Blog - WeGrowMedia

Lessons for Writers from 100 Daily Videos (6/9/2023) - Last week I talked about the pros and cons of focusing on growing followers online. Today I want to explore that further, and use this as a framing: this week I celebrated sharing 100 daily videos on Instagram. Each day I recorded a 1-minute video with advice on creating and sharing. This is what all … Continue reading "Lessons for Writers from 100 Daily Videos"
Will 10,000 followers get you a book deal? (podcast) (6/6/2023) - I have heard versions of this from many writers over the years: “An agent told me that if I had 10,000 followers, they would sign me.” Is that true? I don’t think so. Largely, I think this number is entirely made up. What agents and publishers may instead be seeking is a writer’s ability to … Continue reading "Will 10,000 followers get you a book deal? (podcast)"
Will 10,000 followers get you a book deal? (6/2/2023) - I have heard versions of this from many writers over the years: “An agent told me that if I had 10,000 followers, they would sign me.” or “The publisher is interested, but wants to see 10,000 followers before they commit.” In every case, the writer was clear that the primary interest of the agent or … Continue reading "Will 10,000 followers get you a book deal?"
Why take the risk of sharing? (podcast) (5/29/2023) - If you are a writer, why bother sharing? Why spend your time and energy sharing on social media, starting a newsletter, or vying for attention at all? Sharing is a risk. Yet, I find that sharing what we create and why opens up the possibility for so many good things. I believe that sharing deeply … Continue reading "Why take the risk of sharing? (podcast)"
Why take the risk of sharing? (5/26/2023) - If you are a writer, why bother sharing? Why spend your time and energy sharing on social media, starting a newsletter, or vying for attention at all? Many writers have good reasons not to: “I want people to notice my writing, not me.” “Social media doesn’t sell books.” “I want to spend my time writing, … Continue reading "Why take the risk of sharing?"
A 6-Step Guide to Publishing a Bestselling Book (podcast) (5/19/2023) - Today I want to share a step-by-step guide to publishing a bestselling book. There are just 6 steps, and I will be clear about each one. As a model for this guide, I am going to use one of all-time favorite stories of creative success. Please bear with me here… I want to use the … Continue reading "A 6-Step Guide to Publishing a Bestselling Book (podcast)"
A 6-Step Guide to Publishing a Bestselling Book (5/19/2023) - Today I want to share a step-by-step guide to publishing a bestselling book. There are just 6 steps, and I will be clear about each one. As a model for this guide, I am going to use one of all-time favorite stories of creative success. Please bear with me here… I want to use the … Continue reading "A 6-Step Guide to Publishing a Bestselling Book"
How Writers, Artists, and Creators Can Thrive in an AI World (podcast) (5/12/2023) - The more I see of it, the more I am understanding how AI (artificial intelligence) will change the fields of writing, art, and all creative fields in a profound way. Today I’ll share examples of what I’ve been seeing, but my first goal today is to make this episode useful to you. If you are … Continue reading "How Writers, Artists, and Creators Can Thrive in an AI World (podcast)"
How I help writers find their audience (5/12/2023) - I’ve worked with writers and creators full-time for the past 13 years. It is a joy and privilege to spend my time with those who create. The work we do focuses on practical outcomes: establishing and growing a writer’s platform, creating marketing campaigns, launching books, and more. But I find this work also goes very … Continue reading "How I help writers find their audience"
How Writers, Artists, and Creators Can Thrive in an AI World (5/5/2023) - The more I see of it, the more I am understanding how AI (artificial intelligence) will change the fields of writing, art, and all creative fields in a profound way. I’ll share examples below of what I’ve been seeing, but my first goal today is to make this essay useful to you. If you are … Continue reading "How Writers, Artists, and Creators Can Thrive in an AI World"
How you share is a craft (podcast) (5/3/2023) - If you are reading this, chances are you are a writer, illustrator, artist, or creator of some sort. You have embraced your creative craft, and work to develop it year after year. I’ve always considered how we share to be a craft as well. How we show up. How we listen. How we connect. How … Continue reading "How you share is a craft (podcast)"
Why I moved my newsletter of 18 years to Substack (podcast) (4/28/2023) - I’ve sent a weekly email newsletter for 18 years. Recently, I moved it to Substack. In today’s episode I want to share the story of my newsletter, and why I am finding Substack to be interesting for writers. You can listen to the podcast by clicking ‘play’ below, or in the following places: Apple Podcasts … Continue reading "Why I moved my newsletter of 18 years to Substack (podcast)"
How you share is a craft (4/28/2023) - If you are reading this, chances are you are a writer, illustrator, artist, or creator of some sort. You have embraced your creative craft, and work to develop it year after year. I’ve always considered how we share to be a craft as well. How we show up. How we listen. How we connect. How … Continue reading "How you share is a craft"
Why I moved my newsletter of 18 years to Substack (4/21/2023) - In 2005, I was working in a gray cubicle at a magazine publisher and media company on Park Avenue South in New York City. At the time I worked in the Corporate Communications department, and one of our big responsibilities was sending out an internal newsletter to thousands of employees every Tuesday. I had become … Continue reading "Why I moved my newsletter of 18 years to Substack"
The creative success pyramid (updated!) (4/14/2023) - After months of work, I’m excited to share with you the latest version of my Creative Success Pyramid. This is the exact system I use to help writers and creators get clarity in their work, develop an audience, and launch their work in a meaningful way. As with all previous iterations of the pyramid, this … Continue reading "The creative success pyramid (updated!)"
