The Doechii Blueprint: Building Your Creative Career in Public

Hey, it’s Jerrica.

Let me put you on to something: Doechii’s entire career is a blueprint for building in public. She didn’t wait until everything was perfect—she showed up, shared her journey, and turned being unapologetically herself into a whole movement. That’s the energy we’re on this week.

Whether you’re a creator who just wants to share your work or someone who’s down to get a little personal, there’s room for you to thrive.

Here’s what’s inside this issue:
1️⃣ Lessons from Doechii: How to build your audience and your brand by showing up authentically.
2️⃣ Choose Your Path: Tactical strategies whether you want to keep it strictly creative or let people in on your personal journey.
3️⃣ Opportunities You Can’t Miss: Sundance Film Festival open call for volunteers, literary agency queries, film grants, mentorship programs, and more to help you level up.

Let’s get into it.

P.S. Next week, I’m dropping a special poll with the Friday newsletter. I wanna hear exactly what you need and want—so don’t miss it!

Loving being a part of the community?

THE MAIN ATTRACTION

Doechii is Proof That Building Your Career in Public Works

Before Doechii became the "Swamp Princess" and took over stages with her fearless performances, she was building her career in public—and people were paying attention.

She dropped freestyles on YouTube, shared her creative process on social media, and let us in on her journey from Tampa to TDE, one post at a time. The result? A devoted audience that showed up for her before the labels did.

Here’s what makes her approach brilliant:

• She didn’t wait for permission: Doechii didn’t wait for a co-sign; she created her buzz by sharing raw, unfiltered content. Peep her YouTube account here.

• She built trust through transparency: By letting people in on her wins, challenges, and creative process, she made fans feel invested in her story.

• She adapted and experimented: Whether it was dropping songs on SoundCloud or remixing viral tracks, she was always testing and learning in public.

Now, she’s not just a rising star—she's a blueprint for creators who want to build their careers without waiting for someone to open the door.

Want to Do the Same? Here's How:

I’m breaking this down into two tiers because not everyone wants to share their whole life online—and that’s perfectly okay.

Tier 1: Show Your Work (No Personal Stories Required)

If you want to keep it strictly professional, focus on sharing your process, lessons learned, and valuable insights.

What to Post:

• "Here's what I learned after [insert creative challenge]."

• "One mistake I made while [insert project]—and how I fixed it."

• "This week, I'm focused on [insert goal]. Here's my plan."

Tactical Tips:

• Be transparent about your process: Share drafts, sketches, or work-in-progress updates.

• Teach through your experience: What problems are you solving? What insights can you share?

• Post regularly: Consistency builds trust. Aim for 2-3 posts per week.

Tier 2: Show Your Work and Yourself (Personal Stories Welcome)

This approach is for creators who want to share both their work and the journey behind it. Vulnerability creates stronger connections, but it’s important to share on your own terms.

What to Post:

• "I struggled with [creative challenge], and here's what I learned."

• "Here's a personal story that inspired my latest project."

• "This win means a lot because [personal backstory]."

Tactical Tips:

• Tell stories with a lesson: Share personal experiences but always tie them back to a takeaway for your audience.

• Be relatable, not perfect: Talk about challenges and breakthroughs—it makes your audience root for you.

• Set boundaries: Share what you're comfortable with. Vulnerability doesn't mean oversharing.

Platform Strategy: Threads vs. YouTube

Threads: The Creative Playground
Threads is giving early 2020 TikTok energy but with words. It's experimental, conversational, and perfect for quick, off-the-cuff updates.

Tactics:

• Post 3-5 short updates daily—think observations, quick wins, or lessons learned.

• Engage in conversations: Reply to other creatives and spark discussions.

• Find authentic ways to tap into hashtags organically while focusing on building organic connections. (#Creators of Threads is one of my favs!)

This platform has become my favorite right now. In less than two weeks, I've gained 3,141 followers by simply showing up and engaging. f you tried it early on and weren’t impressed—give it another shot! It’s worth it. Want to see how it’s going? [Check me out here].

YouTube: The Creative Showcase
YouTube is perfect for building authority, showcasing your personality, and connecting with a wide, engaged audience. It's where storytelling and strategy come together to create lasting impact.

Tactics:

• Post Consistently: Aim for 1-2 videos per week with valuable, engaging content. Consistency builds trust and algorithm traction.

• Blend Creativity and Insight: Share your creative journey, project breakdowns, and lessons learned alongside personal anecdotes.

• Engage with Comments: Build a community by responding to viewers and encouraging conversations.

• Optimize for Search: Use clear titles, relevant tags, and engaging thumbnails to increase visibility.

Your audience is searching for authentic creators—be the one who shows up and delivers.

Your takeaways for today:

• Be Unapologetically Yourself: Create on your terms and own your narrative.

• Treat Every Platform as a Stage: Use every opportunity to showcase your work and connect with your audience.

• Collaborate Strategically: Partner with people who align with your creative vision to amplify your message.

• Bet on Yourself: Stay consistent and committed—even before the world takes notice.

Your career is a masterpiece in progress. Build it with intention.

CUE THE OPPORTUNITIES

• Sundance Film Festival has open call for volunteers for 2026 | Apply here

• Shore Scripts Short Film $10K Grant Submission is open | Deadline: 5/2 | Apply here

• BRIC x Seed & Spark is offering a free Film Budgeting 101 Class | 2/25 | Sign up here

• The REEL Champions Mentorship Program is open | Deadline: 2/24 | Apply here

• Gotham’s Screenwriting Fellowship for POC is open for submissions! | Deadline: 2/15 | Apply here

• WORTHI is looking for creative production freelancers | Apply here asap

• SiriusXM is looking for an entertainment producer | Apply here

• HSN has an open call for creators | Apply here

• theARLab is looking for a TikTok content creator | Apply here

• The Booker Albert Literary Agency has an open call for queries | Apply here

PREVIOUSLY ON

We kicked things off together last month, but if you missed it, no worries! You can catch up right here.

THAT’S A WRAP

Thank you for being part of this movement. Never forget we greenlight ourselves.

—Jerrica