Mind of a Maker
A daily blog inspired by Matthew Dicks
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.”
To become better at something, you have to practice. What better way to become a better writer and storyteller than to practice by making a habit of writing daily?
In this daily blog, we’ll discuss Maker-related topics as well as what inspires projects, including YouTube videos, Movies, TV Shows, Disney, Star Wars, LEGO, Books, and more. Everything is on the table, and nothing is off-limits.
Disclaimer: The thumbnail images featured on this blog are often AI-generated. See Disclosure page for more information.
The Number 1 Reason Your Content Business Is Failing
For years, I wondered why others succeeded and I was not online.
Lack of consistency.
Most people see an "overnight success" wondering how it happened. We don't see the weeks, months, or even years of work that went into it without anyone seeing it.
Lock in for consistency this week.
The Best Calls To Action Formats By Platform
Only 1, free value CTA per content piece.
• YouTube - Watch a video
• Newsletter - PS nudge
• Instagram - Comment a word
• Twitter/X - Direct to a pinned post
CTAs should simple, but give more free value.
5 Books Every Content Creator Should Read (And Implement)
Reading has helped me think about and implement business ideas more than anything else (other than doing the work). These are my 5 favorites for content creation.
• Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
• The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
• The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole
• Building A Second Brain by Tiago Forte
• Start With Why by Simon Sinek
4 Steps To Figure Out What Value Your Audience Needs
Most creators hope that what they want to create happens to be interesting for their audience, but use these steps to find the value they need.
1. Stop assuming and start listening
2. Pay attention to duplicate questions
3. Test small before investing time
4. Just ask
Your audience tells you what they need, but you have to pay attention to hear.
4 Levels To Niche Down Your Audience (Even If You Don't Think You Can Anymore)
We all know the benefits of narrowing our audiences, but it can seem like we already did. Instead, narrow further by these 4 levels.
1. Narrow the topic
2. Narrow the skill level
3. Narrow the platform
4. Narrow the outcome
Every nice can be refined so people within that range find your content extremely valuable.
5 Takeaways For Content Creators From "Start With Why"
Most businesses owners spend so much time focusing on what they do and why they do it that WHY is forgotten. WHY you should Start with WHY:
1. WHY before What and How
2. Aim for innovation, not novelty
3. Destination (What) < Journey (WHY)
4. Authenticity comes from WHAT aligning with WHY
5. Run advice through The Celery Test
Your WHY is your compass.
The Best Framework I’ve Found For Increasing Volume And Efficiency
I used to “run and gun” my content and articles, but would always feel burned out every few days. Instead, I found this framework helps.
Separate planning and execution.
Instead of coming up with a topic to write about every day, then writing it, I plan my week of articles on Sunday.
The rest of the week, I just write what I already planned.
4 Takeaways For Content Creators From “Hook Point”
Follow and subscriber counts mean nothing without effective communication.
• Capture attention within 3 seconds
• Provide quality value
• Create beneficial stress (eustress)
• Set trends, don't follow them
Capture attention and overdeliver on value with good storytelling
4 Steps To Iterate Ideas Without Wasting Time & Money On Flopping Videos
Most creators spend time on video ideas that flop, but successful creators iteration with 4 steps.
1. Post initial ideas to X
2. Expand winning ideas into threads
3. Expand winning threads into articles
4. Expand winning articles into videos
Now your videos have the best chance of succeeding based on data, not emotion.
4 Integrated Lighting Options For Content Creators To Liven Video Backgrounds
Overhead lighting is terrible for you, but also for your videos. Let’s integrate the lighting in a few ways to level-up out content and workspace.
• Under shelf LEDs
• Wall panels
• Stylized wall sconce
• Glowing objects
Lighting is necessary for quality video, but building it into the room makes it feel more purposeful than stands everywhere.
The 1 Reason Writing Is Now Essential For Business Owners
Most business owners discount the importance of writing, but they shouldn’t for 1 major reason.
AI.
Writing helps you clarify your thinking.
Better thinking leads to better prompts.
Everyone who wants to succeed in business or content must embrace AI and therefore writing for better prompts.
4 Takeaways For Makers From Austin Kleon's "Show Your Work"
Many on social media only show the finished result, but Austin Kleon recommends showing the work in progress for success.
1. Show the work in progress
2. Daily content is feasible
3. Always give proper credit
4. Start an email list
Social media needs more Makers showing what they are creating, not just the final products.
The 1 Thing Frustrated Creators Get Wrong About Their Target Audience
Most frustrated creators blame the algorithm and think they need a shift.
They think "my target is too small."
Think like an archer trying to hit a target in a football stadium.
Aim at the field? Hit, but no points.
Aim at the target? Might miss the bulls eye, but still score.
The 1 Framework For Scaling Your Content Ideas Without Unnecessary Frustration
Most creators go directly to long-form video with their idea and get frustrated if it falls flat.
Successful creators engineer that success by continually expanding on ideas.
Start small and continue to expand what works.
3 Insights For Maker Creators From “The Thank You Economy” By Gary Vaynerchuk
3 insights for Maker creators from "The Thank You Economy" by Gary Vee.
1. Care about your audience.
2. Be authentic to who you are.
3. Relationships > Impressions.
Caring about your audience, their needs, wants, and desires, in an authentic way will show through even if quality isn't there.
Why Defining Your Target Social Audience Is Foundational For Consistent Online Growth
A common faulty belief is, "If I narrow my audience, it eliminates too many."
This is false.
If you make content for everyone, you make content for no one.
Go at least 3 layers deeper for consistent growth.
The Only 5 Inexpensive Tools Required To Start Creating Content
The only 5 inexpensive tools required to start creating content.
Essentials:
1. Phone
2. Tripod
Optional:
3. DaVinci Resolve
4. External Microphone
5. Portable Light
Don't overcomplicate the initial setup. The goal is to get started and build consistency. Upgrade later.
Why You Should Base Content Decisions On Data, Not Emotion
Most content success comes down to how decisions are made: emotional vs data-driven.
Emotional decisions, or gut feelings, lead creators to post what they want and wonder why the dreaded algorithm is against them.
Data-based decisions tell us exactly what to double down on.
My Top 5 Mistakes As A Content Creator (And How I'm Fixing Them in 2026)
My top 5 mistakes as a content creator (and how I'm fixing them in 2026)
1. No consistency
2. Overcomplicated or overlooked analytics
3. Abandoning 1 platform for another
4. Not having a clear strategy
5. Giving into imposter syndrome
Each can be overcome with good systems.
The 1 Way To Gain The Confidence Of Large Successful Makers
Most people believe that you can read enough books, watch enough YouTube videos, or listen to enough self-help podcasts to gain the confidence to do the thing you want to do.
But that isn't how confidence works and most successful people agree.