As most online content creators build out their brands and businesses they experience friction. This friction is the result of trying out new things, stepping out boldly in a way that may feel uncomfortable and figuring out what works and what doesn’t. It may surprise you that 2024 is the first year since I started creating content online where I feel very aligned with the brand that I’m building and the goals that I’m working to achieve. It may also surprise you to hear that this isn’t unusual.
I really wish that we would stop highlighting the “unicorns” who started a brand 6 months ago and had it all figured out by their 4th month in business. I know a lot of content creators who’ve been at this for awhile. Then I had the added complexity of being a multi-passionate content creator. Why in the hell do I have so many interests? This is a short episode, but I feel like it’s an important one.
Breaking Up With a Personal Brand
For the past 10 years I’ve worked on a brand that is currently called “Michelle is Money Hungry” my mom hates the name. The goal was to talk about money topics that weren’t often discussed. In the personal finance space. I loved the work that I did on this project and I was recognized for the work that I did with 4 different awards by my colleagues in the space.
After 10 years of working on this project it became clear to me that the enthusiasm for it had gone away. Part of this loss of enthusiasm was also directly connected to what was going on in the United States and the impact on women. The other issue was the feeling that I could rethink this work and use a fresh and new approach. I was still interested in the topic, it was just time for a break and something new.
The signs were clear:
- I published content on the brand in decreasing frequency.
- A few years ago I started Creators Getting Paid which signaled a pivot in my brand. I do want to mention that it was the second time that I’d started a project focused on the business side of creating and growing an online brand.
- Michelle Is Money Hungry just felt so hard to work on while other projects felt effortless. I loved it so much but it was so frustrating at the same time.
- I recognized that it would be continue to be difficult to monetize the brand as it was currently set up. I knew there was an easier way to make money with a personal finance focused brand and I wanted to give that a try.
- I stopped creating content and posting on the website and podcast. I just…stopped logging in and I didn’t miss it.
I was actively letting go and I loved that for me because I had time to think about “what’s next?” Surprisingly, I decided on launching another money project in 2025. I’m so excited about what I plan on doing and I think of it as Michelle is Money Hungry 2.0 but with a completely different name.
Letting Go
Has made room for something new. Without the experiences that I’ve had with Michelle is Money Hungry I wouldn’t be able to dream up the new projects that I’m working on. I’m sharing this to say the following…
- Trust yourself even when it feels scary.
- Respect your energy. If your energy is dropping reflect on why that’s happening.
- Give yourself some time to make your next move. I stopped posting on Michelle is Money Hungry in February/early March. It is now the end of October and I’ve given plenty of thought on what my next move will be.
- Be candid about your goals (to yourself)
- Want to make money?
- Focused on growing a community?
- Have a mission?
- A mix of different goals?
Things Change, People Change
I’m human and part of change is embracing the growth that happens during those moments. A personal brand should reflect that personal growth as well. Just like when you eventually leave a job that you really loved and worked forever and it was time to finally let it go.
Then there’s all of the obligations that I’m rethinking. I’ll talk about what I’m saying “no” to in the next episode. Make sure to sine up for Creators Getting Paid at https://creatorsgettingpaid.com/newsletter and gain access to the from Zero to $500 a month In Recurring Income free workshop today. Are you tired of doing so much done for you work? Get started on building recurring income today.
