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 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 1 Framework For Scaling Your Content Ideas Without Unnecessary Frustration
Most creators go directly to long-form video with their idea and get frustrated if it falls flat.
Successful creators engineer that success by continually expanding on ideas.
Start small and continue to expand what works.
3 Insights For Maker Creators From “The Thank You Economy” By Gary Vaynerchuk
3 insights for Maker creators from "The Thank You Economy" by Gary Vee.
1. Care about your audience.
2. Be authentic to who you are.
3. Relationships > Impressions.
Caring about your audience, their needs, wants, and desires, in an authentic way will show through even if quality isn't there.
Why Defining Your Target Social Audience Is Foundational For Consistent Online Growth
A common faulty belief is, "If I narrow my audience, it eliminates too many."
This is false.
If you make content for everyone, you make content for no one.
Go at least 3 layers deeper for consistent growth.
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.
My Top 5 Mistakes As A Content Creator (And How I'm Fixing Them in 2026)
My top 5 mistakes as a content creator (and how I'm fixing them in 2026)
1. No consistency
2. Overcomplicated or overlooked analytics
3. Abandoning 1 platform for another
4. Not having a clear strategy
5. Giving into imposter syndrome
Each can be overcome with good systems.
The 1 Way To Gain The Confidence Of Large Successful Makers
Most people believe that you can read enough books, watch enough YouTube videos, or listen to enough self-help podcasts to gain the confidence to do the thing you want to do.
But that isn't how confidence works and most successful people agree.
5 Keys To My 2026 Content Strategy Across Platforms
In 2018-2019, I massively missed my goals for growing content because I thought I had a strategy, but it was all fluff. I refuse to make the same mistakes now and am being intentional about HOW I think about WHAT I'm posting.
The 3 Requirements For A Successful 2026 Maker Social Strategy
You've tried to grow on social media in the past, but if fell flat because you didn't have a good strategy in place. Your 2026 strategy needs a good foundation that helps you stand out from the AI slop that's coming.
The 1 Reason You Need To Embrace Boring To Grow Your Business In 2026
I get it, I don't like to be bored either.
In fact, I successfully failed to grow my Instagram account past 8.5k subscribers since 2017 because I got bored creating Maker content on a consistent basis. I wasn't even consistent with the types or themes of my builds over the years because I was so boring-averse. I was all over the place, and the flatline of my Instagram growth is a direct result.
I failed because I didn't want to be bored, but you don't have to make the same mistake I did.
Advance Your Maker Content By Writing Online In 2026
Every year, more people start creating content online and it was no different for Makers.
It's easier than ever to come up with a catchy name with ChatGPT, create an Instagram account, and create tons of content only using your phone. With all these new accounts combined with established creators competing for eyeballs, how can you stand out and grow your audience?
Start by writing online to grow.
The Best Advice From K-Pop Demon Hunters For Maker Business Owners
Unless you've been living under a rock, K-Pop Demon Hunter has taken over the world and I'm finding more reasons to love it.
Not only are the songs super catchy (don't lie and say you've not jammed out to Soda Pop by yourself in your car), but the messages are amazing and apply to Maker Business Owners as well. You're probably expecting either the uplifting message from Golden or the hype up from Takedown or How It's Done, but I have a different favorite:
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:
The 1 Reason Your Content Creation Systems Aren't Working
You've worked to transform your hobby into a side hustle or small business, but your systems aren't working.
You can't seem to post consistent content.
You can't point to any results from all your hard work.
You can't figure out what's not working.
1 Simple Framework for Turning Your Weekend Projects Into Online Posts
You've been working away on weekend projects for months and have thought about posting them online, but don't know where to start.
Makers want to connect with other Makers. Posting your projects online helps you join that community that you might not have locally (or know where to find them). But how do you get started?
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).
5 Hidden Fears Keeping Your Maker Business Stagnant (And How To Push Past Them)
You've posted some content on social media, built a website, maybe even have a low-cost product or two to sell, but your Maker business just isn't growing.
The insidious thoughts creep in.
Maybe you aren't cut out to turn your hobby into a business. Maybe people just don't understand your genius. Maybe everyone else who succeeded had an unfair advantage.
Or maybe, you aren't being honest about what's really holding you back (hint, it's you).
Top 4 Mental Frameworks For Creating A Successful Maker Business
Business building influencers love to talk about how all it takes is a good idea and you'll be a millionaire by next year. Sifting through the noise to find real entrepreneurs who share the failures along with the wins can be challenging, but they are who you should be watching. These people don't sugar coat how much hard work and failure comes along with building a business, but that you can break through it.
The 3 Why's Behind My Pivot From Helping People Make To Helping Makers Get Their Message Out
In 2017, I started Making things and shortly after in 2018, I gave a half-hearted (IF that much) try at creating content about what I was Making. It went...okay. I will admit that I didn't give it everything I had and could have put significantly more effort into the projects and content about them.
This year, I started writing articles about Making things and shifted more to the business side of Making things earlier this month, but why?