The best writers online have something deeper motivating than just money.

For me, my writing journey started as a kid. My dad was a copy-editor at a magazine in Harrisburg, PA. I would sit in his chair, grab a magazine and see what he had written in his column that month.

I loved his writing style. It was like reading about the convergence of the past and the present, gearing up for the future. I was always engaged.

Writing is part of my legacy.

But writing online had always led to frustration after frustration until I joined Twitter in 2022. I found an amazing community of writers and marketers. Then, suddenly everyone left for LinkedIn because the organic reach was booming at that point. So I joined the crowd.

I’ve been writing online ever since.

Within 2 years, I’ve built an online audience of 25k+.

Writing online has opened doors to new opportunities, new relationships, and amazing friendships. It’s unreal!

Today, I’m kicking off The Creative Catalyst, believing that you will experience the same as you begin your journey as an online writer.

I’ll be sharing more tips for writing online, building an audience, and crafting a personal brand for creators, writers, and executives.

I’m so glad you’ve decided to join me.

Doug

What’s new

AI-generated spam is exploding online, especially on Meta. Some social media platforms are boosting AI content. So, next time your friend shares a picture of them out on the lake at grandma’s house, ask them, “Is this real?” Read more.

The CEO of YouTube thinks creators should be eligible for the Emmys. YouTubers aren’t just filming a weird video in their basement, but some have entire writing and production teams. Many have millions of subscribers that are more engaged than anyone watching the morning news. Don’t they deserve some recognition? Read more.

Instagram is developing a new feature called "Peek," which allows users to share quick, unedited, and unfiltered snaps with friends, similar to BeReal. This feature lets users send one-take images that disappear after viewing. While BeReal has struggled to maintain daily engagement, Instagram's larger platform and focus on private interactions might make "Peek" a more popular option for users. Read more.

TikTok and Universal Music Group have reached a new licensing agreement, resolving a significant and contentious dispute in the music industry. This agreement aims to provide better compensation for UMG's songwriters and artists, along with new promotional and engagement opportunities. It also includes industry-leading protections regarding generative AI. Read more. 

Steal this writing process from the greatest copywriter of the 20th century

Eugene Schwartz was one of the greatest copywriters of the 20th century. He’s known for his work in direct-response advertising. His book "Breakthrough Advertising" is still a classic for understanding consumer psychology and crafting persuasive messages.

Here’s how he worked only a few hours per day:

He followed a routine where he'd write in 33-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks in between, a method he called the "33-minute rule." This approach helped him maintain focus and productivity without getting burned out.

He also spent a lot of time reading and researching to fuel his creativity. By sticking to this disciplined schedule, Schwartz was able to consistently produce high-quality work in a relatively short amount of time.

Many writers are still using this process today.

Meme of the week…

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Was Mark Twain the pre-digital nomad?

Mark Twain was the first digital nomad, but before the digital age. Many people don’t know that he traveled across Europe and the Holy Land and wrote about his adventures in "The Innocents Abroad." The book, published in 1869, made him extremely famous around the world. Before that, he was a fairly unknown writer with just one other well-known piece.

He explored new places, wrote about his experiences, and shared them with the world - all remotely! Twain’s story is a reminder that curiosity and courage can take you far, just like they do for today's digital nomads.

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