I know February is the shortest month of the year but wow, was this one shorter than usual? March means I’m officially ~2 months into sharing more online after committing to being less of a lurker at the beginning of the year. So far, so good.
While I’m still enjoying the Benefits of Being a Rookie, I’m already noticing some shifts in how I think about sharing online.
I might sound like a broken record harping on “why” but it has taken me awhile to untangle from real (and perceived) external (and internal) expectations - what Paul Millerd refers to as scripts - and I really want to start from a place of clearly defined values and purpose.
An ‘aha’
The last few months of sharing have already led to some memorable experiences. I recently participated in Steven Foster’s Photography for Creatives Workshop as he gears up for hosting a more in-depth Photography for Creatives cohort based course later this month. Steven generously shared his time and expertise, starting the session by explaining how photography can impact online activity - those from his previous workshops already reported back measurable changes in engagement with their content online.
As I soaked up the lessons from the session, I caught myself reflecting on how I hadn’t signed up for the workshop to find ways to increase click counts in any way. What struck me was seeing Steven’s work and the joy that comes with leaning into creative interests — and taking it one step further to actually do them well. It sparked a mini ‘aha’ moment.
On top of some helpful photography basics and learning new ways to think about incorporating photography to better tell a story, I connected with some great people who I hope to continue to develop relationships with. That’s the type of growth I’m here for.
Instead of thinking about incorporating photography simply as tool to boost follower growth (queue restless feeling not aligned with why I’m here), I’ve nailed it down to this: developing skills (like photography or writing) impacts how we interact with the world and how the world interacts with us. This seems both basic and important.
At the crux of this interaction is a bonus opportunity. Developing as a photographer or writer can improve the possibility more people see what we share and engage in more meaningful ways. Win-win. I’ve seen this reason for creating articulated in other places but the workshop aha moment actually helped anchor the “why” for me.
The Approach
Outside of this newsletter, almost all of my sharing has been on Twitter. I’ve cleaned it up a bit, but it’s hard not to notice the overwhelming amount of "grow your followers” “build an audience” “fast track your online growth” “find your niche and watch the money pile up” type of threads in my recommended ‘for you’ feed.
Plenty of “growth” strategies, but is this the type of growth I’m looking for? Not at all.
With many folks offering proven systems on how to 10x your follower growth, I find myself feeling uneasy with this type of content and for better or worse, it usually puts a barrier between me and whoever is centering this type of sharing. I understand many are focused on building an online following with the intent of selling a product or service and this type of rapid follower growth might be beneficial for them. There is nothing inherently wrong with this approach, it just is not my lane. Regardless, ‘growing a following’ strategies don’t completely sit right with me, and I finally spent the time nailing down why.
I’d rather Grow with the Flow.
When starting from a place of clearly defined values and purpose, I can share more authentically. If reasons for sharing include connecting with yourself and others and you’re putting out an inauthentic front when you share in an attempt to growth hack your way to more followers, you risk repelling those who you would otherwise want to connect with. Or, you connect with the wrong people because they think you’re someone you’re not.
For me, the growth I’m looking for is much less measurable and has nothing to do with follower and subscriber counts. I’m guessing many people who read this have a similar take regardless of their creative pursuits. If not clear by now, I’m approaching sharing with the intent to Grow with the Flow.
A Grow with the Flow approach is grounded in sharing authentically, connecting organically, starting with no particular destination in mind, and is focused on exploring from a place of presence and genuine curiosity without an emphasis on the speed that growth happens. It’s about personal growth and growing together.
I want to Grow with the Flow because I’m sharing to develop my own perspectives and philosophies, engage with a diverse spectrum of thoughtful curious people, hopefully inspire a few others, and ideally cultivate deeper connections with fellow sharers (and lurkers!) doing the same. If that’s exclusively with the 13 people who have already clicked follow on my Twitter profile and those subscribed to this newsletter then HELL YES. Let’s Grow with the Flow and see where it leads.
In a way, spending time processing reasons for sharing the last few months is a round about way of me realizing I owe a “Thank You” to those who are helping others with 10x growth strategies - you’ve challenged me to anchor my “why” for stepping off the sidelines as a lurker and allowed me to identify the type of growth I anticipate more actively participating cultivates.
Here’s to Growing with the Flow.
I love this essay! In particular, the following line really resonated with me: "...developing skills (like photography or writing) impacts how we interact with the world and how the world interacts with us."
I've found this to be so true -- learning new skills has added real depth and texture to my life, and that feels so much more rewarding than numbers on an app.
Aww I love this! It’s so awesome to read about your journey as it’s unfolding in real time. What a lovely reflection on Steve Foster’s course. If you end up taking it, I’ll be there too! Even though I hadn’t fully thought about it, I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiment that it’s so much more meaningful (and fun!) to Grow with the Flow! I love that phrase too.
Also, I’m starting to think it’s a part of the creative journey to find the get annoyed with all the “grow your followers” tweet 😂 I get it and respect it too, but after a point it’s like ok ok this is not what I’m here for.
Another great essay!