6 years of The Wealthy Ironworker!

6 years have come and gone since I started The Wealthy Ironworker. As I look back on these past years, I’ve been amazed at how this whole thing has grown:

• The first year there were NO VISITORS AT ALL.
• The second year that number was a paltry 475.
• As of this writing, there are literally several thousand visitors yearly – and it continues growing.
• I’ve written consistently since 2021 – roughly two articles a month of substantive content – and sometimes more.
• My total word count (excluding this article) is 293,624. Yes – I have a spreadsheet with ALL my data.
• My average word count for articles is 2,387. Nothing to shake a stick at for sure.
• I have tracked substantial goals for the last two years – per month – and this year marks the 3rd year I’ll do it.
• There are numerous articles that appear on Google’s FIRST PAGE when searching. 😎
• I started a podcast in December 2023 and have improved with each episode.
• AND all this has been done with NO real marketing AT ALL.

The grind. If I had to choose one word to describe what’s been going on here, I’d have to say I’ve been slowly grinding away for 6 years now, ever-improving, ever-expanding, ever-polishing things up for continual improvement.

Sure, someone could contend that I was slow-rolling things when I could (and perhaps should) have written more, posted more, and been far more aggressive overall – but when I think about the number of people who would have (and, in reality, actually have) given up from not getting instant gratification, I am pleased.

When I recognize that as the 6 years have passed, everything has incrementally improved, I am pleased.

When I consider who I have interacted with, the opportunities afforded me, and the brand buildup, I am pleased.

And, when I make plans for continued brand exposure through the podcast and a more robust social media presence, I am pleased.

You see, the reality is I have always HATED clickbait, no matter the medium: YouTube videos, clips, articles, etc. And because I have a visceral hatred for it, I refuse to partake. Not for increased words, articles, podcast episodes, or brand exposure.

Everything is done from an authentic perspective.

If I can’t be authentic, I don’t want to do it.

So, in keeping with my theme of anniversary articles (last year, I detailed 5 things I’d learned), I thought I’d detail 6 things I am looking forward to/hope to achieve in the coming years.

1. Increase subscriber numbers to 100k end of 2024

100k by the end of the year – too ambitious?

Now, this is a very lofty goal – and very specific, too. I realize that the number of people who read articles is nowhere near as many who will consume a podcast – but I don’t know how many. As I said, I’ve never intentionally promoted the website, and this year, that should change. I’ve been broadening the topics for a while now and believe the catalog is robust enough to warrant more aggressive promotion.

And, if I’m honest, I would REALLY love to see more article readers via subscribers. I’d love to see the website get its day in court.

However, I’ll extend the wishlist for subscribers to ALL platforms starting out: the Website, YouTube, Rumble, Spotify, iTunes – you get the drift.

If I achieve this, who knows what’ll happen next? The sky’s the limit!

2. Grow this Platform/Podcast to be VERY Influential

The humble studio – what I see from the chair

I could sit here and write and put out podcasts for years – what’s more, I COULD be doing it aimlessly, and there is nothing wrong with that – BUT seeing as I set goals every year (and one of those goals is actually to grow this brand), I ought to have goals for this platform, too.

And I do.

I want to grow this platform. Up to this point, I have grown it organically; meaning, I have never really tried to grow it by advocating for it in masse to those I believe would benefit. Instead, I’ve just been researching, writing, posting, and, beginning December 2023, I launched the podcast.

What does that mean?

Once I have more content on the podcast (maybe around the 6-month mark – seems fitting with 6 years 😎 but, of course, subject to change), I will feel like I have more to offer potential listeners. Then I will feel as though I can be more aggressive about marketing.

And the ultimate reason? I want this to be a large platform. Actually, I want to be the LARGEST skilled trades platform in this country – but it doesn’t happen overnight – nor does it happen without a specific and intentional vision.

So, I’m putting it out here: I want to grow this platform substantially – from small, humble beginnings.

I plan to do this in numerous ways – a few are the additional points in this article. Other ways include:

• Create, promote, and wear more branding.
• Job site visits.
• Increased utilization of social media platforms.
• Being intentional with promoting everything.
• Include guests who will share things on their own platforms.

The above are just a few – as things come to mind via conversations, research, or tips and tricks – I will certainly include them in the tool kit.

3. Change/Challenge the Perception of the Skilled Trades

I heartily agree – the perception of the trades does need to change

I’ve said it before, but to address a problem, we need to understand as much of it as possible. If we don’t, we get what’s been taking place for decades now; people take substantial and complex problems, distill them down to single solutions, and latch on to them as though they will solve the issue(s).

In fact, that does the opposite.

Those “simple solutions” – which are really just baseless accusations – add complexity, increase the generational divide, and do nothing to address the actual problem(s).

