Marketing is Hard | Build in public E168

All right, just a quick update. Uh, what All right, just a quick update. Uh, what All right, just a quick update. Uh, what have I been doing? I have been spending have I been doing? I have been spending have I been doing? I have been spending a lot of time trying to focus in on a lot of time trying to focus in on a lot of time trying to focus in on marketing better. I am a software marketing better. I am a software marketing better. I am a software engineer. I have worked for software engineer. I have worked for software engineer. I have worked for software companies for 19 years now, or soon to companies for 19 years now, or soon to companies for 19 years now, or soon to be 19 years. I’m a builder. I like to be 19 years. I’m a builder. I like to be 19 years. I’m a builder. I like to build things. I like to ship. I’m not a build things. I like to ship. I’m not a build things. I like to ship. I’m not a marketing person. So, I’m really really marketing person. So, I’m really really marketing person. So, I’m really really trying to figure out like how the hell trying to figure out like how the hell trying to figure out like how the hell can I do what I’m trying to do. Um, SEO can I do what I’m trying to do. Um, SEO can I do what I’m trying to do. Um, SEO is a huge one. I’m really really trying is a huge one. I’m really really trying is a huge one. I’m really really trying to uh nail the SEO part of my kind of to uh nail the SEO part of my kind of to uh nail the SEO part of my kind of wild experiment. Um, the truth is wild experiment. Um, the truth is wild experiment. Um, the truth is social media, as much as I hate it, can social media, as much as I hate it, can social media, as much as I hate it, can make or break you. Um, there’s people make or break you. Um, there’s people make or break you. Um, there’s people who literally their fortunes have been who literally their fortunes have been who literally their fortunes have been built built built on social media and marketing on social on social media and marketing on social on social media and marketing on social media. That is just where the eyeballs media. That is just where the eyeballs media. That is just where the eyeballs are. So, I have no choice but to do are. So, I have no choice but to do are. So, I have no choice but to do that. Um, I’m trying to get better at that. Um, I’m trying to get better at that. Um, I’m trying to get better at using X. I’m trying to do YouTube, but using X. I’m trying to do YouTube, but using X. I’m trying to do YouTube, but that is also not going very well as you that is also not going very well as you that is also not going very well as you could clearly see. One other thing I could clearly see. One other thing I could clearly see. One other thing I want to start trying to experiment with want to start trying to experiment with want to start trying to experiment with is writing writing blog content like is writing writing blog content like is writing writing blog content like actually really trying to add value. actually really trying to add value. actually really trying to add value. Perfect example of what I just released Perfect example of what I just released Perfect example of what I just released um this week is turkey hands.f fun. It’s um this week is turkey hands.f fun. It’s um this week is turkey hands.f fun. It’s a fun little thing where you you know a fun little thing where you you know a fun little thing where you you know take a picture of your hand and you turn take a picture of your hand and you turn take a picture of your hand and you turn it into a turkey. It’s very seasonal it into a turkey. It’s very seasonal it into a turkey. It’s very seasonal thing. Uh it it was actually really thing. Uh it it was actually really thing. Uh it it was actually really hard. I spent a lot of effort and time hard. I spent a lot of effort and time hard. I spent a lot of effort and time getting the technical part working. Um, getting the technical part working. Um, getting the technical part working. Um, so why don’t why not write a blog post so why don’t why not write a blog post so why don’t why not write a blog post explaining like how to do h how how I explaining like how to do h how how I explaining like how to do h how how I built it, like how what didn’t work, built it, like how what didn’t work, built it, like how what didn’t work, what what I would do differently if I what what I would do differently if I what what I would do differently if I kept working on it. So adding value, and kept working on it. So adding value, and kept working on it. So adding value, and that’s kind of the the thing I’m trying that’s kind of the the thing I’m trying that’s kind of the the thing I’m trying to do with the with the channel here is to do with the with the channel here is to do with the with the channel here is actually add value, show you how I built actually add value, show you how I built actually add value, show you how I built things, like why did I make that things, like why did I make that things, like why did I make that decision? I’m