Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been saying a phrase on Twitter that has been confusing a few folk. Destroy your audience. Every time I said it nobody understood. Nobody liked it, nobody commented. I even made a video about it. Still, tumbleweed. Talking about destroying your audience on a platform where you’re surrounded by people who are obsessed with words like ‘audience-building’ and ‘audience-first’ isn’t an easy pill for them to swallow.
Yes, this. Somehow I am not surprised you got tumbleweed. I think you hit too close to an uncomfortable target. People don’t want to be reminded. Most people.
If we build nuanced and complicated things, then we might end up with a well-built ship that sails solo. And sometimes, if we happen to be in the right spot, another ship comes along and we’ll exchange news before moving on. Thankfully we now have technology and can sustain connections if we so wish.
Now and then I embark on some intensive experimental projects to see if I can “connect”. I learned how to create NFTs. I tested all kinds of new apps like Clubhouse and Buy Me a Coffee. No one has ever bought me a coffee or purchased one of my NFTs. Tumbleweed. Most recently I experimented with Instagram reels and that was the tipping point for me. An un-human feeling crept up and nudged me, and it was the sign that this experiment was over. I want to remain human. I have written about these things in my Substack if anyone wants to read.
You are correct or at least onto something: any time I/we build something specifically for an audience it doesn’t feel natural. It clearly is a product instead of, as you say, communication. Good quality communication.
Yes, this. Somehow I am not surprised you got tumbleweed. I think you hit too close to an uncomfortable target. People don’t want to be reminded. Most people.
If we build nuanced and complicated things, then we might end up with a well-built ship that sails solo. And sometimes, if we happen to be in the right spot, another ship comes along and we’ll exchange news before moving on. Thankfully we now have technology and can sustain connections if we so wish.
Now and then I embark on some intensive experimental projects to see if I can “connect”. I learned how to create NFTs. I tested all kinds of new apps like Clubhouse and Buy Me a Coffee. No one has ever bought me a coffee or purchased one of my NFTs. Tumbleweed. Most recently I experimented with Instagram reels and that was the tipping point for me. An un-human feeling crept up and nudged me, and it was the sign that this experiment was over. I want to remain human. I have written about these things in my Substack if anyone wants to read.
You are correct or at least onto something: any time I/we build something specifically for an audience it doesn’t feel natural. It clearly is a product instead of, as you say, communication. Good quality communication.