Imperfect

grow through gimmicks

Inspired by Ava's Resisting Self-Flanderization.

In response to NPC Miles Morales retiring the "NPC" gimmick to do traditional live streams, Visa tweeted:

one thing i've noticed in the past 20+ years of being very online is that a lot of people who end up being really popular, get their early start from doing a gimmick, and then dropping it once they reach a critical mass. and people then often forget the gimmick within ~3-5 years

Gimmicks as clear, consistent, yet temporary universal value propositions can reap outsized rewards. It's how many businesses, celebrities, and personalities grew before becoming best-selling brands. Such moderated self-Flanderization can help you reach orbit, your core audience, or the renown needed to branch out as desired.

You can also stay true to yourself, whether as your gimmick or in oscillation with it. Parth outlines the latter:

a bulk and cut theory of twitter how do you get high-quality followers? the moots you want? cool ppl and conversations? bulk = go viral, get visibility with a mass audience cut = prolifically write about only what you care about, so that the followers you want stick around and everyone else leaves

Giving your desired audience what you want can be the powerful edge you need over giving them what they want. Naturally mixing up your style in the interim exposes yourself to differential virality and a larger surface area. Such range and depth augments not only your creative output, but the amount of sunshine your garden can photosynthesize with. You don't have to settle with just building a brand. You can cultivate an entire ecological network of your very own.

It's your presence. Use it how you want to.

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