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How to make your boring story interesting
Everyone online has a crazy story.
And Twitter is no different.
It only takes 30 seconds scrolling through your feed to find someone who’s just won an Olympic gold medal in badminton, someone else who’s just hit a $100k month, and another who’s just overcome their second bout of cancer.
And these stories are awesome.
We love reading them, obviously.
But what if your life story is more, well, normal?
What if your life isn’t filled with crazy experiences that would give a biography writer a wet dream?
Is your story just doomed to live forever in the shadows?
I used to struggle with these doubts myself.
Because, by all accounts, I’ve lived a very “normal” life.
I didn’t have a crazy family that abused me as a kid.
I got good grades at school / university and behaved myself (for the most part).
And, with the exception of the last 2 months, most of my life has been spent pursuing a standard 9-5 career just like 99% of the world.
So when I came onto Twitter, the biggest question I struggled with was:
Who the hell is going to care about my boring life?!?!
I was convinced that absolutely no one would give a damn about my “boring” story.
That my brand would always face an uphill battle because of the excessively “normal” life I’ve lived.
The reality, however, has been the complete opposite (as you may have seen).
In 70 days on Twitter I’ve gained nearly 2,800 followers, all of whom are interested in hearing MY “boring” story and MY “boring” perspectives on life.
And so I thought in this email I would share with you how I did it.
Here’s 3 tricks I’ve used to turn my excessively normal life into something that people actually want to read about.
Let’s dive in.
1) Focus on the future, not the past
Most people on Twitter think their “story” refers to their past.
But why?
Why does it need to?
Instead of your story being about your “boring” past, why can’t your story instead be all about the exciting future you’re creating for yourself?
This was the first realisation I had which helped me stand out on Money X.
When I burst onto the Twitter scene, I made a bold claim that I was going to hit 10k followers within 1 year.
I even wrote it in my bio!
And you would not BELIEVE how many people messaged me saying they also had the same goal and wanted to follow along with my journey.
So do what I did!
Create a big, ambitious goal for your future and make THAT your story.
The more ridiculously “unachievable” the better.
Want to get to 10k followers this year? Write about that.
Want to hit $10k/month this year? Write about that.
Want to help 1000 lost men turn their lives around? Write about that.
Shift the focus.
Stop trying to tell people about where you’ve come from.
And start focusing on where you’re going.
2) Being “normal” is a relatability superpower
Here’s the thing.
You know how you’re worried about the fact no one wants to read your “boring” story?
Well, 99% of the other people on Twitter are having the exact same fears.
Because, by definition, the majority of people in the world are normal!
And guess what this means for you?
Your story is a whole lot more relatable to them than they guy who’s just run an ultramarathon after losing his foot to frostbite.
So stop trying to make your life seem more crazy than it really is and instead lean into your “boring” story.
Haven’t made your first $ online yet?
Struggling to grow your following?
Kids driving you nuts or had a shitty day at your 9-5?
Make a story out of it and use it to teach your audience how to improve their own lives!
Because as much as Money X would have you believe differently, most people online are also just normal people like you trying to make ends meet and searching for someone to relate to.
My Twitter journey really took off once I stopped trying to fight my normal life and instead lean into it.
I started telling people about my struggles in my 9-5 and my plan to escape it.
And that’s when I started getting a ton of DM’s from people every day telling me they were doing the same.
And these are the same people I’m friends with now that are helping me grow!
So don’t fight normality.
Embrace it.
3) Show vulnerability
I’ve had two (arguably three…) long-term romantic relationships in my life.
One of them I was with for 3 years and we actually lived together.
The other I broke up with last year after about 1 year together.
And you know what I learned from both of these relationships?
The only way to truly get close with someone is to be vulnerable with them.
To share your emotions.
To share your insecurities.
To let them in and talk about your deepest darkest fears.
Because, and I can’t emphasise this enough, they almost certainly have similar or even the same insecurities as you.
And guess what?
Whether you realise it or not, you’re in a relationship with your Twitter audience.
They are your romantic partner.
And the only way you are ever going to get close to your audience is to share your failures, fears and insecurities.
Tell them about that time you slept in, didn’t do your work and what you’ve learned from it.
Let them in on your crippling imposter syndrome that makes you doubt your writing ability and how you’re overcoming with it.
Share your frustrations about not being able to make money online as fast as you dreamed and how you’re trying to change that!
Take your vulnerabilities and turn them into lessons for your readers.
Because, and I keep on saying this, there will be MILLIONS of people that are in exactly the same boat as you.
And they will be grateful AF that you’re one of the rare few with the bollocks to admit what they’re struggling with and help them overcome it.
Right.
I’m going to leave it there guys.
I hope that was super helpful to all you “normies” out there.
Now, it’s Thursday and I’m out for a few pina coladas after my 9-5 and some client work tonight.
What are you up to?
Talk soon,
Harry
PS. Want to know how I used the power of storytelling to reach 2,500+ followers on 𝕏 in under 60 days? Check out my Ultimate Guide to Storytelling E-Book that will teach you to grow quickly on 𝕏 by telling your brand’s story: Storytelling: The Ultimate Guide.