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Published Dec 28, 2020

#044: Brandon Zhang – The Student Creator

Brandon Zhang, a Columbia University student and prolific content creator, delves into his podcasting journey, the power of mindset and productivity, experimental learning, and the art of building an online presence, revealing how intellectual curiosity and innovative strategies shaped his path to success.
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Episode Highlights

  • Networking

    Brandon Zhang shares his insights on effective networking, emphasizing the importance of timing and personalized communication. He recounts how he secured an interview with James Clear by promptly reaching out with a personalized message after Clear followed him on Twitter, highlighting the value of seizing opportunities as they arise 1. Brandon also admires individuals who leverage the internet to build businesses and create content, recognizing the importance of fast feedback loops and audience engagement 2.

    I recognized that he made the conscious decision to click follow and that there was some level of interest there and that if I didn't follow up right away, that level of interest might wane.

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    This approach underscores the necessity of acting quickly to capitalize on potential opportunities.

       

    Online Brand

    Balancing an online brand with educational commitments presents unique challenges for Brandon Zhang. He explains the difficulty in conveying the concept of being an influencer focused on educational content to his peers, as well as the time commitment required to maintain his brand 3. Brandon's strategy involves adapting his content schedule, such as shifting from writing blog posts to focusing more on podcasts and newsletters, to better fit his academic responsibilities 3.

    I really feel like the people that move quick are kind of more optimized towards not just I don't want to say success, because I feel like it's really one dimensional way to look at things, but they just have that comparative advantage.

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    His ability to move quickly and adapt is a key factor in managing these dual roles effectively 4.

       

    Newsletter

    Brandon Zhang attributes the success of his newsletter, which gained over 3,000 subscribers in eight months, to a combination of luck and strategic networking. He highlights the role of SEO and joining a mastermind group for early-stage newsletter creators as pivotal in his growth 5. For those starting a newsletter, Brandon advises developing a consistent publishing habit and using tools like Instapaper and Readwise to gather and organize content ideas 6.

    Consistency is what matters for your newsletter.

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    He emphasizes the importance of having a structured system to streamline the writing process and maintain motivation 7.

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