I appreciate this post. I think that the process of building an audience is undeniably worth it if you want to make a living as a creator, or if you want to become one of the few so-called experts that can rise above the fray. But it requires an investment of time and energy that cannot be justified in many cases. I don't have the time or energy and I'm okay with that.
A lot of people are making it work without an audience and I find that amazing. Internet has helped unlocked this and it’s fabulous.
It might make sense to produce content to get to a certain scale. For example if an agency wants to be seen as an authority figure to bigger clients. But like you said in most cases, it’s probably not going to be the most effective way to get some customers and reach your goals.
Kenny I love this post. It's so important to find something you genuinely love writing about and to just go all-in on that. That's the only way that any of us will stick with it and eventually grow a following of our own. I'm happy you pivoted.
Totally agree. I tried writing about other stuff on social media to get back into writing but I just didn’t find it in me. I’m having way more fun writing on Substack.
Although, I still love inbound and I’m working on some traffic for other projects. Nothing like opportunities coming your way after some investment!
That's the thing with marketplaces that can be frustrating. You need to learn the "rules" to start getting some wins. I'd argue it's a bit easier because usually they want you to succeed and there are people teaching those to you. Whereas if you have to figure out on your own how to find clients, it might be a bit harder and even more frustrating.
I'm curious, what did you try to sell on Upwork? Not coaching services, right?
Now that I think about it. With your sales skills, it makes more sense for you to find clients outside the platform. You know the different channels or way to sell. Upwork makes more sense for someone completely new to the game, which you are not, haha!
Nice one Kenny, and I hear you on this. Just Tweeted (X'ed?) this a.m. on how long it took Uber to become a profitable company - 14 years. Many companies are 2-3 years. Often important for folks to keep this in mind when building - inc. in the Creator Economy.
Appreciate the link to Josh Spector's thoughts (and numbers) on this. I'd say I'm still in the 90% services as revenue (not quite 2 years in).
What I've been realizing since starting on this journey is how reframing expectations is crucial. There's so much build up and clickbaity articles. It creates this unconscious expectation that it's going to be faster than we expect. In that situation, it's easier to get discouraged and give up. If I thought it was going to take 1 months and it's taking a year, how hard would that be if I don't have enough runway or the growth is slower than expected.
There is a massive deconstruction process to be done there and I'm glad your articles are part of this process of setting proper expectations!
I appreciate this post. I think that the process of building an audience is undeniably worth it if you want to make a living as a creator, or if you want to become one of the few so-called experts that can rise above the fray. But it requires an investment of time and energy that cannot be justified in many cases. I don't have the time or energy and I'm okay with that.
Glad the post resonates!
A lot of people are making it work without an audience and I find that amazing. Internet has helped unlocked this and it’s fabulous.
It might make sense to produce content to get to a certain scale. For example if an agency wants to be seen as an authority figure to bigger clients. But like you said in most cases, it’s probably not going to be the most effective way to get some customers and reach your goals.
Thanks Kenny, glad you enjoyed my article.
My pleasure and hope it helps others find a few clients :)
Kenny I love this post. It's so important to find something you genuinely love writing about and to just go all-in on that. That's the only way that any of us will stick with it and eventually grow a following of our own. I'm happy you pivoted.
Totally agree. I tried writing about other stuff on social media to get back into writing but I just didn’t find it in me. I’m having way more fun writing on Substack.
Although, I still love inbound and I’m working on some traffic for other projects. Nothing like opportunities coming your way after some investment!
Totally makes sense to me. Intuitive way of thinking about it.
I’ve tried upwork twice now just to play around with and both times felt really frustrated by the process so gave up and pivoted
That's the thing with marketplaces that can be frustrating. You need to learn the "rules" to start getting some wins. I'd argue it's a bit easier because usually they want you to succeed and there are people teaching those to you. Whereas if you have to figure out on your own how to find clients, it might be a bit harder and even more frustrating.
I'm curious, what did you try to sell on Upwork? Not coaching services, right?
Yes you are totally right. I actually did the course from the smallbets community, which is what inspired me to try it in the first place.
I was offering skills that I was uniquely capable in around sales, strategy, management as well as coaching.
For me personally, the finding clients elsewhere aspect is actually easier and much more fun. I fell confined in a platform.
Now that I think about it. With your sales skills, it makes more sense for you to find clients outside the platform. You know the different channels or way to sell. Upwork makes more sense for someone completely new to the game, which you are not, haha!
Nice one Kenny, and I hear you on this. Just Tweeted (X'ed?) this a.m. on how long it took Uber to become a profitable company - 14 years. Many companies are 2-3 years. Often important for folks to keep this in mind when building - inc. in the Creator Economy.
Appreciate the link to Josh Spector's thoughts (and numbers) on this. I'd say I'm still in the 90% services as revenue (not quite 2 years in).
What I've been realizing since starting on this journey is how reframing expectations is crucial. There's so much build up and clickbaity articles. It creates this unconscious expectation that it's going to be faster than we expect. In that situation, it's easier to get discouraged and give up. If I thought it was going to take 1 months and it's taking a year, how hard would that be if I don't have enough runway or the growth is slower than expected.
There is a massive deconstruction process to be done there and I'm glad your articles are part of this process of setting proper expectations!