The Benefit of Being a Dictator: How Speaking Your Content Can Transform Your Creative Process

I went live. Here is the replay: https://youtu.be/MlUWKSzCh3Q

Dictate, Don't Type — The Secret Weapon You're Not Using

No, this isn't about ruling with an iron fist. It's about unleashing your creative potential through the power of your voice.

I've been a writer my entire life. While many know me for video production and editing, my foundation has always been writing. But here's the secret I've used since I was 18 years old that's transformed everything: dictation.

My Regis Philbin Story: How Dictation Changed Everything

At 18, I landed a job at Geoffrey Beene's flagship store in Fort Lauderdale—the one with the district manager's office right inside. I noticed no one wanted to work in their prototype dress shirt department, so I volunteered.

This was during the height of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" when Regis Philbin wore monochromatic shirts and ties on every show. Those exact styles were flying off our shelves, but Geoffrey Beene was getting zero credit.

During breaks, I'd write at a table near my district manager's office. One day, he noticed my writing and confessed he struggled with company memos. Problem-solver that I am, I offered to help. He would dictate his thoughts, and I would refine them.

Together, we crafted memos proposing a brand deal with Regis Philbin. Within weeks, Geoffrey Beene became the official clothing sponsor for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," creating the branded "Regis Philbin Look" that was popular for years.

Why Dictation Beats Typing Every Time

I have never met anyone with Talker's Block. Think about it: If someone asks for your opinion at a networking event, you don't freeze up. You respond naturally, drawing from your experience.

This is the power of dictation. You can:

1. Speak 3-4x faster than you type

2. Capture your authentic voice and personality

3. Overcome the blank page syndrome

4. Generate more ideas in less time

Three Ways to Use Dictation Today

1. For Sales Professionals

If English isn't your first language or writing isn't your strength, dictation is your secret weapon. Speak your thoughts in whatever language feels most natural, then use AI to translate and refine.

When you need to engage on LinkedIn, don't overthink your comments. Read a post, hit the microphone button on your phone, and respond as if you're having a conversation. Then clean it up with tools like Apple Intelligence or Grammarly.

2. For Content Creators and Brand Managers

When I joined ECF Media five years ago, I knew nothing about snow removal or landscaping. To learn quickly, I transcribed videos, training modules, and existing content to build a knowledge base.

Now, I interview experts within our company, transcribe those conversations, identify the angles that align with our brand, and craft content that blends their expertise with my perspective. The result? Authentic content no AI can duplicate because it's built from real human experience.

For our documentaries at ECF Media, we use transcriptions to sort through 50-100 hours of footage. We perform "paper edits" on the transcripts to create narrative structures before touching the video—saving countless hours.

3. For Personal Knowledge Capture

There's a saying: "When an old man dies, a library burns." Don't let your experiences disappear.

Instead of sitting down to type your memories, simply speak them. I'm currently dictating stories from my entire career—from working with Regis Philbin to being a VP at Citigroup to helping run a national wine company that competed with Gary Vaynerchuk's Wine Library.

These stories become uniquely personal examples I can weave into content, making it impossible for anyone to replicate.

AI as Your Co-Creator, Not Your Replacement

I've been using AI since 2017 and participate in three mastermind groups on the topic. The key is seeing AI as a superpower that enhances your abilities—not as a replacement for your thinking.

Super strength doesn't make Superman—his character does. Similarly, AI should amplify your voice, not replace it.

This is why I'm launching a newsletter called "Super Creator" about using AI to enhance your creativity rather than substitute it. (And yes, I dictated the outline for that newsletter before refining it.) SIGN UP HERE: https://www.dhirubhai.net/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7305222916613328898

The C4+ System: Concept, Capture, Create, Circulate

Dictation is a crucial part of the "Capture" phase in my content creation system. By capturing your thoughts verbally, you build a library of ideas and experiences that become the raw material for everything you create.

Whether you're a CEO documenting company culture, a sales professional crafting LinkedIn posts, or a creator producing content—start with your voice. Speak your truth, then refine.

What's Next?

Beyond this article, I'm working on several projects including the "I Am The Storm" podcast featuring interviews with snow removal professionals, my book "Create From Scratch," and my upcoming presentations at SIMA ("Beyond the Logo") and the Snow Alliance.

But most importantly, I want to know: How could dictation transform your workflow? What AI questions do you have? Let me know in the comments.