He made $4 Million by Avoiding These 3 Mistakes That Many New Creators are Making

Dec 19, 2024

I’ve analyzed over

100 articles,
200 tweets
60 LinkedIn
Posts by Justin Welsh to uncover the strategies that helped him grow from a solopreneur to a trusted authority in his niche.
What stood out was his ability to achieve massive success by doing less—but doing it strategically.
Let’s break down his approach, the common mistakes new content creators make, and the actionable steps you can take to replicate his success.

Common Mistake New Creators Make:
Many new content creators believe that growing their follower count is the fastest path to success.
However, focusing on quantity over quality can leave you with an audience that doesn’t engage or convert.
- Studies reveal that only 10-15% of social media followers engage with posts, and only 1-5% take actions like signing up for a course or buying a product.
- A report by ConvertKit showed that 77% of creators earn less than $50,000/year, largely because they fail to attract a targeted audience that aligns with their offerings.
What Justin Did Differently:
- Instead of chasing large numbers, he focused on building a niche audience of aspiring solopreneurs who aligned with his content and potential products.
- He applied a three-step framework:
  - Top of Funnel: Positioned himself as the go-to expert in solopreneurship to attract the right audience.
  - Nurturing Funnel: Shared actionable insights daily, adding value and building trust.
  - Bottom of Funnel: Converted loyal followers into paying customers through his high-value course.
Key Insight: Even with just 500 followers, if 200 buy a $500 course, you’ve made $100,000—proving it’s about quality of followers, not quantity.

Common Mistake New Creators Make:
Many creators spread themselves too thin by attempting to dominate every platform and experiment with multiple types of content.
This leads to diluted messaging, burnout, and inconsistent growth.
- Content marketers focusing on 1-2 platforms see 60% higher engagement than those active on 3 or more platforms.
- Creators who consistently post on one or two platforms experience three times faster audience growth than those spreading themselves too thin.
What Justin Did Differently:
- Instead of being active everywhere, he chose two platforms—LinkedIn and Twitter—where his ideal audience was most active.
- He narrowed his focus to a single niche (solopreneurship) and three subcategories:
  1. How-to Guides
  2. Tips and Tricks
  3. How to Make Money
- By staying consistent and focused, he built a loyal audience that resonated with his messaging.
Key Insight: You don’t need to be everywhere to succeed. By focusing on fewer platforms and sticking to a specific niche, you can create endless content while avoiding burnout.

Common Mistake New Creators Make:
Most creators expect quick wins on social media and give up when they don’t see immediate results.
This lack of consistency is one of the biggest reasons why creators fail to grow.
- Research shows that 90% of creators quit within three months due to lack of immediate results.
- Twitter users who post daily see 80% higher engagement over time compared to infrequent posters.
What Justin Did Differently:
- Justin understood that success on social media comes from consistency, not instant gratification. He embraced the flywheel effect:
  - Every post he shared acted as a reminder of his expertise.
  - Over time, his consistent effort built momentum, turning him into the “go-to person” for solopreneurs.
  - His identity shifted—Justin was no longer just another content creator; he became the authority in his niche.
Key Insight: Consistency is your greatest asset. Even when it feels like no one is paying attention, every post adds momentum to your flywheel, eventually leading to exponential growth.

Takeaway for Aspiring Creators:
Justin Welsh’s journey teaches us three key lessons:

Focus on building the right audience, not the largest one.
Narrow your efforts to fewer platforms and a well-defined niche to avoid burnout and confusion.
Stay consistent, even when results aren’t immediate—momentum builds over time.

So, the next time you feel stuck, ask yourself: Are you chasing numbers or building a meaningful, profitable business?

Purplemind