Stop thinking what others would like to read
As a writer, you can fall into the trap of thinking about your readers too much. Will they like what you write? Will it resonate? But, the best writing is the one you don’t care how many people read.
shime.sh
It's pretty easy to fall into the trap of over researching what to write or create. When we think too much about what other people want, we forget what we need as creators.
It's incredibly freeing (and productive, for me at least) to write about the things that you truly care and get excited about.
Via @shime 🙏🏽
Sooo true! Writing about things we truly care as creators can have beautiful echoes with other people. Authentic and rewarding bonds that we would not have imagined or lived if not.
Thanks for sharing, Rosie.
I had a breakthrough realization about my podcast recently along these lines.
Yes, Indie Hackers is an interview show, and it's about the guest. But I should bring more of myself to each episode. What am I learning, thinking, and doing? What do I believe? Who am I talking to, and what problems and I solving? Etc. Even when focusing on the guest, it's interesting to discuss what I think about their business, not just what they think.
I used to think this kind of stuff would get boring and repetitive. And it can, if you're not thoughtful about it. But if I sit down and actually spend 20 minutes thinking about what I've done in the days since my last podcast recording, there are always some really interesting nuggets worth bringing up. Not only does this make for more interesting audio, and it's more fun to produce, too.
Writing or talking about what you're interested in is highly underrated.
One thought - I sometimes like to consume the IH podcast by finding bunch of episodes on similar topics and listen back to back and cross reference the advice from different perspectives and context. (and figure out which advice applies to me and which does not). Maybe there is something there. As the host, you can highlight patterns you see or point out distinctions in the guest's journey. I think you already do some of this.
Great reminder. I write about what I'm curious about and what I learn and people just find them helpful, great feeling :)
I think writing about what you're interested in is key to making it a habit.
Yea you're right. If we force ourselves to write certain topics, it is so easy to give up after a few weeks.
It can be good advice, but I think it is important to consider a topic we like and our readers enjoy. Of course, you should develop your writing in a personal and authentic way.
Currently writing my Bachelor Thesis and i would love stop caring what the Professor might wanna read.
But i guess, this doesn't apply for a Thesis, sadly :D
Gosh, I can't get behind this thinking at all 😱 The only success I've personally had is when I stop thinking about myself, and start thinking about others. What problems do other people have that I can provide a solution to based upon my years of experience in that field.
interesting advise. I am literally working on my ebook right now and I aim to sell it. so telling me not to care what others would like to read is odd - if they don't like it they won't buy? ;-)
This works wonder for me too. I don't really care about what people want to read, or what SEO tricks I should use to rank better, or what article I shouldn't speak about because it's my direct competitor on Google.
I tried to take all of that in consideration, but at the end I didn't have any satisfaction, I didn't like my work (I mean, I liked it even less), and nobody liked it either. It was just generic, boring pieces of content similar to many others.
Now my main concern is: how I make the subject easy to understand, attractive, well written, and helpful?
I think that's what make a piece of content great. Everything can be interesting if you like the subject deeply and if you know how to make it interesting.
Awsome, Thanks for sharing... Rosie.
This is true not only for the theme and format.
Also about expressing your opinion.
It is better to write your own opinion, even if it may be unpopular. Than to write only that exactly will please your readers.