trying to do that. Not decision? I’m trying to do that. Not decision? I’m trying to do that. Not only that, but the blogging will help only that, but the blogging will help only that, but the blogging will help with SEO. So that’s the stuff I’m with SEO. So that’s the stuff I’m with SEO. So that’s the stuff I’m working on right now. I have worked working on right now. I have worked working on right now. I have worked really hard on the next the next one. really hard on the next the next one. really hard on the next the next one. So, the next week’s project is done. Um, So, the next week’s project is done. Um, So, the next week’s project is done. Um, that’s queued up and ready to go. So, that’s queued up and ready to go. So, that’s queued up and ready to go. So, that will be a small one that won’t be that will be a small one that won’t be that will be a small one that won’t be like there’s some cool tech and I’ll like there’s some cool tech and I’ll like there’s some cool tech and I’ll make a video on how I built it. Um, no make a video on how I built it. Um, no make a video on how I built it. Um, no AI, but it does some AIesque things to AI, but it does some AIesque things to AI, but it does some AIesque things to to to make that work. So, a video about to to make that work. So, a video about to to make that work. So, a video about that will will drop next week, but I’m that will will drop next week, but I’m that will will drop next week, but I’m really really trying to make this work. really really trying to make this work. really really trying to make this work. And I realize I’m doing a lot of things And I realize I’m doing a lot of things And I realize I’m doing a lot of things poorly and bad. Bear with me as I figure poorly and bad. Bear with me as I figure poorly and bad. Bear with me as I figure that out. Um, so what else did I do? I that out. Um, so what else did I do? I that out. Um, so what else did I do? I updated this with all the things I’ve updated this with all the things I’ve updated this with all the things I’ve worked on. Um, it’s my personal website. worked on. Um, it’s my personal website. worked on. Um, it’s my personal website. Uh, I’m thinking about killing this and Uh, I’m thinking about killing this and Uh, I’m thinking about killing this and putting moving this here. But, uh, what putting moving this here. But, uh, what putting moving this here. But, uh, what why what what’s the purpose of this SEO? why what what’s the purpose of this SEO? why what what’s the purpose of this SEO? Um, I need more links. It’s about link Um, I need more links. It’s about link Um, I need more links. It’s about link building and having a portal. People building and having a portal. People building and having a portal. People actually do come here and check me out. actually do come here and check me out. actually do come here and check me out. My email uses this domain. So people do My email uses this domain. So people do My email uses this domain. So people do um people do actually look at this and I um people do actually look at this and I um people do actually look at this and I want one portal that has everything. But want one portal that has everything. But want one portal that has everything. But a big part of it is SEO. So what I’m a big part of it is SEO. So what I’m a big part of it is SEO. So what I’m trying to do is have a network of links trying to do is have a network of links trying to do is have a network of links that all point back to each other. Like that all point back to each other. Like that all point back to each other. Like I’m trying to get my newsletter to to I’m trying to get my newsletter to to I’m trying to get my newsletter to to grow. So, every single one of these has grow. So, every single one of these has grow. So, every single one of these has a link back to the newsletter. This has a link back to the newsletter. This has a link back to the newsletter. This has links obviously links obviously links obviously to all of those and to this. So, I’m to all of those and to this. So, I’m to all of those and to this. So, I’m trying to build a network of links. Um, trying to build a network of links. Um, trying to build a network of links. Um, and and they’re not like [  ] spammy and and they’re not like [  ] spammy and and they’re not like [  ] spammy stuff like these are my real projects stuff like these are my real projects stuff like these are my real projects and they’re all pointed um like let me and they’re all pointed um like let me and they’re all pointed um like let me just show you what I mean. First of all, just show you what I mean. First of all, just show you what I mean. First of all, you could follow me on X here, but you could follow me on X here, but you could follow me on X here, but there’s a URL there’s a URL there’s a URL like going back to the newsletter. So like going back to the newsletter. So like going back to the newsletter. So again, this is not like spammy [  ] again, this is not like spammy [  ] again, this is not like spammy [  ] Like this is not like like fake SEO. Like this is not like like