The Diary Method is the easiest way to start

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Hi, it's Pat!

Back in 2008, when I started my first business, I unknowingly did something that would become a cornerstone of my journey. On my blog, SmartPassiveIncome.com, I shared the ups and downs of building GreenExamAcademy.com.

Little did I know, I was practicing what I now call the Diary Method.

QUOTE

"There's no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."?

—Maya Angelou

THE STORY

A lot of people talk about documenting their journey as a form of content creation, and I've unknowingly done this myself for years. Back in 2008, when I started my first business, GreenExamAcademy.com, I wasn’t positioned as an expert — I was just sharing how things were going on my website and blog, SmartPassiveIncome.com.

What I found was that this content wasn’t just helpful — it built trust. People related to me more because they saw that I wasn’t perfect and that I made mistakes. By sharing the raw, real-time journey, I became more human to them. I wasn’t the expert on a pedestal; I was someone they could connect with.

The Diary Method, as I’m calling it, is something I’ve carried with me through many projects. Take, for instance, my niche site duel. I built a website to help security guards pass an exam and shared the entire process with my audience — the ups, the downs, the learning moments — everything. This level of transparency made my content more engaging and made people feel like they were right there with me.

Then there was the SwitchPod — a physical product that my partner Caleb and I developed. Instead of waiting until we had a polished product to share with the world, we documented every part of the journey — how we discovered the idea, got it manufactured, and navigated our Kickstarter campaign. By the time we launched in February 2019, thousands of people had backed nearly half a million dollars worth of product. Why? Because they weren’t just buying the SwitchPod; they were invested in our journey of bringing it to life.

One common hesitation you might have is feeling like you don’t have anything valuable to share because you’re not an expert. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. A perfect example is my friend Adam Baker, founder of Man vs. Debt. Adam helped hundreds of thousands of people get out of debt, which might seem surprising when you realize he was still working his way out of debt himself at the time. So why did people want to learn from him? Because it wasn’t about being debt-free; it was about his journey to becoming debt-free. People could relate to his story, his struggles, and his progress in a way that made his content more impactful than if he’d been an expert looking back. They felt like they were walking the path with him.

Why the Diary Method Works

Here’s the big takeaway I want you to understand: because it’s your diary and your journey, there’s nothing anyone can say that’s "wrong." When you’re documenting your own process — whether you’re succeeding or failing — there’s no need to feel pressure to be perfect. No one can criticize your process because it’s entirely yours. You’re not claiming to be an expert; you’re just showing people how you’re figuring things out as you go.

And here’s the beautiful part: if someone does have something to say, it’s rarely about you. Often, their critiques are more a reflection of their own fears or insecurities. By using the Diary Method, you can let go of the need to be "right" or polished. You just need to be real.

Three Simple Steps to Start Using the Diary Method

If you’re ready to start using the Diary Method in your own business or content creation, here are three simple steps to get you started:

1. Document, Don’t Perform: You don’t need to create perfect content. Instead, document what you're doing as you’re doing it. Whether you’re starting a new project, learning something new, or tackling a challenge, share that experience with your audience.
2. Be Open About Your Mistakes: Some of the best moments I’ve shared with my audience came from my mistakes. When I’ve been open about failures, people not only trust me more, but they also learn from my missteps. Your audience wants to see that you’re human, and being transparent about your challenges makes your content more relatable.
3. Engage Your Audience in the Process: Your audience isn’t just watching — they’re invested in your journey. Ask for feedback, invite them to share their own experiences, and make them feel like they’re part of the adventure. This builds a deeper connection and increases the likelihood that they’ll stick with you.

Pro Tips for Making Your Diary Method Content More Engaging

• Show Your Personality: Let your unique voice come through. Whether it’s humor, vulnerability, or excitement, make sure your personality shines in your content.
• Use Visuals: Whenever possible, incorporate photos, videos, or behind-the-scenes content to give your audience a real look at your journey.
• Don’t Wait for Perfection: Your audience will appreciate seeing the messy middle. Don’t wait until things are perfect to share — just start documenting.

By embracing the Diary Method, you’re lifting the weight of perfection off your shoulders. You’re inviting your audience to grow alongside you, and that connection is far more valuable than simply teaching from a distance. Your story, your journey, and your growth are the content.

You’ve got this!

Dad Joke of the Week???

I don’t always tell dad jokes…

But when I do, he laughs.

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