From Consumer to Creator: Stop Scrolling and Start Rewriting

There is a hidden statistic that rules the internet. It's called the 1% Rule.

In any online community:

• 90% of users are "Lurkers" (they read, observe, but never interact).
• 9% of users are "Contributors" (they comment or share occasionally).
• 1% of users are "Creators" (they create the content that the other 99% consume).

The 1% capture 99% of the value. They get the leads, the job offers, the speaking gigs, and the audience.

If you are reading this, you are likely in the 90% or the 9%. You want to be in the 1%, but something is stopping you.

It's not lack of time. It's not lack of skill. It's The Gap.

The Gap: Why You Are Afraid to Post

The Gap is the distance between your taste and your ability. You read great posts from Justin Welsh or Sahil Bloom. You know they are good. But when you sit down to write, your words feel... small. Boring. Unoriginal.

So you delete the draft. You close the tab. You go back to scrolling.

You tell yourself:

• "I'm not an expert."
• "I don't have a unique story."
• "What if nobody likes it?"

Here is the truth: Nobody starts as an expert. Everyone starts as a curator.

The Bridge: Curation is Creation

You don't need to invent a new philosophy to be a creator. You just need to have good taste.

Think about a DJ. A DJ doesn't write the songs. They didn't play the guitar or sing the vocals. But a DJ is a creator. They select the best songs, mix them together, and create a vibe. They are Curators.

You can be the DJ of your industry.

When you "rewrite" or "remix" a post, you are validating your own voice. You are saying: "I agree with this idea, but here is how I would explain it to my specific friends/colleagues."

This is the bridge across The Gap.

The "Remix" Mindset Shift

Stop trying to be a "Writer." Start trying to be a "Remixer."

• A Writer stares at a blank page and waits for inspiration. (Hard).
• A Remixer looks at what is already working and improves it. (Easy).

When you adopt the Remix Mindset, the pressure disappears. You aren't claiming to be the messiah. You are just sharing what you learned from others, with your own twist.

The 30-Day "Consumer to Creator" Roadmap

If you want to cross the bridge, you need a plan. Here is a 4-week roadmap to go from Lurker to Leader.

Week 1: The Curator (Low Risk)

Goal: Build the habit of posting without the pressure of writing.

• Action: Don't write original posts. Share other people's posts with a "Value Add."
• The Format: "I loved this post by @Name. My biggest takeaway was X. Here is why that matters for [Your Industry]."
• Result: You get used to hitting "Post." You start associating your name with high-quality ideas.

Week 2: The Rewriter (Medium Risk)

Goal: Start using your own voice.

• Action: Use Comment Rocket to find viral posts. Rewrite them for your specific niche.
• The Format: Take a general lesson ("How to be productive") and make it specific ("How to be a productive Project Manager").
• Result: You realize that your specific experience adds value to general advice.

Week 3: The Storyteller (High Reward)

Goal: Inject your personality.

• Action: Take a rewritten post and add a personal story.
• The Format: "I used to struggle with [Problem from Week 2 post]. Last year, I tried [Solution]. Here is what happened..."
• Result: People stop following the "advice" and start following you.

Week 4: The Original (The 1%)

Goal: Synthesize your own ideas.

• Action: Combine two different ideas you've curated into something new.
• The Format: "Everyone says X. But after trying Y, I actually think Z is true."
• Result: Thought Leadership.

Building Your "Swipe File" (Your Secret Weapon)

Great creators don't rely on memory. They rely on systems. You need a "Swipe File"—a digital folder where you save ideas.

• Step 1: Create a folder in your browser bookmarks or Notion called "LinkedIn Swipes."
• Step 2: Every time you scroll and stop to read a post, save it.
• Step 3: Ask yourself: "Why did I stop?" Was it the headline? The image? The controversy?
• Step 4: Tag it (e.g., "Good Hook," "Great List," "Story Structure").

When you sit down to write (or rewrite), open your Swipe File. You will never face a blank page again.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

You will feel like a fraud. This is normal. "Who am I to give advice?"

Flip the question. "Who am I to withhold advice that could help someone?"

If you learned something yesterday, and you share it today, you are helping the person who is where you were two days ago. You don't need to be a Guru on the mountain. You just need to be a Guide on the path, one step ahead.

Common Fears (and How to Kill Them)

"What if my boss sees it?"

This is the #1 fear. The Reality: Your boss should see it. When you write about your industry, you demonstrate expertise. You become an asset to your company. (Unless you are complaining about your job. Don't do that.)

"I don't have enough time."

The Reality: You have the same 24 hours as Justin Welsh. You don't need more time; you need a system. The "Curator" method I outlined above takes 15 minutes. You spend 15 minutes scrolling Instagram. Swap them.

"I'm not a good writer."

The Reality: LinkedIn is not an essay contest. It's a conversation. If you can send a text message or write an email, you can write a LinkedIn post. Simple language wins. Fancy words lose.

The Compounding Effect of Consistency

Why bother doing this? Because content compounds.

• Day 1: You post. 10 people see it. Nothing happens.
• Day 30: You have posted 30 times. You have found your voice. 500 people see it.
• Day 90: You have 90 assets on the internet working for you while you sleep. Recruiters are DMing you. Clients are asking for calls.
• Day 365: You have a personal brand that is an insurance policy for your career.

If you rely on your resume, you are one of 1,000 applicants. If you have a brand, you are the only option.

Conclusion

The internet is a content meritocracy. It doesn't care about your degree, your job title, or your parents. It only cares about one thing: Do you provide value?

You have valuable ideas trapped in your head. You have good taste. You have a unique perspective.

Stop consuming. Stop scrolling. Find one post you love. Rewrite it. Hit post.

Welcome to the 1%.