fake SEO. Like this is not like like fake SEO. It’s it’s just a link saying, “Hey, I It’s it’s just a link saying, “Hey, I It’s it’s just a link saying, “Hey, I this was built by random Daily Rails.” this was built by random Daily Rails.” this was built by random Daily Rails.” So, So, So, um I’m starting to see some uh some SEO. um I’m starting to see some uh some SEO. um I’m starting to see some uh some SEO. I see Google and people searching for I see Google and people searching for I see Google and people searching for stuff more and more, especially on here. stuff more and more, especially on here. stuff more and more, especially on here. What’s interesting is I finally started What’s interesting is I finally started What’s interesting is I finally started to see in in the analytics people coming to see in in the analytics people coming to see in in the analytics people coming from chat GPT very very interesting and from chat GPT very very interesting and from chat GPT very very interesting and that’s kind of frustrating because it that’s kind of frustrating because it that’s kind of frustrating because it doesn’t tell you what like why you you doesn’t tell you what like why you you doesn’t tell you what like why you you you don’t know it’s like a black box you don’t know it’s like a black box you don’t know it’s like a black box somebody was talking to Chad GP and it somebody was talking to Chad GP and it somebody was talking to Chad GP and it dropped a link. So very very interesting dropped a link. So very very interesting dropped a link. So very very interesting to finally see that. Um so yeah SEO is to finally see that. Um so yeah SEO is to finally see that. Um so yeah SEO is the backbone of that. If you do really the backbone of that. If you do really the backbone of that. If you do really good SEO, you’ll get picked up by by good SEO, you’ll get picked up by by good SEO, you’ll get picked up by by the LLM’s training in the D in the the LLM’s training in the D in the the LLM’s training in the D in the training data and then I’ll point to training data and then I’ll point to training data and then I’ll point to you. So, it’s coming along. I am you. So, it’s coming along. I am you. So, it’s coming along. I am truthfully, to be completely honest with truthfully, to be completely honest with truthfully, to be completely honest with you, ahead on my challenge. So, I’m you, ahead on my challenge. So, I’m you, ahead on my challenge. So, I’m doing a a challenge 25 projects in 25 doing a a challenge 25 projects in 25 doing a a challenge 25 projects in 25 weeks. These are the first three. Uh the weeks. These are the first three. Uh the weeks. These are the first three. Uh the next two are essentially done. the the next two are essentially done. the the next two are essentially done. the the next one is like done done and I’m next one is like done done and I’m next one is like done done and I’m trying to wrap up the the fifth one. So, trying to wrap up the the fifth one. So, trying to wrap up the the fifth one. So, I’m not [  ] around. I’m really I’m not [  ] around. I’m really I’m not [  ] around. I’m really trying to do this challenge. I want to trying to do this challenge. I want to trying to do this challenge. I want to see this through. Um, five projects is see this through. Um, five projects is see this through. Um, five projects is basically a quarter of the way done and basically a quarter of the way done and basically a quarter of the way done and it it’s basically there now. So, I’m it it’s basically there now. So, I’m it it’s basically there now. So, I’m really really serious about this. I want really really serious about this. I want really really serious about this. I want to be known as somebody who makes crazy to be known as somebody who makes crazy to be known as somebody who makes crazy weird quirky stuff, who actually ships, weird quirky stuff, who actually ships, weird quirky stuff, who actually ships, who actually does what he says he’s who actually does what he says he’s who actually does what he says he’s going to do. A lot of people will do going to do. A lot of people will do going to do. A lot of people will do such challenges and give up pretty such challenges and give up pretty such challenges and give up pretty quickly. I’m trying to see this through quickly. I’m trying to see this through quickly. I’m trying to see this through to the end. So, um, if you have not to the end. So, um, if you have not to the end. So, um, if you have not checked out Turkey Hands, give it a try. checked out Turkey Hands, give it a try. checked out Turkey Hands, give it a try. It’s free little silly thing. There’s no It’s free little silly thing. There’s no It’s free little silly thing. There’s no sign up, no email required. Uh, it would sign up, no email required. Uh, it would sign up, no email required. Uh, it would help a lot if you subscribe to the help a lot if you subscribe to the help a lot if you subscribe to the newsletter, but it’s it’s just a free newsletter, but it’s it’s just a free newsletter, but it’s it’s just a free thing. No ads. There’s