Handcrafted vs AI writing and art (podcast) (4/11/2023) - Last episode I talked about the potential impact that artificial intelligence will have on writing, art, and creative work. Today, I want to focus on the opposite: the value of handcrafted creative work (writing, art, etc.), that by their nature are limited edition and deeply personal. What I will cover today: 1.) Why one writer … Continue reading "Handcrafted vs AI writing and art (podcast)"
Lessons from a 30-day creative challenge (4/7/2023) - Please join me next week for a free workshop: Define Your Identity and Creative Voice: Share Who You Are and What You Create with a Sense of Authenticity and Confidence! In this hourlong webinar, I’ll be sharing ways to feel comfortable in developing your public voice as a writer/creator online, and how this becomes the … Continue reading "Lessons from a 30-day creative challenge"
How AI may change writing and creating (podcast) (4/5/2023) - Maybe you may have seen a lot of headlines recently about artificial intelligence (AI) writing or art. Recently, I’ve seen things with both that are giving me pause. Today I want to share three things: 1.) Why artificial intelligence in creative work is compelling. 2.) Why AI is likely to create a crisis in creative … Continue reading "How AI may change writing and creating (podcast)"
Handcrafted vs AI writing and art (3/31/2023) - Last week I wrote about the potential impact that artificial intelligence will have on writing, art, and creative work. Today, I want to focus on the opposite: the value of handcrafted creative work (writing, art, etc.), that by their nature are limited edition and deeply personal. What I will cover today: Why one writer and … Continue reading "Handcrafted vs AI writing and art"
How AI may change writing and creating (3/24/2023) - Maybe you may have seen a lot of headlines recently about artificial intelligence (AI) writing or art. Recently, I’ve seen things with both that are giving me pause. Today I want to share three things: Why artificial intelligence in creative work is compelling Why AI is likely to create a crisis in creative fields, and … Continue reading "How AI may change writing and creating"
How to make social media fun again (3/17/2023) - Earlier this week, I saw a post on Instagram from an author and creator I follow where she said: “Last summer I decided if I was going to stay on this app, I was going to have fun on this app. I ignored all the “rules” and started posting way more. It’s been THE MOST … Continue reading "How to make social media fun again"
Case study: Book sales, audience growth, and earnings from an email newsletter (podcast) (3/16/2023) - Today I want to share details on how one writer I’m working with is selling more books, getting rapid growth in her audience, and increasing the revenue she earns from her writing. Melinda Wenner Moyer is a science journalist and author of the book How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes. She and I began … Continue reading "Case study: Book sales, audience growth, and earnings from an email newsletter (podcast)"
Case study: Book sales, audience growth, and earnings from an email newsletter, with Melinda Wenner Moyer (3/9/2023) - Today I want to share details on how one writer I’m working with is selling more books, getting rapid growth in her audience, and increasing the revenue she earns from her writing. Melinda Wenner Moyer is a science journalist and author of the book How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes. She and I began … Continue reading "Case study: Book sales, audience growth, and earnings from an email newsletter, with Melinda Wenner Moyer"
The amazing milestone of a book (3/3/2023) - Join me next week for a free workshop: Find Your Ideal Audience: Know Who Your Readers Are, Where to Find Them, and What Engages Them. Friday March 10th at 12:30pm ET. If you can’t make the live call, register anyway and you will receive a video replay of the event. Register here. Today, I want … Continue reading "The amazing milestone of a book"
Simple Ways to Connect with Others (podcast) (2/27/2023) - In the work I do in helping writers connect with readers and grow their platforms, I find that there is often this pressure to “go viral.” To identify a tactic that reaches the most people with the minimum effort. And sure, that’s definitely useful. But that can also be elusive. Today I want to talk … Continue reading "Simple Ways to Connect with Others (podcast)"
Simple ways to connect with others (2/24/2023) - In the work I do in helping writers connect with readers and grow their platforms, I find that there is often this pressure to “go viral.” To identify a tactic that reaches the most people with the minimum effort. And sure, that’s definitely useful. But that can also be elusive. Today I want to talk … Continue reading "Simple ways to connect with others"
