Write Better for Your Business Using the Enneagram: Identify Content Strengths and Blocks

 Sharing content, whatever the platform or media, is a vital part of any business. Without it potential customers will have a hard time knowing who you are, what you stand for, how you can help, or even who you help. 

Your marketing efforts help you stay top of mind, differentiate your business from others, and connect with potential buyers in a more meaningful way. 

Putting yourself out there with your content and marketing isn't always easy though. From knowing what to write about, to getting over the fear of what others will think, to remembering to not only help with your content, but sale too - there's a lot of opportunities to get stuck. 

Our personalities can influence which marketing challenges we struggle with the most. Read on below to see if you see your reoccuring content block and also give yourself credit and ensure you're leaning into your content strength!  

Type 1: The Improver, Perfectionist 

Content Strength - Ones have a strong desire to improve things and make the world around them better. They are driven by a mission bigger than themselves and genuinely care for the common good. They put out high-quality content with care and thought, always striving towards a standard of excellence.

Content Blocker - Because Ones are so focused on putting out the highest quality of work, sometimes they can get caught spending too much time trying to make a single piece of content perfect and delay ever getting something actually published. Whether its a blog, social media post, or a podcast, don't let perfection be the enemy of progress. 

Type 2: The Helper, The Giver

Content Strength - Twos are driven to help and care for others. You can count on their content to be empathetic, encouraging, andbe something that is truly helpful to others. 

Content Blocker - They can be so focused on giving and providing value that they end up only sharing helpful content and never about their paid services (but that’s helpful too!)

Type 3: The Achiever, The Role Model

Content Strengths - Threes tend to have efficient writing systems and clear goals for their content. Each piece has a purpose. Like Twos, they tend to be excellent at reading people so they understand who’s reading and what they need to hear.

Content Blocker - With such a focus on success, Threes can get down if their content doesn’t “perform” right away. They may think their effort isn't working if they don’t get results right away. 

Type 4: The Individualist, The Artist

Content Strength - Fours have a reputation for being creative for a reason. They tend to seek out the significance and meaning in the world around them, pulling inspiration from those insights and experiences. More than any other Enneagram type, Fours are comfortable sitting with uncomfortable feelings or situations. You won't find them putting a positive spin on everything, but instead sharing deep and relatable content others can really relate to 

Content Blocker - They can get stuck thinking they have to completely reinvent the wheel and share something that has never been said or done before. At this point in our timeline, that's going to be difficult, so instead focus on being creative by putting your own spin on something that's already out there - think musical remixes :) 

Type 5: The Observer, The Expert

Content Strength - Fives are the ultimate thought leader. They are curious, knowledgeable, and willing to dedicate the time to dive deep into a subject, backing up what they share with data, research and analysis. 

Content Blocker - Fives can get caught up in needing to know everything about everything. If they're going to hit publish or record, they want to know that they'll be prepared for all questions that might come up. This is great at times and other times it can prevent them from moving forward and making progress. 

Type 6 - The Loyalist, The Troubleshooter

Content Strength - Sixes are excellent at distilling complicated topics into bite-sized easy to understand content for their readers. 

Content Blocker - At the same time, because they have researched so much (in their heads with our 5s and 7s) they can flood their audience with too much information at one time.

Type 7 - The Enthusiast, The Multi-tasker

Content Strength - Sevens are extremely visionary and with their charm and enthusiasm for new ideas, they get readers excited about almost anything they're sharing.  Sevens tend to be intellectually stimulating and are really good at finding unexpected connections between things.

Content Blocker -  Because they have so many ideas and thoughts firing at all times inside that head of theirs, Sevens have a tendency to struggle with the follow through of actually bring their new content idea to life. They may struggle with sticking to a content schedule, which can make it hard to follow along with and know what to expect as a follower, reader, or listener.

Type 8 - The Challenger, The Protector 

Content Strength - Eights fight for the injustices in their industry, community and the world. They are direct communicators and aren't afraid to stand up and share opinions, expose injustices, and protect those they care about.

Content Blocker -  Eights deeply feel being weak or vulnerable, which makes sharing anything about themselves difficult. They can seem unrelatable because of they rarely, if ever, open up. 

Type 9 - The Peacemaker, The Mediator 

Content Strength - Nines are very inclusive and open. They're able to sit in the grey and see multiple perspectives, using their content to bring people together.

Content Blocker - Many Nines feel invisible and that their opinion doesn’t matter so when it comes to sharing content online they make think, "Why try?" OR be so out of touch with their own thoughts and opinions they're unclear of what they believe in or feel passionate about sharing. 

Listen to my interview on the Cocktails and Content Creation podcast with Kate and Jessica that inspired this article :) 

👉 Are you an business owner or personal brand looking to harness the power of your personality and passion to grow your sales and marketing efforts in a an authentic way that works - for you? Check out the Enneagram for Entrepreneurs Program: 

https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-coaching

👉Do you lead a sales or marketing team and are interested in bringing the Enneagram to the group? Learn more about team trainings and workshops here: 

https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

🎙️Catch the latest episode on the Enneagram MBA podcast here: https://www.enneagrammba.com/podcast