Photo by Nubelson Fernandes on Unsplash
Every marketer talks about content. We plan content calendars, strategize social posts, and build creator programs. But here’s a truth we rarely admit: a lot of us feel like imposters. We act like experts in content, but many of us have never actually created it ourselves.
Unless you’ve sat down, crafted something from scratch, posted it, and waited to see how the world responds, you don’t fully understand what content really means. And you definitely can’t teach it, manage it, or lead it well.
You don’t need to be a full-time influencer or chase viral fame. But if you want to be a better marketer, you do need to live, just briefly, like a content creator. That means trying, posting, analyzing, and evolving. Only then will you understand the craft and the challenge of creating content that connects.
Here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned from stepping into that world myself, creating posts on LinkedIn, and more recently, sharing fitness tips on RedNote, a fast-growing content app.
Your Voice Matters, Even If You’re Not “The Expert”
One of the biggest mental blocks people face is thinking, “Why would anyone care what I have to say?”
The answer is simple: because your perspective is unique. Whether you’re early in your career or ten years in, if you’ve experienced something that others can learn from, it’s worth sharing. It doesn’t need to be polished. It doesn’t need to be groundbreaking. It just needs to be honest and helpful.
This mindset shift helped me get started. When I began posting fitness content on RedNote, my posts would get maybe 100 views and 2 likes. But I kept going. Eventually, one post hit thousands of likes. From there, my content kept gaining traction. That growth didn’t happen because I was an expert. It happened because I kept showing up with something real.
Analytics Hit Different When It’s Your Post
Once you start publishing, you become obsessed with numbers in a whole new way. You don’t just glance at reach or impressions—you feel them.
You start asking different questions: What hooked people in this post? Why did they comment on that one? What made someone scroll past the other? These are the same questions marketers ask on behalf of brands, but it’s entirely different when you’re asking them as a creator.
That shift forces you to think about your audience more deeply and empathetically. It makes you a sharper strategist and a more observant communicator.
Creativity Is a System, Not Just a Spark
People assume content creators are constantly inspired. The truth is, inspiration runs dry fast. What keeps creators going is the process.
When you post regularly, you quickly learn that you can’t rely on creativity alone. You need workflows, templates, and habits that help you produce high-quality content consistently without burning out. You learn how to create impact with less effort, and you start thinking about content as a sustainable rhythm, not a one-off win.
That lesson applies directly to marketing teams. A brilliant campaign idea is great. A repeatable, scalable system is better.
You Learn That Going Viral Is Rare—and That’s Okay
Here’s another hard truth: you can do everything “right” and still never go viral.
And that’s not a failure. That’s the nature of content.
Only a small percentage of posts take off. The algorithm doesn’t favor everyone, and that reality builds humility. You realize how much work goes into even the most basic posts, and you develop a deep respect for the creators who keep showing up, even when they aren’t being seen.
At the same time, you realize something else: mass reach isn’t the only goal. Content is becoming more personalized than ever. If your post helps someone, it has value. That’s how real loyalty and trust are built—one person at a time.
Final Thoughts: Want to Be a Better Marketer? Think Like a Creator
So if you’re a marketer and you’ve never tried creating content for yourself, I challenge you to start.
Post something. Share a tip. Talk about your process. Reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how it felt to put something out into the world. It doesn’t have to be perfect. But it does have to be you.
You’ll come away with a sharper eye, stronger instincts, and a new kind of respect for the creators you work with. You might even enjoy the process more than you expect. And if you stick with it, you’ll become the kind of marketer who truly understands what makes content work.