your favorite song. Your favorite book. Your favorite recipe. Have you ever shared it with someone? Of course you have. Why? Because you hope that someone will benefit from the content you’ve shared. It’s gratifying when you can help someone. The only thing that may surprise you is how little it takes to make a difference.
- It’s good for you. In addition to connection, what you share says something about you. You are building your own brand with the content you create. Good Content is a reflection of you and your brand. Why you share it is a part of the story and it builds your authority and credibility—your personal brand. You are someone who writes, you are someone who shares. You are someone who contributes something. This is worthy of respect.
- It’s good for your field. You are passionate about your subject area. Wouldn’t you like to ignite that passion in a future generation of students in your discipline? You can be an evangelist for your profession. Make it sparkle. Research writing is top-down. But, there also has to be some bottom-up work to sustain your field. So, share your passions. Connection is efficient when it happens around something you care about.
- It’s good for all. You’re making the world better by sharing your knowledge. Giving up little pieces of your expertise doesn’t diminish your knowledge. Good Content makes you more valuable. And, the fact that you’re sharing it—even more so.
You can make a huge difference. A small amount of extra effort on top of the work you’re already doing can have such a wide impact. Why wouldn’t you share?
About Michael Boezi
Michael Boezi is an Independent Advisor and Content Strategist, specializing in helping authors and publishers make the Shift to Digital. He is a longtime publishing veteran who has always been at the forefront of the industry by applying the lessons of the traditional to the process of innovation, mixing the ideal with the practical. He was Vice President of Content and Community at Flat World Knowledge, where he was responsible for all aspects of content acquisition and development, and built a catalog of 100+ peer-reviewed, openly licensed college textbooks across various subjects. Prior to that, he published history books at Pearson Education. He writes a blog about current issues and trends in the EdTech industry, which you can find at http://michaelboezi.com, along with a full portfolio and more detail on consulting services for content creators, content owners, and investors. Connect with him on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+.
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