As a content writer, there's no worse feeling than banking on my memory when a big idea hits.

It always happens the same way...

I'm on a walk admiring the puffy clouds and the shining sun.

I hear a few birds singing, even an airplane or two at times.

Then all of a sudden.

BANG.

A genius idea hits me (alright I'm being subjective here but stay with me)

The bad news?

I didn't bring my phone, or a notepad.

But it's ok because I have the memory of an elephant — at least I tell myself this.

Then I think:

"This idea is too good for me to forget, no sweat."

I'll carry on with my walk confidently.

Then when I get home…I do everything but write the idea down.

I check my email.

I respond to a DM on LinkedIn.

Or grab a quick bite.

Next thing you know the idea is longgg gone.

And the worst part?

I usually don't even remember I forgot it.

After this happening way too many times to mention.

I decided to make a plan.

The goal of this plan?

To catch lightning in a bottle at will.

But not just catch it...

Share it with the world in its rawest form.

In other words, as quick as I can.

You see when it comes to content writing I'm a firm believer ideas develop over time.

And the last thing I want to do is waste a bunch of time on the wrong ideas.

What are the wrong ideas?

Wrong ideas = Ideas that don't resonate with my audience.

So before you hit me with the:

"If I share my ideas too soon, they'll be underdeveloped and weak"

I will say:

Get used to being a tester and experimenter.

This will save you so much time in the long run.

Why waste so much time “perfecting” ideas your audience might not even like?

When you start to view your ideas as tests…

All you want to do is watch which ones get the most engagement from your audience.

Then you go deeper on them later.

You are collecting data. Remember that.

You can't be afraid to share your ideas because you're worried of low quality.

The only way you will know for sure is by market feedback.

Take my newsletter for example...

Every single week I expand deeper on an idea I tested on LinkedIn the week earlier.

Notice how I use the word "tested".

Because that's what I do.

I test ideas, then let the market (my audience) show me which they like the most.

A big issue I've noticed in all my consulting clients...

They're so focused on resonating with their readers they over analyze every idea.

Every post takes them hours to write.

They over edit.

All this does is take the human element out of it (which is actually what makes your content resonate)

Then their post flops and they wasted hours on it.

*Quick tip: Don't worry about negative feedback on your "unrefined" ideas.

Any person who gives you any doesn't understand marketing.

Everything is an experiment.

And besides, raw ideas are what people want to see. — Test it and find out ;)

I'm not advocating for unpolished ideas in all your writing (like a sales page, newsletter, landing page) etc.

I'm talking about top of funnel content on social media like X and LinkedIn.

Let them be your testing grounds.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…

I’ll run you through exactly how I systemized catching lightning in a bottle.

Catching Lightning in a Bottle

1. Always have a notepad, pen, or your cell phone available to take notes.

Obvious — I know.

But you’d be surprised how many times I’ve been unprepared when a big idea struck.

2. Become a lightning watcher

It’s one thing to be prepared, but it’s another to be observant.

You’d be surprised how many great ideas slid right under your nose because you weren’t paying attention.

So from now on anytime you:

🔹See a great idea

🔹Hear a great idea

🔹Get hit outta nowhere with a great idea

Capture it as quick as possible.

Then break it down into its rawest parts.

1. The bid idea

2. The problem it solves

3. The benefit it provides

3. Write it into content using this framework

{Big idea}

{The problem it solves}

{The benefit it provides}

It’s pretty much plug and play at this point (because your broke them down last step)

4. Share it immediately

If you’ve already posted on LinkedIn that day…

You can use the idea as a comment on LinkedIn instead, post it on X, or test it on Threads.

5. Here's an example.

I'm driving to the grocery store.

I get the big idea "Most overthinkers are just people who haven’t realized they were born to write."

The second I get to the grocery store I write it down.

Then I ask myself:

“What's the big problem here?”

I come up with:

"It keeps them stuck in a constant feedback loop."

Then I ask what's the big benefit this idea can provide?

I realize:

"Once they realize writing brings clarity to ideas, organizes chaotic thoughts, and helps them solve their own problems...

They finally feel liberated."

Then here's the post using the framework provided in step 3:

Most overthinkers are just people who haven’t realized they were born to write. (Big Idea)

This keeps them stuck in a constant feedback loop. (Problem)

But once they realize writing:

🔹Brings clarity to ideas

🔹Organizes chaotic thoughts

🔹Helps them solve their own problems

They finally feel liberated. (Benefit)

See how it's just a big idea, a clear problem, and a big benefit?

This took me less than 5 minutes to write.

Then I tested it, and it got over 100 likes on LinkedIn.

Now I know the idea is validated.

—

Alright, that’s all I got for you this week!

Start testing ideas.

Have fun experimenting.

And become a lightning bearer.

See you next week,

Darion.