Stop Chasing Content Ideas. Build Your 3 Core Narratives Instead
If you've ever stared at your phone thinking, "What am I supposed to post today?" you're not alone.
Most developing artists struggle with consistency, but not because they lack talent or discipline. They burn out because they're trying to invent brand new content ideas every single day.
Here's the truth: You don't have a content problem. You have a narrative problem.
When you don't know what story you're telling, every post feels like starting from scratch. But once you lock in your 3 Core Narratives, content becomes an engine that builds fans, momentum, and a real career.
What Are Core Narratives?
Your core narratives are the three story lanes your audience will recognize you for. They quickly answer:
What you sound like
Who you are
Why they should care right now
Think of it this way: when someone discovers you for the first time, they subconsciously ask, "Who is this? Do I like them? Should I follow them?"
Your 3 Core Narratives answer those questions over and over, without needing new ideas every day.
Why Most Artists Struggle With Content
Most artists post in one of two ways:
Random Posting: One day it's a cover. Next day it's coffee. Then a quote. Then silence for two weeks. Nothing ties together, so the audience doesn't build familiarity.
Only Posting Music: "New song coming soon!" or random performance clips with no story around them. The content might be good, but it doesn't build emotional connection or consistency.
The goal isn't to post more. The goal is to post with clarity.
The 3 Core Narratives Every Artist Needs
Narrative 1: The Music (What You Make)
This answers: "Why should I listen?"
Your songs, your sound, your message, and the feeling you deliver. This is where you prove you're worth paying attention to.
Content examples:
A 15-second hook or chorus
"Here's what this lyric really means"
Your songwriting process
Acoustic performance clips
Studio moments and demos
Music is essential, but music alone isn't enough.
Narrative 2: The Human (Who You Are)
This answers: "Do I connect with this person?"
This is personality. Real life. Humor, values, and what makes you relatable.
In 2025, audiences crave authenticity over perfection. Research shows that original, entertaining content that humanizes you is one of the top things audiences want to see.
Content examples:
"3 things you wouldn't guess about me"
A moment from your daily life
What you care about and why
Your roots (where you're from, what shaped you)
Honest moments, not just highlights
People don't bond with perfection. They bond with truth.
Narrative 3: The Journey (Where You're Going)
This answers: "Should I root for them?"
This is behind-the-scenes progress. The ups and downs. The grind and the wins.
Recent research shows that 54% of audiences value behind-the-scenes access, and 62% want exclusive previews of new work. This makes people feel like they're watching something unfold in real time.
Content examples:
"Here's what I'm practicing this week"
Rehearsal clips or vocal warmups
"What I learned writing this song"
A setback and what you did next
Milestones (first gig, first co-write, first studio session)
Goal updates and momentum tracking
Fans love being early. They love saying, "I followed them before everyone else knew."
The System: Why 3 Narratives Create Endless Content
Here's the magic: when you have 3 narratives, you never have to "come up with content" again.
You simply ask: Which narrative am I posting from today?
That's it. You stop relying on motivation and start relying on a system.
The 12 Content Lanes (Your Repeatable Framework)
Every narrative can be posted in 4 formats, giving you 12 repeatable lanes:
4 Formats That Work:
Teach something
Show something
Tell a story
Ask a question
Example: Music Narrative
Teach: songwriting lesson
Show: acoustic hook
Tell: story behind a lyric
Ask: "What line hits you the hardest?"
Example: Human Narrative
Teach: mindset or belief
Show: daily life moment
Tell: personal story
Ask: "Anyone else feel this?"
Example: Journey Narrative
Teach: what you're learning
Show: rehearsal/prep/BTS
Tell: setback or breakthrough
Ask: "Want to see the process?"
This keeps your narrative consistent while the format keeps it fresh.
Discover Your 3 Narratives Today
Fill in these sentences:
Music Narrative: "My music sounds like ______ and it makes people feel ______."
Human Narrative: "People connect with me because I'm ______."
Journey Narrative: "I'm building toward ______ and learning ______ right now."
If you can't answer these yet, that's not a problem. That's where real artist development begins.
The Test: Are Your Narratives Strong Enough?
Ask this: If you posted content for 30 days based on these three narratives, would a stranger say:
"I know what they sound like."
"I feel like I know them."
"I want to keep watching their journey."
If yes, you're not just making content. You're building a brand. And brands attract fans.
Quick-Start Prompts (Use These This Week)
MUSIC:
"This song is for anyone who's ever felt ______."
"The lyric that hits me the hardest is..."
"Here's what this hook means..."
HUMAN:
"Here's something people don't know about me..."
"I used to be afraid of ______, but now..."
"The real reason I started writing songs is..."
JOURNEY:
"Here's what I'm working on this week..."
"A mistake I made early on was..."
"My goal for the next 30 days is..."
Pick one from each narrative and you have a full week of content.
Final Thought
The artists who win long-term aren't the ones who post the most.
They're the ones who become recognizable. They create familiarity. They build trust. They make fans feel like they're part of something.
That is what your 3 Core Narratives do.
Your Challenge This Week
Write down your 3 narratives. Post one piece of content from each.
That's it.
Stop trying to be everywhere. Start being clear.
Because talent is real. But structure is what makes talent impossible to ignore.
