YATM | Creating For Future You

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Hi YATMers. I’m Jo Edge and I joined the YATM sphere this year after soaking up all the love for it across social media. I’m really looking forward to Creator Day '25.

I had a career pivot eight years ago when I was looking for more purpose and flexibility with work and I went solo four years ago when I was made redundant at the start of the pandemic.

These days I work with founders and businesses with a heart who want to harness the many opportunities of LinkedIn. Training, strategy and content creation all fall under my remit and LinkedIn has become my second home these days so maybe see you there?

My recommendation if you’re looking for a new series to watch is something that has a bit of everything! Bad Sisters Season 1 is on Apple TV, Sharon Horgan is one of the creators and it’s fab, but hurry up as Season 2 is out soon!

Let's make sure we connect today.

Here I am on LinkedIn

Where I work here

Creating is not just for other people, it’s for you too.

We always hear the same advice: create value for others, solve their problems, and meet their needs. This is essential for building an engaged audience and growing a business. However, there’s another side to the story that often gets overlooked: creating for yourself.

When you create for others, it can bring financial success, recognition, and a good reputation.

When you create for yourself without any immediate expectation of return, it offers something deeper. It brings joy, self-growth and clarity that can benefit you for years to come.

It’s easy to forget this, but it’s important for longevity and self worth.

You & Your Work Matters

I send the YATM newslettter for two reasons.

Firstly, it helps me reach out to you and share insights and ideas that are relevant. Secondly, writing each edition helps me articulate my thoughts and, perhaps most importantly, become a better writer.

I am also writing and sharing ideas for the person I was 18 months ago to help him. What advice would have helped me? What clarity did I lack?

By creating with this mindset, I not only serve my current audience but also the ‘younger me’ who was trying to figure things out.

At the heart of it, you create with the right intentions. When it’s all about the ‘take’, it changes the dynamic. For example, when someone organises an event solely for money, you can sense it. But when you genuinely enjoy what you do, your audience feels it too.

That enthusiasm translates, and your audience picks up on it. People engage more deeply because they see that you’re not just pushing a product; you’re sharing something you truly believe in.

Every piece of work I share reinforces that connection and builds a sense of momentum. It’s fulfilling to know that I’m not just delivering content; I’m part of something bigger.

That’s what I mean by creating for you too.

Creating For Future You

You create the space before you need it. This means you’re making something for the future.

Building something today means you’re preparing for situations you may not foresee.

In 2020 when Covid hit, YATM’s live events were postponed. All I knew was how to address an audience in an in-person environment. The 2020 YATM Conference was put on hold, we had guest workshops planned and immediately had to shift focus.

One thing I didn’t realise was because I had spent years building the YATM project, the community was there when I needed it most.

We quickly shifted to YATM Online, and on March 26, 2020, we held our first live Zoom event.

We continued these online shows every fortnight, featuring interviews with guests from around the world. Despite the chaos and uncertainty of the pandemic, these online events provided a sense of normalcy for me.

The first show didn't work well. In fact, it was Zoom-bombed and descended into chaos. We even got mentioned in Forbes because of it. The article describes it as ‘uninvited attendees viewing your business meeting, or worse, sharing pornographic images and content.’

Creating that space over the years meant I had a solid foundation to turn to when everything else was uncertain.

The relationships we had built within the YATM community didn’t falter. And even more importantly, showing up every fortnight to host those online events gave me a sense of purpose, confidence, and hope that I had uncovered a new way to deliver and address people.

During times of turmoil and uncertainty, this place became my regular retreat every two weeks. It felt like home, I felt happy.

The slip ups were ok, that was part of the charm, I was learning a new skill in creating an online show, that made me feel excited and hopeful.

It also felt good seeing people from the YATM community when lockdown was a very new experience. I always remember the silence after we had sung, when it was just me in the room and we all continued with our day. For a split second, from the noise and the singing, it just felt lonely.

The relationships that had been built were there when I needed them the most. It’s about showing up, being present, and figuring things out in front of everyone. It’s about being there week after week that truly matters.

