I started writing online *seriously* in 2014.
This year (8 years later), I can conservatively say I've crossed 10,000 hours of practice.
β’ 320 days (ish) per year of practice.
β’ 4 focused hours per day
β’ Multiplied by 8 years
= 10,240 hours.
My biggest writing takeaways:
This year (8 years later), I can conservatively say I've crossed 10,000 hours of practice.
β’ 320 days (ish) per year of practice.
β’ 4 focused hours per day
β’ Multiplied by 8 years
= 10,240 hours.
My biggest writing takeaways:
1. Just Start
In 2014, I challenged myself to write 1 Quora answer per day, every day, for 365 days in a row.
And that decision, that simple daily habit, is what changed everything for me.
Don't overthink it.
In 2014, I challenged myself to write 1 Quora answer per day, every day, for 365 days in a row.
And that decision, that simple daily habit, is what changed everything for me.
Don't overthink it.
2. Don't Worry About The "Order" Of Your Content
Everyone's fear in the beginning is, "What should I write FIRST?"
Nobody cares.
Content doesn't get distributed linearly.
People see what you wrote MOST RECENTLY.
Just focus on what you're going to publish next.
Everyone's fear in the beginning is, "What should I write FIRST?"
Nobody cares.
Content doesn't get distributed linearly.
People see what you wrote MOST RECENTLY.
Just focus on what you're going to publish next.
3. Play The Game That Works For You
Some writers care about signing with a traditional publisher.
Some writers care about how many subscribers are on their email list.
Some writers care more about being "popular" than being profitable.
Pick the path that's best for you.
Some writers care about signing with a traditional publisher.
Some writers care about how many subscribers are on their email list.
Some writers care more about being "popular" than being profitable.
Pick the path that's best for you.
4. Views Aren't Cash
I had over 100,000,000 views on my writing before I even quit my 9-5 job.
Views, followers, Likes, "going viral," these are all vanity metrics.
They're cool. But they don't pay the bills.
Better to become known for a niche you own.
I had over 100,000,000 views on my writing before I even quit my 9-5 job.
Views, followers, Likes, "going viral," these are all vanity metrics.
They're cool. But they don't pay the bills.
Better to become known for a niche you own.
5. The Fastest Path To Success Is The Simplest One
I had a mentor in Chicago who used to say:
"Simplicity is Velocity."
It's much harder to become known for multiple things than it is to become known for 1 thing.
So, want to shorten the road to success?
Do less.
I had a mentor in Chicago who used to say:
"Simplicity is Velocity."
It's much harder to become known for multiple things than it is to become known for 1 thing.
So, want to shorten the road to success?
Do less.
6. Being Niche Doesn't Mean "No Personality"
Every writer's fear is that, if they niche down, they become one dimensional.
This is false.
You can still write about your passions.
Just make it clear what your North Star isβand why it matters TO THE READER.
Every writer's fear is that, if they niche down, they become one dimensional.
This is false.
You can still write about your passions.
Just make it clear what your North Star isβand why it matters TO THE READER.
7. You Are Not The Main Character
The reader is.
Nobody follows you because you're "you."
They follow you because you give THEM something valuable:
β’ Information
β’ Entertainment
β’ A blend of both
Don't be confused about this.
You're in service of THE READER.
The reader is.
Nobody follows you because you're "you."
They follow you because you give THEM something valuable:
β’ Information
β’ Entertainment
β’ A blend of both
Don't be confused about this.
You're in service of THE READER.
8. 1 Comment Is Worth More Than 10,000 Views
When someone comments on your writing, don't ignore it.
Listen. Respond.
That person is trying to tell you: "Hey! If you write more of this, I'd love to read it!"
Get to know your readers.
Write for THEM.
When someone comments on your writing, don't ignore it.
Listen. Respond.
That person is trying to tell you: "Hey! If you write more of this, I'd love to read it!"
Get to know your readers.
Write for THEM.
9. You Don't Have To Monetize Your Writing Directly
It's a myth writers "have" to make a living selling books.
This is false.
(Nobody is paying me to write this on Twitter right now.)
Other things you can sell:
β’ Courses
β’ Services
β’ Consulting
β’ Education
It's a myth writers "have" to make a living selling books.
This is false.
(Nobody is paying me to write this on Twitter right now.)
Other things you can sell:
β’ Courses
β’ Services
β’ Consulting
β’ Education
10. Great Writing Is Net-New Thinking
It's not hard to learn to write.
What's hard is connecting new dots, and changing the way people think about a topic.
And that takes time.
(There's a reason most writers don't become famous till later in life!)
It's not hard to learn to write.
What's hard is connecting new dots, and changing the way people think about a topic.
And that takes time.
(There's a reason most writers don't become famous till later in life!)
I have been writing daily since I was 17 years old.
Honestly, I probably hit 10,000 hours of practice a few years ago.
But in the Digital Writing world, I feel like I've finally reached a point of mastery.
My next goal?
10,000 hours of novel writing.
LFG.
Honestly, I probably hit 10,000 hours of practice a few years ago.
But in the Digital Writing world, I feel like I've finally reached a point of mastery.
My next goal?
10,000 hours of novel writing.
LFG.
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