Since writing online, I've realized that followers aren’t the goal.

Fans are—the kind who pay the bills and spread your name.

How do you create many fans?

Start with one: the Hero You Serve.

This is the person you can serve best and want to attract most.

Who could that be?

• You, from the past

• Your favorite customer

• A close friend or relative

• Someone you’d love to work with

The simplest, most underrated way to make your writing feel real—and your business more meaningful—is to serve a real person.

• Someone you understand on a deep, emotional level.

• Someone you can picture with your eyes closed.

• Someone you genuinely want to help.

I'd recommend you stay close to who you are. The less you share with your audience, the harder the writing becomes.

Be sure your avatar can afford your services.
The fastest way to go broke is to market to broke people.
You don’t have to serve the rich—just people who can afford your help.

Define your OTF with simple demographics:

• Sex

• Age

• Nationality

• Family status

• Career stage (role + income level)

Example: Here are the demographics of the Hero I serve (Mo).

• Male

• 25–35

• American

• Married with kids

• Physician, six-figure income

Give yours a name. The more real you make it, the more real it becomes.

"Be the Person You Needed When You Were Younger." - Ayesha Siddiqi