How To Get Your First 10,000 Followers On Twitter w/ Dickie Bush
TLDRIn this insightful episode of 'Marketing Against the Grain,' hosts Kipp Bodnar and Kieran Flanagan interview Dickie Bush, the captain of Ship 30 for 30, a program that has helped thousands embark on their writing journey. The conversation delves into the transformative power of writing, the importance of sharing ideas clearly, and the strategies that have enabled Bush to grow his audience rapidly. They discuss the common pitfalls in writing, such as ego-driven content, and emphasize the need to prioritize the reader's interests. Bush shares his personal writing routine and the impact of having a structured time for ideation and writing. The episode highlights how writing can be a powerful tool for learning, teaching, and building a personal brand or audience.
Takeaways
- π Writing is a powerful tool for communication and idea sharing, as seen in the success of Wall Street investors and business leaders known for their clear writing.
- π‘ The correlation between clear writing and success is evident, with figures like Howard Marks, Warren Buffet, and Jeff Bezos using writing as a key component of their strategy.
- π The transformational impact of writing can be both personally and professionally life-changing, as it helps to clarify thoughts and communicate them effectively.
- π Starting a writing journey can be as simple as committing to a regular schedule, such as daily or weekly, and focusing on a unique area of expertise.
- π οΈ Writing is a learning tool as much as it is a teaching one; it helps writers understand topics more deeply and share that knowledge with others.
- π The power of writing lies in its ability to attract attention and build an audience, which can be a valuable resource for launching new ideas or projects.
- π The key to avoiding perfectionism in writing is to establish an output cadence that prevents overthinking and allows for iterative improvement based on audience feedback.
- π Idea generation is crucial for writing and can be sparked by giving the mind space to wander and think, often during activities that don't require focused thought.
- π Capturing ideas as they arise and then scheduling dedicated time to process and refine them is a productive approach to consistent writing.
- π€ Writing should be reader-centric, focusing on solving problems and providing value to the audience rather than being driven by the writer's ego or desire for recognition.
Q & A
What was the guest's initial perception of writing before his Wall Street experience?
-The guest initially saw no value in writing and preferred focusing on coding and math, as that was what he majored in.
What realization did the guest have during his first month on Wall Street?
-The guest realized that the most powerful people at the firm were those who could write in-depth educational emails and share their ideas with others.
How did the guest's attitude towards writing change after observing successful investors?
-He noticed a correlation among successful investors like Howard Marks, Warren Buffet, and Jeff Bezos, who were all known for their clear writing. This led him to reconsider the importance of writing and decide to improve his own writing skills.
What action did the guest take to improve his writing skills?
-The guest started a newsletter in January 2020, committing to write weekly for a year, with the goal of getting better at writing even if no one read it.
How did the guest's writing journey begin on Twitter?
-He created his Twitter account in July 2020 and started writing in the mornings and evenings while working on Wall Street remotely, using it as a creative outlet and a way to build an audience.
What advice does the guest have for someone who wants to transition from a technical background to creative writing?
-The guest suggests starting to write about one's unique expertise and extending that thinking to share ideas publicly, emphasizing that the initial fear of what to write about should be overcome by focusing on long-term commitment.
How does writing serve as a tool for personal growth according to the podcast hosts?
-The hosts believe that writing is a powerful tool for clarifying thoughts and teaching oneself. It helps in building knowledge and improving communication skills, which can be exponential for personal and professional growth.
What is the significance of having a regular writing habit, as discussed by the hosts?
-A regular writing habit is crucial as it forces discipline, helps in organizing thoughts, and can lead to transformative personal and career growth. It also establishes a keystone habit that can improve other areas of life, such as creativity and exercise.
What is the impact of writing daily versus writing occasionally, as per the guest's experience?
-Writing daily creates a consistent stream of content that can attract attention and build an audience. It also keeps the writer in a constant state of idea generation and creativity, leading to more impactful and resonant content.
What is the 'Ship 30' writing program that the guest mentioned?
-Ship 30 is a writing program that the guest founded, which has helped over 6,000 people to begin their writing journey, create their careers, and transform their lives through writing.
How does the guest describe the balance between reach and resonance in content creation?
-The guest explains that content exists on a spectrum between reach (wide audience) and resonance (deep connection with a niche audience). Successful writing should aim to find a balance, where the content is valuable enough to resonate with a specific audience, rather than aiming for mass reach without building a meaningful connection.
