🪄Cut the Fluff: Strategy vs. Intuition


Cut the Fluff is a newsletter that will help you become a more confident writer, even if you're not a "writer." If this was sent to you, subscribe here so you don't miss the next lesson.

Hey Reader,

"I don't know what to post next."

My friend said this to me on a call last week, and I had to bite my tongue.

Because she's brilliant. She's got years of experience. She knows her stuff inside and out.

The problem?

She's got no strategy and, because of that, can't follow her intuition.

The best content creators (and the ones who have the most fun, which is a massive intrinsic motivator to keep posting) blend strategy and intuition.

Let me show you what I mean:

Count down to 2024-12-03T04:45:00.000Z​

Build a loose strategy

Too many people live on polar opposites of the strategy spectrum when they should be living smack dab in the middle.

On one end, we have people who create content randomly without a plan. This is like throwing darts with a blindfold on, and you don't even know which direction the board is.

On the other end, we have strategy enthusiasts who follow a rigid content calendar that leaves zero room for creativity. This is like throwing darts at a target that's no longer there, but feeling excited you threw a dart so...yay?

For a strategy to work, you need to know the answers to:

  • What do you want to be known for?
  • What problems do you solve?
  • Who's your ideal audience?
  • What unique perspective do you bring?

And tons more stuff but let's not overcomplicate it atm.

But to remain relevant and resonant, you also need to pay attention to:

  • What are people asking you about?
  • How are people responding to your content?
  • What trends make sense to hop on?

Which brings me to my next point:

Listen to signals

This is where strategy meets reality.

The best creators never run out of content ideas because they pay attention to three types of signals:

Direct Signals:

  • Comments asking questions
  • DMs requesting more detail
  • Specific feedback

Indirect Signals:

  • Silent engagement (saves, shares)
  • Which content gets referenced/quoted
  • Ideas that keep coming up in client calls

Absent Signals:

  • The crickets
  • What's not resonating
  • Where people drop off

These signals tell you what's working and what to create next. When someone asks a question? That's content gold. When something flops? That's a lesson.

And when these creators are still feeling a bit creatively drained?

They know where to look for inspiration:

Revisit proven angles

There's no excuse for blank page syndrome when you understand how to prompt yourself with strategic questions.

I've spent months analyzing my (and other creators') content and have come up with 10 high-impact content angles that drive the best results:

  1. Pattern Recognition (what you keep seeing in your industry)
  2. Process Transformations (how you do things differently)
  3. Mindset Shifts (how you think differently)
  4. Hidden Opportunities (what others are missing)
  5. Success Paradoxes (when conventional wisdom fails)
  6. Experience-Based Revelations (what you've learned firsthand)
  7. Implementation Pitfalls (where execution commonly fails)
  8. Industry Blindspots (assumptions worth questioning)
  9. Value Creation Insights (better ways to deliver results)
  10. Growth Catalysts (what actually moves the needle)

The magic happens when you match these angles to your expertise.

For example:

If you've noticed a pattern: "I've reviewed 20+ solopreneur websites. The ones that convert share this pattern..."

If you do things differently: "Most people edit while writing. Here's why that's killing your creativity..."

If you think differently: "Stop trying to be known for everything. Here's what happens when you own one thing..."

You don't need all 10 angles. Start with the ones that align with your experience and unique perspective. The rest will come naturally as you grow.


When you combine strategic thinking, clear signals, and powerful angles, something magical happens:

Content creation becomes intuitive. Your expertise compounds. Your authority grows.

No more throwing darts blindfolded.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Erica

PS. Want to see how this all comes together?

I've created a Content Engine Autopilot for folks who join Full Stack Solopreneur.

Here's a peek into how the engine works.

​

​I want this & the lessons that drive it 🤩​

Join Full Stack Solo if this seems like exactly what you need to build a content engine that drives more traffic to your business of one.

​

New here? I'm Erica.

Your seltzer-loving solopreneur who helps you earn more money with content that moves people to action (but doesn’t feel salesy).

🥊 WORK WITH ME 1:1
💡 TAKE ONE OF MY COURSES
💻 VISIT MY SITE

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Cut the Fluff

Learn to edit words like a pro. I've edited 3M+ words and each week, I share a lesson to teach you what to cut, how to add value, and how to finally feel confident when editing. Every subscriber gets access to my Editing Library, a database of 62 edits broken down by the problem, my take on how to improve it, and my edited version.

Read more from Cut the Fluff

Hey Reader, Something shifted when I left my job to become a solopreneur in October 2023. But it took until this week to finally have the courage to articulate it. Maybe it's because I got a super rude email that, while shitty, did end with a valid question: "I thought this was a grammar learning platform where did that go?" (I mean, this was never a grammar learning platform per se, but I did used to share more copy editing tips.) Either way, I've realized I need to say the quiet part out...

Hey Reader, Nick and I launched Full Stack Solo 3 weeks ago, and we're already making big changes. Why? Because that's exactly what we teach our members to do. Conventional wisdom says, "Get it perfect first, then launch." Well, in our experience, that puts way too much pressure on you, makes you hedge, and forces you to chase an aspirational "perfection" that doesn't exist. Here’s what actually works: Build something solid Put it out there Pay attention to signals Adjust rapidly (keep what...

Cut the Fluff is a newsletter that will help you become a more confident writer, even if you're not a "writer." If this was sent to you, subscribe here so you don't miss the next lesson. "Everything's been said already." I hear this ALL the time from clients who are trying to create content in crowded spaces. And you know what? They're right. Pretty much everything has been said. BUT. Not by you. Not with your experience. Not with your unique perspective. And definitely not with your specific...