The Big Idea
Starting is harder than it looks. And it's easy to waste time doing the wrong things first.
I've had the same conversation a handful of times lately - with friends ready to publish, build, create. They're excited. They're asking about tools, hosting, platforms. They're planning big.
And they're already off track.
Here are the 3 mistakes I see most new creators make (and how to avoid them):
1. You can't buy creativity
New gear. Fancy tools. Premium subscriptions.
It feels like progress, but it's not.
It's tempting to whip out your credit card from the jump, but you can't buy your way into being a creator.
Buying a domain, a newsletter service, podcast hosting, or a fancy camera feels good, but doesn't move the needle.
You can't buy creativity -- and you also can't buy more time. Don't waste your time and money on gear until it's the only thing in the way of growth.
2. Don't skip the basics: how to find your niche
Many of the folks I talk to want to create something, and they fall on two extremes: (1) they want to create something on a wide variety of topics, or (2) they can't decide what topic they want to create about.
These sound like different problems, but they're both symptoms of the same root cause: a lack of clarity on who you're creating for.
The most successful creators I know have a clear, focused niche, and a deep understanding of their audience.
3. There is no bar, but there should be a target
I'm the first to tell you that there is no bar when it comes to creating online. Step one is simple: publish. Put your work out there. Do it often.
Once you've built that habit, try aiming higher: create something a creator you admire would genuinely love. Seriously — keep them in mind as part of your process. When you share work you're proud of, and it resonates enough for someone you look up to to share it, that moment is both validating and a powerful way to grow your voice in your niche.
To be clear: this isn't about spamming people. It's about raising the bar for yourself — making something so thoughtful, useful, or entertaining that it naturally earns attention.
The Takeaway:
Get good at one thing first. Create. Publish. Share.
Earn your audience, once post at a time. Then, once people care, maybe it's time for the podcast, the YouTube channel, the empire.
Until then: focus.
Some great creators to follow
There is nothing I love more than learning from people smarter than me. Here's a couple of my favorite voices on the internet:
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Tony Mastrorio is a fellow YC founder who has been exploring new audiences regularly over the past few months. He's done a great job of sharing his journey on Threads. It's inspiring to see his process: he's trying new things, and sharing them with his audience.
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Amy Hoy is a great example of someone who has been building online for years. She co-created 30x500, and has deep expertise in launching products online. Her Bluesky posts are a masterclass in sharing what she's passionate about — from photography and emerging tech tools to supporting civic engagement and progressive causes.
Some useful links
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The most recent episode of Citation Needed, about Audie Murphy is a great reminder of why I love the podcast so much: I can simultaneously unwind, learn, and laugh a bit.
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There's a super important security update for Next.js that you should know about if you're using the framework. Not the type of thing I'd typically share here, but -- this feels like a big one.
Give 'em hell
It might feel like you're paddling a tiny canoe in the shadow of looming battleships — but keep paddling, and stay nimble. There's plenty of room in the pond for all of us.
Bet on yourself. Bet on the people around you.
I'm rooting for you — and I want to see you win. ✌🏾
- M
