When Bad Advice Hurts Your Content
If you’re creating content for a living, there’s really not much to complain about. But one of the biggest frustrations is this:
Stepping into a situation where a client has already been given bad advice. Either you’re taking over for someone who led them in the wrong direction, or you’re working with someone who doesn’t fully understand the value of what you do. Both are tough.
But the hardest situation is when a client has worked with a creator who told them things that sounded right—but were actually designed to benefit the creator more than the business. I see this more often than you’d think.
When Content Becomes About the Creator
Some creators give advice based on what looks good for their portfolio, not what actually helps the business. And that’s where things start to fall apart. A good example is YouTube. In my opinion, every business should be on YouTube. That part is simple. You don’t need expensive gear. You can shoot on your phone and still create great content. Paying for views, chasing numbers, and focusing on vanity metrics is one of the fastest ways to waste time and money on content.
But where it goes wrong is when inexperienced creators suggest things like:
paying for views
chasing numbers instead of message
focusing on surface-level engagement
That advice usually comes from people who are still figuring things out themselves. A lot of times, it’s creators trying to break out of weddings or smaller projects, and they’re thinking more about growth than about storytelling. I’ve been there. Early on, it’s easy to overthink everything and chase results instead of focusing on the craft. Most of the businesses I work with are in Austin and the Texas Hill Country, and almost all of them come to me after trying content strategies that didn’t actually move the needle.
What Actually Works
The goal isn’t views. The goal is connection. If your content connects with the right audience, the results follow naturally.
That’s why I always focus on:
message
story
personality
Not numbers.
Why YouTube Still Matters
If you’re a business in Austin or the Texas Hill Country and you’re not on YouTube, you’re missing an opportunity. Long-form content is one of the best things you can invest in.
You can take one strong video and break it down into:
short clips for Instagram
content for Facebook
YouTube Shorts
website content
It all starts with one solid piece of content. If you don’t have a budget, even better—start simple. Shoot short clips on your phone, piece them together, and focus on learning how to tell your story.
Content Builds More Than Just Marketing
Creating content can actually bring your team together. It becomes a way for people to contribute, share ideas, and feel involved in the business.
But that starts with leadership. If you’re the business owner, you set the tone. When you’re engaged, your team will be too.
There’s a lot of noise in this space. A lot of advice. A lot of people trying to tell you what works. But at the end of the day, the best content comes from people who care about the story—not just the numbers. If you’re a business in Austin or the Texas Hill Country and want help creating content that actually connects, I’d love to hear from you.
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Dope Creative Content
Cinematographer • Videographer • Creative Strategist
Austin • Texas Hill Country • San Antonio