The Subtle Art of Giving a F*ck (About Media)
It’s raining in Tucson.
That's rare, a quiet kind of rain that makes the mesquite trees wake up and the desert smell like it’s remembering something.
Window cracked.
Coffee cooling.
Cursor blinking.
I’ve been sitting with this screen all morning, writing and rewriting, not because I didn’t know what to say, but because I finally do.
And writing this? It helped me prep my next video. Because they feed each other now, writing, video, podcasting, showing up.
They’re not separate. They’re a system. A rhythm. A real conversation between me and the authorpreneur I’m building this for.
Media builds momentum.
I’ve had more clarity, more connection, and more consistency, not because I cracked some secret algorithm, but because I stopped separating who I am from what I create.
Even my podcast shifted.
I started chasing real conversations, ones that stretch me, challenge me, and remind me that showing up publicly isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
And that’s the word I want to center today:
Presence.
Not the filtered kind. Not the “3-steps-to-visibility” kind.
The kind that comes from finally letting people see what you’ve built—and who you are.
The Halo Effect and Perfectionism Are Killing Your Reach
Let’s be real.
You see people online, polished video, perfect lighting, confidence dripping from every frame, and you assume they know something you don’t.
That’s the Halo Effect. We see someone’s highlight reel and mistake it for their starting point.
But that halo? It was handcrafted. Brick by brick. Post by post. Nerve by nerve.
The difference isn’t talent. It’s exposure.
They kept hitting publish. You kept second-guessing.
And I get it, perfectionism is a hell of a drug.
Nobody gives a damn about your “perfect” video that doesn’t exist yet because it doesn’t help anyone if it’s stuck in your drafts.
Everyone’s so scared of being judged, they forget that most people are too busy thinking about themselves to care about your lighting, stumbles, or background.
That’s the cycle we’re trapped in. We wear masks and call it “professionalism.” We hold back and call it “strategy.”
But really, it’s fear.
And the world moves on without us while we’re busy polishing something no one’s even waiting for.
Here’s Your Next Step
Grab your phone. Vertical format. Natural light. No script.
Answer this:
“What’s one thing I wish more people understood about what I do?”
Talk like you’re helping one person. Then post it.
And do it again tomorrow.
The first 100 short videos aren’t for followers.
They’re for you. To build voice. To build rhythm. To stop hiding.
The Subtle Art of Giving a F*ck (About Media)
If you’re only using one format to share your message, you’re invisible to 90% of the people who need you.
That’s why I’ve been obsessed with helping authors build media ecosystems.
Posts. Videos. Podcasts. Email. Audiobooks. YouTube.
I pulled this image right out of Audible's website because they know exactly when people listen to books.
You don’t need to do all of them. But you need to do something. And do it often enough to matter.
Because people don’t consume in one way anymore, they skim.
They binge. They listen while folding laundry. And they make decisions based on presence, not just product.
One of the best at this?
Mark Manson.
He didn’t just write The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* and disappear.
He leaned into podcasting. He built a YouTube channel. He creates media, not just marketing. And it’s expanding his impact, years after the book dropped.
Because when people connect with you across formats, you become unforgettable.
Speaking of Audio…
I’m finally recording my audiobook this fall. It’s about damn time. I've held off for various reasons but I think I'm ready to take it on.
And to do it right, I brought on my friend and colleague Jeff Guillot . We go way back, worked at the same publishing company years ago.
Now he’s launched an audiobook company, and we just recorded a podcast episode about why your audiobook isn’t optional anymore.
It’s another layer of your platform. Another door to connection. Another way to meet people where they already are is by listening.
In the episode, we unpack:
Why audio builds intimacy and trust faster than any post
How audiobooks are turning into lead generators for authorpreneurs
What to know if you want to record your own
PS. I will have another super deep dive that I'm developing about media, tools, everything I use and do to make sure my media is optimal as I slowly grow and expand my reach and brand. Stay tuned for that.
Enjoy the Episode.
Click the image to watch the episode
When you're ready I have three ways I can support your author brand:
Power Pack Pro Build a strong brand foundation with a strategic site, clear offer, and personalized coaching.
Power Pack Boost Expand your reach with full-funnel marketing, LinkedIn growth, and content systems.
Power Pack Ultra Launch your book and brand with a complete done-for-you growth strategy.
DM if you want to learn more.
-Hussein
