Media format is simply a well-defined piece of media like a newsletter, podcast, essays, books, blogs, vlogs, tweet threads, and countless other formats.
In the last 10 years as a creator, I have worked on all of the above types. And it all depends on what is possible for you in the moment.
Why should you find your “creator-format fit”?
- You apply constraints on the things that are possible to do within the boundaries of the format you have chosen
- These constraints force you to focus more on mastering the medium
- The time you take to master that medium with shorten drastically
- You will focus more on your messaging than distracting yourself with learning new skills for different media types
- You can quickly judge if the format is working or not and move on to next one in a more predictable way
Test to find yours.
There is a perfect format out there that is waiting to be discovered by the right creator. I call this the “creator-format fit”. But how do you find it? Tried to visualize this simple concept in Google Slides.
Whenever I get confused while initiating a project, I use this framework to help me make it easy to choose a format.
STEP 1 : Choose a channel where your audience hangs out..
(Twitter, IndieHackers, Instagram, Reddit etc.)
STEP 2 : Choose “media type” you’re comfortable with,
- Text
- Audio
- Video
- Design & Illustrations
- Images
- Combination of Above
STEP 3 : Choose a media format at the intersection of these two.
Podcasts (Audio + Spotify)
Newsletter (Text + Substack + Twitter)
Vlogs (Video + YouTube)
Visualizations (Design & Illustrations)
Memes (Image + Instagram)
Tweet Threads (Text + Twitter)
Comics (Illustrations + Text + Relevant Social Platform)
& Countless Other Formats
Once you choose a high-level format, you can start digging deeper to find the treatment that works well for you.
For example, let’s say you choose Podcasts.
1. Are you comfortable with having a conversation on the mic?
- Do interviews
2. Do you like to record your voice talking about a certain topic?
- Record solo
You get the drift. I hope this helps.
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