I launched tedkriwiel.com one year ago today.
Since then, I have:
- Written 38 blog posts
- Hosted 2 technology cohorts for nonprofit leaders
- Spoken at 9 events
- Coached 50+ nonprofits on how to improve the way they use software
These are inputs. Things that I can control. Here are a few outcomes that I can’t.
In the last year:
- 241 people subscribed to my newsletter
- 3,122 people visited my website
- 762 new people started following me on LinkedIn
How to feel about these numbers is relative. For reference, my favorite client I’ve ever worked with had 3,000 people visit her website every hour, and she had amassed over 2 million followers. But her traffic and follower count were not the reasons I loved working with her; it was her heart. The way she showed up for the people she cared about. Her passion for the problem she was trying to solve, along with her relentless pursuit of getting a little bit better every day.
Obviously, her audience feels the same way.
My “numbers” are paltry by internet standards, but I’m not measuring myself against the internet. I’m measuring myself against the year prior.
In the 12 months prior, I had:
- Written 0 blog posts
- Hosted 0 technology cohorts for nonprofit leaders
- Spoken at 0 events
- Coached 0 nonprofits on how to improve the way they use software
One of my favorite types of lore is the famous-band-playing-a-small-gig-before-they-were-famous stories. I love this one of Mumford and Sons performing at the Red House Pizzeria in 2009. They’re outside, no stage, in front of an audience of roughly 40 people. The lead vocalist is clearly still finding his confidence, singing a song that would go on to be nominated for a Grammy a few years later.
I’m not suggesting that I’m on the verge of becoming famous or winning a Grammy. I picked THE WRONG content if that’s my goal. What I’m saying is that before anyone becomes popular for being excellent at something, there’s this quiet stage where they are working it out. Live. In front of people. It’s messy and wonderful, and it's often the stage that people who “make it” are most nostalgic for.
I’m in that stage right now, with you. Thanks for being part of the journey.
Your replies to my emails have been the wind in my sails.
Cheers to another year of figuring it out together.
It’s all gravy from here.
Ted
PS
If this newsletter helped you in the last year, tell your friends! They can subscribe here: tedkriwiel.com/newsletter
