A framework for finding your voice in a world full of content robots
The Day I Forgot I Wrote My Own Post
I once scrolled past a post so forgettable I didn’t recognize it as mine.
That wasn’t burnout. It was worse. It was the death of my own voice—slow, sanitized, and happening under the banner of “adding value.”
The post had everything the internet told me to include:
A friendly hook
Three helpful points
A tidy little call-to-action
It also had zero soul.
What I Got Wrong
I wasn’t creating for humans.
I was creating for an imaginary audience of LinkedIn content judges.
The goal wasn’t connection. It was compliance.
And here’s the cost:
My audience didn’t grow.
My content didn’t stick.
And I started hating the writing process.
The Framework That Changed Everything: T.F.T.
Here’s the new system I use when I feel my content getting too stiff:
T = Text a Friend
If it wouldn’t sound natural in a voice memo to a friend, I don’t post it. The best posts don’t sound like lectures—they sound like confessions.
F = Feel It Yourself
Would I share this if someone else wrote it? Does it move me in some way—humor, insight, or emotion? If not, it won’t move anyone else either.
T = Trash the “Tips” Format
If I’m just filling in “5 Ways to XYZ” out of habit, I stop. Tips don’t matter if they aren’t grounded in something real.
What I Track Now Instead of Metrics
I stopped obsessing over reach, likes, and shares.
Now I ask:
Would I forward this to a friend?
Does this sound like me?
Am I creating something I’d want to consume?
The rawer the post, the better it performs.
Why? Because people don’t want perfect. They want presence.
What I Wish I’d Known Earlier
“Helpful” is not the same as human.
And value means nothing if it’s delivered in a tone that no one can feel.
When I stopped trying to sound right and started sounding real:
My engagement deepened.
My confidence returned.
My writing felt like mine again.
How to Reclaim Your Voice
A few things that worked:
Write the first draft in your Notes app like you’re texting a friend.
Leave the awkward sentence in. That’s the one people will DM you about.
Say what you actually believe, not what sounds safe.
Share ideas when they’re raw, not when they’re ready.
Final Check Before Hitting Publish
I use this 3-question filter:
Would I send this to someone I care about?
Am I actually saying something—or just posting something?
Did I just delete the weird line because I thought it was “too much”? If so, put it back.
What You Gain When You Lead With Voice
A real connection with your audience—not just visibility.
A rhythm you enjoy, not just one you maintain.
A reputation not for being frequent, but for being felt.
One Last Truth
The post that feels too strange, too risky, too real?
That’s the one worth sharing.
Because “value” isn’t how many tips you offer.
It’s how deeply your words land.