Void-Shouting More Quietly

Overcoming The Shrug

Marketing yourself is challenging at first. You’re invariably posting to the void, refining your message, and lacking a consistent process. Relax, processing your thoughts and ideas into a coherent narrative takes time.

Nevertheless, if you want to get past this initial slow point faster, here are a few things that help.

1. Be consistent.

In the beginning, it’s easier than ever to fall off. You haven’t announced yourself publicly, so it feels low stakes to stop. But if you do fall off, it’s much harder to get started again. Pick a cadence and platform to start with, ideally at least 3 times per week, and stick to it.

2. Make friends.

You’re not alone. Find people who are at your level and engage with them. Some platforms have built-in ways to support other creators. If not, there are still ways to borrow audiences and support each other. Ideally, you find people at a higher level to refer their audiences to you, but they may not be interested.

There will be plenty of similar people who are willing to collaborate, though. Side note: if anyone reading is in a similar niche, I’m open to swapping recommendations.

3. Engage with your audience.

Initially, anyone who likes your post is worth talking to. Don’t be pushy or weird about it. But check in. If they comment, respond, and keep the conversation going. If they reply to your email, keep chatting. Every single one of those interactions can compound in unexpected ways.

There are many ways to move past this initial stage, but the most important thing to remember is that everyone goes through it.

The people who made it out the other side just didn’t quit during the part that felt like it wasn’t working.