The 4 Types of Learners and How To Create Content for Them
Last Updated on December 30, 2019 by candidcashflow
Most people have an idea of how they learn the best. I mentioned in last week’s episode the job I had out in Las Vegas as a
Technical Writer. It was at that position that I first learned about the 4 types of learners, and how to create content to cater to each style.
The 4 types of learners are based on the VARK modalities. The idea goes as follows:
- V = Visual
- A – Aural or Auditory
- R – Reading/Writing
- K = Kinesthetic – learn through touch
More than one of these may apply to you, but you probably know which one of them suits you the best. In this episode, we’re going to discuss the 4 types of learners in relation to the type of content you create. Then, we’ll discuss how to adapt that content to reach a larger audience.
How To Create Content for the 4 Types of Learners
There’s a lot to consider. First off, should you be making content at all? You don’t necessarily have to create content to have an online business. Perhaps selling is your thing. You need a product, not necessarily content.
Today, I want to focus on the content creators. What kind of content can you create easily, and what kind is more a challenge for you?
I struggle with video, for example. I’ve actually resisted video for a long time and actually opted to go with podcasting instead of focusing on video.
The problem is…video is HUGE. It can also be key in building your credibility online.
So, is video a bad place for me to focus?
In the scheme of content creation vs. consumption, I decided a long time ago, that creation is my thing. Yes, I consume a crazy amount of online content, but I take it a step further as a creator.
In order to reach more of my audience, the more types of content I can create, the better.
The strategy here is to focus where you are the best, and then adapt that content to fit with other mediums.
When I worked as a Technical Writer, the first type of content we focused on and created was written. They were called Learning Activities.
As a result, I’ve always favored creating content that teaches. Once we had a polished piece of written content, we then turned it into audio. We did this for 2 reasons:
- To cater to the auditory learners in the company.
- To provide for the non-native English speakers and those who may not read well.
Even if your preferred learning method is reading, having audio enhances your experience.
Providing more than one mode of learning multiplies the number of people who are able to consume your content effectively.
Not only is writing the type of content I am best at creating, I never have to worry about having my podcast transcribed. This can be costly, and never perfectly accurate.
This is also the most time-consuming part of creating The Candid Cashflow Podcast. I spend on average 4 hours on the initial writing. Then I spend probably another 2 or 3 hours polishing.
I add images, proofread, add links, and prepare the show notes during that time.
This is something that I am to change in the near future by going by an outline rather than reading a script.
Once all of that is complete, I record. Recording takes under 2 hours, and I edit at the same time.
When an episode goes live, several things happen:
- My blog post publishes to my site
- A downloadable PDF is available to those on the go
- My podcast episode is fed out via all the channels so it can be listened to by my audience
There are other things that happen as well through various forms of automation I have set up. For example, a blurb and link are posted to LinkedIn and Tumblr.
Back in the day, this all would have been enough to draw a decent crowd. As time goes forward, more people create content and the competition is fierce. The audience only increases in size though.
Remember this: Your audience is only going to increase over time. You simply have to attract them with the best content.
A Strategy for Your Flagship Content
So, you are bent on creating content as a large part of your online strategy? Awesome.
What kind? What are you good at?
I just mentioned that I start with writing because that’s what I’m good at. Then I adapt.
Maybe video is your thing. Start there. Make a lot of videos.
Make your content with the thought in mind that you intend to adapt it to different mediums.
Say you make a video on how to tie your shoe…
Later on, you can grab the transcript either from YouTube or use Otter.ai to transcribe it. Boom, you’ve got a blog post!
Embed your video in your post!
You’ve just covered half of the 4 types of learners.
Since the nature of your video is to teach your audience how to do something, it should illustrate to them how to do that something. Thus, they can learn by doing which covers the kinesthetic learners.
You can easily turn video into audio with a downloader like ytmp3.cc which will download the audio from any YouTube video.
We just covered all of the ways to repurpose content in Episode 31 of The Candid Cashflow Podcast. This is certainly along that same vein.
Be sure to grab the show notes so you get all the links and goodies at HeyYoAva.com/Episode33.
By the time you’re done, you’ve covered all 4 types of learners. Check it out:
- Your video covers the visual learners.
- Your audio or podcast covers the auditory learners.
- Your blog post covers the reading/writing learners.
- Your tutorial covers the kinesthetic learners.
That’s powerful, my friend!
What Content Should I Put On My Website?
This is simple…ALL of it.
Your website should be the hub of everything you do online. Load it up with EVERYTHING you create. Your website is your Queen Anne’s Revenge…it’s the flagship of your flotilla. Blackbeard didn’t put 3 or 4 cannon on his flagship, he loaded her down with a whopping 44 guns!
My website hosts my podcast, the corresponding blog posts, the downloadables, and a lot more.
I’ve had many websites over the years. The difference between those sites and HeyYoAva.com is this is the first time where I have created content on a consistent basis over a long period.
Now I’m currently in the process of moving my podcast content to a new home.
When I first published this podcast episode and article, my website had 35 blog posts and was beginning to draw regular traffic organically. I can only expect my numbers to increase as I continue publishing.
So, put EVERYTHING on your website. Why not? It’s yours, and it’s about you and your brand.
What Kind of Content Should I Make?
Well, video, audio, and written stuff, duh!
Oh, you meant in addition to what we’re talking about here.
You should create content that is easiest for you.
You should create content that you are passionate about because let’s face it, you’re going to be eating, sleeping, and living it. Not to mention, passion comes through in your creation.
You should adhere to this general rule when creating content: create content that solves a problem or answers a question.
After all, you can’t really be fulfilled by creating content unless what you’re doing matters somehow. I’ve seen a lot of people who make a lot of money online, yet they still take time to teach others by creating content that teaches.
Most of the time, when you set out to help others, the rest falls into place. That’s why you see a lot of people online who focus solely on helping others learn what they know. Money, a strong network, travel, and more are usually natural by-products of this type of focus.
Make the type of content that makes you feel like you’re doing something worthwhile.
This content was originally published on July 18. 2018 as the corresponding blog post when the podcast episode was released. It has been updated and moved to it’s new home here at CandidCashflow.com.