no sign up thing. No ads. There’s no sign up thing. No ads. There’s no sign up required. You just go do it really required. You just go do it really required. You just go do it really quick. And a lot of people have. It’s quick. And a lot of people have. It’s quick. And a lot of people have. It’s been so exciting to see. I got real been so exciting to see. I got real been so exciting to see. I got real testimonials from real people. And this testimonials from real people. And this testimonials from real people. And this was unsolicited, too. people, especially was unsolicited, too. people, especially was unsolicited, too. people, especially a famous person, uh, just unsolicited a famous person, uh, just unsolicited a famous person, uh, just unsolicited gave me feedback cuz that’s how many gave me feedback cuz that’s how many gave me feedback cuz that’s how many people used people literally today have people used people literally today have people used people literally today have used it. Really, really, really fun. used it. Really, really, really fun. used it. Really, really, really fun. That’s all I got for today. Okay, on to That’s all I got for today. Okay, on to That’s all I got for today. Okay, on to my random story for today. This will be my random story for today. This will be my random story for today. This will be a quick one. Um, I saw an X. Um, a quick one. Um, I saw an X. Um, a quick one. Um, I saw an X. Um, a lot of discussions about the the solar a lot of discussions about the the solar a lot of discussions about the the solar storm. There’s like has been crazy solar storm. There’s like has been crazy solar storm. There’s like has been crazy solar activity. you know, all these people are activity. you know, all these people are activity. you know, all these people are seeing the Aurora Borealis. By the way, seeing the Aurora Borealis. By the way, seeing the Aurora Borealis. By the way, Aurora Borealis means the north, not the Aurora Borealis means the north, not the Aurora Borealis means the north, not the south. The south one has a different south. The south one has a different south. The south one has a different name. And so, there’s been a lot of name. And so, there’s been a lot of name. And so, there’s been a lot of people posting pictures and seeing it. people posting pictures and seeing it. people posting pictures and seeing it. Um, conveniently, I’m in central London Um, conveniently, I’m in central London Um, conveniently, I’m in central London and it’s been cloudy every time, every and it’s been cloudy every time, every and it’s been cloudy every time, every night. So, I go out to look and there’s night. So, I go out to look and there’s night. So, I go out to look and there’s a lot of light pollution being in the a lot of light pollution being in the a lot of light pollution being in the center especially. Uh, and there’s just center especially. Uh, and there’s just center especially. Uh, and there’s just clouds. I don’t see [  ] Sucks. Uh, clouds. I don’t see [  ] Sucks. Uh, clouds. I don’t see [  ] Sucks. Uh, I’ve always wanted to see this, but I’ve always wanted to see this, but I’ve always wanted to see this, but people have been talking a lot about um people have been talking a lot about um people have been talking a lot about um this this kind of stuff. And somebody this this kind of stuff. And somebody this this kind of stuff. And somebody posted something about being in the posted something about being in the posted something about being in the south and uh yeah, there’s activity in south and uh yeah, there’s activity in south and uh yeah, there’s activity in the south as well. It actually has a the south as well. It actually has a the south as well. It actually has a different name. Uh I kind of briefly different name. Uh I kind of briefly different name. Uh I kind of briefly said this on in a tweet in a reply. A said this on in a tweet in a reply. A said this on in a tweet in a reply. A bunch of people saw it. Um, when you’re bunch of people saw it. Um, when you’re bunch of people saw it. Um, when you’re in the south, the southern hemisphere, in the south, the southern hemisphere, in the south, the southern hemisphere, it looks weird because you see a bunch it looks weird because you see a bunch it looks weird because you see a bunch of stars and stuff in the sky that you of stars and stuff in the sky that you of stars and stuff in the sky that you don’t see in Europe and in North America don’t see in Europe and in North America don’t see in Europe and in North America and in Asia. You don’t see the the same and in Asia. You don’t see the the same and in Asia. You don’t see the the same things. You see like really weird stars things. You see like really weird stars things. You see like really weird stars and constellations and you see just and constellations and you see just and constellations and you see just different stuff. Well, I went to um a different stuff. Well, I went to um a different stuff. Well, I went to um a astronomy event in New Zealand where you astronomy event in New Zealand where you astronomy event in New