I no longer design architectural plans
I used to be a regular architect, drawing plans and making buildings come alive.
I did this for a long time, over 10 years, and I loved it.
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But a few years ago, something changed.
I realized that, thanks to the Internet, the world was moving very fast.
Even in architecture, things were changing very fast.
AI, automation tools, changing market trends….
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I noticed that architects needed to do more than just draw.
People were looking for architects on the internet.
And young architects wanted to learn new things and be part of this digital world.
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So, I decided to try something new.
I became a content creator.
That means create digital content to share my architectural and business knowledge with the world.
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In this article, I want to tell you why architects like me are doing this.
We'll talk about:
- if it's a good idea (or not)
- how it helps, and
- what architects are doing with all this digital stuff.
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Get ready to learn why more and more architects are also becoming content creators.
It's a new habit that changed my career and can change yours too.
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Getting Noticed
I’m sure you studied hard on architecture school.
I’m sure you work hard when you’re in front of the computer.
And I’m sure you’re able to design incredible buildings.
It's a work of art.
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But there's a problem.
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No one knows about it.
Nobody knows you exist, and how great you are.
It’s the greatest challenge for architects who are not visible.
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In the hyper-connected world, being seen is super important.
Clients want to know who you are, what you've done, and if your style matches what they want.
They're not going through thick phone books anymore.
They're on the internet, searching for architects.
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This is where being a content creator is helpful.
When architects create digital stuff (videos, articles, photos) they can show their work to the whole world.
It's an online gallery where anyone can come and admire your talent.
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Think about it.
You already create videos, articles, photos for your projects.
These are wonderful tools for you to show your work.
You can display your designs, explain how you do things, and let people see your personality.
You’re inviting your customers into your creative world.
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Imagine your future customers looking for an architect online.
They will find your video where you explain how you turned an old warehouse into a cozy office.
They'll be impressed by your skills, your love for design, and how you make things easy to understand.
Who do you think they'll call when they need an architect?
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You.
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So, start using cameras, taking pictures, and writing articles.
Not just to brag how cool your projects are.
But to make sure they're not hidden away.
In this digital age, put a big spotlight on your talent.
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If you don’t know how to start, don’t worry.
You can start by copying other architecture content creators.
Here I gave you the best example I know.
Eric Reinholdt has created the most popular architecture channel on YouTube creating videos about architecture, designing simple modern homes + sharing every step of the design process with his 1M+ followers.
Follow his YouTube channel and take some notes.
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Teaching and Inspiring
Architects do more than draw plans and make buildings.
They have a much bigger role: teachers and motivators.
But how does being a content creator fit into all of this?
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Imagine you make a short video explaining the basics of sustainable architecture.
You take big ideas and make them simple with easy-to-understand visuals.
People watch your video and say:
"Hey, I never knew architecture could be this cool!"
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This is the magic of teaching through content.
Architects have a lot of knowledge about making the world beautiful and practical.
By making videos, articles, or social media posts, they can share this knowledge with everyone.
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But it's not just about teaching. It's also about inspiring.
Think of yourself as a young architect dreaming big.
You find a blog post written by an experienced architect.
They talk about their journey, the tough parts, and the successes.
It inspires you to chase your dream because someone else did it too.
That’s what you will be doing with other architects.
Inspiring them to follow your steps.
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Creating Your Style
There are too many architects in the world.
More than 3 million architects recently.
You need to stand out.
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Easy to say, but not so easy to do.
How can you differentiate yourself from other architects?
Well, it's all about something called a "personal style."
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Imagine you're shopping for a cool gadget.
You have choices like big brands such as Apple and Samsung.
But then you see a smaller brand you've never heard of.
They promise excellent quality.
What makes you trust them?
It's their values. What they believe in. How they work.
And what people say about them.
It’s their own brand or style.
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Can we, architects, do the same thing?
Not only we can. We must.
In a world full of professionals, having a strong personal style is the lighthouse guiding clients to you.
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But how do we build our own style?
By creating our own content.
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Creating stuff that shows your unique style, values, and ideas is the secret.
Let's say you're an architect who loves eco-friendly designs.
You can create content that shows off your projects that help the environment.
You can share tips on how to make buildings use less energy.
People start to see you as the go-to architect for green solutions.
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When people see your style in your content, they connect with it.
They start to feel like they know you.
It's not just about your design skills.
It's about who you are as an architect.
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My tip
🎓 Stand out from your competitors understanding the Audience – Blue Ocean Strategy Challenge. It will help you define which type of content you need to create in order to design your Personal Style.
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When clients connect with your style, they trust you with their projects.
Remember that Trust is the Cornerstone of your Architecture Business.
They know you're not just any architect.
You're the architect who gets what they want.
You’re the architect they trust.
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Connecting with Clients
Let's switch roles for a second.
Now you're going to be the customer.
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Imagine you're looking for an architect.
You have a design vision, and you need someone who understands it.
Where do you start your search?
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These days, it's usually on your computer or phone.
