Stefan Zweig once wrote, “She was too young to know that life never gives anything for nothing, and that a price is always exacted for what fate bestows.”
The real question is what we are willing to spend ourselves on.
Life never gives anything for free. It always asks for time, energy, and focus. And when you reduce the pursuit to sub-for-sub or chasing numbers, those demands will drain you.
Sub for sub is an exhausting game🙌🏾 I'm glad I didn't have it in me to try it because it just felt like I'm stressing myself for no good reason. The people could unsubscribe if they want and that would take me back to square 1
It’s interesting you mentioned this. Last quarter of last year, I pivoted my content to only focusing on my experiences and what I learnt from them. Safe to say, since I publish more on medium, my content was viewed and read by almost 1 Million people in a month.
They do say identity shifts and transformations resonate a lot now. I feel like long term thats what will help creators stand out compared to those who rely on AI for content.
Agree that people are too overating algorithm. Even your posts can go viral, it's just a short spike, then audience just leave you alone as before. What works is the audience recognize your identity, and willing to stay and engage because of you keep promise. And your identity is your niche. Your niche is you, as Dan said.
Thats why i dont trust people who sell viral or growth courses. The key is to be known for your identity and ideas, not for going viral a few times. ☝🏽
@dan, I have always admired your writing - very candid, clear and to the point. I have spent a great deal of time watching your content, making notes and revisiting them more often. Great ideas. Let your creative mind continue to pen such wonderful and useful content.
Such an awesome read as always!! I first saw your vid on yt about having multiple interests (which really sparked somethn in me) and now im reading your posts here on substack. Thank you for your voice, Dan!
I started out by creating content I would want my kids to see / read if I wasn’t here anymore to tell them. My content is my voice, my message to the world. Be greater :)
Oh wow. This is the 2nd piece of content of yours I've read and it's left me mindblown. You really understand your mission. It shows in the quality of your content. I feel very confident stepping into content creation for a future business I have in mind. Thank you🙌🏾
I barely started making my own content and this post was incredibly reassuring. I began posting content that I would like to see on my feed, that I would save for myself. They are not the dopamine-hitting reels with loud music and crazy visuals. They are stoic, making you slow down and think and - hopefully - inspiring. AI has really lowered the barrier for me and it really allows for bringing a vision to life that would not have been possible otherwise.
I'm glad to see that a titan in the industry has approved this strategy. Reading this made me even more motivated to be my authentic self online, and post what I think is valuable.
This explains why so much social content feels repetitive.
There’s a lot of surface level advice floating around, usually pointing to something deeper behind a paywall. What actually stands out is when someone shares how they think, not just what they’re selling.
"Create the content you want to see in the world" - that's exactly my strategy.
Thanks for such a great article 🙏🏻 Glad you published it although it doesn't felt 'perfect' for you.
In other words, if our writing smells off to us, it’ll smell off to everyone else.
Stefan Zweig once wrote, “She was too young to know that life never gives anything for nothing, and that a price is always exacted for what fate bestows.”
The real question is what we are willing to spend ourselves on.
Life never gives anything for free. It always asks for time, energy, and focus. And when you reduce the pursuit to sub-for-sub or chasing numbers, those demands will drain you.
Sub for sub is an exhausting game🙌🏾 I'm glad I didn't have it in me to try it because it just felt like I'm stressing myself for no good reason. The people could unsubscribe if they want and that would take me back to square 1
Yes, very similar mindset. When I follow or subscribe to someone, I don’t do it with the expectation that they’ll do the same in return.
Yes, and I think the best value you can create in our microwaved Ai automated world right now, is a human relationship.
And, also, I think that creating "high value" at scale is over too... slow and steady with a high level personable approach will win the game.
true!
It’s interesting you mentioned this. Last quarter of last year, I pivoted my content to only focusing on my experiences and what I learnt from them. Safe to say, since I publish more on medium, my content was viewed and read by almost 1 Million people in a month.
They do say identity shifts and transformations resonate a lot now. I feel like long term thats what will help creators stand out compared to those who rely on AI for content.
Agree that people are too overating algorithm. Even your posts can go viral, it's just a short spike, then audience just leave you alone as before. What works is the audience recognize your identity, and willing to stay and engage because of you keep promise. And your identity is your niche. Your niche is you, as Dan said.
Thats why i dont trust people who sell viral or growth courses. The key is to be known for your identity and ideas, not for going viral a few times. ☝🏽
Original, personality-driven writing begins with attentiveness to one’s own thinking—before style, before technique, before intent.
@dan, I have always admired your writing - very candid, clear and to the point. I have spent a great deal of time watching your content, making notes and revisiting them more often. Great ideas. Let your creative mind continue to pen such wonderful and useful content.
Touché!
Such an awesome read as always!! I first saw your vid on yt about having multiple interests (which really sparked somethn in me) and now im reading your posts here on substack. Thank you for your voice, Dan!
Be the change you want to see in the world.
I started out by creating content I would want my kids to see / read if I wasn’t here anymore to tell them. My content is my voice, my message to the world. Be greater :)
Oh wow. This is the 2nd piece of content of yours I've read and it's left me mindblown. You really understand your mission. It shows in the quality of your content. I feel very confident stepping into content creation for a future business I have in mind. Thank you🙌🏾
I barely started making my own content and this post was incredibly reassuring. I began posting content that I would like to see on my feed, that I would save for myself. They are not the dopamine-hitting reels with loud music and crazy visuals. They are stoic, making you slow down and think and - hopefully - inspiring. AI has really lowered the barrier for me and it really allows for bringing a vision to life that would not have been possible otherwise.
I'm glad to see that a titan in the industry has approved this strategy. Reading this made me even more motivated to be my authentic self online, and post what I think is valuable.
This explains why so much social content feels repetitive.
There’s a lot of surface level advice floating around, usually pointing to something deeper behind a paywall. What actually stands out is when someone shares how they think, not just what they’re selling.
super depth and insight - and feels like many threads to future posts, so bravo ;)
Only God knows what best thanked you LordJesus for the peace upon mankind we worship you whole as you are for ever more AMEN
I just wanted to say how I throughly enjoyed reading this Stack. It in fact inspired me to begin writing myself as of now. Thanks Deeply.