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How Sahil Bloom Turned Twitter Threads Into 1 Million Followers

How I Write

Wed Dec 20 2023



Writing Process and Creativity:

  • Writing is viewed as a powerful tool to positively impact individuals, with each piece serving as a call for the desired type of people in one's life.
  • Writers engage in "writing from conversation," where interactions help assess which ideas resonate effectively with others.
  • Forced constraints, exemplified by Twitter's character limit, are valued for enhancing creativity by necessitating clear and concise communication.

Impact of Writing Newsletters:

  • Sahil Bloom shared his journey of starting a newsletter sent to 10 family and friends, which grew over five years to around 2,000 subscribers including CEOs.
  • A parallel was drawn to Howard Marks who initially wrote memos without readers but later gained recognition for his insightful content about finance.

Influence of Constraints on Creativity:

  • Dr. Seuss's example illustrates how limitations can boost creativity; restricting the number of words in a book can lead to innovative outcomes.
  • The character constraint on Twitter is praised for refining writing skills through clear and succinct communication within limited space.

Balancing Authenticity and Reach in Writing:

  • There exists a dilemma between producing growth-oriented content for quick reach versus crafting soulful pieces that deeply connect with an audience.
  • Trade-offs include rapid growth potential with hacky content versus deeper connection but limited cadence with soulful writing approaches.

Generating Epiphanies through Ideas:

  • An epiphany is described as feeling energized and eager to share insights enthusiastically after encountering inspiring ideas or conversations.
  • The desire for expression and sharing newfound knowledge is emphasized as crucial for personal fulfillment and creative output.

Cultivating Surprise and Systems for Creativity:

  • Creating systems that foster surprise involves consuming diverse ideas, engaging in deep thinking without distractions, and participating in meaningful discussions.
  • Surrounding oneself with individuals who pose thought-provoking questions and introduce new perspectives plays a pivotal role in generating creative insights.

Creating Space for Exploration and Curiosity:

  • Allowing time to sit alone provides room for introspection and idea generation, echoing Blaise Pascal's notion that many problems stem from the inability to be alone with one's thoughts.

Impact of Brief Interactions in Writing:

  • A simple, concise idea shared through writing can profoundly impact individuals for years without the writer realizing it.
  • Writers should focus on authenticity and simplicity rather than eloquence to create long-lasting connections with readers.
  • The power lies in how a writer's words can alter someone's life course significantly, emphasizing the importance of genuine and impactful communication.

Value-Centric Writing Approach:

  • Successful writers like Morgan Housel, James Clear, and Tim Ferriss excel at simplifying complex concepts to resonate with diverse audiences authentically.
  • The goal is not to impress intellectuals but to positively influence everyday individuals by providing valuable insights.
  • Using straightforward language enables broader engagement and meaningful interactions with readers by focusing on creating value over showcasing intellectuality.

Authenticity in Language Choice:

  • Honest self-assessment is essential for writers to differentiate between using big words for showmanship versus adding real value through accurate language.
  • Writers must evaluate their intentions behind word choices to ensure they enhance the message rather than serve as status symbols.
  • It involves identifying when elaborate language genuinely enriches content versus being used solely for appearing intelligent or prestigious.

Challenges of Long-Term Creative Projects:

  • Transitioning from short-term content creation with immediate feedback cycles to lengthy projects like book writing poses motivation challenges due to prolonged timelines.
  • Effective time management, daily goal setting, and embracing constraints are vital strategies for making progress on extensive creative endeavors such as book writing.

Navigating Feedback Cycles in Creativity:

  • Managing expectations regarding feedback cycles plays a crucial role in sustaining creativity and avoiding discouragement during extended creative processes.
  • Delayed assessment of performance metrics helps maintain focus on authentic content creation without being swayed by initial reactions or superficial engagement numbers.

Balancing Reach and Depth as a Creator:

  • Aspiring creators should prioritize building deep connections over sheer reach when crafting content for an audience.
  • Focusing on fostering genuine relationships with a smaller engaged audience yields more significant outcomes than pursuing mass appeal based solely on vanity metrics.
  • Striking a balance between maximizing reach while nurturing profound connections ensures enduring impact beyond surface-level engagement statistics.

Finding the Essence in Writing:

  • The concept of finding a "shiny dime" is discussed as the main point that all writing revolves around, akin to a chorus in a song where every verse connects back to it.
  • One speaker shared an experience of discovering the essence of their piece after weeks of contemplation, leading to the perfect sentence summarizing the entire idea.

Memory and Inspiration in Writing:

  • Memory is described metaphorically as hiding inside doors, with memories being context-dependent and influenced by environments.
  • Sharing ideas with others aids memory retention and deeper fulfillment in work endeavors, emphasizing the importance of discussing new concepts within 24 hours for better understanding.

Writing Process and Credibility:

  • The significance of writing from conversation, where feedback helps determine when an idea is ready for publication, is highlighted.
  • Building credibility without traditional credentials like degrees is emphasized, showcasing how personal experiences act as proof of expertise rather than formal qualifications.

Personal Fulfillment Through Work:

  • A sense of deep fulfillment from meaningful work interactions such as sharing ideas and conversations is expressed.
  • Pursuing unique paths aligned with personal gifts instead of societal expectations leads to greater satisfaction in work endeavors.