What My Four-Year-Old Taught Me About Creating Content that Converts

A few years ago we were getting ready to celebrate my husband’s birthday and my son Jack, who was four at the time, found out we did not have a party planned. Now, I should rewind and tell you that my son is OBSESSED with birthdays. Everything about them. Yes, the cake and presents. But also just celebrating someone. He lives for birthdays. The idea of not having a party for his dad’s birthday was absolutely unacceptable. What does that have to do with creating content that converts? I’m getting there.

Jack told me he wanted to plan the party himself, so I did my best to let him. It was a risk letting a four-year-old take the reigns on a last-minute party, but it ended up being the best event I have ever hosted. Want to know why?

1. It started with a clear invitation. The friends I texted to invite knew that Jack was putting together this party for his dad because of his deep desire to celebrate him and because he just believes every single birthday deserves a party. People knew it was a party AND that it was being planned by Jack.
2. Everything was approached with intention. Jack asked every single person who came to wear something blue because it was Dan’s favorite color. He picked the menu based on food that he knew Dan liked. He planned games so he could play with the other kids and nobody would feel left out. He even picked prizes for the kids to take home with them. He helped me attempt to make a blue cake but it was a major fail so we had a last minute pivot to a grocery store cookie cake. But even that he chose based on Dan’s preferences, the people coming, etc. No decision felt too big or too small for him. It was all directly in alignment with his purpose to throw a party for his dad.
3. Every aspect was communicated in advance. When I invited people Jack wanted them to know as much as they could up front. The text we sent laid out what we were celebrating, when they should come, what to wear, what we would be doing, etc. People knew exactly what they were getting into and could show up accordingly. I cannot underestimate how huge this was.
4. Everyone could rally around something awesome. The fact that this party was being planned by a four-year-old made it easy for people to want to support. But also, Jack’s enthusiasm for making sure Dan felt celebrated was contagious! What started as Jack just wanting to plan a party ended with each of us wanting to celebrate Dan as intentionally as we could!

You guys, this is the formula for great content that actually converts! This is how we each need to be showing up every single day in our spaces and with our audiences. 

We have to show up with clarity and purpose. We need to know who we are, who we are speaking to, what value we offer, and how we want to impact the world. We have to own that.

We have to approach our content and our business with intention. Everything from our photos to our language to our responses matters. We can’t just log on and hope for the best. We have to act from a space of integrity so that we can continue providing value and opportunities for connection. We need to make decisions based on our story, our values, our mission, and our audience. If we don’t do that it is impossible to show up with clarity, let alone consistency.

We have to communicate! People are eager to support our dreams but we have to ask them! I know it can feel slimy or salesy to ask for what we need, but if we don’t then people have no idea. Sometimes all it takes is saying, “This is what I am working on and this is the best way for you to support…” I think you would be surprised by the buy-in you get just by being honest and transparent about your needs, wants, goals, etc.

We have to give people something to rally around. Maybe it is a product or offer. Maybe it is a dream. Maybe it is a goal. Maybe it is a life milestone. There are so many opportunities for connection but we have to allow people in and we have to make people feel like we are all in this together. Because we are.

Jack’s party was THE BEST. Everyone had such a great time. Adults and kids both! Our friends still talk about it regularly. The same is possible for our content. 

I truly believe this philosophy and approach provide so much more ease and comfort in our businesses and our content creation. Knowing who you are, who you are serving, and what you are doing allows you to show up just like Jack. Isn’t that what we all want?

These are the ideas at the core of The Storytelling Advantage. If you want to learn more, I would love to chat with you about it.

Promo code LAUNCH50 is good for another 24 hours!! It gets you 50% off of the course as well as a free one-on-one coaching session and a free feedback session!!

With so much love and gratitude,

Am