I saw this list a while back—unsure about the source but found it worthwhile.
Here's a list of what I
wish I would've known sooner (in no particular order):
1.
You
are creative. Everyone is creative.
2.
You
don’t have to be a "guru" or an expert – just be a person, learning
in public.
3.
Don’t
reinvent the wheel, but don’t blindly follow the model either.
4.
Relationships
with people that know, like, and trust you is more valuable long-term than
anything else.
5.
One
of the best ways to strengthen your relationships are to be the bridge
connecting others.
6.
Being
a creator helps you to form those relationships at scale.
7.
Consistency
is an important part of building trust with your audience.
8.
Consistency
comes at a high cost – your time. Are you willing to commit that?
9.
Find
ways to create value for others first. Worry about capturing part of it once
you've solved for creating it.
10. Writing doesn’t need to be profound – it needs to
be relatable.
11. When you're telling a story, don't be the hero. The
viewer is the hero, and you are there to be a guide.
12. Your trajectory is more likely to be quickly
impacted by distribution rather than quality of work.
13. Play nicely with search and discovery engines –
their distribution will help you build more quickly.
14. Ultimately, even if you have distribution, you need
to be sharing your unique voice.
15. You need reps to build confidence and find your
voice. So don't beat yourself up if you prioritize reps ahead of discovery.
16. This all takes a long time – so start ASAP!
17. Find a platform and medium you enjoy. You’ll need
enjoy the process long before you can ever enjoy the results.
18. In the beginning, you will still be feeling things
out. But you'll know when things feel directionally correct.
19. Once you decide what you want to create and share
with the world, raise your quality standards.
20. As you really narrow in on your direction, try to
be world class.
21. Audio, video, and editing skills will save you a
lot of money and cost you a lot of time.
22. No matter the medium, you'll still need to get
comfortable with writing.
23. Start with ConvertKit to get the word
out.
24. Don’t even look at who unsubscribed.
25. Your early subscribers will be friends, family, and
haters (almost all of whom aren't your target audience).
26. You'll see a dip in attention a few weeks or months
after starting. That's OK – it's just a cleansing.
27. Don’t let money affect your expression. Find ways
of earning an income so you don't poison your work.
28. When you’re afraid to hit publish, that’s probably
your best content. Listen to that signal and follow through.
29. Rejection gets a lot easier. Once you're comfortable with it, that's a superpower.
30. Your "launches" will be underwhelming. Be
thankful for the small wins.
31. People will be less supportive than you’d think.
But no one owes you anything. Be grateful for every ounce of support.
32. You can stand out by being personally supportive of
other creatives. Be a power up.
33. Don’t react emotionally. Pause, reflect, and
respond appropriately.
34. If you don’t want to do __, don’t tell
yourself that you have to. If you hate doing it, we will sense it.
35. Do one platform/medium well. Focus is a skill.
36. You need to be willing to share your ideas and your
work. Otherwise, you can’t help anyone.
37. A “niche” can be created at the intersection of
your unique interests or talents.
38. Plan your time around when you have your best
creative energy.
39. Being polarizing leads to faster growth. That
doesn’t mean it’s worth it.
40. Your opinions will change. That’s OK—just be
honest about it.
If
any of these resonate with you, I'd love to hear it! Reply and let me know.
