The Creative Shift with Dan Blank

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)"

The post What is the value of having social media followers? (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

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)"

The post Honor your connection to readers (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

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)"

The post Typewriters, and social media (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

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)"

The post Why your book isn’t getting reviews (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

I was speaking with a writer recently who shared a question someone asked them. You see, this writer is embarking on a new phase of her life where she wants to write fiction and creative nonfiction. Her friend asked: “If you were going to do something with your writing, wouldn’t you have done it already?” … Continue reading "Do your friends & family support your writing goals? (podcast)"

The post Do your friends & family support your writing goals? (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

I recently rewatched the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window. I can’t help but feel as though it is a lens into the challenges that writers face in navigating social media. Today I want to talk about how the movie is a metaphor for these challenges. You can listen to the podcast by clicking ‘play’ … Continue reading "A Window or a Gateway (podcast)"

The post A Window or a Gateway (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

As a writer or creator, I’m sure you have read that you should connect directly with your potential readers on social media, a newsletter, and elsewhere online. And when you ask “Um, what exactly do I share? How — specifically — do I do this?” You may have heard the advice of: “Just be authentic!” But that … Continue reading "What does “just be authentic” on social media mean? (podcast)"

The post What does “just be authentic” on social media mean? (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

There are many writers and creators who think that marketing is the act of getting in someone’s way. Of tricking someone to subscribe to a newsletter by giving them a freebie; using a hashtag to game the social media algorithm to share your work; or posting a random meme to social media to get any … Continue reading "Great marketing is giving people something they WANT to share (podcast)"

The post Great marketing is giving people something they WANT to share (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

Isn’t it enough just to create a great book or work of art? Why would a writer ever have to feel responsible for marketing their own book? Shouldn’t that be the job of the publisher? Let’s dig into this topic.  You can listen to the podcast by clicking ‘play’ below, or in the following places: … Continue reading "Why should writers worry about marketing at all? (podcast)"

The post Why should writers worry about marketing at all? (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.

Regardless of the publishing path you choose, I encourage you to prepare your author platform for sharing your writing or publishing a book way before you think you need it. Like, years before. Today I want to talk about why that is. You can listen to the podcast by clicking ‘play’ below, or in the … Continue reading "Prepare your author platform earlier than you think (podcast)"

The post Prepare your author platform earlier than you think (podcast) appeared first on WeGrowMedia - Dan Blank.