In 17 months, I went from 0 to:
- 50K+ followers
- 50M+ impressions
- 700+ newsletter subscribers
- Making $6,000-$8,000 a month
But it wasn’t smooth from the start.
Far from it.
At the start, creating content felt f*cking scary. I worried my words wouldn’t matter, that no one would care about my message. Being judged. Putting my thoughts out there only to have them ignored or criticized.
I questioned if it was worth the effort. I’d spend hours creating a single piece only to watch it receive a few likes or no engagement at all.
Those early days were full of self-doubt. I wondered if I was wasting my time. If this path even had room for me.
At times, I thought about giving up.
But I kept going, even when it felt uncomfortable. And through that process, I discovered what works, what doesn’t, and what drives growth.
These aren’t theories or generic advice.
They’re lessons shaped by missteps, tweaks, and growth – despite the fears and doubts.
My hope?
That these hard-earned insights can guide your journey, too.
Here are the 9 things I learned from 17 months of growth.
1. Just Hit Publish
If the idea of posting your content scares you, that’s your signal to go for it. The creators you look up to felt the same fear.
They worried about:
- Failure
- Silence
- Judgment
- Wasting time
- Being ignored
- Not being good enough
But they didn’t let those fears stop them.
They shared their work anyway.
They know growth lies on the other side of discomfort.
Put your ideas out there.
Don’t let fear be the barrier between you and your potential.
2. More Building, Less Networking
You don’t need more networking.
You need more writing, creating, and building.
Focus on delivering something real and meaningful, and the right people will find you.
Show your worth through action, not just words, and you’ll naturally attract others who see your value.
Connections will come, but they’ll come because your work speaks for itself.
3. More Stories, Fewer Tactics
People love tactics, but they’re drawn to stories.
Share the real moments:
- The lessons
- The slip-ups
- The ‘Aha’ moments.
This is what makes people connect.
When I shifted to sharing personal experiences, the moments that shaped me, and the truths that weren’t always easy to admit, real connections began.
If you want to stand out as more than just another creator, start by speaking your truth.
Your story will stick long after a tactic fades.
4. Build a Character, Not a Niche
Niches are limiting.
Character is limitless.
Answer these 3 questions to build your unique character:
- What’s your story?
- What are you good at?
- What are you curious about?
That’s how you become irreplaceable.
I can dive deeper but I wrote a whole article here
5. Play the Long Game
Forget the “overnight success” mindset.
Real growth demands months, even years, of consistent, purposeful action, built through relentless effort and commitment.
Playing the long game is about sticking with it, evolving, and pushing forward when others quit.
Keep your eyes on the big picture.
Evolve with intention, and never lose sight of why you started.
6. You Are the Case Study
If you want to build trust and credibility, start by becoming your own proof.
Your journey, from absolute beginner to where you are now, is your strongest marketing tool. Your story is your most unique selling point.
When you embody the results you want others to achieve, you create an authentic connection that resonates far beyond any sexy marketing.
“You can escape competition through authenticity, when you realize that no one can compete with you on being you.
— Naval (@naval) March 21, 2019
That would have been useless advice pre-internet. Post-internet, you can turn that into a career.”
https://t.co/WycnyNyB9k
This is what truly sets you apart.
Be your own success story, and you’ll naturally attract people who want to follow your lead.
7. Promote Yourself Shamelessly
It’s easy to wait around and hope someone else will notice your work.
But no one will promote you like you can.
If you don’t champion your work, no one else will.
Don’t wait for permission to speak up.
Share your wins, showcase your skills, tell your story without hesitation, and let people see what you’re capable of.
One hard lesson I learned: Success goes to those who get loud, get noticed, and make their value known – not to those waiting quietly in the background.
8. Build a Newsletter from Day One
I learned the importance of building a newsletter the hard way.
When you go viral, followers come and go, but a newsletter keeps you connected to those who care about your message.
Viral moments are powerful, but without a solid connection to your audience… they’re just that… moments.
Picture gaining 1,000 new followers. 97% of them will forget about you within a week. That’s where a newsletter comes to play. It’s your direct line to the people who genuinely want to hear from you.
I waited too long to start mine.
Don’t make the same mistake.
Start building your newsletter now.
It’s the most powerful way to form lasting, and meaningful relationships with your audience.
9. Be Consistent, But Always Evolve
Consistency is crucial, but staying stagnant is dangerous.
What works today may not work tomorrow.
For example, my infographics used to get millions of views and bring in thousands of followers, but they aren’t hitting as hard as they once did.
I still post them occasionally, but they don’t get the engagement they used to.
Consistency builds momentum, but evolution keeps you relevant.
Stay adaptable. Embrace change. Refine your approach as trends shift and narratives evolve. Because if you don’t adapt, you risk losing your edge.
Real progress comes from being consistent and evolving with purpose.
TL;DR
- Just hit publish
- More building, less networking
- More stories, fewer tactics
- Build a character, not a niche
- Play the long game
- Be your own case study
- Promote yourself shamelessly
- Build a newsletter from day one
- Be consistent, but always evolve
Hope you enjoyed this one!
Stay creative,
J
