Dan Blank is the founder of WeGrow Media, a company that help authors build their “platform” or “social media strategy,” something that Dan calls “living the life of a writer.”
Most of us creatives share the same concerns.
We are overwhelmed, directionless, and feel stuck. We dream of fulfilling our potential and finding ways for our creative work to help and entertain others.
According to Dan, the problem lies in how we measure success. We seek validation from big institutions, bestseller lists, sales numbers, and high-profile media. We measure how the world accepts us through followers, re-shares, reviews, likes, and favourites.
We measure by numbers.
Dan wants us to reframe how we think about creating and sharing our work. He encourages us to disregard numbers. He says, “When you’re on your deathbed and someone asks about the work you’re most proud of, I don’t want you to think about bestseller lists.”
He wants us to think about the specific experiences that show how our work connected with and influenced the lives of others.
He want us to remember names and faces and moments with these people, not now many followers you had on a social network.
He want us to remember that we were the gateway for others which led them to places that shaped who they became and what made their lives better.
Dan’s mission is to help authors and creatives connect with their audiences and achieve their goals.
In this episode Dan shares his background as a lifelong artist and explains his innovative tools like the Clarity Cards, and The Creative Success Pyramid that has helped thousands of authors to get in touch with their real goals.
Clarity Cards, a simple 5-step process to find more time and energy to make writing a priority in your life.
The Creative Success Pyramid, a model that he use to help writers get clarity in their work, develop an audience, and launch their work in a meaningful way.
He delves into his distinct approach to marketing, emphasizing effective communication and trust, over follower counts, and introduces the concept of human-centered marketing.
Dan also gives practical advice on building author platforms and connecting deeply with readers.
We talked about balancing creative work with life responsibilities, sharing authentically, and the importance of community and perseverance in our creative journey.
00:00 Introduction to Dan Blank
00:54 Dan's Creative Journey
02:51 Transition to Helping Writers
05:27 The Birth of Clarity Cards
13:44 Building an Author Platform
20:17 Navigating Social Media and Marketing
25:58 Revisiting Social Media and Substack Strategy
26:43 Balancing Personal Life and Professional Commitments
27:41 The Concept of Human-Centered Marketing
31:25 The Philosophy Behind 'Be the Gateway'
34:49 Engaging with Your Audience
42:38 Top Advice for Emerging Authors
46:15 Services and Final Thoughts
That’s all from me today.
As always, thanks for reading and listening.
See you every Wednesday and Friday.
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