Nik this battle between art and the algorithm is so real. I feel like we’ve all at some point fallen into the trap of sticking to the algorithm side and forgot about our essence as writers and creators and it’s insanely destructive.
I’d say from my own experience a mix is necessary if you have a business and/or growing an audience. But don’t get so caught up that you forget to write about the things you’re curious about and make you lose track of time.
Beautifully written. I can really feel the turmoil boiling within you.
I’ve wrestled with this too. So bad.
In the end, after a long war of art, my art won.
Why? I’d rather be a “poor” artist, who brings his full self to his art, than a rich one who sold out yet lost out.
And I don’t know any true artist who feels any other way.
The art is first. Self expression. Self actualisation. Self determination.
Let your tribe find you where you are, in the palace of arts you built.
Don’t rush off blindly to meet them in some random wilderness.
Of course you can leave a paper trail for them to better find you. Your beautiful letter just did that.
I found Substack only very recently too, so I hope to enjoy our build here together. (I have visions of Amish gatherings, a pile of wood and nails!) Pass me that hammer, will you?
Wow Nik, your first post spoke to my soul. The internet is a weird place right now - especially social media. Thank you for being a leader in truth & strategy.
I’m also curious what that piece was that changed people’s lives but took 6 months for the algorithm to find if you wouldn’t mind sharing!
Working with the algorithm has always been the greatest challenge for me, ever since I showed up as a creator in August '22.
It's been an ongoing experiment. I tried erecting various sub-pillars under my brand, but in the end the split focus was harming the real work. I came to teach nonduality and I've recommitted to that with singular focus. I'm leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table for the privilege. It's worth it.
Most recently, I'm taking big leaves out of Seth Godin's book: serve a "minimum viable audience" deeply, and trust that the work will spread over a long enough time horizon. We'll see...
Thank you for sharing this! It really is a secret battle so many of us face and are unsure how to navigate. It’s so helpful to see your process and perspective for finding this balance.
I love how your present your thoughts, Nik! It's 2 am and I'm in bed, I was falling asleep while on Substack, then started reading your letter and now I feel awake..
Great reflections! When you mentioned walking through Mexico and wanting to capture the scene, it reminded me of a moment I had recently, where I thought "I wish I could capture this moment" and then I stopped myself and reframed to "I wish I could immerse myself in this moment" and I reminded myself that my words are my art - capturing pretty pictures in someone else's zone of genius :)
I have been thinking about this a lot these days. I have just started sharong what my soul longs to share and i didn’t know i’d have this silent battle between what i want to say and what can get me most engagement. But i have decided to go with my truth. Trusting i don’t have to be for every one. That the right ones will find me.🙏🏻
Hi Nik! I took your 3GB last cycle, and finally yesterday took my very first step and created my first substack publication here to share my enneagram work with my Argentine community! and today you appear here too! just wanted to say hi and thanks for the inspiration, its been a long time coming for me so feeling grateful to you and all those that pushed me out of my comfort zone :) saludos!!
Wow Nicole so great to see you in here after journeying with you in the 3-Hour Guidance Business. This is great, I actually have an Argentinian friend who I think you should definitely connect with. I'll send an email
Wow you really put into words the daily battle that goes on in my mind.
I create something that feels like a masterpiece until I start spiraling about the hook, message, cta etc. and I take more time overthinking of how I can make it as attractive as possible until I get mentally exhausted, and sometimes I feel I even lose my authenticity with that algorithm game
I suppose all art has constraints eg if you paint on the canvas, you play with the dimensions and the material you have. Same with the algorithm — it can create fun constraints to play with. But obsessing with constraints while losing the substance is where it goes wrong
Nik this battle between art and the algorithm is so real. I feel like we’ve all at some point fallen into the trap of sticking to the algorithm side and forgot about our essence as writers and creators and it’s insanely destructive.
I’d say from my own experience a mix is necessary if you have a business and/or growing an audience. But don’t get so caught up that you forget to write about the things you’re curious about and make you lose track of time.
Absolutely, I like treating the algo as a playground for creation.
Beautifully written. I can really feel the turmoil boiling within you.
I’ve wrestled with this too. So bad.
In the end, after a long war of art, my art won.