Zealand where you go into a room, all the lights are off go into a room, all the lights are off go into a room, all the lights are off and you just have this like dimly like and you just have this like dimly like and you just have this like dimly like lit red little very very little red lit red little very very little red lit red little very very little red lights turned on so your eyes adjust for lights turned on so your eyes adjust for lights turned on so your eyes adjust for like an hour. So there’s like no phones, like an hour. So there’s like no phones, like an hour. So there’s like no phones, no lighting. You’re you’re in this dark no lighting. You’re you’re in this dark no lighting. You’re you’re in this dark room for like an hour hanging out and room for like an hour hanging out and room for like an hour hanging out and then you go outside and you look at a then you go outside and you look at a then you go outside and you look at a telescope to go see the frankly the cool telescope to go see the frankly the cool telescope to go see the frankly the cool [  ] you see in the southern he [  ] you see in the southern he [  ] you see in the southern he hemisphere that you don’t see anywhere hemisphere that you don’t see anywhere hemisphere that you don’t see anywhere else. This was in the middle of nowhere else. This was in the middle of nowhere else. This was in the middle of nowhere New Zealand so there wasn’t a lot of New Zealand so there wasn’t a lot of New Zealand so there wasn’t a lot of light pollution. It was [  ] amazing. light pollution. It was [  ] amazing. light pollution. It was [  ] amazing. Um, I got to see Alpha Cent Alpha Um, I got to see Alpha Cent Alpha Um, I got to see Alpha Cent Alpha Centauri where the the the star system Centauri where the the the star system Centauri where the the the star system is actually three stars, not just one. is actually three stars, not just one. is actually three stars, not just one. But to us, it looks like a star, but you But to us, it looks like a star, but you But to us, it looks like a star, but you don’t see it anywhere unless you’re down don’t see it anywhere unless you’re down don’t see it anywhere unless you’re down in the southern hemisphere. So, god in the southern hemisphere. So, god in the southern hemisphere. So, god damn, was that exciting to see that in a damn, was that exciting to see that in a damn, was that exciting to see that in a telescope up close. I’ve I’ve always telescope up close. I’ve I’ve always telescope up close. I’ve I’ve always wanted to see that before. Um, yeah, I’m wanted to see that before. Um, yeah, I’m wanted to see that before. Um, yeah, I’m a nerd and I got to see it there. This a nerd and I got to see it there. This a nerd and I got to see it there. This was such a cool event. Um, to see all was such a cool event. Um, to see all was such a cool event. Um, to see all these things like the nebulas and things these things like the nebulas and things these things like the nebulas and things you just don’t see up north was really you just don’t see up north was really you just don’t see up north was really spectacular. I was really hoping to see spectacular. I was really hoping to see spectacular. I was really hoping to see the southern lights, not the northern the southern lights, not the northern the southern lights, not the northern lights. Um, I didn’t see it lights. Um, I didn’t see it lights. Um, I didn’t see it unfortunately, but uh, I got to see some unfortunately, but uh, I got to see some unfortunately, but uh, I got to see some pretty cool stuff. like kind of the pretty cool stuff. like kind of the pretty cool stuff. like kind of the highlight of the trip, weirdly enough, highlight of the trip, weirdly enough, highlight of the trip, weirdly enough, of being like down there. It feels of being like down there. It feels of being like down there. It feels almost alien if you’re from the northern almost alien if you’re from the northern almost alien if you’re from the northern hemisphere and you go down there and see hemisphere and you go down there and see hemisphere and you go down there and see all this stuff because they’re like, “It all this stuff because they’re like, “It all this stuff because they’re like, “It looks different.” Wow. What the [  ] I looks different.” Wow. What the [  ] I looks different.” Wow. What the [ __ ] I still have not seen the Royal Borealis. still have not seen the Royal Borealis. still have not seen the Royal Borealis. I’m pissed off. I hope I can see it. One I’m pissed off. I hope I can see it. One I’m pissed off. I hope I can see it. One day I think I’ll have to make a trip up day I think I’ll have to make a trip up day I think I’ll have to make a trip up to the North Arctic again. Uh but in the to the North Arctic again. Uh but in the to the North Arctic again. Uh but in the winter to go see this. So, one day. One winter to go see this. So, one day. One winter to go see this. So, one day. One day. All right, that’s all I got for day. All right, that’s all I got for day. All right, that’s all I got for today. See you next time.