Mind of a Maker
A daily blog inspired by Matthew Dicks
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.”
To become better at something, you have to practice. What better way to become a better writer and storyteller than to practice by making a habit of writing daily?
In this daily blog, we’ll discuss Maker-related topics as well as what inspires projects, including YouTube videos, Movies, TV Shows, Disney, Star Wars, LEGO, Books, and more. Everything is on the table, and nothing is off-limits.
Disclaimer: The thumbnail images featured on this blog are often AI-generated. See Disclosure page for more information.
The Number 1 Reason Your Content Business Is Failing
For years, I wondered why others succeeded and I was not online.
Lack of consistency.
Most people see an "overnight success" wondering how it happened. We don't see the weeks, months, or even years of work that went into it without anyone seeing it.
Lock in for consistency this week.
The Best Calls To Action Formats By Platform
Only 1, free value CTA per content piece.
• YouTube - Watch a video
• Newsletter - PS nudge
• Instagram - Comment a word
• Twitter/X - Direct to a pinned post
CTAs should simple, but give more free value.
4 Steps To Figure Out What Value Your Audience Needs
Most creators hope that what they want to create happens to be interesting for their audience, but use these steps to find the value they need.
1. Stop assuming and start listening
2. Pay attention to duplicate questions
3. Test small before investing time
4. Just ask
Your audience tells you what they need, but you have to pay attention to hear.
4 Levels To Niche Down Your Audience (Even If You Don't Think You Can Anymore)
We all know the benefits of narrowing our audiences, but it can seem like we already did. Instead, narrow further by these 4 levels.
1. Narrow the topic
2. Narrow the skill level
3. Narrow the platform
4. Narrow the outcome
Every nice can be refined so people within that range find your content extremely valuable.
The 1 Thing Frustrated Creators Get Wrong About Their Target Audience
Most frustrated creators blame the algorithm and think they need a shift.
They think "my target is too small."
Think like an archer trying to hit a target in a football stadium.
Aim at the field? Hit, but no points.
Aim at the target? Might miss the bulls eye, but still score.
The Only 5 Inexpensive Tools Required To Start Creating Content
The only 5 inexpensive tools required to start creating content.
Essentials:
1. Phone
2. Tripod
Optional:
3. DaVinci Resolve
4. External Microphone
5. Portable Light
Don't overcomplicate the initial setup. The goal is to get started and build consistency. Upgrade later.
Why You Should Base Content Decisions On Data, Not Emotion
Most content success comes down to how decisions are made: emotional vs data-driven.
Emotional decisions, or gut feelings, lead creators to post what they want and wonder why the dreaded algorithm is against them.
Data-based decisions tell us exactly what to double down on.
5 Mistakes I Made Trying to Start My Maker Channel
The 5 mistakes I made trying to start my Maker channel.
1. Vaguely defined audience
2. Vague value proposition
3. No long-form video strategy
4. Naive short-form video strategy
5. Zero focus on written content
My success on social media stagnated and fell flat for 5 years as a result.
Follow This Simple Advice To Get Ahead Of 99% Of Makers Growing An Audience On Social Media
How to get ahead of 99% of people:
Stop watching videos telling you how to get ahead of 99% of people.
Start doing the things you know you should be doing instead.
And if you’re trying to grow a Maker audience on social media, here’s what you should be doing:
6 Reasons Makers Hold Themselves Back From Creating Content
For over a year after I created my Instagram account to share my projects, I built things, took photos, but rarely hit "share".
Since starting to post projects online, I've learned more, made friends with other Makers, and been incredibly inspired by this amazing community.
If you've thought about posting your projects online and feel like you can't, see if any of these reasons are holding you back (and why they are faulty beliefs).
Why I’m Starting to Write Online
I recently signed up for Dickie Bush & Nicholas Cole’s online course, Ship 30 for 30. Here are a few reasons why.