How to know if your content works (and you’ve got Content Market Fit)

I thought more content was the answer.

After building multiple businesses, I was sure I knew how to validate my new venture. Post consistently. Show up daily. The results would follow.

So I created content. A lot of it.

I was doing everything "right"—but nothing was really working.

Then I realized: I was creating content without validating if my message actually resonated.

Here’s what nobody tells you about content creation: 

Volume doesn’t validate your niche. Strategic testing does.

I’ll share how I learned this and how you can apply this to validate your content so you can achieve Content Market Fit. 

Ever wondered why your content isn’t resonating?

I’ve been there.

Back when I re-committed to creating content in 2022, I was all over the place. I posted random business advice on Instagram and LinkedIn. I tried coming up with content from my personal experiences, and I also copied what went viral for other people.

But even though I grew my audience a tiny bit, I wasn’t building a brand, and I certainly wasn’t saying anything coherent.

Then, I took a step back and stopped posting altogether. I did immense self-discovery. I built my first course, Start a Writing Business in 7 Days.

But as I finished the course, and worked with people to implement it, I realized few people were ready for advanced strategies—they needed something foundational first. That’s when I discovered the first thing they truly needed was to find their niche.

That’s when I began putting together my next program, Find Your Unique Niche. I had 75 people test it and provide feedback. I also worked with creators 1:1 to coach them through the program.

Then, I started posting on LinkedIn about my perspective on “finding your niche.” As I continued posting, within 3 weeks I started to become known as the “crazy niche girl,” and over time, I refined my messaging more and more.

Months later, I’ve completely revamped my program into what it is today (Nicheology Academy) based on testing, feedback, and iterations.

Here’s what I learned: Testing your messaging is the bridge between articulating your unique perspective and what resonates with your ideal audience.

Next, I'll share 4 steps to confirm you’ve achieved Content Market Fit.

Step 1: Start with text-based content first

Before experimenting with multiple formats, nail down your messaging in written form. Writing forces clarity, allowing you to refine your Core Point of View before branching into other content types.

Try this: 

1. Start by posting text-based content—short-form posts on LinkedIn, X, or Threads, and a newsletter to gather emails and build trust through long form content. 

2. Track which concepts and messaging get the most engagement from your ideal audience before expanding into other formats like video or carousel posts.

5 tests to measure Content Market Fit:

1. Are you using their language? 

2. Does your Point of View resonate?

3. Are you targeting a real problem?

4. Are you speaking to their desired outcome?

5. Do they want your approach?

Keep reading for a full breakdown at the end!

Once your messaging is validated, you can confidently repurpose your best-performing text-based content into visual and video formats, knowing that the message already resonates with your audience.

I’ve built my audience on LinkedIn and my business, Nicheology, without any video content, paid ads, or engagement pods. Purely by testing and refining my messaging and approach to the solution.

Step 2: Test different wording

Your audience needs to hear your message in their language.

Nicheology’s approach to content validation starts with clarifying your Core Point of View (POV) and testing different messaging to see what truly connects with your ideal audience. 

This means going beyond generic engagement and identifying specific audience reactions that mean they resonate with what you’re saying.

Try this: Share your core Point of View using three different angles:

• Inspiration: “Don’t do this, do this.”

• Critique: “Why [x] is terrible advice.”

• Actionable: “The [framework] for [achieving desired outcome]”

What to watch for in comments:

1. Validation comments: “This finally makes sense! I’ve been struggling with this for years.” – This shows your message is clarifying a problem your audience deeply feels.

2. Reframing comments: “I never thought about it this way, but now I see why I’ve been stuck.” – Indicates your messaging is shifting perspectives, a key sign of deep resonance.

3. Personal reflection comments: “This is exactly what I needed today. I’ve been thinking about this but didn’t have the words for it.” – Your message is hitting at the right time for your audience.

If you see these patterns emerging, double down on the message variation that resonates most. 

Step 3: Tell related, personal stories

Nothing connects more than authenticity.

Try this: Experiment with different types of stories to showcase the transformation your Niche of One offers. 

1. Start with your Why Story—your brand’s origin story that pulls from your Messy Life Story to reinforce your messaging. 

2. Then, explore other storytelling angles to see what resonates most with your ideal audience.

Types of Stories to Test:

Your Why Story	How your personal journey led you to your unique niche. (E.g., "I struggled for years with finding my niche until I realized...")
Contrarian	A story that challenges conventional wisdom and shifts perspective. (E.g., "Most people believe X, but my experience showed me Y...")
Lessons Learned from Failure	A transparent look at a time when things didn’t work and what it taught you. (E.g., "I launched a course that flopped, but the real lesson was...")
Behind-the-Scenes	A personal look into your thought process and how your messaging has evolved. (E.g., "I used to believe Y, but after X, I discovered...")

How to apply this: 

1. Testing different stories builds trust and helps you discover the most compelling way to communicate your unique value. 

2. Pay attention to audience responses—look for comments like: "This hit home for me!" or "I feel like you’re telling my story." These signals confirm you’re on the right track.

Step 4: Use these 5 tests to measure Content Market Fit

I've discovered 5 crucial tests that reveal if your Niche of One messaging resonates.

Run your content through these tests to see if it’s actually working:

1. You're using their language when they say: 

• "I've been saying this exact thing!" 
• "That's the perfect way to describe it"
• "I love how you call it [your term]"

2. Your Point of View resonates when they say:

• “Yes, you’re right! [repeating your Point of View]”
• "This completely changed how I think about [topic]" 
• "I never saw it this way before" 
• "This should be common knowledge"
• "You're making me question everything I thought I knew"

3. You're targeting a real problem when they say: 

• "I've been struggling with this forever" 
• "This is exactly what I've been dealing with" 
• "I thought I was the only one who felt this way" 
• "You just described my situation perfectly" 
• "Why has no one talked about this before?"

4. You're speaking to their desired outcome when they say: 

• "Yes! I want to double my revenue this year" 
• "That's my goal too - to quit my 9-5" 
• "I'm also trying to reach 10k subscribers"
• "I want passive income so badly" 
• "Growing my email list to 5k is exactly what I need"

5. They want your approach when they say: 

• "Can you tell me more about how you do this?" 
• "Where can I learn more about your system?" 
• "This makes so much more sense than [alternative]" 
• "Finally, a way that actually makes sense"

 

Do this next

Pick your last 5 pieces of content and score them using these 5 tests:

• 1 = No evidence

• 2 = Some signs

• 3 = Strong signals

Total score under 22? Your message needs refinement.
Score above 22? Double down on what’s working.

Reply to this email or DM me on LinkedIn with your score, and let me know if you have questions!

Wrap up 

Stop throwing content at the wall. Start testing strategically.

Your audience is waiting for the right message. Make sure you're sending it.

Remember: When you’re learning what works, the goal isn’t to create more content. It’s to create intentional content that validates your unique value. Then keep doing what works.

Thanks for reading, see you back here next week!

—Cait