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A. Murtezaa's avatar

It feels like you’re talking directly to me. I’m currently in this “raw” stage with my work. Unsure how to package it for the right people, but I think less consumption is the first step right now.

Sometimes I’m scrolling to see “where do I fit within all this” but the answer doesn’t really come there. I have to focus on creating what doesn’t exist, not pushing against the things that already exist.

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CAMILLE MENDOZA's avatar

Be in the raw stage until it makes sense to you and then get clear with WHO you want to serve with your work. It could be a past version of you. Then package by speaking directly to that person.

Most of these substacks are letters to past me :)

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A. Murtezaa's avatar

That’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing that insight

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Kristel's avatar

This really speaks to me! Every word resonates. I’m new to substack and have been grappling with how to show up on instagram with short form captions/stories and visual trends that never seem to feel right or capture my message. I often start an idea in long form that doesn’t go anywhere public but I love your idea of using this as a base and creating smaller invitations to a much more in depth message.

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CAMILLE MENDOZA's avatar

Welcome to Substack Kristel! I only started consistently posting here early this year. It’s a lovely space to think and write to your heart’s content. Hopefully it helps you organize things!

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suansita k.'s avatar

Appreciated this reminder to use short form in service of long form🙂

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christine marie's avatar

this resonates so much with me! I miss the old internet days, but I guess the world must move on. i’ve recently decided to put down video making for a little while after realizing it hasn’t been supporting my art goals. Substack has been such a nourishing platform for me, and i feel so much better finding a medium that fits! thank you for your field notes! I will definitely be coming to this 🥰💛

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Greisy Muñoz's avatar

Thank you for this. Meaning before content... sometimes I feel I would never create content that matters, but that comes from my insecurities and my need for validation; that´s ok, I can see it now and I´ve LOVED to be reminded that I have a place, I just need to find where to share my work and myself. To be brave and to let myself be taken through that path. Thank you, again.

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CAMILLE MENDOZA's avatar

If it matters to you, it’ll matter to someone else! It’ll simply take some time for them to find it :) So start building an online garden plot you can be proud of!

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Ember Lynn's avatar

All of this resonates so much. I’m so grateful I stumbled onto your page today! I’ve been struggling with sharing on IG or FB to “stay relevant” but I am overwhelmed when scrolling and I love writing long form so posting on those platforms feels so restrictive. I love the idea of writing long form and then creating smaller “invitations.”

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Rach Codina's avatar

Beautiful thoughts and words. Thank you

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Sarah Elizabeth's avatar

Thank you for your encouragements, Camille. This is such a beautiful invitation to take a step back from the stress and overthinking that comes with creative pursuits and the online world. Loved, loved the distinction between the garden and the doorway, such a healthy boundary to put in place.

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Sienna Ivy Wilder's avatar

I love your content ♥️ please keep going 🙏🏼 🪽✨

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Chelsea Putnam's avatar

Wow this spoke so much to me and everything I’ve been processing lately. Thank you for laying this out and giving me such good food for thought ❤️❤️❤️

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Alice Wild's avatar

I love how you frame this. I have a background in design, marketing and branding—then left the field to run my own multimedia website back in 2016. I’ve dipped in and out of branding since then. I’m newer to Substack and am surprised with the ant-metrics vibe. Your writing angle speaks beautifully to writers here, easing them into branding and strategy with a palatable and knowing lens. Love your posts!

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CAMILLE MENDOZA's avatar

Thank you so much Alice! The reframes have been helpful for me, hahah. As someone who is deep into the branding side of things for clients, it’s difficult to not be overly analytical about my own ideas. Substack has been a neat medium to untangle this and share the journey!

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Alice Wild's avatar

And you do such an incredibly beautiful job—it’s inspiring!! 🙌🏻🔥❤️

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