Troubleshooting content burnout for founder led brands

TLDR

• Burnout often comes from boredom rather than overwork so pivot to topics that energize you.

• Enthusiasm acts as a force multiplier because audiences can sense when you actually care about the topic.

• Interest driven content attracts higher quality talent who align with your values and culture.

• The best strategy mixes your proven business pillars with personal obsessions to keep the feed fresh.

What is content burnout?

Content burnout is the feeling of dread you get when you open LinkedIn to write another post. It is not always about being tired or overworked. It is often about boredom.

Founders frequently trap themselves in a loop of "best practices." You write the same hooks. You use the same templates. You share the same tactical advice about sales or growth. It works on paper. It generates leads. But eventually it feels like a soul sucking grind.

Will Leatherman at Catalyst hit this exact wall. He built an agency around content yet found himself dreading the process of writing for his own channels. The demand gen tactics were working but the spark was gone.

The solution was not to stop posting. It was to start caring again.

How personal interests drive business results

When you feel stuck the natural instinct is to double down on what works. You force yourself to write more tactical guides because that is what the data says people want.

Will took the opposite approach. He started writing about things he actually loved. He posted about the craft of writing. He shared thoughts on books he was reading. He explored deeper reflections rather than surface level tips.

He expected the metrics to tank. He was willing to sacrifice views for his own sanity.

The opposite happened.

The content performed better. This happens because content transfers energy. When you are genuinely excited about a topic you naturally write with more nuance and care. You do better research. You use better words. The audience can feel that energy shift.

Think of it like exercise. You get better results from a workout you enjoy because you push harder and show up consistently. The same logic applies to building brand moats through content.

Why does this work for hiring?

Most founders struggle to hire great content talent. You can post job descriptions and run ads all day but you often end up with a weak pipeline.

This is where interest driven content becomes a secret weapon.

When Will shifted his content to focus on reading and craft he started attracting a different caliber of candidate. People who loved deep work and serious writing saw his posts. They resonated with the values he was sharing.

One standout editor applied specifically because she saw a post about asking candidates for their favorite books. That single piece of content acted as a filter. It repelled the people who just wanted a paycheck. It attracted the people who shared the company's DNA.

Your personal interests are often signals for the type of people you want to hire. Founders who love endurance sports often attract disciplined operators. Founders who love design attract detail oriented builders.

How to fix your content mix today

You do not need to delete your entire strategy to fix burnout. You just need to rebalance the portfolio. Audit your energy levels

Look at your content calendar. Identify the topics that make you groan when you see them. Keep the ones that still work but acknowledge they drain you.

Identify your obsessions

List two or three things you love outside of work. Maybe it is history or fitness or cooking. Write down how those interests shape your thinking as a leader. There is almost always a business lesson hidden in your hobbies.

Create a blended mix

Keep posting your core business content. We know that tactical guides and case studies drive revenue. But start weaving in your interest driven posts alongside them. Aim for a mix where you share your personal obsessions once or twice a week.

Use enthusiasm as a metric

Stop looking only at likes and impressions. Start tracking how you feel when you hit publish. If a specific topic makes you excited to write then treat that as valuable data. Optimize for longevity.

The goal is to build a content strategy you can run for years. That requires a fuel source that goes beyond duty. It requires genuine interest.

If you are feeling stuck you might just need to be a little more selfish with your topics. Write what you love. The results will follow.