EASY framework for great content (the April REPORT)

plus, the best piece of networking advice I’ve ever heard.

Welcome to The Content Brief 💼, a community designed to help you take the overwhelm out of planning and publishing your content (so you actually get it done). It’s less “how to succeed on Substack” … more *how to stay sane* as the Editor in Chief of your content.

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⏪ Last time, I asked Angharad Jones questions about her process in the latest Creator Briefing. That's here.

⏩ Today, content I found worthy of a dog-ear page corner over the past month. ◡̈

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Here’s what’s in store in this REPORT—

🤓 How Gen Z broke the marketing funnel.

📝 EASY framework for great content.

📺 Why friction is the critical ingredient.

🤌 Daydreaming about my business moodboard.

📣 Best piece of networking advice I’ve ever heard.

💅 What I’m restocking to improve my sentences.

I could never say it enough, but I am SO grateful for you. Thanks for being here. 🫶 

🤓  Reading

The reading experience in this piece is also really incredible.

Elder millennial here 🙋‍♀️, bringing you the scoop on Gen Z. 😆 At least, in a recap of this article saying Gen Z has rewritten the rulebook on how they discover, engage with and stay loyal to brands. Forget the old-school marketing funnel; the kids are on a whole new wavelength. Here's what you need to know to keep up:

• Influencers are everything
  Gen Z trusts influencers more than almost anyone else. Some 51% of them think social media personalities create the hottest trends. The twist? They rely on algorithms to guide them to their favorites.  

• Research before the ring
  Gen Z is all about the deep dive. We're talking about serious research before they commit to buying anything. They don't just want to see a glossy ad; they want reviews, testimonials, and a reason to believe in your brand. In fact, 70% say they don't trust a brand until they've done their homework.  

• Communities are the new currency
  Gen Z isn't into brands—they're into tribes. They don't just want to shop with you; they want to feel like they're a part of something bigger. A whopping 54% say they prefer brands that make them feel part of a community.  

• Loyalty, but not as you know it
  Loyalty isn't about repeat purchases anymore. For Gen Z, loyalty can mean sharing your brand with friends, engaging with your content, or being part of your broader universe, even if they don't buy from you right away. Successful brands understand loyalty is a journey, not a destination, and they've mastered the art of creating touchpoints to keep Gen Z coming back for more.

And, even if you don’t target Gen Z, there’s no denying these trends are changing marketing overall.

📝 Enjoying

What’s your definition of great content? I love this framework from

contentfolks

:

Expert
Actionable
Simple
Yours

So much gold in this EASY breakdown. ⬇️

cf #75: what’s your definition of GREAT content?

 📺 Playing 

Fair warning, language is rough in this video on “How to Build Willpower” with Dr. Andrew Huberman and David Goggins but the message hits.

Friction is the critical ingredient. 

It’s you against you.

Apparently, the anterior midcingulate cortex (AMC) is a brain area linked to willpower and the "will to live." It grows when you engage in challenging or uncomfortable activities—when you tackle things you don't want to do.  

So embracing discomfort is the key to building lasting willpower, which leads to true growth and fulfillment. 

Not thrilled by this news, but at least it makes the uncomfortable more meaningful?

🤌 Obsessing

How fun is this idea about creating a business moodboard from

The Sublime Newsletter

? Starting a new Pinterest board now…

Moodboard

📣 Recommending 

Networking isn't just about handing out business cards and making small talk. It's about building relationships, sharing stories. Those connections create a community where ideas flow, and opportunities naturally arise.  

When it comes to networking conversations, I like this advice from

I LIKE NETWORKING

in

The Operator's Edge

:

“Don't think about yourself so much. Think about how you can support someone today and your network will flourish.”

Let's Talk About Networking

💅 Treating

What’s the last thing you treated yourself to? I just restocked my Olive & June faves (Baroque and Cuticle Balm, iykyk) because, as I have and will always maintain, freshly painted nails help you type better sentences. It’s science, ok? (This refer-a-friend link saves you a bit!)

➡️ Finally, ICYMI:

5 ways to simplify and streamline your content

[Creator Briefing] Fits, fabrics and feeling good in what you're wearing

RECAP | Master Your Message: Define & Document Your Writer's Voice

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear in the comments if anything jumped out at you this month. Seriously, drop a comment or hit reply. I'd loooove to hear from you. Typing into the void isn't nearly as fun as interacting with a real human—you! 🫶 

I’ll be back in your inbox before you know it with another edition of The Content Brief 💼. 

Here’s to strategic, sustainable simplicity. 

xx