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Hey Reader,

I posted something on LinkedIn 2 days ago that got people sliding into my comments like...well, like they were really excited about my content engine framework.

My good friend Renee also reminded me that even though I'm an editor at heart, I'm also a strategist. I'm a strategist. I'm a strategist.

I've been running a content engine for years, but I never actually framework-ed it until I started working with clients in Content Sparring 🥊 and then built Full Stack Solopreneur.

(Funny how teaching and writing force you to get crystal clear.)

The more I worked with people, the more I realized that everyone who's winning your attention (and keeping it) isn't just randomly posting for funzies.

They're running a well-oiled content engine.

Let me show you how it works.

The Content Engine Cycle has 5 key elements that feed into each other:

1. Foundation
2. Core Components
3. Content Angles
4. Content Structure
5. Content Signals

In my experience, most people approach content creation in one of two ways:

Bad Way 1: They throw darts blindfolded. Sometimes they hit, mostly they miss, and they have no idea why either happens. Recipe for head-banging-against-wall-syndrome.

Bad Way 2: They follow what "works" for others and grow an audience but can't monetize it. Because growing an audience ≠ leads for your business, they also end up experiencing head-banging-against-wall-syndrome.

But when you build a content engine? You're setting up a system that compounds over time. This is the way.

Let's dive deeper into each element of the Content Engine Cycle.

Element 1: Foundation

This is your engine's heart. I cannot emphasize enough how many people skip this step. They're so eager to start posting that they jump straight to "What should I write about?"

Wrong question, friends.

Instead, ask yourself:

• What are my 2-3 core topics?
• What unique perspective do I bring?
• What misconceptions do I want to challenge?
• What transformation do I help create?

For example, my foundation rests on three pillars:

1. Content Editing & Writing & Strategy
2. Personal Brand
3. Solopreneurship

But here's where most people mess up — they stop at picking topics. Oh no no no no, no no no no no no.

You absolutely must dig into how these topics connect, which brings us to...

Element 2: Core Components

This is where you make your content interconnected rather than isolated.

Think about it: If your content pieces don't connect, you're basically starting from scratch every time you post.

That's exhausting, and is why:

• So many people burn out ("What am I even doing here?!")
• So many audiences get bored/confused ("What is this person all about?")

Here's what you need to map out:

• How do your core topics support each other?
• Where do ideas naturally overlap?
• What broader narrative are you building?

For instance, in my world:

• Content strategy feeds personal brand/reputation-building
• Personal brand/reputation building supports solopreneurship
• Solopreneurship requires both to succeed

See how that works? Each piece reinforces the others. Nobody is confused.

(Oh, btw, you only need to talk about your interconnected topics 80% of the time. For the other 20%, feel free to make dad jokes, share parenting woes, ramble about woodworking, or whatever else brings you joy. If we don't have fun, what are we even doing with our lives, you know?)

Element 3: Content Angles

This is where things get spicy. Content angles are how you take your expertise and make it impossible to ignore.

They solve the two biggest problems I see people face with content:

1. Not knowing what to say
2. Not knowing how to say it in a way that actually moves people to action

Here are the 10 angles:

1. Pattern recognition (the "I've seen this 100 times" posts)
2. Process transformations (the "here's a better way" posts)
3. Mindset shifts (the "you're thinking about this wrong" posts)
4. Hidden opportunities (the "everyone's missing this" posts)
5. Success paradoxes (the "conventional wisdom is wrong" posts)
6. Experience-based revelations (the "holy crap, I just learned" posts)
7. Implementation pitfalls (the "here's why you're stuck" posts)
8. Industry blindspots (the "we need to talk about this" posts)
9. Value-creation insights (the "stop leaving money on the table" posts)
10. Growth catalysts (the "this changed everything" posts)

These angles work because they tap into specific psychological triggers.

For example, Pattern recognition builds trust (because you've clearly done this before).

Implementation pitfalls show empathy (because you get their struggles).

Success paradoxes grab attention (because who doesn't love a good "everything you know is wrong (or at least isn't completely right)" moment?).

Bottom line: You've got the expertise. These angles help you package it in a way that resonates and drives results.

Element 4: Content Structure

Once you've got your angle, you need a structure that makes your message land.

You can have the most brilliant insight in the world, but if you just word-vomit it onto the page, nobody's going to get it. Or worse, they'll get it but won't know what to do with it.

These aren't just fill-in-the-blank templates. They're flexible frameworks you can adapt to your voice and style. Mix them with different content angles, and you've got endless possibilities for creating content that's uniquely you AND actually works.

Here's one of my favorite structures (out of the 7 that are the most common/likely to get you results):

The Reality Check Structure:

1. Hard truth that needs saying
2. Real consequences
3. Personal experience
4. Actionable solutions

For example:

Hard truth: "Most people's content isn't ignored because it's bad — it's ignored because it's forgettable. Here's what happens if you don't fix this..."

Real consequence: "Your expertise gets buried under generic advice. Your unique perspective never reaches the right people. Your business growth stalls because you can't build momentum. Your confidence takes a hit because you think you're doing something wrong"

Personal experience: [Here's where you'd share how you used to make this same mistake and the negative consequences it had on your life/business]

Actionable solutions: [Here's where you'd share the epiphany you had that helped you change your ways, the positive results it's had on your life/business, and how others can do the same.]

​You can read more about all 7 content structures here. ​

Element 5: Content Signals

Signals are the fuel that keeps your engine running.

Every single piece of content you put out generates signals — you just need to learn how to read them.

Pay attention to:

• Which questions keep coming up in comments
• What topics spark the most DMs
• Where people seem confused
• What gets shared most often

Fun fact: This entire newsletter came from signals. People loved the LinkedIn post, which means a deeper dive is 100% warranted.

Round and round we go

• Your foundation shapes your components
• Your components inform your angles
• Your angles determine structure
• Your structure generates signals
• And signals strengthen your foundation

It's a spiral that keeps building on itself.

The best part? Once you set this up, you'll never run out of content ideas again because you're building something that compounds.

Cheers,

Erica

PS. Want to see exactly how to use this engine to generate consistent traffic and sales? That's exactly what I teach in Full Stack Solopreneur.

I started this program with Nick Bennett because while I was coaching 1:1 clients on their content engine, I realized ~50% of them didn't have a dialed-in offer.

The problem with that?

Well, even the best content engine in the world won't work if you don't have a rock-solid offer to drive people to.

For example, one of my clients created this amazing lead magnet and email sequence, but when we got to the final email, she wasn't sure where to send people.

A workshop? A 1:1 offer? A self-paced course? A cohort?

She had done all of those things before, but she wasn't sure which one would make the most business and personal impact.

Oh, and did I mention she still had a 9-5? And that this work made her think about leaving her job, but she wasn't sure which path would help her replace her income in the fastest/most sustainable way?

Long story short, I suggested she work with Nick.

Turns out, Nick was doing the same thing with his clients. They created or refined dialed-in offers, then struggled hard to create content that drove people to them.

After doing this enough times, we decided to team up and create a program that solves both of these problems in one place.

And...

We just opened monthly pricing 🎉

You can now join us for $349/month.

Keen to finally monetize your expertise and build a sustainable business of one?

>> Join us now <<

Or, book a call with us to make sure it's right for you.

Cheerio :)

​

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