The "PRO" framework for content creators

If you've been reading a couple of my previous blog posts, you know that I talk a lot about productivity and how to get the most out of your time as a content creator. However, there is one misconception about productivity that I would like to address in this blog post.

But one common misconception (that's worth repeating) is that productivity is not the same as being effective. You can do many things in an effective way, but it doesn't become "productive" until those things are actually helping you move towards a specific goal (or at least in a specific direction).

So how do you stay productive and effective?

This is why I've developed a framework for content creation to ensure exactly that.

This framework is called "PRO" and stands for Position, Repeat, Optimize.

To explain each part in detail:

1️⃣ Position
This is where you define your niche and direction. A misconception here is that you need a super specific goal and a super narrow niche, but I disagree. A goal can be really helpful for guidance and visualization. It can support you when your motivation is lacking but the purpose of setting a goal is "just" to figure out the direction.

So if you have a clear direction, that specific goal is not necessary (although I personally prefer to have one).

Having a very narrow niche is also not necessary but it can help you move forward faster. Just think about it, is it easier to become a professional in a topic if you only focus on that topic or if you focus on multiple topics at the same time?

What's important to consider when defining your niche is if you want to move fast or move far. A narrow niche can help you move faster initially but can also feel limiting and make it harder to broaden your niche later. A broader niche can feel harder to grow but will most likely set you up with a more solid foundation for the future (if you have the patience to stick to it for 5-10 years).

My niche has been Premiere Pro and After Effects for a long time and it has helped me grow my YouTube channel exponentially. Now, my niche is broader (content creation, productivity, YouTube, mindset, self-development, solopreneurship) which is more representative of me and my interests but that "niche-update" has also slowed down my growth on YouTube a bit.

There is no right or wrong here and you need to find your own answer to these questions, but I recommend that you take your time to think this through.

2️⃣ Repeat
After defining your niche/position (which is your "what"), you need to define your system (which is the "how"). This is what I call "repeat", because that is what this is all about: repetition.

You won't learn how to drive a car after 3 driving lessons.
You won't build muscle after 100 pushups.
You won't build a house in one week. (Unless, of course, you're working on the TV program "Extreme Home Makeover" and you have a whole team with you. Then it might be possible. 😄) 

My point is that you need to put in so much work to reach an ambitious goal that you won't be able to reach it unless you systemize your approach to get there. That could mean having checklists for recurring tasks, a system for capturing ideas, a process for bulk production of content, automation connected to your digital product sales and downloads etc...

As an example, YouTubers who have reached 100 000 subscribers have, on average, made between 200 and 800 videos to get there. That is extremely challenging if you don't have some kind of content creation process in place.

This is why you need to define a format (specific or vague) and document the steps you took to create it so that you can follow the same steps again to achieve a similar outcome.

A process and a format will also help spot patterns, see what works and find areas of improvement. This is why I've focused on educational content, because then I can compare my tutorials with each other and other educational channels. It helps me to more quickly find the differentiating factors between each piece of content.

3️⃣ Optimize
After following the first two (crucial) steps, it's finally time to optimize. This is the part I enjoy the most because the result is often instant and the improvements I do here can easily be turned into helpful educational content as well.

People who skip this part will just create a bunch of content without making (enough) progress. You might fall into a false sense of control and safety when experiencing linear growth, until you realize (5 years down the road) that the path towards your goal is longer than you think and requires you to be agile and adaptable along the way.

Initial progress is no guarantee for constant progress. Never take momentum for granted. You always need to be one step ahead in order to keep moving forward. (Just look at how AI came and disrupted how we do marketing in just a couple of months.)

On the other hand, if you focus too much on this third step (but not enough on step 1 and 2) you might just end up moving fast towards a place that you later realize you don't want to be in.

This is basically what happened with my vlog "Project Vayner".
I spent 4-5 years to document my journey towards getting a job at Vayner Media in New York, just to realize, once I got the job interview, that I was at another point in my life now and that it was no longer the thing I wanted most.

Now, my focus is on becoming a full-time YouTuber with 100 000 subscribers and reach that by helping 100 000 creators.
My "Position" is "the helpful video creator and productivity guy".
My system ("Repeat") is weekly tutorials, blog posts, and newsletters.
My "Optimization" is to continue to make better content and drive more people to my digital products and YouTube program "Streamlined Creator" (that is specifically built based on this "PRO" framework).

If you want help creating your own roadmap like this, using the PRO framework, just respond to this e-mail with "waitlist" and I'll let you know when my online program is ready for enrollment (I'm right now converting it from a cohort-based program into a membership).

I hope you liked this blog post!
Have a great productive day! ☀️

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ONLINE PROGRAM FOR CREATORS:

Systemize, Optimize, & Monetize
your content creation process

What is Streamlined Creator?

If you want to set the foundation for your channel, get systems in place, and grow faster, "Streamlined Creator" is for you!

Book a free 30-min Discovery Call and I'll share exactly how this program can take you closer to the life you love, where you can spend less time in a cubicle and more time creating YouTube content.

You will get insights, resources, custom support, and experience from my 7 years on YouTube and we will go into detail on the systems I’ve used to generate over 5 million views.

Depending on when you read this, enrollment might be open or closed. If it is closed, I will put you on the waitlist for the next launch right after the call and let you know once I open the doors for the next cohort.

Let me help you Systemize, Optimize, and Monetize your creative skills!