How To Build A 1.5 Million Following As An Online Writer - The Cultural Tutor
Feb 15, 2024
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Sheehan Quirke, who quit his job at McDonald's to write on Twitter full time, shares his journey to success and discusses the power of writing online, building a following on Twitter, and the importance of sharing thoughts and feelings. He also talks about the tension between business and art, the research and writing process, and finding purpose in writing.
Consistent daily writing and engagement can lead to significant growth and recognition.
Success in writing comes from hard work, dedication, and seeking advice from experienced individuals.
Writing about personal interests and passions can bring joy and fulfillment as a creator.
Overcoming challenges and setbacks is essential in achieving success as a writer.
Creating unique and meaningful content requires reading diverse sources and focusing on topics that instill beauty and meaning.
Deep dives
Building an Anonymous Twitter Following
The podcast episode features the story of Xi'an Quirk, an anonymous Twitter user known as the Cultural Tutor. He went from working at McDonald's to building a following of over 1.5 million followers. Despite not showing his face and lacking any personal recognition, he managed to attract the attention of influential figures like Elon Musk. Xi'an started by writing threads on Twitter, initially targeting his friends and following related accounts. He would message people who engaged with his content, steadily increasing his reach. Although facing occasional lows in engagement, Xi'an's perseverance and passion for writing led to significant growth. One thread about modern architecture garnered over 15,000 likes and boosted his follower count by thousands. This success allowed him to continue growing his audience, reaching critical mass, and gaining more momentum.
Importance of Putting in Hard Work
Xi'an's journey emphasizes the significance of hard work and dedication. Despite not having any specific qualifications, he put in the effort to write threads every day, constantly improving his content. Remaining committed, he messaged individuals who engaged with his posts and sought advice from larger accounts. This process helped him grow his follower count and gain recognition. Xi'an's story demonstrates that success can come from working hard and focusing on your passion, even if you don't have the conventional credentials or recognition typically associated with your field.
The Significance of Writing for Yourself
Xi'an's approach to writing centered around his personal interest and curiosity. He wrote threads about topics that fascinated him and sought to provide useful and engaging content. By writing for himself and focusing on his own satisfaction, he found joy and fulfillment in his work. Xi'an believes that being a writer is defined by the act of writing consistently, regardless of audience size or external recognition. This mindset allowed him to stay true to himself and create content that resonated with others.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Growth
Xi'an faced challenges and setbacks throughout his journey. He experienced fluctuations in engagement and occasional moments of self-doubt. However, he faced these challenges head-on, continuing to write and improve his content. Xi'an's willingness to learn from mistakes and engage with feedback helped him refine his craft. By embracing growth, Xi'an surpassed the initial roadblocks and achieved significant milestones, building a thriving community and attracting notable figures like Elon Musk.
Finding Success through Writing and Dedication
The podcast episode discusses the journey of a writer who rose to success through dedication and passion for writing. Starting with no unfair advantages, the writer emphasized the years of daily writing practice that built their skills. They highlight the importance of putting in the time and training before achieving success, comparing their journey to that of a professional athlete who spends years training before reaching their peak. The writer also shares a story of how they found support and financial backing from a patron, enabling them to focus on their craft without the pressure of making money. This support allowed them to create content that was meaningful and resonated with their audience.
Creating Unique and Meaningful Content
The podcast explores the writer's success in creating content that stands out from the crowded online space. They emphasize the importance of reading diverse and unconventional sources to avoid writing like everyone else. By broadening their reading horizons, the writer was able to offer unique and interesting perspectives that captivated their audience. They highlight the need for online content that goes beyond mindless entertainment or divisive politics, focusing on topics that instill a sense of beauty, meaning, and upliftment. The writer was able to engage readers by providing fascinating insights on subjects such as art, architecture, history, and culture, setting themselves apart from the mundane content that dominates the internet.
Trusting Instincts and Following Passion
The podcast showcases the writer's approach of trusting their instincts and following their passion rather than adhering to traditional advice about finding a niche. They believe that true success comes from genuine passion and interest in the subject matter. While acknowledging the importance of optimizing titles and thumbnails, they emphasize the need for content creators to stay true to themselves and create work they truly care about. By focusing on what excites and interests them, the writer believes that they can produce content that is authentic and resonates with their audience. They stress the importance of balancing the mind, heart, and soul in the creative process to create meaningful and fulfilling work.
The Writing Process and Embracing Uncertainty
The podcast delves into the writer's unconventional writing process, characterized by long periods of uncertainty and self-discovery. They describe a typical day, which begins with waking up in the afternoon and engaging in activities like walking and reading to awaken their creativity. Once inspired, they sit down to write for prolonged hours, pouring their thoughts onto the page and revising until they have crafted something valuable. The writer admits to having sleepless nights and experiencing doubts about the purpose of their work, but also acknowledges the joy they find in the act of creation. They emphasize the importance of trusting one's instincts, staying committed to the process, and finding happiness from within rather than relying on external measures of success.
Importance of Finding Happiness in Life
The speaker emphasizes that finding happiness in life is not dependent on external validation or success. They highlight the importance of not equating popularity and fame with true happiness. Instead, they suggest that finding meaning and happiness in the present moment, even during difficult times, is crucial. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of success and the need to appreciate the simple joys in life.
The Dilemma of Balancing Work and Relationships
The speaker discusses the challenges of maintaining relationships while pursuing their passion, using writing Twitter threads as an example. They share the internal conflict of saying 'no' to friends, prioritizing work, and finding the balance between personal and professional commitments. The speaker acknowledges the strain it puts on relationships, the sacrifices they make, and the impact it has on their health. They also ponder the value of their work and question whether it outweighs the potential missed moments with loved ones.
Have you ever thought about making a living as an online writer or content creator? Today’s guest quit his job at McDonald’s to write on Twitter full time, and within months he had grown his page from nothing to 1.5 million followers, just from writing one thread a day. Sheehan Quirke is the man behind The Cultural Tutor, a huge (and until now faceless) Twitter page all about art, culture, and history. In this conversation we’ll talk about Sheehan’s road to success, the power of writing online, and the importance of sharing your thoughts and feelings with the world. This is a great insight into how you can change your life by writing and following your passions. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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00:00 Intro 01:20 Sheehan’s backstory 17:17 The power of writing online 30:36 Building a following on Twitter 43:14 Growing The Cultural Tutor page 58:39 The research and writing process 01:08:49 The tension between business and art 01:28:26 Sheehan’s writing process 01:45:25 Leading a meaningful life
🔗 CONNECT WITH SHEEHAN 🐦 Twitter https://twitter.com/culturaltutor 💻 Website https://culturaltutor.com/
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📄SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT
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🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST
Deep Dive is the podcast that delves into the minds of entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people to uncover the philosophies, strategies and tools that help us live happier, healthier and more productive lives.
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