STOP BEING A DIGITAL TENANT: HOW TO FULLY OWN YOUR PLATFORM

 

STOP BEING A DIGITAL TENANT: HOW TO FULLY OWN YOUR PLATFORM

A few weeks ago, Meta took down my account—an account with months of hard-earned reviews. 

Just because I handed over my social media management to professionals.

Then, not long after, Amazon deactivated my account for what seemed like a silly mistake: sharing my link with friends and family to support my first-ever project. 

You can imagine the feeling of building your first online biz. That instant dopamine rush when your store finally goes live.

But Amazon doesn’t give a f*ck; neither does Meta. This stress isn’t suited for the feeble-minded. 

It felt like a reality TV show. If you're in this game, you’re likely at the mercy of their algorithms or platforms. Fortunately, by reading this letter, you're taking proactive steps to position or reposition yourself rather than reacting to circumstances.

I do not wish this to you, but sh*t happens; that's why they built toilets. 

And while it might seem like I’m venting, trust me, it’s all part of the bigger picture of digital slavery.

At that moment, I realised it was time to stop playing by their rules and change my ways. 

I wanted control. Real control. The kind of power platforms like Amazon, Meta, and others hold over their users. 

They thrive on control. Why shouldn’t I? What is control even? I began to mentalise the sentence.

I started studying the systems that gave them power. 

I built, destroyed, and rebuilt with relentless focus and sacrifice. 

I realised that to advance, I needed to do the same.

The process wasn’t easy—I've had to wipe the slate clean multiple times. But that’s part of the journey. I convinced myself just to carry on anyway. 

A true builder understands that sometimes demolition is necessary for redevelopment. Digital renewal, as I do reword.

And so, here I am—sharing this with you. Exhausted, yes, but not broken. 

Just finished setting up my DwellPro directory site. Check it out if you want. All tools, all platforms, all free.

It wasn’t about building for the sake of building—it’s about building something that reflects oneself. To help the world, I've got to help myself first. I can't give what I don't have.

I could have kept relying on Amazon, Meta, or eBay, letting them control the game. But no—I'm building my platform. This is how I own it outright.

Nope, not here, because this also is a rented home. Google may decide to f*ck me over.

I wouldn't want to write too much here. I need some sleep. It’s already 11:25 pm, Melbourne time, writing and glancing through the window to take a peek at the quiet streets of the neighbourhood. 

It’s funny how a bustling city actually came to a state of calm. 

That being said, here are:

5 Steps to Owning Your Digital Space Outright:

1. Choose the Right E-Commerce Platform (Without Losing Control) 

Most sellers fall into the trap of relying on big platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. These giants own the customer data, not you. Without owning and controlling raw data, you risk becoming outdated.

You need a platform where you have full control. Consequently, you should set up a Shopify store (with a custom domain) or a self-hosted WooCommerce (WordPress). Make sure to integrate Stripe or PayPal for direct payments.

2. Own Your Customer List (Email is Your Lifeline) 

Without access to your customer list, you're not in control. 

Those platforms don’t let you access buyer data, but you need it. 

Start collecting emails and engaging with your audience through newsletters and email marketing, or any way whatsoever.

3. Create a Traffic Plan That Doesn’t Rely on Marketplaces 

Marketplaces can be great for visibility, but relying on them for traffic is dangerous.

I rarely run ads, but ads aren't bad. Rented eyeballs.

Focus on SEO, content marketing, and Facebook groups to drive organic traffic directly to your site. It feels good.

4. Implement Smart Monetization (Beyond Just Selling Products) 

Before now, I thought Shopify was mainly for product sales. Shopify is robust.

Your store is more than just a place to sell—it's a brand asset. 

Set up a strategy that drives revenue through various channels. 

Explore additional revenue streams like affiliate marketing, memberships, or even digital products or anything. Be creative, my friend. More creativity breeds creativity. 

I feel good writing this letter.

5. Optimise for Repeat Customers (Not Just First-Time Buyers) 

Buyers buy again; initially, I didn't pay attention to that. 

Acquiring new customers is expensive. Retaining them is far cheaper. 

To enhance customer retention, it's essential to focus on exceptional service, loyalty programs, and a personalized shopping experience. 

One strategy I frequently employ is presenting my clients or customers with an irresistible offer—one so compelling it feels like you're getting the better end of the deal. 

This approach ensures I remain top-of-mind, creating a lasting impression.

That's all for this brief letter. I'll see you in the next one. 

Please share this message with your friends and family, subscribe if you haven't, and consider purchasing my product to support the movement.

Until next time,

— Destiny