Bill Gates once wrote an essay called “Content is King”. Even back in 1996, before most of the digital advancements we have today, he understood how meaningful content is. What is posted and what that content says about an individual or organization reflects on their success. We all view and post content everyday. I took a deep dive into my experience with content and how it portrays my professional desires.
What is Content?
Content is any form of media that you have physically or digitally. It’s usually targeted at a certain group or demographic. It can help them learn or interact with others. Content includes pictures, social media posts, websites, movies, CD’s, and so much more. Physical content means any content you can hold in your hand.
- Printed photographs
- DVD’s
- Books
- Magazines
- Newspapers
In contrast, digital content is something you have on your electronic devices or see online.
- Photos on a device
- Websites
- Social media posts
- Movies on streaming services
- Podcasts
- Online books
Both are different, but they can do the same thing. It’s all about reaching an audience and telling them something. Content allows you to share your message, spread information, and portray yourself in a certain light.
My Content
In today’s online era, it is very fitting that most of my content is digital. I grew up with the ever-changing internet. I can never think of a time where there wasn’t some sort of technology in my life. I started using social media before I even hit my teenage years, meaning it’s something I’ve always been surrounded with.
I use social media, online streaming services, list to podcasts, and browse websites everyday. That means I don’t have many physical books, DVD’s, or newspapers. Those products have become irrelevant to me and millions of others because you really can find anything online.
Content on Social Media
Social media is the most public aspect of my content. You can find details about my personal and professional life, depending on where you look. But the commonality is that it all reflects positively on myself. That’s because I’m very picky about what I post.
Social media is all about portraying yourself in a certain way. You can make your life look as glamorous or realistic as you want. I keep my posts true to myself and only share content that benefits me. It either looks good professionally, will help me get or do something, or shares some insight into my life to people I care about. This is my strategy when posting my content. It’s not an official process, but it helps me filter what I share and what I don’t. Although social media plays a large role, most of my content is not posted. I keep it for myself if it serves a purpose in my life, work, or school. Some things are better not shared with the world.
For example, my Twitter, or X, is completely professional. I post about my career and content I have made that could help me accomplish my professional goals.
Organization of Content
Since most of the content I have can be found on my phone or computer, it is kept very organized. It all stays in different apps on my iPhone, with all my pictures are in my Photos app and social media posts in each respective app. All my documents and writings are in my Google Drive. This makes my content so accessible at any time I need it.
I do tend to keep content from years and years ago. I think of some pictures and articles as memories. If you look on my phone, you’ll find over 20,000 pictures. Each reminds me of a certain day or time period. Any content can become a way to remember something that happened in the past and that’s why myself and many others keep those memories around.
If you really think about it, content plays a huge role in all of our lives. Looking through content I have, including what I share and what I keep for myself, has opened my eyes to just how much I see and produce. And I’ve realized that the content you have describes you in a way. It gives a deeper look into your life and your goals. So as you scroll through social media or glance at your photos, think about how this content relates to you and why you consume it. Maybe you’ll have the same realizations I did.
Katie Coen 
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