Q&A
This is another edition of the Q&A section of these newsletters. If you ever want to have your question answered, hit "Reply" and send me any question you have on branding, content marketing or building business, and I'll answer based on my experience being in this industry for near ten years now.
For today's question… ↓
Question from my friend:
I hope you see this soon Mike. This year I started writing and sharing content! I have figured out my style of writing and recording and have got a consistent schedule now. The issue is, It's really hard for me to grow followers. I'm not growing. I post and post and nothing happens. I want your advice on what to do next as the year is ending and 2025 is looming. Thanks in advance!
Anon
My answer:
When it comes to writing and sharing content, most people simply need to start.
That first step—getting over the fear of putting yourself out there—can be the hardest part, but it’s essential. Once you get past that initial fear, like you've done, you quickly realize that growing an audience isn’t automatic. It takes far more than just showing up every other day.
But because you’re already thinking about how to grow your audience, you’re in a great position. Having this challenge means you're on your way to making real progress.
There are two non-negotiables when it comes to building an engaged following: being intentional with your community and producing a high volume of content. Let’s break these down.
First, community is key. Building a supportive, authentic community is what will separate you from other content creators who are just posting randomly, hoping people will show up.
To build a loyal following, you need to connect with people who genuinely care about your work and share common interests. This requires you to be intentional—meaning you’re actively reaching out to others, creating spaces for engagement, and encouraging people to feel like they’re part of something meaningful.
Whether it’s through comments, direct messages, or live interactions, being intentional about community means making people feel seen and valued.
The second non-negotiable is creating more content, and sometimes even daily posting isn’t enough. Social media platforms, algorithms, and audiences today crave consistency and variety.
You’re not just creating content; you’re creating a journey that people want to follow. That journey has to be frequent enough to stay in people’s minds, diverse enough to keep them interested, and aligned with what they want or need.
You might need to post multiple times a day or experiment with different formats, such as videos, images, stories, and even going live.
Just as important as putting out content is engaging with other creators in your niche. Think of it as networking for the digital age. If you’re a writer, connect with other writers, editors, or even readers who share your interests.
If you’re a musician, follow other artists, producers, or music bloggers.
Engage with their content—comment, share, ask questions.
This shows that you’re not just interested in promoting yourself but genuinely care about what’s happening in your field.
Plus, when you support others, they’re more likely to support you back. Building those connections is as valuable as anything you post on your feed.
The road to building an audience is about consistency, community, and constant growth. Be willing to learn, adapt, and most importantly, be intentional with your efforts.
I'm writing this for myself as well. I've been slacking on so many parts of this this year but things are changing real soon!
See you in 2025!