There’s this weird moment that happens more often now.
You post something. Anywhere; LinkedIn, Twitter, Daily.dev. And someone slides in with a question:
<blockquote>
“But why not post this on LinkedIn (or XYZ)? You’d get more reach.”
</blockquote>
More reach.
As if that’s the only variable worth optimizing for.
As if the point of everything; every line you write, every project you ship; is to game a feed you don’t own.
Sometimes it’s asked with genuine curiosity. Other times, it’s laced with judgment. Like you’re wasting your time if you’re not chasing the biggest stage.
But here’s the truth most people won’t say out loud:
<blockquote>
Not everything has to be for reach.
</blockquote>
And if you’re building something that matters to you, optimizing for reach too early might actually screw you over.
<h2>Everyone Thinks You’re “Trying to Be an Influencer”</h2>
That’s another thing.
Post regularly and people assume you’re on some personal brand hustle.
The “influencer” label gets thrown around like a slur. As if having ideas and putting them online automatically puts you in the same category as LinkedIn growth hackers or mid-tier YouTubers selling course funnels.
<blockquote>
The bar for being seen as “trying too hard” has dropped so low, it’s underground.
</blockquote>
You write to clarify your thinking, and suddenly someone thinks you’re farming likes.
You post a link to your essay, and someone scoffs: “Oh, trying to be a thought leader now?”
No. I’m just trying to write honestly. And I’d like to do that in a space that doesn’t distort every signal into a status game.
<h2>Platforms Are Fine - Until They’re Not Yours</h2>
This isn’t a LinkedIn shutdown piece.
That platform has its uses. If you’re B2B, or marketing a product, or just trying to validate an idea quickly - go for it. Use the reach. Just know what game you’re playing.
But also know this:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn’s algorithm will change.</li>
<li>Your posts will stop showing up.</li>
<li>Your audience isn’t really yours.</li>
</ul>
So maybe you post there when it makes sense. But don’t build your whole house on rented land.
Post on platforms you like. Platforms that align with your style. Platforms where the medium doesn’t shape the message too much. If that’s Daily.dev or Substack or your own blog, cool. If it’s a 30-day writing challenge with zero traction, even better.
<blockquote>
The internet is full of ghosts who optimized too early and got stuck playing a game they didn’t even like.
</blockquote>
<h2>“Reach” as a Goal Makes You Give Up Too Soon</h2>
That’s the other side of it.
If reach is your only metric, you will burn out fast. Because the truth is:
<ul>
<li>Most posts don’t go viral.</li>
<li>Most essays won’t get shared.</li>
<li>Most traction is invisible until it’s not.</li>
</ul>
So when nothing lands, you’ll assume it’s not working. Not worth it. Not valuable.
But that’s only true if your goal was reach.
What if the goal was reflection? What if the goal was consistency? What if the goal was sharpening your ideas for the future version of you who’ll actually need them?
Reach is a side effect. Not the mission.
<h2>Short-Form Here. Long-Form There.</h2>
Different platforms, different modes.
Here’s how I currently make use of the platforms I am on:
I use Discord as a starting point for a lot of ideas I brew later on. Most of the posts I make are inspired by discussions in the community, like this exact one.
I use LinkedIn like a billboard. Drop links when it makes sense. Share insights that fit the space.
I use Daily.dev like a playground. Write atomic essays, fast and loose. Build the muscle.
I use Substack like an archive. Long-form, high-signal. Somewhere my best work can breathe.
None of these have to be “the platform.” None of them have to deliver massive reach. They just have to support the kind of thinking you want to get better at.
Each of them optimized for a different metric: Ideation, Trust, Repetition, Depth
Not just reach.
<h2>If Everyone’s Posting for Reach, What Are You Posting For?</h2>
That’s the question. Not “Where should I post this?”
But “Why am I posting it at all?”
<ul>
<li>To figure something out?</li>
<li>To build a habit?</li>
<li>To speak to five people who get it, not 5,000 who don’t?</li>
</ul>
Cool. Then post it where it fits. Where it won’t get warped. Where you don’t have to explain why you’re not trying to be an influencer.
Because the loudest person doesn’t always win.
<blockquote>
The one who keeps showing up, does.
</blockquote>
<hr>
P.S
Are you trying to become an influencer? Then this may not apply to you if it wasn’t obvious :)

Knowledge by Execution - Breaking Down Tech for the Mango Man (Aam Aadmi/Regular Person) - https://www.sknexus.org/

SK NEXUS

The post explores the misconception that maximizing reach is the most important metric when sharing content online. The author argues that focusing solely on reach can be misleading and may not align with personal or professional goals. Instead, they advocate for using platforms that align with one's style and objectives, rather than chasing popularity. The piece highlights the importance of reflecting on the purpose of posting content and suggests using different platforms for different types of content and goals.

When "Reach" Becomes the Only Metric