Outlines
π Transition from Wall Street to Full-Time Writing
The speaker shares their journey from working on Wall Street, where they observed the power of clear writing and sharing ideas, to becoming a full-time writer. They mention the influence of successful investors like Howard Marks, Warren Buffet, and Jeff Bezos, who are known for their clear writing. The speaker emphasizes the transformational impact of writing on their life and discusses the importance of starting to write, even with initial fears and uncertainties.
π The Power of Writing and Its Impact on Success
The conversation highlights the correlation between powerful individuals in the firm and their ability to write in-depth educational emails. The speaker discusses the importance of clear writing in communicating ideas effectively and mentions the influence of figures like David Goggins on their writing journey. They also share their experience of starting a newsletter to improve their writing skills and the exponential upside of writing regularly on the internet.
π Building a Personal Brand and Audience through Writing
The discussion focuses on the increasing trend of personal branding and the desire to build an audience through writing. The speaker talks about the shift in priorities among entrepreneurs and successful founders towards gaining notoriety and building their own audience. They explore the value of attention and the importance of writing in building a personal brand, as well as the balance between influence and reach in content creation.
π Writing as a Learning and Teaching Tool
The speaker shares their perspective on writing as a learning tool rather than just a teaching one. They discuss the process of curating and creating content, starting as a curious learner and eventually becoming a deep thinker. The conversation emphasizes the importance of writing to figure things out and the value of sharing one's learning journey with others.
π€ Navigating the Writing Process and Overcoming Perfectionism
The speaker talks about the challenges of knowing when a piece of writing is finished and the dangers of perfectionism. They advocate for setting an output cadence to avoid overthinking and overediting. The speaker shares their approach to writing, which includes capturing ideas, having a daily writing routine, and embracing the concept of 'lean writing' to receive rapid feedback and improve over time.
π‘ Cultivating Ideas and the Role of Inspiration in Writing
The conversation delves into the process of finding and cultivating ideas for writing. The speakers discuss the importance of having unstructured thinking time and the role of inspiration in generating ideas. They share personal experiences of how they come up with ideas, the value of walks and showers in allowing the mind to wander, and the need for structured time to process and refine these ideas into well-crafted content.
π Common Writing Mistakes and the Importance of Empathy
The speakers identify common mistakes made by writers, such as writing from a place of ego and focusing too much on impressing readers rather than solving their problems. They emphasize the need to approach writing with empathy, putting oneself in the reader's shoes, and focusing on providing value. The conversation also touches on the misconceptions about writing in the professional world and the importance of understanding the audience's needs.
π The Enduring Relevance of Writing in the Digital Age
The speakers reflect on the enduring importance of writing in the digital age, despite the rise of platforms like YouTube and TikTok. They highlight writing as a foundational skill necessary for creating high-quality content across all formats. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of writing for personal growth, professional development, and the potential for writers to stand out on platforms like LinkedIn.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Writing
π‘Wall Street
π‘Personal Brand
π‘Ship 30 for 30
π‘Marketing
π‘Twitter
π‘Educational Emails
π‘Clear Writing
π‘Creative Outlet
π‘Keystone Habit
Highlights
The importance of writing skills in Wall Street and business, where powerful people are known for their clear writing.
The correlation between clear writing and success, as seen with investors like Howard Marks, Warren Buffet, and Jeff Bezos.
The transformational impact of writing on one's life and career, as experienced by the guests on the podcast.
The realization that writing is not just about teaching butζ΄ε€ηζ―a learning tool.
The strategy of starting with curation and then moving on to creation in one's writing journey.
The importance of capturing ideas everywhere and at all times to fuel one's writing process.
The significance of having a daily writing routine to ensure consistency and continuous improvement.
The concept of 'lean writing', which encourages putting out minimum viable ideas to gather feedback and improve.
The idea that writing should be reader-first, focusing on solving problems and providing value to the audience.
The role of thinking time in generating valuable ideas and improving one's writing.
The common mistake of writing from a place of ego, rather than focusing on the reader's needs and interests.
The potential of LinkedIn as a platform for high-quality writers due to its more civil discourse and the algorithm's preference for quality content.
The importance of separating personal inspiration from the ability to consistently produce valuable writing content.
The idea that great writing is foundational to all forms of communication and expression, including scripts for movies.
Transcripts
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