Well-written and welcome advice. Thanks to Erin for writing it and to Russell for hosting it. As a learning-obsessed writer-consultant who always wants to learn the "right" way to do things so I can follow the rules and best practices, I'm not reading growth articles out of desperation... but I am DEFINITELY reading too many of them. Thanks for the reality and common-sense check.
thanks for reading, rodolfo! you're in good company, I do the same thing. I love learning new things and can definitely get hyper-focused gobbling up all kinds of new best practices and information until all the sudden my brain is jumbled and i'm not convinced i've learned anything of actual value 😂 it's a slippery slope!
ooo Erin, this is too cool to see you here! lots of great advice (some of which you’ve already tried to tell me, and I don’t always listen!!). Especially the “right time, right place,” and also, crafting your voice. And omg Russell, as one of Erin’s clients, I’ll take your compliment of “coolest, hippest” Substacks. Trying to live up to that. 🤓
Especially enjoyed the image of that greedy little dopamine gremlin behind the wheel!
The fact that I’m asking this question might give me away as someone who is not done honing their own voice, but I’ll ask anyway: How do I know when I have sufficiently honed my own voice?
Thank you Erin, this was great; and thank you Russell for saying fuck yeah.
Yay! I would say if you can mix it up with a few others from other people and can pick yours out, and esp. if somebody else can without even hesitation, then it’s very distinct.
ooooof what a question, hannah! I truly don't know the answer. there are so many things that spring to mind, but I will venture a guess and say maybe it boils down to something like: do I feel like my voice can skillfully, uniquely, and consistently address the topics and themes I wish to write about while always honoring my greater purpose and values? if the answer is yes, then maybe your voice is sufficiently honed... or at least getting closer? brb gonna go think about this obsessively for the next 36-48 hours
I like the combination of what/content (values, take, message) and how (tone/voice/recognizability).
It is of course hard to objectively read my own words to see if they stand out but when I think about it, I can pick out pieces that aren’t “my voice” in hindsight. Either because I was experimenting with something else (good) or because I was writing for the wrong reasons / because I felt I “should” write about it.
This makes me think it’s maybe in part craft to bring the voice to those topics but also in part self-trust and instinct and writing your own truth.
Is it possible to write your own real truth in a way that isn’t “your voice”? Idk. But maybe that’s where the values / purpose / mission piece comes in.
I recently subscribed to Erin's newsletter Frequent Criers Club and am 100% down with her writing style, her voice, and her general vibe. I was so delighted to see her here! And thoroughly enjoyed her well-written post. Don't tell her I said this, because I hate it when people say to me "one day I'm going to buy one of your paintings" 🙄, but ONE DAY when my budget allows I'm going to hire Erin to help me with my newsletter. Yes, I really am!
I WOULD BE HONORED! won't hold my breath though - there's no rush. whenever is right for you <3 thank you for following along in the meantime and making my day with this comment. I love your general vibe, too.
🤘🤘🤘 yesss thank you for delivering the supportive, thoughtful realness as usual, Erin! And thank you Russel for sharing this woman’s wisdom with your list.
Thank you for being real and challenging the exhausting norm of content these days. Also, I agree that finding your voice and being true to yourself is the most important step to take before growth! You have to be willing to grow yourself as a person before you can successfully help others grow.
i'm so glad it brought some relief for you, claire. I love the way you approach growth so it's especially meaningful to receive encouragement from you!
I’m sold on “adopting a testing mindset” because of my experience with A/B testing systems, sites, content & media working in marketing ♥️
Well-written and welcome advice. Thanks to Erin for writing it and to Russell for hosting it. As a learning-obsessed writer-consultant who always wants to learn the "right" way to do things so I can follow the rules and best practices, I'm not reading growth articles out of desperation... but I am DEFINITELY reading too many of them. Thanks for the reality and common-sense check.
thanks for reading, rodolfo! you're in good company, I do the same thing. I love learning new things and can definitely get hyper-focused gobbling up all kinds of new best practices and information until all the sudden my brain is jumbled and i'm not convinced i've learned anything of actual value 😂 it's a slippery slope!
ooo Erin, this is too cool to see you here! lots of great advice (some of which you’ve already tried to tell me, and I don’t always listen!!). Especially the “right time, right place,” and also, crafting your voice. And omg Russell, as one of Erin’s clients, I’ll take your compliment of “coolest, hippest” Substacks. Trying to live up to that. 🤓
you are the coolest, debbie! and thank you so much for reading this and supporting me, it means the world whether you take my advice or not <3
I knew this would be good!
