Hey Friends, here is another thought on how to stand out on the internet as a creative.
Who generates the biggest rewards by harnessing the internet?
Those with a strong personal brand
Those who are domain experts in their industries
Those who serve a niche community.
Yes, the internet rewards differentiation.
There are two practical ways of creating an advantage on the web:
A: Stand for something.
B: Build something.
Last week, I wrote about how you can make your work stand out with a mission or a vision. Today is all about how building something on the internet can bring you wealth.
Get building!
How many people in your field or industry are creators or founders? The numbers are intriguing: only around 5 percent of the global population are considered entrepreneurs. Only 50 million out of 4.66 billion internet users are creating content on the web. Roughly 0.02% of Americans are professional writers.
This is the reason why creating and building are the best ways to differentiate yourself.
When you start to build something viable, it immediately sends a message to the world. Whether it is an online empire or a useful product, the fact that you took a risk to go beyond yourself and bring us value is what hypnotizes others.
Flip the plan
I would suggest that you don’t seek networks, mentorships, investors, or anything that requires some sort of credentials before building. You will see different results when you have something that is totally your own.
For example, if you want to be a writer, don’t seek out publishers. Start a blog or newsletter first. Self-publish your first book. Write and sell an e-book. Do something, produce results, and then look outside.
Here’s the extraordinary news, though. When you have the guts, ambition, and discipline to build something, you’re already ahead of the game because during the process, you will gradually discover that you are also building an audience. After a while, potential partners and investors will reach out to you. You will find gatekeepers and players inviting you to their events or linking back to your content—and it’s pretty damn sweet!
What can you build in 2022?
The beauty of this short list is that most of these things don’t require any money in the beginning or can be started as a side project by spending only 2–3 hours per day:
Digital products
Online brands
Email newsletter
Niche blogs
Online marketplaces
Premium communities
Online agencies
Some might advise you to begin building an audience before starting any of these. What I did was build both together. A quality product will naturally build an audience and help keep it. An engaging newsletter will give your loyal readers a reason to follow you as you grow.
Some practical tips
In a permissionless world, you shouldn't wait for anyone to grant you permission. You can build anything you want. Nothing is required: no permission, no network, no prior experience. Start building, and learn by doing it!
The key is sharing your process. Let people see that you are getting something off the ground. Let them see how you are helping others. Document the evolution and share it with others!
Some say it takes five years, and some say ten years, to build something valuable. But we saw how after pandemic creators built massive success with just an Instagram or Twitter account. Be patient, but also move quickly on your ideas!
Share your journey with me! What are you building or planning to start? Simply reply to this email and write me a line or two!
Let’s talk later,
-Reza