Good isn’t good enough

I wish this wasn't true, but I have seen this principle play out again and again. In previous generations, the key to success was being "discovered" by the powerful gatekeepers. Publishing houses picked a handful of authors each year. Executives in successful companies selected a few people for promotions each year. The three news stations focused on a couple of causes they thought were "newsworthy" and broadcast them.

 The good news is that you can self-publish for free--you don't have to wait for them to pick you. You can start a company for very little money, and with modern tools, most people can start that from their bedroom with a laptop. And you can broadcast your content to the world.

But so can everyone else.

So, if you want anyone besides your mom to get excited about your work, you have to stand out. And the single best way to stand out is to offer high-quality content. Work on your craft. Do it better every time. And at some point, it will be good enough that you will elicit strong enough responses to stand out.

A+ work will get you more followers, which will bring you more followers… A- work will get you shrugged shoulders.