Simple Formula for Expert Content

If you're tired of spending hours crafting expert posts that get 3 likes and a cricket emoji, this content strategy is for you.

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The Problem Every Expert Faces

You know your stuff. You have years of experience, valuable insights, and genuine expertise to share. But somehow, your LinkedIn posts feel like they're disappearing into a black hole.

If it sounds familiar, you're not alone.

Most experts make the same mistake: they lead with solutions instead of connecting with problems. They share what they know without first making their audience feel seen and understood.

        

Introducing the Problem-Story-Solution Formula

Step 1: Start with a Relatable Problem (1 sentence)

Open with something your audience is actually experiencing right now. Make them think, "Yes! That's exactly what I'm dealing with!"

Step 2: Share a Mini-Story from Your Experience (2-3 sentences)

This is where the magic happens. Share a real moment when you faced this exact problem. Be specific, be vulnerable, be human.

Step 3: Give One Actionable Solution (1-2 sentences)

End with something they can actually do today. Not a vague suggestion - a concrete next step.

        

Why This Formula Works So Well

It Creates Instant Connection: When you start with a problem, people stop scrolling. They think, "Wait, how did they know I was struggling with this?"

Stories Build Trust: When you share your own experience with the problem, you're not just another expert giving advice - you're someone who's been in their shoes.

Solutions Drive Action: By ending with one clear, actionable step, you give people a reason to engage, save your post, and follow you for more insights.

        

Real Example: How I Used This Formula

Problem (1 sentence):

"Are you afraid to use AI to help with your content?"

Story (2-3 sentences):

"Last month I was stuck with ideas and spent 2 hours researching and writing a LinkedIn post. Then I remembered my own framework and principle: use AI to speed up research and use creativity to improve my personal story. The post took 10 minutes to write and got 1.5x more engagement than my usual expert posts."

Solution (1-2 sentences):

"Quick tip: Use AI or SetMindset for research and template post generation, then spend your creativity on personalizing the post to make it uniquely yours."

        

Step-by-Step: How to Create Your Own Problem-Story-Solution Post

Step 1: Identify Your Audience's Pain Points

Think about the questions you get asked most often. What keeps your ideal clients awake at night?

Common pain points for entrepreneurs:

• Struggling with consistent content creation
• Feeling overwhelmed by social media platforms
• Not knowing how to showcase expertise authentically
• Difficulty converting followers into clients

Step 2: Find Your Relevant Story

Look for moments when you experienced this exact problem. The more specific and recent, the better.

Good story elements:

• A specific time and place
• What you were feeling in that moment
• What you tried that didn't work
• The breakthrough moment
• The concrete result you achieved

Step 3: Craft Your Actionable Solution

Give them one thing they can do right now. Not a complete system - just the first step.

        

More Problem-Story-Solution Examples

Example 1: Time Management

Problem: "Spending hours on content creation but getting zero engagement?"

Story: "Last Tuesday, I spent 3 hours crafting what I thought was the perfect LinkedIn post about productivity. Posted it at 9 AM, checked back at lunch - 2 likes. I realized I was writing for myself, not my audience. So I rewrote it in 15 minutes, focusing on one specific problem my clients face. Result: 47 comments and 3 new client inquiries."

Solution: "Before writing your next post, ask: 'What problem did I solve for a client this week?' Start there."

        

Advanced Tips for Maximum Impact

Use Numbers in Your Stories.

Instead of "I got more engagement," say "I got 1.5x more engagement." Specific numbers make your stories more credible and memorable.

Include Emotions.

Don't just share what happened—share how you felt. "I was frustrated," "I felt like giving up," "I was excited to discover..."

Make It Recent.

Recent stories feel more relevant. Use phrases like "last week," "yesterday," or "this morning" when possible.

        

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Making the Problem Too Broad

"Struggling with marketing" is too vague. "Posting consistently but getting no comments" is specific and relatable.

Mistake 2: Giving Too Many Solutions

One clear, actionable step is better than five vague suggestions.

Mistake 3: Skipping the Story

The story is what makes you human and builds connection. Don't jump straight from problem to solution.

        

Your Content Challenge

Template to get you started:

• Problem: "Are you [specific struggle your audience faces]?"
• Story: "Last [timeframe], I [specific situation]. [What you learned/discovered]. [Specific result]."
• Solution: "[One actionable step they can take today]."

Why This Works Better Than Traditional Expert Content:

Traditional expert posts: "Here are 5 tips for better content creation: 1) Plan ahead, 2) Use templates..."

Problem-Story-Solution posts: "Spending 3 hours on posts that get 2 likes? Last month I was in the exact same spot until I discovered..."

Which one would you rather read?

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Try this formula today!

The second approach works because it starts with a problem you recognize, shares a relatable story, and gives you hope that there's a solution that actually works.

Stay creative,
Lisa ✨