100 words today. I didn’t get much writing done today but I did clear out my inbox down to zero and got some miscellaneous loose ends tied up that will free me to write more for the rest of the week.
I also semi-finalized my goals/projects for 2022. I started this in October and I’m almost done. To help me clarify my thoughts more, I thought I’d share them here.
MISSION STATEMENT: To be the content creator that my target audience turns to whenever they want something to read/watch. (It’s a little generic but it encompasses everything I do: books, YouTube, etc)
STRATEGIC PILLARS FOR 2022:
I used to have five strategic pillars but I’ve reduced them down to two because I’ve been simplifying everything in my life lately:
- To become a world-class content creator
- To become a technology and data-driven writer
To become a world-class content creator, it means that I need to be the best at what I do: writing high quality books quickly, high quality YouTube videos and courses, making money from my content by helping people be entertained or learn something, maybe both. This also means I need to keep learning, studying the craft, and practicing.
To become a technology and data-driven writer, I need to continue embracing technology and find unique, unexpected, and interesting ways to save time and effort.
As far as data goes, a big focus of mine is using data to leverage opportunities that others might miss. To do that, I have to own my data.
Anyhoo, if something doesn’t fit into one of those two strategic pillars in 2022, I won’t be doing it. And I’m comfortable with not doing things, way more than I have been in the past.
PROJECTS IN 2022:
- Learn how to design my own covers to drastically reduce my costs in anticipation of inflation driving up cover designs more in 2022 and beyond. I already observed a hike in cover designs again in 2021. Many of you know this is a pet issue for me, and I still seem to be one of the few people noticing the increase in cover design costs (been talking about this since 2018, and will keep talking about it). I need to reduce my reliance on cover designers moving forward. It’s not optional. The average cost of covers is double what it was in 2014. I predict it’s going to double again in 2-3 years (much faster due to COVID and inflation) and cover designers are going to be harder to come by. I’m not going to get caught off-guard by designer shortages that are inevitably coming. (Fortunately, the costs of editing have remained relatively stable since I started in 2014 and increases have been more modest). Ladies and gentlemen, if you don’t pay attention to this, you will be priced out of publishing. It’s an existential threat. One popular designer I’ve been watching has increased their rates by 90% since 2019, and this was on the lower end. The number of (excellent) affordable designers is dwindling. Like I said, I’m not going to be caught off-guard when this hits critical mass and people finally start complaining.
- Develop an Estate Plan in 2023 and get myself better organized in the event of an untimely death.
Anyhoo, that’s what I’m planning for in 2022. Plans always change but these are pretty important priorities for me.
What are your 2022 plans?
