Interview: David Belle

The basics

What made you become a content creator?

David Belle of Macrodesiac: I've been in finance for all of my career and when I was in broking, I was putting out a note per day on LinkedIn. I was speaking with people who had been in the markets a long time, and who liked how I put things. I'll admit it; I'm dumb. So I need to put complex topics into ways that I can understand. I feel (and felt) there is a barrier to a lot of market based knowledge where either the content is too dumbed down or still too complex when referring to these economic and market events that occur. So I wanted to create a platform where my 'dumb' view could be put across for the everyday person to enjoy. I talk about markets as if it's myself and a few mates sitting at a pub after a pint or two (this was my go-to line to describe the tone of Macrodesiac before I went teetotal) and I think it sums it up well.

What are some of the challenges you face as a content creator?

David Belle: It's actually everything apart from content creation - it's the running a business part. It's tiring, frustrating and downright unfair sometimes! I guess this is where having a team comes into play, which I hope to scale up soon. But my business partner Tim has been unbelievable at maintaining the content creation ship.

What are some digital publications that you follow?

David Belle: I'll be honest, actually very few. The reason being is I don't like my view being clouded by unintended sources. Sometimes information overload can occur, and in markets you require a process when creating a strong investment thesis. If there is too much information then you become paralyzed. I prefer using Twitter to arrive at shorter less invasive views and to reach a gauge of sentiment.

Choosing syndication

Why did you decide to syndicate your content with Newstex?

David Belle: Although the publication is focused towards smaller investors, I know for a fact that on trading floors, people don't speak to each other in the tone of corporate research. We don't just talk about basic topics, so what we do talk about caters to the more advanced investor and even institutions (I've seen the emails address domains from people at hedge funds and banks, so they're definitely dialled in!).

Pros and cons

What do you like most about creating digital content?

David Belle: It costs nothing but time and brainpower. There's no requirement to print and you can go to market with your opinion or information in seconds. It's fantastic, and I get excited when I publish every single piece of content, whether it's written, video or in podcast format.

What do you dislike most about creating digital content?

David Belle: I'm not so good at the creative side of things. Video editing, art creation, that sorta thing. I get frustrated when I do something wrong or I don't have the skills to create what I had pictured in my head. Again, it's the ancillary stuff to the actual content creation that bothers me.

What inspires you to keep writing?

David Belle: I desperately want people to know more about what is going on around them, since I reckon most people are being treated unfairly by traditional sources where information is too complex or on the other hand, too patronising. That is 100% what drives me.

What do you think are the benefits of syndicating your content through Newstex?

David Belle: Network effects. Every single outcome of putting out content should be focused towards the network effect, Newstex focuses on more corporate readerships, which is fantastic, and not a demographic we necessarily target with intent.

What are the top 3 tips you can give to others wanting to develop successful digital publications?

David Belle: Write shorter. Write funner. Write dumber. Seriously.

Where do you see your blog in 5 years?

David Belle: I want to be on the train and see someone reading an article. That is the ultimate goal.

What has been your proudest achievement as a blogger?

David Belle: Whenever someone says that they have learnt something, or that Macrodesiac is fantastic or a derivative of either. Just the fact that someone has either enjoyed or learnt from what I have said brings me immense pleasure.

‍