Is loud, multi-platform visibility necessary to create work that resonates? On becoming a guide, getting over the idea of being an influencer, and publishing your work.
It’s interesting to see you use this term in this way since it’s already a commonly used term in the IndieWeb community for creating websites where content evolves over time. I recommend Maggie Appleton’s article about it.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this—I can’t find Maggie Appleton’s article but did a quick search and found reddit threads using the term. It doesn’t seem too far off from my use of the term. I find freedom in being able to know that what I’m working on is building into a collection / garden. Rather than a fragmented approach where each piece feels like an ad and needs a goal to convert. The reframe helps foster my artist’s brain vs. a marketer’s brain
I don’t know about loud, for myself, but I feel like I’m more direct. I appreciate gentle voices but it’s not in my personality to replicate or write that way if I were to stay true to myself. Although I see your point about those who are loud do it to sell out their courses and products. Investing in the right people calls for good judgment and unfortunately I didn’t have that when I first came into the digital scene many years ago. But having worked with my therapist for years now, it’s been healing.
We all have a voice and sometimes the hardest part is realizing it. Thanks for the reflection!
The awareness is key! It’s so interesting because I think sometimes we need different guides from how we communicate. Which is why I separated What kind of guide can you be and what kind of guide you need.
I have definitely needed direct guides. Their instruction keeps me moving when I’m stalling hahah.
I’m curious, do you believe all people are meant to be different kinds of guides or are there some people who are not meant/made to be guides, but play a role as something else?
My thoughts are... It's a nuanced answer haha! On this article and this Substack, I'm speaking to someone who wants to build their personal brand in a way that's more natural. So in that case, they have the intention to be known for something. They're likely already an expert in the arenas they want to attribute to their brand—so in this case, they would want to position themselves as a guide.
In all other circumstances, I think we can all be guides at something. If you're a little bit further along than someone at... learning how to code for example, you can become a guide to someone who is a few steps behind. I likely wouldn't want to learn from a guide who is too advanced as a beginner, so I'd be seeking someone who is only so far ahead that they can resonate with where I'm coming from. But we don't have to be. I think we can be mentees to some people, mentors to others, and simply journey-mates to most.
I love the idea of cultivating a digital garden. Such a small but mighty perspective shift for someone like me who tends to despise what social media and the internet has turned into. Thank you!
Beautiful. Thank you for this. The terminology of being a Gardener rather than Influencer etc really adds a sense of peace, pause and gentleness. Also of shifting from "hustle culture" to allowing space for things to happen more organically. Love it.
This was a very beautiful and inspiring read. Thank you for sharing your reflections. I've been rethinking my digital presence/marketing strategy and how exhausting it is to be active on multiple platforms which are crowded and noisy. I like you quiet and thoughtful approach to marketing.
//Digital Gardeners thoughtfully choose ideas from gardens they explore—the books, the experiments, the Substacks, the conversations. They process these discoveries through their unique lens, and create something meaningful they can share.//
I like this description of a Digital Gardener. Every thing you create need not necessary be pushed towards a sale. This defeats the whole purpose of creating with intention.
Resistance to the marketing brain of being on every platform is something I'm still actively working on! There are so many distractions hahah. But the one substack per week feels manageable so far, so it's definitely the one thing I am sticking to for myself to keep planting those seeds for the eventual garden <3
It’s interesting to see you use this term in this way since it’s already a commonly used term in the IndieWeb community for creating websites where content evolves over time. I recommend Maggie Appleton’s article about it.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this—I can’t find Maggie Appleton’s article but did a quick search and found reddit threads using the term. It doesn’t seem too far off from my use of the term. I find freedom in being able to know that what I’m working on is building into a collection / garden. Rather than a fragmented approach where each piece feels like an ad and needs a goal to convert. The reframe helps foster my artist’s brain vs. a marketer’s brain
I don’t know about loud, for myself, but I feel like I’m more direct. I appreciate gentle voices but it’s not in my personality to replicate or write that way if I were to stay true to myself. Although I see your point about those who are loud do it to sell out their courses and products. Investing in the right people calls for good judgment and unfortunately I didn’t have that when I first came into the digital scene many years ago. But having worked with my therapist for years now, it’s been healing.
We all have a voice and sometimes the hardest part is realizing it. Thanks for the reflection!
The awareness is key! It’s so interesting because I think sometimes we need different guides from how we communicate. Which is why I separated What kind of guide can you be and what kind of guide you need.
I have definitely needed direct guides. Their instruction keeps me moving when I’m stalling hahah.
I’m curious, do you believe all people are meant to be different kinds of guides or are there some people who are not meant/made to be guides, but play a role as something else?
My thoughts are... It's a nuanced answer haha! On this article and this Substack, I'm speaking to someone who wants to build their personal brand in a way that's more natural. So in that case, they have the intention to be known for something. They're likely already an expert in the arenas they want to attribute to their brand—so in this case, they would want to position themselves as a guide.
In all other circumstances, I think we can all be guides at something. If you're a little bit further along than someone at... learning how to code for example, you can become a guide to someone who is a few steps behind. I likely wouldn't want to learn from a guide who is too advanced as a beginner, so I'd be seeking someone who is only so far ahead that they can resonate with where I'm coming from. But we don't have to be. I think we can be mentees to some people, mentors to others, and simply journey-mates to most.
Love your insights! It makes sense when you put it into the context of creating a personal brand. Thank you for taking your time to write this 💛
I love the idea of cultivating a digital garden. Such a small but mighty perspective shift for someone like me who tends to despise what social media and the internet has turned into. Thank you!
Gosh yes. I'm barely on other platforms these days. This one at least feels bustling with fresh ideas and deep thinkers. Grateful to be here!
I love this…I might start telling people I am a Digital Gardener!! Thank you for this.
Thanks for sharing!
I personally found many similarities with Sally Hogshead - How to Fascinate - and doing it through Mystique personality type
https://www.howtofascinate.com/how-do-you-fascinate-the-mystique-personality-listens-with-care
From the Temple to the Garden is Substacks latest post. The garden metaphor is catching, as is meaningfulness.
From the Temple to the Garden is Substacks latest post. The garden metaphor is catching, as is meaningfulness.
Such an interesting (and necessary) reminder. Thank you!
That sounds so much lovelier— I’m a digital gardener :) not an influencer
.
Thank you for this conversation.
Be the guide, not the hero. I love that simplicity 💛
Beautiful. Thank you for this. The terminology of being a Gardener rather than Influencer etc really adds a sense of peace, pause and gentleness. Also of shifting from "hustle culture" to allowing space for things to happen more organically. Love it.
Hello Camille, I appreciate your writing and point of view. I’m happy to connect with you.
This was a very beautiful and inspiring read. Thank you for sharing your reflections. I've been rethinking my digital presence/marketing strategy and how exhausting it is to be active on multiple platforms which are crowded and noisy. I like you quiet and thoughtful approach to marketing.
//Digital Gardeners thoughtfully choose ideas from gardens they explore—the books, the experiments, the Substacks, the conversations. They process these discoveries through their unique lens, and create something meaningful they can share.//
I like this description of a Digital Gardener. Every thing you create need not necessary be pushed towards a sale. This defeats the whole purpose of creating with intention.
Resistance to the marketing brain of being on every platform is something I'm still actively working on! There are so many distractions hahah. But the one substack per week feels manageable so far, so it's definitely the one thing I am sticking to for myself to keep planting those seeds for the eventual garden <3
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https://substack.com/@silhouetteofstrength?r=5c0me0&utm_medium=ios
This resonates so much! Thank you, I really needed these words ❤️