Growing an Audience from Scratch is Like Trying to Grow Potatoes on Mars

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• You’re on Your Own – It’s a Harsh, Empty World
• The ‘Hacks’ and Shortcuts Are Overrated
• SEO and Content Marketing: The Long Game That Feels Like Slow Torture
• The Therapeutic Side of Content Creation
• Everyone’s Desperate to Monetize, But Not Everyone Succeeds—and That’s OK
• Conclusion: Keep Planting Potatoes, Even If You’re On Mars

Introduction

When I watched Matt Damon’s The Martian, I had an unexpected epiphany about building an audience from scratch in 2024. For those unfamiliar with the movie, the plot centers on an astronaut stranded on Mars, forced to grow potatoes to survive. Sounds absurd, right? Yet, if you’ve tried to build an audience, launch a startup, or grow a following in today’s hyper-saturated digital landscape, you’ll understand exactly why this is the perfect metaphor.

Let me explain.

You’re on Your Own – It’s a Harsh, Empty World

Starting from scratch feels like being stranded. Much like Damon’s character, you’re isolated—just you, your computer, and an endless void of digital space. Sure, there are plenty of people giving you advice: tech gurus, Indie hackers, self-proclaimed growth hackers. But guess what? They’re on Earth, and you’re still stuck on Mars trying to grow those potatoes in barren soil.

You look for guidance, scouring through blog posts and online courses about “audience growth strategies,” only to find that many of these so-called tips feel dated or overly simplified. What worked five years ago simply doesn’t apply today. The landscape has evolved, and unless you’re already halfway there with a strong following, trying to break through feels like tossing seeds onto a desolate planet and hoping something will sprout.

The ‘Hacks’ and Shortcuts Are Overrated

Let’s talk about the idea of “hacks.” They’re everywhere, and especially in the Indie hacker and entrepreneurial circles, everyone is constantly searching for the next growth hack 🙄. From manipulating algorithms to cutting corners on content creation, it feels like we’re all racing to find a quick fix to build that elusive audience.

But here’s the truth: there are no shortcuts. The idea that you can go viral overnight or hack your way to success is increasingly unrealistic. While some people do manage to break through, many of these stories are outliers, not the norm. Yet, for some reason, these “hacks” get glorified, feeding into the anxiety that if you’re not succeeding fast, you’re doing something wrong.

Here’s the kicker: audience building in 2024 doesn’t just feel hard—it is hard. And it’s time we start acknowledging that instead of pushing more “quick win” solutions that are either outdated or outright fantasies.

SEO and Content Marketing: The Long Game That Feels Like Slow Torture

Now, onto the subject of SEO and content marketing—strategies that are often touted as the bread and butter of organic audience growth. Don’t get me wrong, SEO works (I actually love SEO 🤓). Content marketing works. But when you’re starting from zero, the reality is that it’s a long, slow, sometimes excruciating process.

If you’re anything like me, the anxiety is real. You publish a blog post, optimize it for SEO, and then… crickets. There’s no immediate feedback, no instant gratification, and that’s tough in a world where we’re so used to instant responses. In fact, it can take six months or more before you see any significant traction from SEO.

In today’s digital climate, waiting for feedback feels like an eternity, especially when you’re starting from scratch. It’s like planting potatoes on Mars and having to wait, staring at the dry soil, wondering if anything is actually growing underneath. The anticipation and uncertainty can be paralyzing. But this is the reality we face—there’s no easy path to sustainable growth. It’s all about persistence and patience.

The Therapeutic Side of Content Creation

Here’s where I diverge from the “hacks” and “quick growth” mentality. I’ve come to love content marketing, but not for the reasons you might expect. For me, it’s become a form of therapy. Writing blog posts, sharing my thoughts, and creating the occasional YouTube video isn’t just about growing an audience anymore—it’s about expression, exploration, and sharing knowledge.

The audience, if they come, is just a bonus 🤷‍♂️

When I gave up on the pressure of building an audience, I rediscovered the joy of content creation itself. That’s where the real magic lies for me, and I suspect many creators feel the same way. We don’t create because we have to build an audience—we create because we want to. It’s cathartic. It’s fulfilling. And that, in itself, is enough.

Everyone’s Desperate to Monetize, But Not Everyone Succeeds—and That’s OK

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the obsession with monetization. Everyone is desperate to grow an audience, not because they necessarily want to provide value or connect with others, but because they want to monetize that audience. They want the cash, the clout, the freedom that supposedly comes with having thousands of followers or subscribers.

But here’s the truth—most people won’t hit that jackpot, and that’s perfectly okay.

We don’t talk about this enough, but it’s important to acknowledge. Not everyone will build a massive following, and that doesn’t make you any less valuable or talented as a creator. Success in 2024 looks different for everyone, and chasing that one-size-fits-all goal of audience monetization can be toxic. Maybe you’ll be one of the few who make it, maybe not. Either way, the journey itself is worth something.

For some, building an audience may work by following the strategies outlined in various guides and courses. For others, it might not. And that’s okay. The real reward comes from the creation process, the growth you experience as a writer, a creator, and a thinker.

Conclusion: Keep Planting Potatoes, Even If You’re On Mars

At the end of The Martian, Matt Damon’s character ultimately finds a way to grow those potatoes, despite the hostile environment. And maybe that’s the takeaway here. Building an audience in 2024 might feel like growing potatoes on Mars—impossible at first, full of setbacks, and incredibly frustrating. But if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, if you love the content you create, it’s worth continuing the journey. The audience may come or it may not, but the process itself is valuable.

If you’re feeling stuck, maybe it’s time to reframe how you look at content creation. Focus less on the outcome and more on the joy of the craft 🧑‍🎨. Whether or not the potatoes grow, the effort is what matters.

Good luck out there on Mars.