Issue #180 | February 3rd, 2026

Presented by HighLevel​

Hey there,

I know I've been talking a lot about short-form video lately (and if you're crushing it in the 30-Day Video Challenge, keep going — you're doing amazing! So many of you are already seeing real results!). But I didn't want to leave my long-form creators hanging. This one's for all you podcasters and YouTube creators who prefer the deep dive over the quick hit.

Every industry has its predictable patterns. When Apple releases a new iPhone, tech reviewers rush to be first. When a celebrity scandal breaks, entertainment channels race to cover it. When a new business trend emerges, entrepreneurs flood social media with their hot takes.

For a few weeks, it's all anyone talks about. Then the hype dies, the audience moves on, and all that content becomes irrelevant. In many cases, forgotten.

That's what short-form video is great for. But in the long-form game, I like to take a different approach that lets my videos work for me long after they’re published.

I used to think I needed to be part of that race: to be first, to be fastest, to chase the hot new thing.

Then I realized something: what if I zigged when everyone else zagged?

Let's get unstuck.

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Story of the Week

The Problem with Chasing the New

Here's what happens when you chase the latest trend: your content has an expiration date. A video titled "NEW iPhone Review!" feels stale a month later and completely irrelevant a year later. You end up in a content treadmill, constantly creating more because your old stuff stops working.

But what if there was a different approach?

The Power of Timeless Stories

In my Pokémon content, instead of covering the newest card sets like everyone else, I focus on older, "forgotten" sets and turn them into stories. I don't position them as new — I position them as classic, or I build challenges around them that anyone can relate to, whether they're into Pokémon or not.

For example, instead of "New Set Review," we might create "Completing a 25-Year-Old Set in 48 Hours.” The story is universal and relatable, and it doesn't depend on being first or fresh. In fact, most of the time, the name isn’t even in the title or thumbnail.

The results? Every single video using this strategy has surpassed 1 million views. Some have reached 20+ million. This approach works so well that some individual videos have earned over 100,000 subscribers and generated significant income through ads, not to mention the long-term opportunity to build loyal fans.

Why Evergreen Beats Trending

Longevity: A great story works just as well today as it will next year. People discovering your content months later still get the full value.

Less Competition: While everyone fights over the same trending topic, you have an entire back catalog of possibilities to choose from.

Better Storytelling: When you're not rushing to be first, you can take time to craft a compelling narrative that actually resonates.

Compound Growth: Evergreen content keeps working for you, building views and subscribers long after you hit publish.

How to Find Your Zig

Look at your industry or niche and ask yourself:

• What is everyone talking about right now?
• What has everyone forgotten about?
• What timeless story could you tell using older, overlooked material?
• How can you frame it so it's relevant to anyone, not just insiders?

Instead of asking "What's new?" ask "What's timeless?"

The Quality Over Speed Approach

Yes, I could chase every new trend and try to be first. But instead, I choose quality over speed, story over news, and evergreen over trending.

This doesn't mean ignoring what's current — it means not being enslaved by it. When everyone else is fighting for the same slice of attention, you can create something that stands the test of time.

Your Zig Challenge

This week, instead of creating content about the latest trend in your space, try this:

1. Identify what everyone is currently talking about
2. Look for something older or overlooked in your niche
3. Find the universal story within that overlooked topic
4. Create content that would be just as relevant a year from now

Remember: trends come and go, but great stories are forever. While everyone else is zagging toward the shiny new thing, your zig toward timeless content might just be what sets you apart.

Here's to zigging when others zag!

Quote of the Week

"When everyone is zigging, zag."

—Marty Neumeier

SPI News and Notes

The 30-Day Video Challenge is wrapping up, and we’re throwing a live celebration to spotlight everything that was accomplished! Join me next Thursday, February 12th, at 12:00 PM PT / 3:00 PM ET for wins, shoutouts, what’s next for your video series, and an exclusive offer you won’t want to miss. Didn’t join the challenge this time? You’re still invited! You’ll get an inside look at how it went, hear real experiences, and see if it’s something you’d like to join next time. Click here to automatically RSVP!​

Perfection is out. Authenticity is in. In this episode of The Smart Passive Income Podcast, I discuss the countermovement pushing back against our artificial modern landscape — and why “less produced” content is actually your biggest advantage. Tune in to this episode to take action and start attracting a following around your mission! Want to get an email from me every time I release a new podcast episode? Click here, and I’ll make sure you never miss out!

Ready to get started with short-form video right away? My newest course, Short-Form Formula, teaches you how to build your own daily content series, grow an audience, establish efficient (and realistic) workflows, and turn casual viewers into superfans. Learn more about Short-Form Formula!​

Cheers,

Pat Flynn

Co-founder, SPI Media

Dad Joke of the Week

I gave up my seat on the bus to a blind lady…

And that is how I lost my job as a bus driver.