One of the more challenging things I’m navigating this year is how I promote my work.
When you go looking for information, it takes no time at all to plummet down the rabbit hole of free advice. A lot of those people are trying to sell you courses, communities, or get you into their funnel, which is content creator speak for, “How do I make money off your desperation to get more followers?”
Now, many of these people are well-meaning and have some good insights. But much of the advice contradicts the last video you watched, and it can get frustrating.
I could easily spend thousands of dollars today on new lighting, editing software, cameras, courses, business coaching programs and advertising, and it likely wouldn’t get me any further ahead. In fact, it would seriously cut into the already limited time I have to create the art I want to make in the first place.
At some point, promoting the work threatens to become a bigger job than creating it.
So I’m working with what I’ve got, trying to get out of my head and just do the work I need to do. I got back on Instagram, which still feels like backsliding, but at least I’ve kept it off my phone, and I don’t plan to change that.
A couple of days ago, I found myself planning out a video and realized I could just turn on the camera and talk. You know, practice. And to stop myself from overthinking it, I just shot in my office while dusting a bookcase, wearing what I already had on, my standard uniform of lounge pants and a hoodie. I didn’t set up any extra lights, and in fact, I forgot a camera setting, so it’s a little too bright.
But here’s the thing. We’re all consuming so much content these days, scrolling through and past videos at lightning speed just to keep ourselves distracted, entertained and stimulated. Meanwhile, I’m worrying about whether my lighting is right or if I look ridiculous in a hoodie.
I’m still learning this stuff, and overthinking it is proving to be the hardest part.
So here’s the video. Enjoy.
Cheers,
Patrick
