Thread by @alexgarcia_atx

I built my Twitter following from 1k to 40k in 50 days.

My email list from 0 to 7k in 2 months.

And I didn't spend a dollar.

Here are the 9 secrets to building an audience fast 🧵

1. Build a rented audience

With social media, you’re at the mercy of the algorithm.

But, at the same time, these algorithms connect you to people all over the world.

That’s the power of social media -- it gives your content wings and helps it travel.

But, why is it a rented audience?

Because at any moment, the algorithm can change and you reach 10% of your audience.

On the other end, its distribution abilities make it essential to building an audience.

This makes it a perfect tool to help build an owned audience.

2. Pick 1 channel

Find where your target audience lives.

Which platform they consume content on.

And which content creation efforts fit your strengths (ex. Writing, short-form vid)

Select the platform and go all in.

When you master communicating on one platform, scale.

3. Form an identity

If someone didn’t know your name, how would they describe you?

Ex. @mrsharma -> The DTC Guy
Ex. @Codie_Sanchez -> The Contrarian Thinker

Once you’ve determined the identity, create an expectation for your audience.

Constantly meet it, and you’ll be on your way to creating your digital identity.

4. Be like the Beatles

Seth Godin says, “The Beatles did not invent teenagers. They merely decided to lead them.”

You’re no different.

Find an audience that already exists.

Decide to lead them.

You do this by becoming a reliable source of value.

5. Create more than you consume

@naval said, "To be a good creator, you have to be creative. To be creative, you have to be constantly creating.

Create content.

Geed feedback from the world.

Scale what works.

Innovation comes from pushing through failure.

6. Quality over quantity

One quality video is better than 3 average videos.

One quality Twitter thread is better than 3 average threads.

Consistently delivering quality content establishes you as a thought leader.

This will position you to monetize your knowledge and skills.

7. Build an owned audience

The ability to create a large audience on a social platform makes it a perfect gateway to building an owned audience.

An audience where you control the reach and communication line.

For example an email or text list.

One tap and you can communicate to your entire audience.

8. Create content that travels

The internet gives our content the ability to travel from feed to feed.

So, how do you optimize this?

By creating content that triggers one of the 27 basic human emotions.

Emotions drive people’s actions.

Leverage it to work for you.

9. Use the “So-What” test

Create a piece of content and ask “so what” from the lens of your audience.

This will help you understand their perspective.

Understanding your audience’s perspective will help you deliver clear value.

That’s how you always pass the “so-what” test.

Would this help you?

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If so, follow @alexgarcia_atx :)

And R/T that first tweet for me, please. It helps a lot.

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TL;DR

1. Build a rented audience
2. Pick 1 channel
3. Form an identity
4. Be like the Beatles
5. Create more than you consume
6. Quality over quantity
7. Build an owned audience
8. Create content that travels
9. Always use the “so-what” test