How to use the internet to get what you want
Most people think about social media like this:
The middle step is a mystery because it doesn’t work that way.
Some things that have happened to me from posting online:
My first buyside internship came from a Seeking Alpha article I wrote in college. Someone read it and reached out.
The following summer, another internship - through a referral from someone I knew because we’d both written for Seeking Alpha. Never met in person. Just recognized each other’s work.
Last week I tweeted a question about the cable industry. Within minutes, someone at a large long-only fund replied and caught me up on the bear cases and how things have evolved. Would’ve taken me days to piece together on my own.
I had an idea for a business, posted a Calendly link, and had four discovery calls booked within a week.
What these have in common:
None of these required a massive audience. They required the right people paying attention.
When I need something — information, introductions, feedback, potential customers — the network responds.
Building the feedback loop
In the gym, progress is visible. The mirror shows you it’s working.
Posting doesn’t work like that. The first few dozen followers are basically a silent grind. Eventually, you put something out, get 10 likes, and think nothing happened. But things did happen — you just weren’t looking.
Potential Clients: Three of those people could be potential clients.
The Excuse: You now have an excuse to DM them.
Mindshare: They’re more likely to stop scrolling next time your name comes up.
Referrals: Someone might mention you to a friend.
Passive Asset: The post sits there working while you sleep.
Most people don’t track any of this. They look at follower count, see it barely moved, and assume nothing is working. So they quit.
The fix is simple: build your own mirror. After you post, write down what actually happened. Who engaged? Anyone worth reaching out to? Any DMs? Any downstream opportunities a week later?
If you don’t track the real results, you’ll never see them.
Consumption vs. production
Two ways to spend 30 minutes online.
Consumption: Doom scrolling. You finish feeling restless, anxious, maybe jaded depending on what you read. The system designed to capture your attention got you again. 30 minutes gone, nothing to show for it.
Production: You made something. Posted it. Now you see what comes of it, then do it again tomorrow. Chop wood, carry water.
This isn’t only about making money
Most people think “I just want to learn, so scrolling and reading is fine.” But they don’t realize how much they’re leaving on the table.
Writing clarifies your thinking. You don’t fully understand something until you try to explain it.
Posting brings connections. My cable industry question got answered in minutes because I’d been posting - someone recognized my work and decided I was worth helping.
Having a presence changes how people respond to you. When you reach out to someone and they can see what you’ve written, they’re more likely to engage. You’re not a stranger asking for free advice. You’re a peer looking to engage intentionally.
Whether your goal is money, learning, or opportunities — the math is the same. Production compounds. Consumption doesn’t.
The real point
If you’re someone with expertise and something to say but no presence yet — yes, you need to grow first. You need people paying attention before you can do anything with that attention.
But grow with intention. Know what you’re building toward.
The question isn’t “how do I get more followers?” It’s “of the people paying attention, who can I help? Who can help me? How do I stay useful to them?”
That’s the difference between posting and posting to get a result.
P.S. I’m running free office hours for people figuring this out — message me or book here.
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