I think so too, Kevin. It’ll take some time to get it right and nail down all of the little things that make Substack slightly confusion, but I’m excited to see how things like this grow and change over time.
Interestingly Justin, I think the irony is that the tools are now no longer the advantage. It’s how we use them will set us apart. We’ll find our competitive edge if we use the human tools of critical thinking, empathy and perspective. I love the idea of the subversive thinker that you allude to.
Yes - "How we use them that set us apart" and critical thinking is key as well - akin to not just having data, but a unique lens through which to interpret it, connecting different dots....
Glad you said it. I always loved reading your articles. Hated reading the comment section 😆 I love what you build and how you build it. This gives me a lot to think about—my community is so rich and human. But my marketing/social strategy is too AI-drive because I tried to systematize it. Now you’ve got me wondering how I can make that human AND sustainable/operationalized.
I used to try to systematize and “AI everything” and it turns out…it’s not actually that fun or useful. We all want everything to be easier until we learn that the process is the best part. Ya know? :)
Yes. Definitely. I keep coming back to what you said in your earlier issues here—either finding an operator or automating my systems. I automated my systems and hired VAs. Didn’t work. I still did too much and burned out. Even though the “solopreneur” freedom was my holy grail. Now I’m going a different approach—hiring a full time director of ops. The goal is that frees me up to love the processes I love. We’ll see! 🤞
This is why platforms will lose to relationships, Justin. Algorithms optimize for engagement, not truth or value.
But here's what gives me hope—authenticity can't be automated. The creators actually living life, building real businesses, making real mistakes will thrive while the bots talk to themselves.
My hope is humanity will beat AI where it matters.
This is true, and I agree, but I wonder what this means about getting discovered and top-of-funnel activities. Social media remains a great gateway - perhaps the best free gateway - into private communities or other paid products.
I don't see how this changes what we should do to build our own solopreneur businesses, at least in terms of top-of-funnel. Most of the creators I follow were already trying to own their own distribution channel long before GenAI, and the idea of building an email list has been around for at least 20 years.
I wonder if you're implying that "most interesting thinkers, creators, authors, and entrepreneurs" are caring less about getting new people into their pipeline, because social media is becoming less interesting? Maybe they have enough of an audience already.
What I take away from this is that we should move people who really like us off of social media more quickly, and that we should consider creating or joining private communities earlier in our journeys.
Feels like only those with a following already could follow this advice. I think this leads us towards a system where video of yourself especially in real environments will be important for folks to understand you’re a real person.
The more tech "evolves", the more artificial social media feels to me. I quit most social media accounts a few years ago, but was going back and forth with LinkedIn. But that horse is also dead now.
What is the good thing about it? I feel drawn back to nature, back to real people in the local community around me, back to real human interactions. I rather take the phone and call a friend to see how they are doing than sending a text message (yes, phone calls still work). It feels going backwards is a good thing now.
What I hate about the public internet is that its "too nice" and polished. You can't have true back and fourth.
Especially on LinkedIn, its mostly people (myself included) having to limit what they say as its still a workplace social network. Twitter is more chaos and anonymous but maybe more real
"Real conversations are moving underground." - Amen Justin. And here we are on Unsubscribe. I've never been big on social media but I'm all about the one on one dialogues when you get to speak to someone directly and completely shatter your image of that person, and there's of me - half the fun is realizing we still have the ability to surprise ourselves. Even office "meetings" are a drag as the same people usually take up most of the air time and people like me recede to the background, BUT I do love to just listen, observe and create a separate dialogue with those that say what I was thinking - here's to being that person that not only thinks authentically, "out loud" in those meetings, but follows up with complementary thought of their own to confirm that they were actually listening to others as well - as I grow my own awareness of my blind spots on this front....
I couldn't agree more. Whenever I try to get back to posting regularly on LinkedIn, I get so disillusioned by what actually gets attention.
I know the best way to grow on LinkedIn is to engage with others and comment more than you post. However, as you alluded, comments have become so mind-numbing. It's very depressing.
Sometimes I get tired of hearing myself comment, which is critical to refreshing my take and sharing something authentic - saying something unapologetically human. A laughter response is a good sign that we're back on our own true path....
Inspired by your move to more real world connection and intimacy. I’ve followed you on LinkedIn for years and agree it’s becoming hard to find authentic connection and dialogue. Lots of well articulated agreement and affirmation. Looking forward to seeing how this all evolves and appreciate you again leading the way.
Inspired by your move to more real world connection and intimacy. I’ve followed you on LinkedIn for years and agree it’s becoming hard to find authentic connection and dialogue. Lots of well articulated agreement and affirmation. Looking forward to seeing how this all evolves and appreciate you again leading the way.
This is exactly how I have been feeling and seeing in the online space. The likes the follows, the chase of engagement all for nothing but the promise of money and popularity when all I was ever seeking was community and connection!
The very thing AI and bots can’t provide is the exact demand (and desire) they drive: connection.
Building, curating and fostering communities, like this one, is needed more now than ever.
I think so too, Kevin. It’ll take some time to get it right and nail down all of the little things that make Substack slightly confusion, but I’m excited to see how things like this grow and change over time.
It's hard to go wrong with the way you're approaching it: intentionally.
Interestingly Justin, I think the irony is that the tools are now no longer the advantage. It’s how we use them will set us apart. We’ll find our competitive edge if we use the human tools of critical thinking, empathy and perspective. I love the idea of the subversive thinker that you allude to.
