How to Build your Social Media Following? (Without making Content)

Summary

The transcript discusses strategies for building a social media following based on Austin Kleon's book 'Show Your Work'. The key concept is to share something small every day, known as a 'Daily Dispatch', which can be anything from a blog post to a tweet or video. The process involves sharing different types of content depending on the stage of your project: early stages (influences and inspiration), middle stages (work in progress), and completion (final product and lessons learned). The author emphasizes the importance of focusing on daily creation rather than waiting for the perfect moment, and suggests that a Daily Dispatch is more valuable than a resume as it shows current work. The framework provided is adaptable for various creators and encourages sharing authentic and ongoing work, rather than just finished products.

Takeaways

• 📚 Read 'Show Your Work!' by Austin Kleon to understand the strategy of building a social media following.
• 🎯 Focus on sharing something small every day, known as the Daily Dispatch, to engage your audience regularly.
• 🚫 Dismiss the myth of overnight success; substantial work takes time, so be patient and persistent.
• 🌅 Break down your work into manageable daily units rather than overwhelming long-term goals.
• 🤔 Force yourself to create daily, which will naturally lead to self-reflection and improved content creation.
• 🎨 Share your work process, influences, and work-in-progress to build authenticity and connection with your audience.
• 📈 Use the Daily Dispatch as a living resume or portfolio that shows your current work and progress.
• 🌐 Choose the right social media platforms for your work and audience, and don't spread yourself too thin.
• 📝 The form of your Daily Dispatch can vary; it could be a blog post, email, tweet, video, etc. – adapt to what works best for you.
• 📈 Show the final product of your work and share the lessons learned, including any 'scraps from the cutting room floor'.
• 🔍 Look for inspiration from others, like Tommy Edison, a blind film critic with a successful Instagram account, to see creative ways to share your work.

Q & A

What is the main strategy discussed in the book 'Show Your Work!' for building a social media following?

The main strategy is to share something little every day, which is referred to as the Daily Dispatch. This involves consistently putting out work or content to engage with the audience and grow a following.

According to Austin Kleon, why is it important to focus on sharing daily rather than in larger chunks?

Focusing on daily sharing makes the process more manageable and less overwhelming. It allows creators to build a body of work over time, showing their current work and progress rather than only showcasing completed projects.

What does Austin Kleon suggest is a myth that people often believe about success?

Austin Kleon suggests that overnight success is a myth. He points out that behind most stories of overnight success are years of hard work and perseverance.

How does the process of creating something every day help a creator to find direction and content to share?

Forcing oneself to create something every day leads to self-reflection and questioning, such as what to create and how to approach a project. This process helps creators to identify their interests and generate ideas for content that they are passionate about.

What are the steps outlined in the script for sharing a Daily Dispatch?

The steps are: 1) At the end of the day, find a piece of your process to share. 2) If you're at the start of a project, share your influences and inspirations. 3) If you're in the middle of a project, share your work in progress and methods. 4) If you've completed a project, show the final product and share what you've learned, including any 'scraps from the Cutting Room floor.'

What is the significance of sharing 'scraps from the Cutting Room floor' after completing a project?

Sharing these 'scraps' provides a behind-the-scenes look at the work that didn't make the final cut. It offers insights into the creative process, decision-making, and can add value by showing the evolution of a project.

Why is a Daily Dispatch considered better than a resume or a portfolio?

A Daily Dispatch is more dynamic and shows what a creator is working on in real-time, providing a more engaging and up-to-date representation of their work and process compared to a static resume or portfolio.

What forms can a Daily Dispatch take?

A Daily Dispatch can take various forms such as a blog post, an email newsletter, a tweet, a YouTube video, or any other form of media that the creator finds suitable for their work and audience.

How should one choose which social media platforms to use for sharing their Daily Dispatch?

One should choose platforms based on where their target audience is most active and what format of content best represents their work. It's also important to consider the nature of the platform and how it aligns with the creator's goals.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the fear of missing out on being on every social media platform?

The speaker advises not to worry about being on every platform. Instead, creators should pick and choose based on what suits their work and the people they're trying to reach. It's more important to be effective on a few platforms than to be spread too thin.

What is the advice given for what content to focus on sharing on social media?

The advice is to focus on sharing work and the process behind it, rather than personal or unrelated content. The emphasis should be on showing what you are working on, which can include work in progress, finished pieces, and lessons learned.

How does the speaker describe the landscape of social media platforms?

The speaker describes the landscape as constantly changing, with platforms popping up and disappearing over time. This implies that creators should be adaptable and open to exploring new platforms as they emerge.