That’s exactly what we have here when discussing the industry’s recruitment/retention/image problem. We distill things down to a fault and create a greater divide.

To that end – and because I believe this to be emphatically true – I want to address this issue as much as possible. Through articles, several podcasts, and open discussions, I would love to see 2024 be the year that some viral information reaches the masses.

4. Apprenticeship & Contractor Spotlights

Apprentice Spotlights

Shedding the spotlight on Apprenticeships

As part of how The Wealthy Ironworker wants to address the stigma, apprenticeship spotlights are something we hope to implement this year. I want to have apprentices from various trades, give them a platform, and let them tell their stories.

• What opportunities were you told about in high school?
• How did you get into your trade?
• Why did you join (trade of your choice)?
• How has the apprenticeship changed your life?
• What kind of jobs have you worked on while an apprentice?
• What would you tell other people your age?

Sometimes I think we treat apprentices poorly simply because they’re young; youth is associated with immaturity for good or bad. Truth be told, they are the future of our crafts, have something valuable to add to the conversation, and, given what the “legacy” construction industry has to compete with for people, should NOT be taken for granted.

What’s more, the technology many older people are adverse to learn/use is second nature to them. When you let them share their experiences, the reach can be monumental.

For what it’s worth, I’ve had numerous apprentices ask to be on the podcast already – and I haven’t even aggressively promoted it yet! THAT’S how in tune with tech they are. It’s time some of us get on board, and we here at The Wealthy Ironworker are on the train.

Contractor Spotlights

Contractors deserve their time in the spotlight for all they do

Contractor spotlights would look a bit different. I want to talk to contractors with interesting things to say – not just those who want to spread their business name and model.

For example, I know some contractors who are getting creative with recruitment and retention. I’d like to hear what they’re doing. What’s more – and perhaps even more important – is their mindset.

I know some contractors with a healthy culture at work – some in the construction industry have worked towards this against the grain – and I would love to hear about it. Moreover, I’m sure there are apprentices who’d like to hear about it, too.

The contractors who are intentional about not just their culture but also their marketing, recruitment, and retention are the ones who will not just survive past the next decade – they will thrive.

The reason?

The Art of Intentionality. And I’d like to hear about it. What’s more, if you know of or are one of these contractors, I’d like to know. Drop me a line on the contact page, and let’s chat.

5. Strategic Partnerships/Sponsorships

Finding the right fit can sometimes be like a puzzle piece

In an effort to promote – and ultimately grow – the brand, I will certainly be looking for strategic partnerships/sponsorships. They can be difficult to find – or so I thought.

I made two connections recently that will help me in this regard. What’s more, I have had some conversations in the past year along these lines, too, all ultimately aimed at getting this content to the broadest audience possible. After 6 years at this, I am excited to see things begin to pick up steam.

However, I need to clarify two things here before going forward.

First – and this is important – I have absolutely no plans to partner up with/promote/endorse a product I wouldn’t use or don’t have. I cannot sacrifice my authenticity on the altar of money. Therefore, if you see a product or service on the website or podcast, know that I have it, would use it, or some variation of that.

Second, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP ANY CREATIVE CONTROL, NO MATTER WHAT. Given that I have 6 years of work behind me here, it’s fairly obvious what I stand for – and will continue to going forward.

If you know someone, a company, industry, institution, manufacturer, etc., who you believe would be a good fit (or perhaps you are one of them reading this, now, yourself), then feel free to drop me a line on the contact page and let’s get connected.

6. More Personal Growth

Far too many of us never reach our potential

“Become a millionaire not for the million dollars, but for what it will make of you to achieve it.”

-Jim Rohn

Although he passed away in 2009, Jim Rohn has been among the most motivational thinkers and speakers for decades. The quote above – which you can find here – has some real substance, too. Contrary to popular opinion, obtaining wealth is NOT the end goal – personal growth is.

And that’s the point of this last item on my list. Maybe this whole thing results in great achievements – like money, status, and even being well-known – but they all diminish when compared to personal growth.

Personal growth is worth the pursuit in and of itself; indeed, when you consider most do not even set goals at all, the pursuit and achievement of them stand out even more.

Should I come to the end of 2025 (two years will have passed by then) and I’ve yet to realize the above goals, then I sincerely hope the growth is immense. I want to look back and see how I may not be what I wanted to be (or where, for that matter), but I am not who I was.

And that’s the point.

In the end, I would appreciate the subscribers, the opportunity to speak truth to as many as possible, and even to grow financially – but if the only reward is more personal growth, then I will have gained a valuable thing, indeed.

Conclusion

So there you have it: 6 things I hope to see in the coming year. Time will tell whether I achieve them or not, but if I don’t, it won’t be due to inaction on my part; I will be putting A LOT into this whole endeavor this year.

2024 is slated to be a big year for The Wealthy Ironworker – join me as we get to it!