This podcast episode explores the risks and challenges of investing in platforms that content creators do not own, known as digital sharecropping. The speakers discuss the potential loss of content and audience if platforms fail and emphasize the importance of having control and ownership over your audience and content. They recommend building an email list as the main goal and optimizing efforts towards owning platforms. The episode also covers the challenges of transitioning between different products and the importance of providing value and smooth transitions for the audience. Additionally, the speakers discuss the lessons learned from their experiences with platforms like Twitter, newsletters, and consulting, emphasizing the importance of focusing on a single platform, experimenting with ads, and being selective in choosing clients and work. The episode concludes by highlighting the missed opportunities and lessons learned in newsletter publishing, emphasizing the importance of starting a newsletter early to maintain connections with readers despite algorithm changes.
