◼️ Today’s newsletter is sponsored by dumb wireless, the best place to get a great phone without all the noisy distractions. Use code minimalnewyear for a special discount.

Hi. The photo above is from a recent trip to NYC, where I lived from 2004-2010. It’s where I left my last full time job in 2006, and I’ve been figuring it out ever since. I guess I could say I’ve been “building my business,” but really it’s more like I’m crossing a busy stream by jumping from rock to rock, and I made it another year. One step at a time, friends.

Today’s “FOUR THE WEEKEND” is pretty lightweight, perfect for the hazy time between Christmas and New Years.

Remember – you don’t need to reinvent yourself, or fix anything over the next few days. You’re great just the way you are.

1. VALENTINE’S DAY IS 50 DAYS AWAY

Maybe plan something fun for Feb 14, 2025? I dare you!

Release a new single, a photo zine devoted to love and heartbreak, maybe a new shirt design, or a funny video serious you could roll out that entire week. Maybe it’s a collaborative post about breakups with some of your readers, or a collection of poetry from several other writers in your circle.

Okay, if not Valentine’s Day, what’s another holiday you could release something around that might be a little more “on brand” for you?

2. SIGN UP FOR MY ABOUT PAGE WORKSHOP

Lots of you downloaded my ABOUT PAGE PDF in a previous email, so I’m going to do a mini-workshop in early 2025. Click here to add your name to the wait list and you’ll be the first to know when it launches.

‘Write Your Artist Bio in 6 Sentences’ over at Dedicate Your Life To Music is a good place to start even if you’re not a musician.

3. GET AWARENESS OFF YOUR PLATE

This is what I tell anyone who can’t fathom being without social media; seek out opportunities to work with other people, do interviews, show up on podcasts, collaborate on projects.

Check out these two post below (loaded with examples and ideas) and envision you world with less social media.

https://socialmediaescapeclub.substack.com/p/lets-rethink-how-we-do-awareness

https://socialmediaescapeclub.substack.com/p/getting-awareness-off-my-plate-is

Which podcast would be a perfect fit for you to guest on? If you could get an interview with any media outlet to talk about you work, who would it be?

4. MAKE A LIST OF PEOPLE YOU COULD PARTNER WITH IN 2025

This one is from 

Ana Calin (see her post here), and is closely related to the idea of getting awareness off your plate.

Make a list of 20-30 people you could partner with in 2025.

These partners should be influential figures with a complementary service to yours and a similar target audience.

By partnering with them you can send referrals, co-market and even launch joint ventures.

It’s a fantastic way to grow.

Get out a piece of paper or make a new note on your phone and think about getting away from doing everything yourself, and figure out the people in your orbit that might be open to creative expansion.

For me that looks like people I could interview for this newsletter, guests I could invite to our Escape Pod Zoom calls, and smart people who could co-lead a workshop.

Who are some people you could work with that’d help you get deeper into your work? Who are the people you could grow with?

Have a great weekend, everyone. See you all again on Monday.

//SETH