Listening to my audience is important, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. I also need to rely on my metrics and maintain my vision for the content I create, rather than just following audience requests.

I often find myself balancing the desire to create content I enjoy with the need to engage with my audience and meet their expectations. I take a lot from the fact that I witnessed many user and creator interviews at Patreon, which helps me understand how users relate to a product. Many people don't know what they want, but their expressed desires indicate underlying problems in user experience that need addressing.

I actively seek customer feedback by reaching out directly, which helps me understand their needs and avoid building products that don't address real issues.

I often tweet asking for customer feedback, providing my email for direct communication, which fosters open dialogue and trust.

When I engage with the audience, I focus on one person at a time, which helps me gauge their reactions and ensure my words are landing effectively.

I trust my instincts about what my viewers want, as I know them better than anyone else.

I prioritize direct communication with customers, often leaving meetings to respond to their messages, which provides invaluable feedback.

I want to share at least 20-30% of what I earn with users, but I need to figure out if the scale is enticing enough for them to engage.

To gather valuable user feedback, engage in conversations with users rather than conducting formal interviews, as this fosters a more honest and open dialogue.