When I was a dentist, I thought the only way to become a writer was to release a book.

Otherwise, it was a hobby—a pipe dream. But my first blog post became the initial step to an online writing career.

It took time to get going. 13 months to attract 1,000 followers. 18 months to make one dollar.

Gratefully, four years later, my words reach 250,000 people—and those words have earned 7 figures.

Here’s what I learned:

The great online opportunity (and problem)

The internet is the greatest opportunity to do work you love.

And writers lead this path. Good writing is a signal of clear thinking. It creates authority, swinging open doors of opportunity. You can write about ideas you believe in, attract an audience, solve problems you’re passionate about, and be rewarded well.

What a time to be alive.

But all good things have a dark side.

In this case, a sea of almost infinite noise. People think ‘attention is the new oil’ and there’s a mad rush to cash in. But we’re focused on the dollars and not the data. It’s estimated over 90% of oil companies crashed and burned in the first few decades.

The same will happen online.

Superficial content is flooding the market. Creators are fighting to be heard. Low quality offers lurk behind many corners.

Social media has given us the keys to the kingdom. But instead of creative freedom, we end up slaves to an algorithm.

Walk the conventional path and you'll find yourself trapped on a hamster wheel.

Creating content without passion, attracting an audience without purpose. Becoming a commodity, not an authority.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.

The Magnetic Writer Manifesto

My friend Torrey Dawley has an expression: contrast creates clarity.

Saturation might sound like a problem. But to the writer, it’s an opportunity.

Because if the internet is plagued with superficial brands, the reward for depth has never been higher. Audiences crave authenticity. They crave connection. They crave quality information.

That’s why, over the next few weeks, I’m writing a special email series called the Magnetic Writer Manifesto.

This is a set of principles and ideas that will help you ride the wave of the digital age instead of drown in it. I'll add to it during the year as more concepts creep up. But I have 5 to 10 ready for you now.

But a note.

These ideas are not for everyone.

A Magnetic Writer is here to serve their audience, not just sell to them. They want to make an impression, not chase impressions. They care about long-term relationships, not short-term revenue. They treat their writing as an art, not a means to an end.

They’re in the business of creating fans, not chasing followers.

If you’re looking to make a quick buck or hack your way to the ‘top’, I’d be happy to point you to growth gurus on their respective social media platforms.

(there is no top—behind mountains are more mountains—so you might as well do the journey right).

But if you're ready to build something worthwhile, a business that lasts, a business that makes an impact at scale, then welcome.

You’re in the right place.

Watch your inbox on Tuesday for the first principle of the Magnetic Writer Manifesto.