Clients, especially younger ones, use the internet to find professionals.
They want to see who you are, what you've done, and if you get what they want.
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So, architects, it's not just about being a great designer.
It's about being where your potential clients are – online.
It's about connecting with them through digital stuff.
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Creating digital content will open a window into your world.
You can share stories about your projects.
You can share your design style.
And even the challenges you've faced and overcome.
Especially those kind of challenging contents help to increase trust.
When potential clients see this, they start to feel a connection with you.
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Now imagine someone scrolling through their social media feed.
They come across a post from an architect showing before-and-after photos of a renovation project.
The architect explains the process in simple terms, making it easy to understand.
That potential customer thinks:
"This architect knows what they're doing. He made it easy to understand."
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This is how architects are using social media to connect with clients.
When clients feel a connection, they're more likely to reach out to you.
They know you're not just a name on a website.
You're a real person who can make their dreams come true.
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My tip: Use social media to bridge the gap between you and your clients.
🎓 Learn how to use Social media tools with the Marketing – Social Media Challenge. Make sure clients feel comfortable and confident in choosing you as their architect.
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Staying Up-to-Date
The world of architecture is always changing.
New stuff, new ways of doing things, and new ideas keep popping up.
Architects need to stay on top of all this to stay good at what they do.
But how does content creation fit into this?
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Imagine you're an architect who's been doing this for a while.
You've seen a lot of changes, and you want to keep up.
Well, here's the secret: making digital stuff keeps architects connected to the latest things in their field.
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Think about it.
When you make videos about cool building materials or write about new design ideas, you're not just sharing knowledge, you're also learning new stuff.
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It's like a two-way street.
You're teaching, and you're learning at the same time.
You're exploring new ideas and staying curious.
And in a field that's always changing, staying curious is super important.
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Imagine you decide to make a series of videos talking about the future of cool, eco-friendly buildings.
You talk to experts, visit awesome projects, and share what you learn.
In the process, you dive deep into the world of sustainability and gain a ton of knowledge.
As a result, you become someone everyone trusts in your area of expertise.
Clients and other architects look up to you not just for your design skills but also for your understanding of the newest stuff.
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Use cameras and pens not only to teach others but also to stay in the loop about the latest trends.
Embrace change. Stay curious. And be a source of knowledge for others.
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Exploring New Business
Being an architect also about finding new ways to do business.
In today's digital world, architects are discovering fresh opportunities, and making content plays a big part.
It might be that you're an architect with a successful practice, but you want to do more.
You want to reach more people and have different ways to earn money.
That's where using digital content comes in.
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Architects can use their online presence to unlock new opportunities.
Let's say you're really into eco-friendly designs.
Or sustainability, I don’t care.
You can create online courses to teach others how to make green buildings.
People from all over can sign up, expanding your reach way beyond your local area.
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Or maybe you're an architect who loves sharing design tips.
You can offer consulting services online.
Clients who need advice on their home projects or building ideas can connect with you no matter where they are.
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And don't forget about design.
Architects can use their creative minds to make cool stuff related to buildings, like furniture or eco-friendly materials.
With a strong online presence, they can sell these products to a big audience.
Like selling their previous projects plans to other customers.
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Digital tools like these can turn your career into something exciting, beyond the usual.
Use your skills and ideas to reach more people and find new roads to make more money.
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What did I learn?
There are many things that I learned being a content creator.
But these are the 3 main points I recommend:
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Visibility is Vital
In our digital age, we must showcase our work online to reach potential clients and collaborators. If not, we’re dead. Literally.
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Educate and Inspire
We are not just designers, we are educators and inspirers.
Creating content helps us share our expertise and passion with the world.
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Building a Personal Brand
We can stand out by creating content that reflects our unique style and values, helping us connect with clients and peers.
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Becoming content creators helped me adapt, stay relevant, and open up new opportunities.
In an industry that’s changing so fast, these opportunities are vital to survive.
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Conclusion
Becoming a content creator is a good reason for an architect.
It's not just a trend; it's a must in our digital age.
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By using digital media, we can:
- connect with more clients
- stay up-to-date
- discover new business opportunities
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We do not only design buildings but also educate and inspire.
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So, if you're an architect thinking of becoming a content creator, remember this:
You need to stand out and differentiate yourself from the rest of the architects.
Use digital tools to amplify your impact, share your vision, and create a lasting legacy.
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Becoming a content creator isn't just a choice.
It's one of the keys to success in today's competitive architecture world.
Evolve. Adapt. And create more content.
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This is how you build a successful architecture business, my dear friend.
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Whenever you're ready, there are 2 ways I can help you with:
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1. If you're still looking for traction in your architecture business, subscribe to the Wisdom for the Modern Architect Newsletter. Every week you will get actionable ideas, mental models and resources to help you build a profitable business.
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2. In case you want to level up your business, you can get Full Access to the Global Architect Roadmap, and unlock Challenge & Solutions with all the resources and tools, exclusively reserved for our paid members, by Upgrading your Membership.
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See you around ✌️
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