You never know when you are going to need it the most. That’s the power of creating for you.

Creating For You Impacts You Further Down The Line

An approach of creating for you, doesn’t just fuel your personal growth—it also has an effect on your business.

When you take time to create in ways that bring you joy or help clarify your thinking, you’re building something sustainable.

What you share can become a reflection of your journey, both personally and professionally. For instance, your work shouldn’t always be industry related, share what you have learned and the challenging moments. You realise you are making your own scrapbook to look back in, in years to come.

It’s one of the reasons why long-form content such as blog posts, podcasts, and videos work so well. They show people the time, thought and effort you’re investing. That creates reassurance. ChatGPT can't do this!

How You Can Create For You (and Your Future)

Here are five practical ways to embrace the idea of creating for yourself, even as you continue to create for others:

1) Start Small, Start Now:

Make lists of themes related to your beliefs how you can help others. Also, consider what you need. What will make you feel fulfilled? Start working on those small, personal projects alongside your business content.

2) Evolve Your Message:

Continuously refine how you communicate about your work; this not only assists your audience but also aids in clarifying your own value. As you progress, you will gain a better understanding of your identity and what you bring to the table.

3) Create With No Strings Attached:

Build relationships without expecting immediate returns. Reach out to people purely for the sake of connection, learning, or support. You never know where these relationships will lead, but at the very least, they’ll help you grow as a person.

4) Reinvest In Your Skills:

Use your creativity to enhance your skills, such as writing, public speaking, or event hosting. Investing in personal development will ultimately benefit your business.

5) Enjoyment Matters:

Always remember why you started creating in the first place. Whether it’s to enhance a skill, pursue something you want to improve, or as part of your business, reconnect with the joy of creating without the pressure of outcomes. This joy will sustain you through tough times.

Let’s Round-Up

You create work to have an impact on others and on yourself as well.

Creating for yourself isn’t just a strategy; it’s the foundation for self-belif and, confidence.

When you invest in what excites and challenges you, you create space for growth that goes beyond immediate returns. This builds a deeper connection to your work and strengthens your resilience over time.

By showing up for yourself, you gain clarity and reinforce your capacity to learn, adapt, and thrive. The result is not only a stronger relationship with your audience but also an ongoing sense of fulfillment. You’ll thank yourself further down the line.

P.S. YATM Online will return on March 19th 2025. It's to mark 5 years since we stepped into the online show format. It will be free to join in. Hope you can be a part of the special occasion?

Time Wasting

Pop as many bubbles as you want..

Bubble Popping

This Week Around The Web

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What we'll do with AI is potentially CATASTROPHIC! - from Rory Sutherland

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THE COMMUNITY YOU CAN BUILD

Why should the social networks have all the fun? - from Rosie Sherry

How do I find the first members for my community? - from Bri Leever

GROWING YOUR NEWSLETTER

The mistake businesses make with their newsletter - from Josh Spector

11 ideas to promote your newsletter - from Kit

YATM Lunch Club London...

Thurs 6th Feb at the new FOUNDRY Wandsworth. Lunch all sorted for £10.

Come To London YATM

Attention Or Loyalty?

It can be hypnotising when you see the results from a platform that wants to keep you buckled in. It can also be distracting.

If your audience just sees short-form content, you have less room to manoeuvre, as that’s all you do.

If what you create is worth reading or being involved with, your in-depth work has meaning.

It depends on what you want.

Short run = attention

Long run = loyalty

People Of YATM

"I run a website agency called Giraffe and for a long time worked with blinkers on attitude. Going to local events used to feel me with dread as always felt like an outsider, mainly due to own lack of confidence.

Joining Creator Day 22’ was the stepping stone to realising we are dependent on each other and the benefits this brings are endless.

Running a small business brings many challenges but what I have come to realise is that it's not as daunting when you know you are not alone. I have to thank John Jocham and Christophe Stourton and many others for helping me on this journey.

The last few years has seen Giraffe grow. I attribute this to a clearer vision by talking through challenges.

A sense of belonging is so important and this is what the YATM community is all about. We achieve more together."

Stewart Perrett