Thanks, Catherine. It’s a weird and wild time on the internet, especially here on social media. Will be interesting to see who comes out “on top.”
Yes - "How we use them that set us apart" and critical thinking is key as well - akin to not just having data, but a unique lens through which to interpret it, connecting different dots....
Absolutely agree Jon 🙌
I'm off to search for the land where the algorithm can't find us. I'll keep you all posted.
HAHAHA!!! Perfect response!
still looking 👀
Glad you said it. I always loved reading your articles. Hated reading the comment section 😆 I love what you build and how you build it. This gives me a lot to think about—my community is so rich and human. But my marketing/social strategy is too AI-drive because I tried to systematize it. Now you’ve got me wondering how I can make that human AND sustainable/operationalized.
I used to try to systematize and “AI everything” and it turns out…it’s not actually that fun or useful. We all want everything to be easier until we learn that the process is the best part. Ya know? :)
Yes. Definitely. I keep coming back to what you said in your earlier issues here—either finding an operator or automating my systems. I automated my systems and hired VAs. Didn’t work. I still did too much and burned out. Even though the “solopreneur” freedom was my holy grail. Now I’m going a different approach—hiring a full time director of ops. The goal is that frees me up to love the processes I love. We’ll see! 🤞
This is why platforms will lose to relationships, Justin. Algorithms optimize for engagement, not truth or value.
But here's what gives me hope—authenticity can't be automated. The creators actually living life, building real businesses, making real mistakes will thrive while the bots talk to themselves.
My hope is humanity will beat AI where it matters.
I'd say social media has been dead long before AI. It was quasi alive prior to it being used as commerce and purely selling.
Most things on it are fake — the rented luxury cars, the walking into a rented private jet, the fake flash literally to get views or followers
And the lack of substance... my goodness.
It's been a shallow cesspool for some time now. And big brother Meta decides what is allowed or not... not you.
This is true, and I agree, but I wonder what this means about getting discovered and top-of-funnel activities. Social media remains a great gateway - perhaps the best free gateway - into private communities or other paid products.
I don't see how this changes what we should do to build our own solopreneur businesses, at least in terms of top-of-funnel. Most of the creators I follow were already trying to own their own distribution channel long before GenAI, and the idea of building an email list has been around for at least 20 years.
I wonder if you're implying that "most interesting thinkers, creators, authors, and entrepreneurs" are caring less about getting new people into their pipeline, because social media is becoming less interesting? Maybe they have enough of an audience already.
What I take away from this is that we should move people who really like us off of social media more quickly, and that we should consider creating or joining private communities earlier in our journeys.
Feels like only those with a following already could follow this advice. I think this leads us towards a system where video of yourself especially in real environments will be important for folks to understand you’re a real person.
I agree. I don't have any time for fake any more.
The more tech "evolves", the more artificial social media feels to me. I quit most social media accounts a few years ago, but was going back and forth with LinkedIn. But that horse is also dead now.
What is the good thing about it? I feel drawn back to nature, back to real people in the local community around me, back to real human interactions. I rather take the phone and call a friend to see how they are doing than sending a text message (yes, phone calls still work). It feels going backwards is a good thing now.
Here’s to smaller circles, real voices, and conversations that actually nourish.
Amen! I am going all in on Substack. The "real" level is much higher.
What I hate about the public internet is that its "too nice" and polished. You can't have true back and fourth.
Especially on LinkedIn, its mostly people (myself included) having to limit what they say as its still a workplace social network. Twitter is more chaos and anonymous but maybe more real
"Real conversations are moving underground." - Amen Justin. And here we are on Unsubscribe. I've never been big on social media but I'm all about the one on one dialogues when you get to speak to someone directly and completely shatter your image of that person, and there's of me - half the fun is realizing we still have the ability to surprise ourselves. Even office "meetings" are a drag as the same people usually take up most of the air time and people like me recede to the background, BUT I do love to just listen, observe and create a separate dialogue with those that say what I was thinking - here's to being that person that not only thinks authentically, "out loud" in those meetings, but follows up with complementary thought of their own to confirm that they were actually listening to others as well - as I grow my own awareness of my blind spots on this front....
I couldn't agree more. Whenever I try to get back to posting regularly on LinkedIn, I get so disillusioned by what actually gets attention.
I know the best way to grow on LinkedIn is to engage with others and comment more than you post. However, as you alluded, comments have become so mind-numbing. It's very depressing.
Sometimes I get tired of hearing myself comment, which is critical to refreshing my take and sharing something authentic - saying something unapologetically human. A laughter response is a good sign that we're back on our own true path....
Inspired by your move to more real world connection and intimacy. I’ve followed you on LinkedIn for years and agree it’s becoming hard to find authentic connection and dialogue. Lots of well articulated agreement and affirmation. Looking forward to seeing how this all evolves and appreciate you again leading the way.
Inspired by your move to more real world connection and intimacy. I’ve followed you on LinkedIn for years and agree it’s becoming hard to find authentic connection and dialogue. Lots of well articulated agreement and affirmation. Looking forward to seeing how this all evolves and appreciate you again leading the way.
This is exactly how I have been feeling and seeing in the online space. The likes the follows, the chase of engagement all for nothing but the promise of money and popularity when all I was ever seeking was community and connection!