From 753314f517c605d18889d9b9091231a5d4283007 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Kent C. Dodds" Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2024 18:29:25 -0600 Subject: [PATCH] break up things into more paragraphs --- .../blog/how-i-increased-my-visibility.mdx | 63 +++++++++++-------- 1 file changed, 36 insertions(+), 27 deletions(-) diff --git a/content/blog/how-i-increased-my-visibility.mdx b/content/blog/how-i-increased-my-visibility.mdx index 943597be5..afa65d896 100644 --- a/content/blog/how-i-increased-my-visibility.mdx +++ b/content/blog/how-i-increased-my-visibility.mdx @@ -28,42 +28,51 @@ situation. But I'll do my best and I'll focus on telling my story rather than making specific recommendations for you. First, I think it's useful for you to know that when I was starting out in my -career, I wasn't really planning on building a “following.” Instead, it kind of -happened naturally as I shared and created stuff. I was just really curious -about web development, so I'd dig into topics, learn as much as I could, then -share what I learned—whether that was on my blog, Twitter, or StackOverflow and -then eventually at meetups and conferences. At the time, I was just trying to -contribute and engage with the community, but those small acts of sharing -consistently added up over time. +career, I wasn't really planning on building a "following." Instead, it kind of +happened naturally as I shared and created stuff. + +I was just really curious about web development, so I'd dig into topics, learn +as much as I could, then share what I learned—whether that was on my blog, +Twitter, or StackOverflow and then eventually at meetups and conferences. + +At the time, I was just trying to contribute and engage with the community, but +those small acts of sharing consistently added up over time. One big factor that helped my content stand out was the choice to teach concepts in a way that reflected the things I wished I'd known earlier. This wasn't a -strategic move, but more just something I enjoyed doing. I tried to break down -complex topics into manageable steps, demystifying them as much as possible. -That process took me deeper into each topic, and the result was that I ended up -building resources that resonated with people who wanted a more accessible path -to learning. When I created something like EpicReact.dev, for instance, I focused -on the core challenges I saw people face and tried to deliver something they'd -find genuinely useful in their day-to-day work. I determined what these core +strategic move, but more just something I enjoyed doing. + +I tried to break down complex topics into manageable steps, demystifying them as +much as possible. That process took me deeper into each topic, and the result +was that I ended up building resources that resonated with people who wanted a +more accessible path to learning. + +When I created something like EpicReact.dev, for instance, I focused on the core +challenges I saw people face and tried to deliver something they'd find +genuinely useful in their day-to-day work. I determined what these core challenges were by teaching a lot over time. Another part of it was simply about being present and showing up regularly. -People come to rely on that consistency, and it builds trust. I think -consistency in sharing—whether it's a tweet, a blog post, or an open-source -contribution—can compound over time in a way that builds credibility and a sense -of connection with others in the community. It also opens up collaborations and -opportunities you don't expect when you're just actively sharing what you know. -The more questions you answer, the more people ask you. I made myself the kind -of person people wanted to ask questions to because I was simply there to answer -the questions. And I magnified the answers by posting them online. +People come to rely on that consistency, and it builds trust. + +I think consistency in sharing—whether it's a tweet, a blog post, or an +open-source contribution—can compound over time in a way that builds credibility +and a sense of connection with others in the community. + +It also opens up collaborations and opportunities you don't expect when you're +just actively sharing what you know. The more questions you answer, the more +people ask you. I made myself the kind of person people wanted to ask questions +to because I was simply there to answer the questions. And I magnified the +answers by posting them online. Finally, a huge component of this has been embracing an approach of continuous learning and sharing. As I grew and gained experience, I adapted my content and -approach to reflect where I was in my own journey. The willingness to evolve, -try new things, and respond to what I see happening in the community has been -key to staying relevant and resonant. And I'd say, don't underestimate the power -of staying true to your unique voice and values—that's what makes people feel -connected and engaged in the long run. +approach to reflect where I was in my own journey. + +The willingness to evolve, try new things, and respond to what I see happening +in the community has been key to staying relevant and resonant. And I'd say, +don't underestimate the power of staying true to your unique voice and +values—that's what makes people feel connected and engaged in the long run. You can read more about my story in my [2010s decade in review](/blog/2010s) post. But hopefully this gives you a sense of how it all started and evolved.