You have the power to share (2/17/2023) - Yesterday I taught a class titled “Marketing Books That Aren’t New,” which was hosted by Jane Friedman. Throughout the presentation, I shared many ideas and suggestions, and I have been considering what ties them all together. I think it is this: that today, authors have agency in a way they rarely did in the past. … Continue reading "You have the power to share"
Doing stuff works (podcast) (2/13/2023) - Every week, my friend Jennie Nash and I have a mini-mastermind call. On it, we discuss business challenges, creative goals, new ideas, and so much else. Today, I want to share two of the biggest and most consistent insights we have had, and how they relate to how you can approach sharing your work and … Continue reading "Doing stuff works (podcast)"
Doing stuff works (2/10/2023) - I’ve mentioned before that every week, Jennie Nash and I have a mini-mastermind call. On it, we discuss business challenges, creative goals, new ideas, and so much else. Today, I want to share two of the biggest and most consistent insights we have had, and how they relate to how you can approach sharing your … Continue reading "Doing stuff works"
What keeps you from sharing? (2/3/2023) - I believe that something special happens when our writing and creative work is shared with others. Of course, the creative act is complete in itself: you can create for the sake of creating. Then, you can put that work in a drawer (or hard drive), and feel a sense of total fulfillment and satisfaction in … Continue reading "What keeps you from sharing?"
How we share, and the tools we use to do so (1/27/2023) - Today I want to talk about pressure that writers face to share their work, and the tools we have at our disposal to do so. Are you being unfairly asked to do too much by sharing online? Or are these opportunities you should be taking advantage of to reach your readers? Let’s dig in… Many … Continue reading "How we share, and the tools we use to do so"
Find your readers with intention (podcast) (1/24/2023) - I want to encourage you to do is be intentional about connecting with potential readers. No, I am not saying that you have to embrace networking. Instead, consider how you can regularly create moments and experiences around the kind of books or themes that inspire you. Joy should be infused in the process. You can … Continue reading "Find your readers with intention (podcast)"
Find your readers with intention (1/20/2023) - Join me for a free workshop today at 12:30pm ET: Author Platform and Book Launch Essentials. I will share three critical strategies for anyone who is trying to grow their audience as a writer, or prepare for a book launch. Plus: I will be happy to answer your questions in a live Q&A. If you … Continue reading "Find your readers with intention"
How to build your author platform in 2023 (1/13/2023) - In speaking with writers every day, I get to hear about their challenges, their goals, their progress, and their fears. Last week I spoke with a wonderful group of novelists, digging into topics about growing their author platforms and preparing for a book launch. Some of these writers are familiar faces, those I have worked … Continue reading "How to build your author platform in 2023"
Finding the time, energy, and confidence to create (1/6/2023) - (Reminder: Join me for a live workshop today at 12:30pm ET: Creative Clarity: Find More Time, Get More Done, and Live with More Confidence.) This is a photo of my mom from the early 1950s on the street she grew up, in the Lower East Side of New York City: I have dozens of … Continue reading "Finding the time, energy, and confidence to create"
Start the year with creative clarity (12/28/2022) - In helping writers and creators reach their audience, I have found that the first essential ingredient is creative clarity. When you have creative clarity, you: Know exactly what to create. Understand how to use your limited resources for the greatest impact to reach your audience. Feel confident in your creative identity. Focus people’s attention and … Continue reading "Start the year with creative clarity"
Are newsletters, podcasts, and social media too crowded? (Podcast) (12/23/2022) - It’s common for me to read a headline or social media post from someone who shares a story or statistics that illustrate that a specific channel is “too crowded” and not worth pursuing. That may include email newsletters, podcasts, social media, or Zoom events. Yet if you are someone who writes or creates, without these … Continue reading "Are newsletters, podcasts, and social media too crowded? (Podcast)"
Why do you write? (12/23/2022) - My days are spent talking with writers, and something I think about a lot are their goals. At what point will they feel a sense of fulfillment? What are the milestones they seek that drives all this effort? Earlier this week I asked writers on social media why they write, and these were some responses: … Continue reading "Why do you write?"
