In today's letter I'm going to share with you the steps I took to go from being a doom-scrolling consumer to a fully committed digital creator.
I've been on this journey for a year and a half and it's been rewarding.
The digital world is full of opportunities.
Leveraging the internet for more than just consuming was the key.
I've gained new skills, and established the foundations for new sources of income.
Not to mention, I've connected with some pretty cool people.
The that held me back:
- Too many available tools- So many tools and apps make it it hard to know where to start.
- Not enough time - Finding the time to learn and create is a challenge, especially if you work full-time like me.
- Not sure what to create - I had too many ideas and did not want to chose the wrong one.
Unfortunately, these are why others don't take the leap either.
They remain consumers, often because they believe the process is too complex or they lack skills.
You need 2 things: the mindset and courage to start.
Here's how you do it...
Step 1: Identify Your Niche
Finding my niche not only gave me direction but also helped in building a dedicated audience.
I thought about topics that excited me, and researched how others had turned similar interests into digital content.
I realized that I really like writing content rather than shooting content on camera.
Seeing real-life success stories was a great motivator and provided the blueprint I needed to start.
Step 2: Educate Yourself on the Basics
A common mistake is trying to master everything at once.
Focusing on one area at a gave me deeper learning and prevented burnout.
I focused on learning one platform and one tool at a time.
By doing this I was able to avoid spreading myself too thin.
Remember: everyone starts somewhere.
“The digital revolution is almost as disruptive to the traditional media business as electricity was to the candle business.”
- Ken Auletta
Step 3: Posting Content
This was the real game-changer for me.
It's the moment when you shift from theory to practice, from learning to doing.
I learned that consistency is key.
I started small, like posting four times a week, and gradually increased my output.
Got feedback and used that to guide my growth and improvement.
This helped me refine my skills, understand my audience better, and build my online presence.
Step 4: Engage and Grow Your Audience
The next crucial step was engaging with and growing my audience.
You need to be social on social media.
You need to build relationships.
Start by responding to comments and messages.
This engagement helped me to understand my audience's preferences and interests better.
It became easier to tailor my content to their likes.
Growing an audience takes time but if you are consistent with engagement you will create a loyal following.
It goes without saying that I stopped scrolling for entertainment and started scrolling more for education and inspiration.
Every creator started from where you are now.
You have a unique perspective and a voice that can be used to contribute something meaningful.
I hope you find as much fulfillment in being a creator as I have.
If you want my help building your personal brand reply to this email "BUILD" and I'll get you started today.
Trust the process.
Keep learning.
Keep growing.
Til next week,
Ken
When you are ready here are 2 ways I can help you:
- The Profile Optimization Guide: An interactive checklist for your profile. Designed to help your profile stand out and grow faster. 70+ downloads
- 60-Minute Level Up: Join 15+ writers and creators. Learn how to use your content to monetize while building your audience.
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