Happy Monday, Creators 👋
IN THIS ISSUE
This is the welcome for all the new people. If you’re a regular, feel free to jump to the next block. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.
Welcome to Remarkable Monday. This is our corner of the internet where we get the inspiration and insights to crush our content goals for the week ahead. Make yourself at home and feel free to hit reply if you want to get in contact with me, your host. I’m Mark Patterson, and my hope for you this week is that you make it remarkable!
An Inspirational Thought
I'm kind of skipping ahead to the UGC update, but it's worth it to make this point for the inspirational message for this week. I was talking to my wife, Char, about my plans with starting to create ads for my UGC portfolio. I started posting this content on a separate Instagram account, and I even attracted a follower or two. But here's the thing! We came to the realization as we were talking: I'm too broke to be anonymous.
See, I knew I wasn’t gonna get no amens right there, ‘cause y’all creators don’t wanna tell the truth in this virtual church, but I know I’m talking right…lol
Using a separate Insta felt like good form because others were doing it, but it also was an easy out for me to not have to post to my main page, where people who know me could see if I succeeded — or not.
Gif by power on Giphy
Being anonymous is for the filthy rich philanthropic donor who doesn't want anyone to know they are funding a children's hospital overseas somewhere. The name of the game for Zillennials like you and me, my faithful friend who keeps coming back to read this newsletter, is that we have to be audacious enough to be visible. Put ourselves out there. Be vulnerable and bold like a lion to roar our dreams out loud.
Creator Update
Yes, I am starting to post on my personal profile and build my UGC portfolio for pitching at the same time. Why? Because the stream of revenue I’m looking to get flowing is going to be based on my personal brand. There’s no getting around it. I ended up posting multiple times in one day over the weekend, and the results are in.
3,033 views in the last seven days.
1,119 accounts reached — that’s enough people to fill a mid-size concert hall or theater.
Nearly 40% of those views came from people who don't even follow me yet.
Reels drove almost 90% of my interactions; stories pulled nearly 10%.
That's what happens when you stop hiding.
Weekly Playbook
#1: Take inventory of what you have. Your unique lived experience is valuable. I want you to start capturing that and join me in releasing that content on whatever schedule works for you. Yes, you might feel awkward “going there” at first, but I would venture to say if something about what I said about being anonymous resonated with you, it’s time to be bold and start attracting your tribe with your story.
#2: Document, document, document. I’m thinking specifically about recording your content in a series because it holds you accountable to finish. A daily or weekly post — whether it’s a newsletter or reel — helps keep your progress top of mind. Writing this for you this week is even helping me jog my memory of the wins and lessons I need to keep in mind as I head into the week.
Gif by workingtitlefilms on Giphy
#3: Set a day to review your analytics and don’t break that stride. I’m planning to do this weekly right now. It helps that I will work it into this weekly newsletter. You’ll be able to see how I’m growing, what’s working, and what’s not.
#4: Don’t sweat the outcomes, but do obsess about the inputs. I find myself jumping ahead a lot. I want to see explosive audience growth, digital product sales, and brand deals. But beneath it all, there are inputs that really matter in the grand scheme: becoming a better communicator, helping early-stage creators get unstuck, and most of all, reminding you and me that we don’t have to strive, doing all of this on our own strength.
Psalm 127
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
QUESTION FOR YOU
Same as last week because not enough of you responded. Yes, I’m talking to you!
What are you working on this week, and how can I pray for you? I really want to know. And trust, I read ALL of your replies personally.
Now, hit reply. I'm listening.
If you’re reading this far…
I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media.
FYI: I’m mostly active on LinkedIn these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.