You can't rely on social networks

Everyone’s squawking about the TikTok ban.

People are flustered, understandably so, because many realise how reliant they are on some random social network owned by China.

I know someone who will lose 1.4 million TikTok followers just like that.

Relying on social media for your business and well-being ain’t smart.

Because those followers can be rug-pulled gone in an instant.

As we’re seeing right now.

This pings me in my chest because, at one point, I became far too reliant on the writing platform Medium for one of my main income streams.

Just like that, new management came in and destroyed my Medium income with a fiddle of their code.

This is why I’m big on email newsletters.

Now, that’s something I will be squawking about.

You don’t own your social media followers.

You can, however, own your email list subscribers.

If one of the email platforms, like ConvertKit, died in a freak boating accident, you’d still have your subscribers (especially when you regularly back them up in a CSV file).

And you move those subscribers to another email broadcasting platform.

SO,

If you have any intention of doing any of the following:

• Making an impact with your ideas

• Being free and location-independent

• Leading a movement or tribe

• Growing an audience

• Making money online

• Selling your products, art and books…

You do want your own newsletter.

And yes, Ethel, in case you weren’t sure, you’re reading mine right now.

It’s the backbone of my business.

It allows me to write from anywhere in my funky Garfield boxer shorts.

Right now, I’m in Istanbul eating kebabs, just because.

Needing a newsletter isn’t for ‘advanced’ writers or brand-builders.

It’s for everyone.

You start yesterday. Not next year.

You grow your subscribership before you have anything to sell.

You build trust, likeability and familiarity first, not when the stars align and you finally find your mojo behind the back of the fridge.

AI is gathering at the gates.

You need a quietly present online existence that connects you to other humans.

You need a newsletter.

Don’t overlook this.

How do you start your own newsletter then?

1. Find a platform that allows you to broadcast emails. I use Beehiiv.

2. Write consistent emails, even when no one is reading.

3. Invite people to add their email addresses so they receive these emails from you over time.

Don’t worry; I’ll be sharing more about exactly how I’m doing it as we go.

Writing regular emails and growing your newsletter does require you to write well.

I show you how to write well and avoid my mistakes in my Online Writing Alchemy course. Hundreds of students are mastering their online writing here.

Learn more here.

Hugs,

Alex