The hidden cost for creative entrepreneurs...
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When we, as creative entrepreneurs, decide to start writing online. Building a one-person business with the hopes of living a life of freedom. A life where we have more choice on: β
β We pay a priceβ¦ β In 2025, all you need to start building something of your own is to create a social media account and start sharing your work. β Whether that be words or videos. Both are an extension of you. β And in most cases, both start with an idea that is shaped into words before it takes the form in another medium (like video) that your audience sees. β Because, here's the thing: β As long as you have access to the Internet and a device to create on. You're good. β The barrier to entry for creative entrepreneurship is low. β But, it isnβt freeβ¦ β So then what's the cost of creating your one-person business? β Visibility. β You have to learn to be comfortable with the discomfort of being seen. β You know how this feels. β You edit your words before you've given them space to breathe. To become. To mirror back to you parts of yourself that you've hidden away for years. β For a while, I struggled with trying to βfindβ my online voice. β I've always been in professional spaces in the real world with work. β My partner always laughs at how extensive (and random) my work experience is. β Recruitment. Office administration. Personal Assistant. Charity fundraiser (one of the worst jobs I've had). Retail (working at Build-A-Bear during university was the best). β Most of my jobs have been people-facing. Helping others. β And so, I felt that as a 36-year-old black man with a gold tooth, tattoos, piercings and locs, I had to show up in a similar βprofessionalβ way online as I did in those work environments. β But, on social media... β If you try to fit in. You'll never stand out. β As I've navigated trying to "find" my online voice since I started writing publicly in 2023, here's what I've realised: β Your voice won't be found in another free downloaded Google Doc that forces you to contort yourself into a neat box. β Your voice emerges when you stop trying to fit in. β When you say the things that are a bit uncomfortable to say. β Those random thoughts you get in the shower? β Those lived experiences that have a universal emotional resonance with others? β Those conversations you have with your creative colleagues in Telegram chats, but you feel they're too "off-brand" to share publicly? β That's where your voice lives. β Buried underneath your self-censorship because you feel it isn't professional to share. β Because here's the truth: β Your words don't need to be perfect. Your words need to be potent. β That's how your people feel you. β That's how they're drawn to find out more about you, your world, and how you can help. β That's how you're remembered in a sea of carbon copy creators singing from the same hymn sheet. β You don't need to find your voice. β You need to free it. β And the best way to do that is to continue writing. Continue sharing your words publicly. β The volume of your voice will increase. β And as you continue, you'll start to remember what that voice sounds like... β As always. β Thank you for reading. β Coach Mike |