Build Authority by Finding an Audience With Tony Stubblebine

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD

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Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!

In this episode I delve into the art of building authority by finding your audience with Tony Stubblebine, CEO of Medium, who brings a wealth of experience in helping academics and professionals reach broader audiences. During our conversation, we explored the transformative power of blogging as a low-barrier method to share expertise and enhance writing skills.

We discussed the importance of taking breaks to avoid burnout, how to change and update beliefs over time, and practical strategies for handling public scrutiny and criticism. Tony shared his personal career evolution, emphasizing the value of communication skills and the unique benefits that public writing platforms like Medium offer for academics.

We also touched on the significance of having control over your content, the need for effective communication, and how a well-curated portfolio can outshine a traditional resume. Join us as we break down the steps to not only capture but also engage a meaningful audience, ultimately building your professional authority.

Whether you’re an academic looking to broaden your impact or a professional aiming to refine your writing, this episode is packed with invaluable insights to help you on your path. Let’s dive in!

Tony Stubblebine is the CEO of Medium. Previously, he was the owner of some of Medium’s largest publications, including Better Humans, and is the co-founder and former CEO of Coach.me. He lives in New York.

What we covered in the interview:

• 📝 Writing as a Career Tool: Tony emphasizes how blogging can help academics and professionals expand their reach beyond traditional circles. Writing is not just a duty but an opportunity to enhance career trajectories and open new doors.
• 🎯 Audience-Centric Focus: Authority isn’t just about knowledge and accomplishments; it’s about connecting with and influencing an audience. Effective communication, particularly through writing, plays a crucial role.
• ⚙️ A manageable Writing Process: Tony’s three-draft approach—writing for oneself, then for fans, and finally addressing potential criticism—makes the daunting task of blogging more approachable and effective.

🔗See the resources section below for Tony’s links!

This episode’s resources:

• Website | Medium.com
• Personal Page | CoachTony.Medium.com
• Twitter | @tonystubblebine

Thank you, Tony Stubblebine!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Tony, let him know by clicking the link below and leaving him a message on Linkedin:

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Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!

You might also like the following episodes:

Sara Thompson – Out of the Box Careers Post-PhD

Anca Bodzer –From PhD to Project Management

Andrew Ceperley – Building Fulfilling Academia Adjacent Careers

Alessandra Wall – Positioning Yourself Outside Academia