Blogtober Post #3: Consuming Content
Our worlds are filled with content. In my household, we have cable delivering channels I have never watched, and I’d guess I’m not alone. We have multiple streaming providers delivering hundreds of hours of content, the vast majority of which we will never consume. We have endless timeline updates on social media delivered to our TV, computers, and phones. If that isn’t enough, we can ask our AI devices to give us more content.
Content isn’t the problem; valuable content is. With all of this content, I find myself making a quick value judgment. I prefer written content over video content. I like to scan the article and pull out the bits I find interesting. A video takes a commitment, and you can’t control the speed of the consumption. If I am following a feed, I expect there to be snackable content. I’m looking for quick hits meant to entertain or provide one solid point. If there is a link to an article, I am only clicking through if it’s super compelling. If it’s a video, I look for the length of the video, and if it’s longer than 2 or 3 minutes, I’ll pass. This may not be the best method, but it’s the method I use for feeds like Slack, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
When I need serious content like industry analysis, I am willing to give more of my time. I enjoy keynotes and longer articles about the tech industry. I consider the reputation of the author. Sometimes, I am seeking specific content. If that’s the case, I’ll be open to consuming content from authors I do not know because the topic is of interest. Even if it’s a good article, I’ll quickly determine the perceived value and continue reading or move on.
Other times, I’ll seek out specific authors to discover their thoughts on a topic of their choosing. I have also archived links and documents for later review. For example, I’ve listened to some keynotes more than once, and I might even take notes.
Most of my content is consumed on a screen. I don’t subscribe to any paper magazines or newspapers. I have online subscriptions, so the content is always with me and able to be consumed on the go. I haven’t had a tablet for years now because I just don’t see the value in having one. I carry a laptop and my cell phone. Most of the time, my cell phone is what I use. When I think about getting a tablet, my main reason would be for easier content consumption. Right now, that isn’t compelling enough for me to add another device into the mix.
I am interested in how you consume content. Does what I shared resonate with you? Is there something I am missing? Share how you consume your content and your tips and tricks to consume like an expert.
Brad Tompkins
Content isn’t the problem; valuable content is. With all of this content, I find myself making a quick value judgment. I prefer written content over video content. I like to scan the article and pull out the bits I find interesting. A video takes a commitment, and you can’t control the speed of the consumption. If I am following a feed, I expect there to be snackable content. I’m looking for quick hits meant to entertain or provide one solid point. If there is a link to an article, I am only clicking through if it’s super compelling. If it’s a video, I look for the length of the video, and if it’s longer than 2 or 3 minutes, I’ll pass. This may not be the best method, but it’s the method I use for feeds like Slack, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
When I need serious content like industry analysis, I am willing to give more of my time. I enjoy keynotes and longer articles about the tech industry. I consider the reputation of the author. Sometimes, I am seeking specific content. If that’s the case, I’ll be open to consuming content from authors I do not know because the topic is of interest. Even if it’s a good article, I’ll quickly determine the perceived value and continue reading or move on.
Other times, I’ll seek out specific authors to discover their thoughts on a topic of their choosing. I have also archived links and documents for later review. For example, I’ve listened to some keynotes more than once, and I might even take notes.
Most of my content is consumed on a screen. I don’t subscribe to any paper magazines or newspapers. I have online subscriptions, so the content is always with me and able to be consumed on the go. I haven’t had a tablet for years now because I just don’t see the value in having one. I carry a laptop and my cell phone. Most of the time, my cell phone is what I use. When I think about getting a tablet, my main reason would be for easier content consumption. Right now, that isn’t compelling enough for me to add another device into the mix.
I am interested in how you consume content. Does what I shared resonate with you? Is there something I am missing? Share how you consume your content and your tips and tricks to consume like an expert.
Brad Tompkins
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