Writing Into the Void: How I Built Authority in Retail Media (From Zero to 28K Followers)

Today I’m taking you behind the scenes of something I don’t talk about enough: what it really feels like to start over, even after years of experience. From launching a brand-new Instagram account @retailmediabreakfastclub with barely any followers, to reflecting on my early days writing “into the void,” I share the uncomfortable truth about building content, credibility, and confidence in public.I also dig into the process that’s helped me generate ideas consistently, navigate mistakes, and find my voice in a fast-moving industry like retail media. If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, wondered how to build your content muscle, or questioned whether your perspective is “enough,” this one’s for you.This episode is sponsored by Mirakl AdsTimeline[00:00] - Starting from zero (again!): launching Instagram after building a LinkedIn audience [01:00] - Writing in obscurity: the early days of publishing with no audience [01:30] - My breakthrough moment: landing a paid contributor role at Forbes [03:00] - Why quantity drives creativity (and how I generate endless content ideas) [04:20] - The power of being wrong: how mistakes lead to better, richer content [06:45] - “The middle of the room”: finding your voice between expertise and curiosity [09:45] - Getting comfortable being bad at something new (and why it matters)Links & ResourcesMy new Instagram account: @retailmediabreakfastclubRead my related articles:My Media DietGet On The Damn StageApply For The Damn AwardI'm hosting a LIVE event with In-Store Marketplace and Catalyst Media Consulting on April 22 about In-Store Retail Media: are we measuring the wrong things? We'll discuss New Research on the state of in-store retail media measurement — and why the path forward may actually be simpler than the industry is making it. REGISTER HERESubscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn