Platform Building: Clickbait vs Meaning

In an attention-based economy, how do creatives honorably and effectively build an audience, platform, and artistic presence without resorting to sensationalism or grandstanding? Too many believe that the only path is making outlandish claims (you will get a gallery show if you do this…), market conflict (you will never get a gallery show if you…), or some other form of clickbait. The world is saturated with this strategic approach to winning people’s attention. Obviously, it works. But is it necessary? Can we build a presence and audience and platform by focusing with intensity on content and creative work that offers meaning? Betsy Lerner offers a great example. She gained a large audience by reading her cringey teenage diary entries on Tik Tok. Fun. Curious. Unique. And creative. Questions for Listeners * Have you leaned toward clickbait? (“I have in the past,” James admits.) * Did it work? (“Nope,” James says.) For Further Exploration Betsy Lerner: A new start after 60: I read out my old diaries online – and my youthful secrets went viral Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it. If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse. No cost, no spam, unsubscribe anytime. Buy us a Coffee and Win a Book Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 20 coffee angels will get a free guide! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com