Broadcast yourself

Hey passionate creator,

YouTube’s original slogan was “Broadcast Yourself”. Being authentic has always been at the core of building an audience. But it’s an increasingly difficult thing to do.

In a world of carefully curated and perfectly scheduled feeds, it’s easy to lose yourself in the noise. This affects us all to some degree, but I think it’s even more damaging to creators, brands and businesses. We’re trying to grow online so we look for trends and growth hacks. We end up following the same Twitter thread templates, using the same trending tracks for our Tiktok videos, and we might even talk about the same popular topics. In the end, the expression of your authentic self is overshadowed by metrics and the need to convert.

This is why being genuine and real is more important than ever. It’s the one approach that ensures you stand out. Audiences and consumers don’t want the same cookie-cutter approach, they crave the human side of content. That’s why creators like Emma Chamberlain have been so successful. She broadcasted herself.

So how do you lean into authenticity as a creator or business?

1. Know your values. This helps you decide how to show up, what trends or advice to follow, and how to engage online. One of my values is slowing down and since TikTok doesn’t really align with that, I’ve not been pulled in by its popularity.

2. Be honest. We often show the finished product or our best selves online, but struggles and challenges make us more relatable. You can share the full story even if you’re a business by building in public. Bring your customers along on the journey and they’ll be more invested in you.

3. Don’t copy the competition. I know it’s tempting, especially with FOMO, but as Carl Jung said: “If the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's.”

4. Tune in to your own voice. It’s hard to be authentic when you’re surrounded by the noise of others. Carve out periods free of consumption and look inwards instead. You might use this time to create, journal, exercise, or go outside. The important thing is: it’s just you.

5. Instead of focusing on growth, focus on your strengths. What value do you already bring your audience? Lean into that.

6. Join in on the conversation. Social media is meant to be social. Talk to your audience instead of at them. Reply to comments and engage with your community because this is when you’ll be your most natural.

7. Finally, stop trying so hard. When you put heaps of pressure on yourself, you block the channels for authenticity. Let go and you'll find your own creative juice running freely.

Social media’s original intent was to connect us. It’s easy to lose sight of that as we strive for growth but it’s the very thing that can help us to grow. So go broadcast yourself.

Thomas Frank has put together a collection of articles, videos, and resources for YouTubers. It covers everything from gear to business 101.

This handy tool allows you to estimate how much you can earn from sponsored TikTok posts using your audience size and engagement rate.

Jay Abraham’s strategy of Preeminence will change the way you approach business. In a nutshell: Don't think about what you're trying to sell, think about how you want to serve. 

Whether you're reaching out to potential sponsors or podcast guests, the quality of your pitch matters. This thread outlines how to write a killer cold email that won't get lost in the inbox.

It's important to think for yourself, but sometimes other perspectives can help you shape your own. This article outlines 3 situations when that might be relevant.

Manage money as a creator with Treyton DeVore 

Worried about your taxes? Not sure if you're saving enough?

In our latest podcast episode, I spoke to Treyton DeVore about:

• common mistakes creators make with their finances

• how to manage finances without the overwhelm

• how to prepare for decisions that affect your finances e.g. going full-time as a creator

There's not long to go until our AMA event with Justin Moore on January 30th at 5pm GMT! During this free 1 hour session, you'll be able to ask Justin all your questions on sponsorships, negotiating, and pricing. You can sign up here.

Stay passionate,

Akta