You are not a brand (podcast) (12/16/2022) - Recently I have seen people begin using the word “brand” a lot more. The context being that you have to “define your author brand” or “establish yourself as a brand” if you want to get the attention of readers. But you are not a brand. You are a person. Who you are and what you … Continue reading "You are not a brand (podcast)"
When to prepare for your book launch (12/16/2022) - It’s common for me to encourage a writer to begin working on their book launch a year or more ahead of time. Today I want to talk about why that is, and ways you can prepare now. Let’s dig in… Have a Plan Don’t wait for others to magically create a plan for you. I’ve … Continue reading "When to prepare for your book launch"
Are newsletters, podcasts, and social media too crowded? (12/9/2022) - It’s common for me to read a headline or social media post from someone positing things like: “Now that everyone is sending a newsletter, inboxes have reached a breaking point. If you are a writer, don’t bother starting one.” “With the podcast renaissance that started in 2012, we have now passed the peak of the … Continue reading "Are newsletters, podcasts, and social media too crowded?"
What is the value of having social media followers? (podcast) (12/2/2022) - In recent episodes of this podcast, I’ve encouraged you to stop thinking about social media as being just about growing how many followers you have. But today I want to talk about the opposite: why having followers on social media can matter to your goals as a writer. The context I’m talking about here is … Continue reading "What is the value of having social media followers? (podcast)"
You are not a brand (12/2/2022) - Recently I have seen people begin using the word “brand” a lot more. The context being that you have to “define your author brand” or “establish yourself as a brand” if you want to get the attention of readers. But you are not a brand. You are a person. Who you are and what you … Continue reading "You are not a brand"
Celebrate those who create (11/25/2022) - I had been working on two different essays to potentially send out today, but then I saw something this week that really moved me. I want to share what that is today, and encourage you to do something that I think could have a powerful — and positive — impact on the life of another … Continue reading "Celebrate those who create"
What is the value of having social media followers? (11/17/2022) - In the past few issues of this newsletter I talked about different ways of considering using social media if you are a writer or creator: Social media is a tool, you get to decide if — and how — you use it Honor your connection to readers, not trends or algorithms Stop worrying about how … Continue reading "What is the value of having social media followers?"
Honor your connection to readers (podcast) (11/16/2022) - I have seen so much discussion recently about social media and email newsletters. Today, I want to encourage something critical: Focus on your goals as a writer and the experiences you want to have with readers. I worry that focusing too much on what each social network provides (the trends, the algorithms, etc.), has us … Continue reading "Honor your connection to readers (podcast)"
Stop worrying about how many followers you have (11/11/2022) - Maybe you have heard that if you are a writer, you need to grow your platform in order to develop a readership for your work, or attract agents or publishers. It’s common for me to hear author’s say, “I heard that I need to have 10,000 followers in order to get a publishing deal.” I … Continue reading "Stop worrying about how many followers you have"
Honor your connection to readers (11/4/2022) - I have seen so much discussion recently about social media and email newsletters. Today, I want to encourage something critical: Focus on your goals as a writer and the experiences you want to have with readers. I worry that focusing too much on what each social network provides (the trends, the algorithms, etc.), has us … Continue reading "Honor your connection to readers"
Typewriters, and social media (podcast) (11/1/2022) - I am often in conversation with writers and creators about their mixed feelings about social media, or their downright dislike of it. In some ways, it feels like we are at a crossroads with social media. Relying on it for some important things, constantly distracted by it, and repulsed by it for different reasons. Today, … Continue reading "Typewriters, and social media (podcast)"
Why your book isn’t getting reviews (podcast) (10/28/2022) - Many writers I speak with are surprised at how difficult it can be to get reviews for their books — even from friends, family, or colleagues. Today I want to talk about some reasons why that might be, and I’ll share advice on how you can get more reviews. You can listen to the podcast … Continue reading "Why your book isn’t getting reviews (podcast)"