Chapter 1: Reflection on My Writing Journey

Since I embarked on my writing journey online in 2020, I've amassed an audience of over 2,500 followers on various social media platforms. This year, I firmly believe it will be my most rewarding year as a writer. Here are five reasons why:

1. Letting Go of Outcomes

   My primary objectives as a writer this year are threefold: to read extensively, to write prolifically, and to detach from results. For nearly ten years, I aspired to be a writer, but when the opportunity finally arose in 2020, I struggled to capitalize on it.

My desire for self-expression and to assist others became overshadowed by both internal and external pressures, leading to insecurities. I became too fixated on metrics, income, perfection, and others' opinions, which detracted from the joy of writing and establishing a sustainable routine.

Having taken a break from a stable job to pursue writing, I felt additional stress due to financial concerns. As a newcomer to the online realm, I was unsure how to set myself up for success, often blaming outside factors for my slow progress. A pivotal moment came when I learned that many successful creators spent years writing without any financial reward. This revelation humbled me and adjusted my expectations.

Today, my circumstances have changed—I no longer depend on writing for my livelihood. I have a job that allows me to write during my free time. My motivations for writing have also evolved: I now write for pleasure, personal growth, stress relief, and to share my insights with others. Everything else that follows is simply a bonus. I am reconnecting with my original purpose on a much grander scale, and I am eager to write freely.

2. Creating an Idea Repository

   One of my major challenges in maintaining writing consistency is often not knowing what to write about. The solution? I am developing an idea bank.

Here are some strategies I'm employing:

• Regularly jotting down ideas, observations, and experiences in my Notion app.
• Generating five headline ideas each day.
• Utilizing the "3 C" method: Copy, Curate, Create. (Note: "Copy" here refers to drawing inspiration from existing content, not plagiarism.)
• Designing templates for successful posts to enhance readability.
• Compiling a list of interests and breaking them down into subtopics.
• Exploring platforms like Quora and Answer the Public for trending questions and topics.
• Leveraging AI tools to brainstorm additional content ideas.
• Engaging in physical and creative activities to stimulate my mind (reading, exercising, meditating, walking in nature, creating art, etc.).
• Remembering that the act of writing itself often breeds more ideas.

This approach is comprehensive, and I just need to implement these strategies to ensure I never run out of inspiration.

3. Avoiding a Niche Trap

   While I have topics I am passionate about, I also want to explore new areas. This means I won't be confining myself to a niche anytime soon.

In the early days of my writing career, I felt pressured to restrict myself to specific topics. Conflicting advice from established creators regarding niching down only added to my confusion. Consequently, I didn't spend enough time on various subjects, which hindered my ability to develop a distinct writing voice and style—key elements for any budding writer.

After a few years in the online space, I've realized that finding your niche should come after experimenting with different topics and gauging reader responses. Regardless of the advice I receive moving forward, I’m allowing myself the freedom to explore and write on subjects that ignite my interest. This approach will also help me generate more ideas, making it a win-win situation. In essence, my knowledge, aspirations, and experiences will collectively form my niche.

4. Establishing a Consistent Writing System

   Consistency hinges on allocating non-negotiable time for three activities: reading, writing, and researching. Balancing work, family, and personal commitments can be challenging, requiring me to maximize my available time.

Here’s how I'm addressing time management:

1. Creating a Productive Environment

• Setting up an environment conducive to achieving a flow state, which includes researching topics and taking notes prior to writing, maintaining relevant tabs open, playing focus music, and employing the Pomodoro technique.
• Writing the first draft swiftly while minimizing distractions to enhance focus.

2. Developing a Sustainable Routine

• Using small time blocks effectively by picking ideas from my idea bank, brainstorming via mind mapping, outlining points through research, and writing a rough draft, keeping writing and editing separate.
• For reading, I commit to either reading five pages a day or spending 15 minutes before bedtime. Breaking tasks into smaller chunks makes them more manageable.

3. Concentrating on a Single Platform

In my early days, I spread myself too thin by trying to engage on multiple platforms without establishing a strong presence on any. Moving forward, I plan to focus on one long-form platform for my content creation. Once I have a solid catalog, I can repurpose that content across other platforms, making it easier to manage.

5. Cultivating a Supportive Community

   I intend to invest at least 15 minutes each day interacting with fellow creators and readers. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, and the support I've received over the past two years has been invaluable in keeping me motivated.

I aim to foster a community where we can all benefit from each other's creativity and support, as having a network of like-minded individuals helps maintain accountability and encouragement.

Final Thoughts

As a creator, I feel optimistic about the direction I'm headed this year. I can once again sense the excitement I felt when I first started my writing journey. This article serves as a reminder for myself to stay accountable during challenging times. I hope that by sharing my experiences and missteps, I can help others navigate their writing journeys more effectively.

How I Grew Up To 3,000 Followers in Less than 2 Months

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Chapter 2: Learning from Others

In the video "Don't Niche Down. Do This Instead...," the speaker discusses the importance of exploring various topics before settling into a niche. This approach can lead to greater creativity and personal fulfillment.

The second video, "STOP NICHING DOWN (DO THIS INSTEAD)," emphasizes the benefits of allowing flexibility in content creation. It encourages writers to focus on their passions rather than confining themselves to a specific niche.