Especially enjoyed the image of that greedy little dopamine gremlin behind the wheel!
The fact that I’m asking this question might give me away as someone who is not done honing their own voice, but I’ll ask anyway: How do I know when I have sufficiently honed my own voice?
Thank you Erin, this was great; and thank you Russell for saying fuck yeah.
Also, if you can look at something and have a well defined take that you can articulate, that’s another good way
Yay! I would say if you can mix it up with a few others from other people and can pick yours out, and esp. if somebody else can without even hesitation, then it’s very distinct.
yes, good point! recognizability 100%
ooooof what a question, hannah! I truly don't know the answer. there are so many things that spring to mind, but I will venture a guess and say maybe it boils down to something like: do I feel like my voice can skillfully, uniquely, and consistently address the topics and themes I wish to write about while always honoring my greater purpose and values? if the answer is yes, then maybe your voice is sufficiently honed... or at least getting closer? brb gonna go think about this obsessively for the next 36-48 hours
I like the combination of what/content (values, take, message) and how (tone/voice/recognizability).
It is of course hard to objectively read my own words to see if they stand out but when I think about it, I can pick out pieces that aren’t “my voice” in hindsight. Either because I was experimenting with something else (good) or because I was writing for the wrong reasons / because I felt I “should” write about it.
This makes me think it’s maybe in part craft to bring the voice to those topics but also in part self-trust and instinct and writing your own truth.
Is it possible to write your own real truth in a way that isn’t “your voice”? Idk. But maybe that’s where the values / purpose / mission piece comes in.
Thank you for making space to think about this!
Once you’ve been doing this long enough, you’ll forget what you wrote, and then it will be easier. I recommend asking somebody else, though.
I recently subscribed to Erin's newsletter Frequent Criers Club and am 100% down with her writing style, her voice, and her general vibe. I was so delighted to see her here! And thoroughly enjoyed her well-written post. Don't tell her I said this, because I hate it when people say to me "one day I'm going to buy one of your paintings" 🙄, but ONE DAY when my budget allows I'm going to hire Erin to help me with my newsletter. Yes, I really am!
I WOULD BE HONORED! won't hold my breath though - there's no rush. whenever is right for you <3 thank you for following along in the meantime and making my day with this comment. I love your general vibe, too.
Huzzah! 🧡
🤘🤘🤘 yesss thank you for delivering the supportive, thoughtful realness as usual, Erin! And thank you Russel for sharing this woman’s wisdom with your list.
thanks for reading, Lisette!! big love for you <3
Thank you, Erin, it sounds like very sane advice.
Some very apposite observations and sound advice. I haven’t been pitching; that is the missing component for me.
Love how some of these growth hacks are prevalent in this article too, full circle content!
yesss thank you for noticing! gotta walk the walk!
Thank you for being real and challenging the exhausting norm of content these days. Also, I agree that finding your voice and being true to yourself is the most important step to take before growth! You have to be willing to grow yourself as a person before you can successfully help others grow.
Brilliant - it brought some light relief for me. Loved the integrity here. Great mention of that dopamine gremlin too! 🧌
i'm so glad it brought some relief for you, claire. I love the way you approach growth so it's especially meaningful to receive encouragement from you!
This was timely and thoughtful, and overall refreshingly honest. Thank you Erin for sharing your insights.
thank YOU for reading and for this very encouraging response. i'm so happy you enjoyed the piece.
Great advice!
hey thanks, james!
You're most welcome, Erin.
Ha! Hooked me with your f'ing cursing (lol) and kept my attention with your smart insights. THANK YOU Erin and Russell!
thanks so much for reading! i'm thrilled you found it enjoyable.
FELICES Y GRACIAS