Nicolas Cole, co-founder of Ship30for30, shares why indie hackers should embrace writing as a valuable tool. He discusses the power of writing for customer acquisition, reputation, and income. The conversation explores the evolution of writing, being a conduit as a writer, and understanding reader preferences. They also discuss different ways writers can monetize their work and the importance of starting small and building skills.
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Quick takeaways
Writing can have a transformative effect on indie hackers by helping them achieve desired outcomes such as zero-cost customer acquisition and industry recognition.
Writing is a versatile medium that can fulfill various objectives for readers, including providing actionable guidance, educational content, and inspirational stories.
Building a library of reusable content allows writers to continue providing valuable material without constantly generating new content and challenges the misconception that writing always requires creating new material.
Deep dives
Importance of Writing for Indie Hackers
Writing can have a transformative effect on the lives of indie hackers. It is essential for them to recognize the value of writing and how it can positively impact their goals and outcomes. Instead of focusing on convincing busy indie hackers to write, the key is to help them understand the desired outcomes they want to achieve. Whether it's achieving zero customer acquisition cost, becoming a thought leader in their industry, having passive income, or gaining status and money, writing can be a highly effective tool to accomplish these goals. By emphasizing the scalability, accessibility, and low barrier to entry of writing, it becomes clear that writing is a powerful and versatile medium for indie hackers to achieve their objectives.
Writing as a Vehicle for Accomplishing Goals
Writing can be perceived as the easiest yet most scalable vehicle for achieving various goals. It is not just about the act of writing itself but understanding the desired outcomes it can lead to. By focusing on what readers need rather than personal desires, writers can provide value and address the specific problems their readers face. Writing can offer actionable guidance, address informational needs, be educational, or inspire and provide aspirational content. Whether it's providing instructive documentation, breaking down complex concepts, or sharing personal stories that resonate, writing can fulfill a variety of objectives and connect with different readers.
The Shelf Life of Content
Content has different shelf lives depending on its purpose and style. While instructional, manual-style writing may have a shorter shelf life due to evolving technology, other types of content can be evergreen and reusable. Building a library of content allows writers to repurpose and reuse their work over time. By reposting and reintroducing old content, writers can create a continuous stream of valuable material without constantly generating new content. This approach not only showcases the benefits of creating a content library but also challenges the misconception that writing always requires constantly producing new material.
Writing with the Reader in Mind
A significant aspect of effective writing is considering the reader's perspective. Writing should not be solely about personal expression but should be oriented towards addressing the reader's needs and questions. By understanding the questions, problems, and interests of readers, writers can provide valuable insights, solutions, and perspectives. Whether it's creating educational, analytical, aspirational, or actionable content, writers must be mindful of their target audience. By adopting a reader-centric approach, writers can establish a stronger connection with their audience and make their writing more accessible, engaging, and impactful.
Monetizing Writing: Two Paths
There are two main paths to monetizing writing - productizing oneself and providing writing as a service. Productizing oneself involves creating digital products such as books, courses, newsletters, or downloads, which offer scalability but may require more time and effort to establish a significant income. On the other hand, providing writing as a service, such as ghostwriting, offers a more immediate income but with a lower ceiling unless expanded through agency building. Starting with a service-oriented approach can provide practice, income, and client feedback while paving the way to eventually create digital products that attract readers already familiar with the writer's expertise.
Nicolas Cole (@Nicolascole77), co-founder of Ship30for30, will teach you why indie hackers should embrace writing as a transformative tool in their arsenal. He sheds light on the common misconception that writing pales compared to coding for developers, but illustrates how writing can be a vehicle for desirable outcomes like zero-cost customer acquisition and recognition within the industry. Listen in as he shares the secret of building a timeless library of content, emphasizing how past writings can continue to serve us without the need to create new material constantly.
00:00:00 Writing's Importance for Indie Hackers 00:09:10 World of Warcraft and Writing Connection 00:12:07 Writing, Books, and Their Value 00:25:29 Finding Voice 00:28:01 The Power of Writing and Community 00:34:05 Writing for Readers 00:47:21 Ghostwriting and Its Benefits Explored