Cannot write…
I took on a second job last year for two main reasons. Firstly to earn more than I did from writing, which I am actively doing, thankfully. Secondly, to write more freely about the things I care about and actively take content creation more seriously.
However, earlier this year I wanted to give up on my dream to focus on my business. I did not believe in what I was doing or building on anymore (for obvious reasons). Fortunately I came across a podcast by Gary Vee that changed my mind by letting me know how important creating content is in the long and short run.
Writing as a job...
Writing as a job leaves me with mixed feelings. I enjoy it but I hate having to write to earn a living. There is the obvious risk of pandering to certain groups to earn your wage. Thankfully that is behind now but I am faced with the challenge of growing my brand.
I have seen fellow creators take their content business to the next level in terms of reach (and financially too). One of such big inspirations for me is Keith Lee. He is one of the very few examples of creators who has stayed true to himself and his journey and now he is a household name. He has added value to many lives and business and this is what I aspire for myself.
Although creating content on hive has been great for my personal development, at its core it is a cryptocentric endeavor. Most creators create mainly to earn hive and nothing more.
This is why there is hardly any creator here who is anything outside this space, irrespective of how much they have or do (creatively).
Many creators (on hive) get comfortable with the security a platform gives them. I guess for many creating content is only a means to an end–social mining, which in all fairness isn't a bad thing. Everyone is allowed to go about their goals as they see fit. It is also refreshing to see people who ordinarily would have nothing to do with content creation making a living via hive. Notwithstanding, my convictions/goals are a lot different in the long run.
It is quite unsettling to me that no creator on hive made it into the mainstream media, even at the peak of crypto hype in 2021(which would have had a positive impact on the chain). I don't even think creators on hive are conditioned or incentivised to seek exposure. Maybe it's because getting/gaining exposure is difficult and every failed attempt is a reason not to try again. So we opt for the comfort of this echo chamber we've built and reward ourselves nicely in the process.
I hope sometime this year I am able to push myself outside the comforts of hive's ecosystem. The long run benefits are significant (for me and the platform as well because I believe in the opportunities this platform can offer individuals across the globe). I have come to terms with the fact that making money alone doesn't satisfy my soul.
Once upon a time people used to refer to writing gigs, now it's a lot different. Outside the hive I seem not to exist as a creator. I want that to change.
This is just another reminder to myself why I do what I do, which is to create value and reach out to as many persons as I can through my content and by God's this dream of mine will come into fruition. Amen.
Exactly for me.. I think it is because of the earnings I get. Otherwise, I won't be so concerned and add so much concentration to it
Well, I don't want to exist only on Blockchain. The last bull run was an eye opening for me on how much of a bubble I have been in for the past 3-4 years. I won't repeat the same moving forward
You have a really valid point here. I tried to take my content creation to YouTube in the last month of last year, but the dip in Crypto made it impossible to get things started. At a point, I ran low on finances and it's now a plan which I hope to achieve before the end of this year.
Considering how things are in the country, I really don't want to be too comfortable with Hive alone. Content Creation is something I love doing and I want to continue doing it, but with more reach in a more diversified way.
My brother leave YouTube oo. If it's exposure you are looking for tiktok is the best option for now. I have been trying to get started but I keep making excuses.
I clocked a long time ago that I could not rely on my hive earnings. I was just looking for the perfect opportunity to branch out which I did last year. I am hoping to build on that this year.
Ohhhh... Note taken. What about YouTube shorts on the side? The problem with that though is that there seems to be a capped earning from that which can't be exceeded regardless of the views you get.
I'm looking at tiktok and I thought of looking deeper to see if it will stand the test of term. That's another side to all these. While we are building a brand on any platform, we just have to hope that the platform will last for as long as possible.
Well, I think tiktok is here to stay. Notwithstanding, the goal is to garner a follower and move that across different platforms. A mailing list can help with that.
Cool. Thanks for the tips.
To tell the truth, I have never been able to agree so much with absolutely everything anyone has written before. Here or somewhere else. Wise words bro. ¡Wise Words!
And as you will understand, this very insightful and illustrative article of yours has to be read and digested by many more people everywhere. So, for now I'll just reblog it, just to see if with some luck we can catch at least a handful of more eyeballs through my followers in decline. Hahahaha
Thank you. I appreciate the kind comment
The reblog is appreciated. If this article helps others think more holistic about the content creation journey than I have achieved a lot today. Cheers!
Writing without a purpose... Now that's my kind of writing.
And somehow I am able to relate with the fine line between a content writer with ethics and content writer for hire. And that is why you don't see me writing posts like "A lady was caught at airport carrying suspicious items, you wouldn't believe what airport authorities did next"...
However with the current economy I may soon start writing such posts.. 🤣🤣🤣
Your post reflects that you still have a soul. Stay faithful to that.
☮️❤️
Whatever works for you mate.lol
I remember when I was paid to write those kinds of articles. Took the light out of my eye.
Lol I doubt. Thanks for stopping by
Another audience to grow your brand is LinkedIn. That's my goal for this year. I'm amazed by how fast people grow there. With the same consistency you've put on hive, you could equally branch out there.
Yeah Gary Vee talks about LinkedIn a lot. I will try that out as well. Nice to hear from you my favourite oyinbo
☺️LOL I always read your posts even though I don't comment. I lost my social media commenting mojo and only got it back some days ago since I'm also now trying LinkedIn to build a brand. Cheers 🥂
Thanks dear. I just started writing again recently. Been busy with life