The Scumbag's Guide to Content Marketing: 53 Ways To Make Your Writing Explode!
Last updated: Aug 15, 2025. DRAFT VERSION
Content marketing is an absolutely critical part of any inbound marketing strategy. Of course, there's just one problem: most people approach it in the wrong way. The pundits and blowhards keep saying that it's a matter of diligence and patience - that you just need to create great content.
"If you build it, he will come." ~ Field of Dreams
The truth is, the "build it and they will come" methodology is a path to ruin. It's like playing the lottery as an investment strategy. Sure, it worked out well for a few, but other investments tend to perform better. When you're writing content, it's absolutely critical to understand that you need to create content that your audience wants. What they should want is irrelevant. Thinking about what would be the most valuable to them is likewise irrelevant and a waste of time.
I've looked back at my long history of well-written, heavily researched content and am shocked that I wasted so much time and effort while others have received far more attention for their inferior work.
I'm not ready to give up. I've spent the past year researching how scumbags
successful internet marketers approach content marketing so as to better understand why they can succeed while
other writers like me failed so miserably.
I'm now convinced that I've cracked the code and devised a repeatable strategy for writing killer content that readers will be delighted to link, discuss and share. Content marketing is no longer something that I fear, or something that's a risk. It's a repeatable process that works!
So without further ado, here are the secrets of content marketing success.
Use them wisely. Oh, and all of the comics on this page are courtesy of XKCD.
Sell what you don't sell