On Your Terms® 279. You Have to Get Good First (Then the Audience Follows)
Mar 9, 2026
A case for getting great at your craft before chasing follower metrics. Short lessons on practicing publicly, picking one medium for six months, and joining communities that push you. Reflections from a writers’ mastermind and a wedding versus marriage analogy about long term work. Practical tips for consuming content to fuel creativity without turning into a content hoarder.
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Getting Good Comes Before Audience Growth
- Obsessed audience-chasing often skips the necessary step of becoming good at your craft.
- Sam compares it to getting engaged before knowing if you enjoy being with the person, showing skill builds sustainable audiences.
Wedding Versus Marriage Analogy
- Sam uses her wedding versus marriage observation to show people prioritize celebration over long-term practice.
- She describes choosing a small intimate wedding and focusing on shared values rather than perfect flowers as a metaphor.
Mastermind Wakeup Call About Writing
- Sam describes being in the Aspen mastermind and noticing how seriously other authors take writing.
- She notes many aren't Instagram superstars but have large email lists built from years of writing and in-person networking.
