I now realize why successful creators pray for 'saturated markets'
It was an overly warm Atlanta night - well overly warm for me after having just moved back from Seattle. I decided to do a throwback night at Café Intermezzo, a spot I frequented during college.
Intermezzos was always a unique little place, especially at this time of day when the hum of espresso machines mingled with faint jazz and the quiet murmur of late-night conversations… the dim lighting giving every table a sense of intimacy, even if you were alone.
I wasn’t, though. My friend Marcus sat across from me, his sketchpad open, lost in a world of charcoal swirls and half-formed ideas. I was nursing a cappuccino, staring at my phone like it held answers to questions I didn’t know how to ask.
“Why even bother?” I blurted out, the frustration in my voice cutting through the cozy ambiance. “Every niche is full. Every angle has been done. What’s the point?”
Marcus didn’t glance up. His pen moved deliberately, tracing shadows and lines that only he could see.
“Do you think Picasso cared how many painters came before him?” he said, finally, his voice calm but pointed.
I huffed, leaning back in my chair. “That’s different.”
He paused, his pen hovering mid-air, and looked at me for the first time. “Nah,” he said. “Same thing. Nobody was waiting for Picasso. He showed up, did his thing, and let the rest figure itself out.”
Saturation Isn’t About the Market - It’s About Fear
We tell ourselves the market is too crowded because it’s easier than confronting the truth: we’re scared.
Scared no one will care.
Scared of looking foolish.
Scared of failing.
But let me let you in on a little secret - no market is truly “saturated.”
The world doesn’t need more creators; it needs you. Your voice, your take, your way of weaving meaning into the seemingly meaningless.
Why the Saturation Myth Feels So Convincing
1. Endless Comparison
Picture this: you’re scrolling through your social media feed, and every post feels like a masterpiece. Flawless graphics, catchy captions, thousands of likes, and comments pouring in. It’s easy to feel like everyone else has it figured out while you’re still fumbling with your ideas.
But those posts are their highlight reels. You’re not seeing the hours of trial and error, the drafts they deleted, or the moments they questioned whether any of it was good enough. You’re comparing your behind-the-scenes mess to their prettied-up stage performance. No wonder it feels like you can’t measure up.
The truth is, everyone struggles. The difference is that the people you admire didn’t let the struggle stop them.
2. Perfection Paralysis
The thought creeps in before you even get started: “If it’s not the best, why bother?” You imagine your work out there, next to the professionals, and the idea of falling short paralyzes you.
But perfection isn’t what creates impact. Think about the last story or piece of content that really stuck with you. Was it flawless?
Waiting for perfection is just another way of avoiding the risk of starting. And here’s the kicker: the people you see as “perfect” didn’t start out that way either. They got better by doing.
3. Fear of Rejection
This might be the hardest one to face. You put your heart into something, share it with the world, and… nothing. No likes, no comments, no applause.
The fear of that silence is enough to make you convince yourself it’s not worth trying. It’s safer to tell yourself the market is too crowded, that no one’s listening, or that it’s just “not the right time.”
But here’s what you’re missing: silence isn’t failure. It’s data. Every post, video, or idea that doesn’t land teaches you something - what resonates, what doesn’t, and how to refine your voice.
The only way to avoid rejection is to never try. But if you don’t try, you’ll never know who might be waiting to hear your story.
Saturation-Proof Your Mindset
Ground Yourself in Your Story
Write down the three moments that shaped your perspective.
What makes your view on your niche different?
Redefine Success
Stop trying to “win” the whole market. Focus on connecting deeply with a smaller, more engaged audience.
Get Comfortable with Imperfection
Let your first posts, videos, or ideas be messy. Saturation only holds power over people waiting for perfection to arrive.
Do It Scared
Acknowledge the fear but create anyway. The fear of failing doesn’t go away; you just learn to stop listening to it.
Quick Action Plan: Break Through the Fear
Name Your Fear and Challenge It
Write down the exact thoughts holding you back.
Next to each one, write a counterpoint: why is this fear unfounded, or how can you act despite it?
Example: Fear: “No one will care about my story.” Counterpoint: “I won’t know until I share it.”
Create Before You’re Ready
Choose a moment from your life that made you feel something - joy, regret, anger, or hope.
Write it down as simply as possible. Skip editing. Focus on raw emotion.
Post it today. Forget perfection. Prioritize connection.
Start a Meaningful Conversation
Identify one person in your space - someone who inspires you, supports you, or feels approachable.
Comment thoughtfully on their latest post or message them with genuine curiosity.
Example: “Your post about [topic] really resonated. How did you approach that challenge?”
Track Small Wins
Write down any engagement - comments, replies, or personal clarity from showing up today.
Reflect on what you’ve learned from taking this step, no matter how small it feels.
Saturation isn’t your enemy - it’s your excuse.
The only thing standing between you and the audience you want is the fear you’re too scared to name.
Start small. Start scared. But whatever you do… just start.
Today’s Mega-Prompt: "Personal Brand Story Development"
Today’s mega-prompt is all about helping you share your story in a way that feels real and connects with the right people.
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