Why? I’d rather be a “poor” artist, who brings his full self to his art, than a rich one who sold out yet lost out.
And I don’t know any true artist who feels any other way.
The art is first. Self expression. Self actualisation. Self determination.
Let your tribe find you where you are, in the palace of arts you built.
Don’t rush off blindly to meet them in some random wilderness.
Of course you can leave a paper trail for them to better find you. Your beautiful letter just did that.
I found Substack only very recently too, so I hope to enjoy our build here together. (I have visions of Amish gatherings, a pile of wood and nails!) Pass me that hammer, will you?
Love the vision and that you chose what’s right for you
Wow Nik, your first post spoke to my soul. The internet is a weird place right now - especially social media. Thank you for being a leader in truth & strategy.
I’m also curious what that piece was that changed people’s lives but took 6 months for the algorithm to find if you wouldn’t mind sharing!
sure it was this one! I reposted my story and it only picked up recently.
https://x.com/NikHuno/status/1918300222167396438
Beautiful, brother.
Working with the algorithm has always been the greatest challenge for me, ever since I showed up as a creator in August '22.
It's been an ongoing experiment. I tried erecting various sub-pillars under my brand, but in the end the split focus was harming the real work. I came to teach nonduality and I've recommitted to that with singular focus. I'm leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table for the privilege. It's worth it.
Most recently, I'm taking big leaves out of Seth Godin's book: serve a "minimum viable audience" deeply, and trust that the work will spread over a long enough time horizon. We'll see...
💙
Thank you for sharing this! It really is a secret battle so many of us face and are unsure how to navigate. It’s so helpful to see your process and perspective for finding this balance.
Thank you Abby! PS love the aesthetic of your publication
I love how your present your thoughts, Nik! It's 2 am and I'm in bed, I was falling asleep while on Substack, then started reading your letter and now I feel awake..
The image coming to mind is of a surfer in a wave. There is an interplay that is always essential and must be engaged, but must also be let go of.
Great reflections! When you mentioned walking through Mexico and wanting to capture the scene, it reminded me of a moment I had recently, where I thought "I wish I could capture this moment" and then I stopped myself and reframed to "I wish I could immerse myself in this moment" and I reminded myself that my words are my art - capturing pretty pictures in someone else's zone of genius :)
Yes. To. Every. Single. Word. 🙏
🙏🏻
I have been thinking about this a lot these days. I have just started sharong what my soul longs to share and i didn’t know i’d have this silent battle between what i want to say and what can get me most engagement. But i have decided to go with my truth. Trusting i don’t have to be for every one. That the right ones will find me.🙏🏻
This is the way
Hi Nik! I took your 3GB last cycle, and finally yesterday took my very first step and created my first substack publication here to share my enneagram work with my Argentine community! and today you appear here too! just wanted to say hi and thanks for the inspiration, its been a long time coming for me so feeling grateful to you and all those that pushed me out of my comfort zone :) saludos!!
Wow Nicole so great to see you in here after journeying with you in the 3-Hour Guidance Business. This is great, I actually have an Argentinian friend who I think you should definitely connect with. I'll send an email
Wow you really put into words the daily battle that goes on in my mind.
I create something that feels like a masterpiece until I start spiraling about the hook, message, cta etc. and I take more time overthinking of how I can make it as attractive as possible until I get mentally exhausted, and sometimes I feel I even lose my authenticity with that algorithm game
I suppose all art has constraints eg if you paint on the canvas, you play with the dimensions and the material you have. Same with the algorithm — it can create fun constraints to play with. But obsessing with constraints while losing the substance is where it goes wrong
Finally on Substack! Thanks :) and welcome.
What will happen to your Threads? ;)
I'm still there! Was on an offline break in the mountains, will be back sharing on it soon.
that's actually really good
Appreciate it, look forward to your writing on here!
This was a beautiful one ♥️
🧡
Loved reading this, and have come to similar conclusions.
My mind conceptualizes the continuum as art vs business. I concluded they must both exist.
Sometimes there’s pure art. Sometimes there’s intentionally packaged art. And sometimes there’s pure business.
I think in that dichotomy too sometimes. I like to treat my business as art. But indeed oftentimes they can feel like opposing polarities