Quick Catch-Up
My favourite pieces of content from the past fortnight and what's happening.
- YouTube: I’ve fallen off the YouTube train recently. I posted my HKS tour but haven’t been able to claw back the time required for a proper edit on anything new for the last couple of weeks. Watch this space, though!
- Instagram: One year anniversary post. This has been one of my most successful posts recently, and I’m incredibly happy it reached so many people. This video was all about my story, and I made it as honest as possible, and it shows the value in creating real, raw and honest content, which is everything I stand for.
- Loan Cars: These last couple of weeks, I've had a Porsche 911, Audi RS4 and Aston Martin DBX707. Crazy hey?
Behind the Camera:
Last time we spoke, I reflected on the year that was the rebirth of 2PJZ. If you missed it, you can catch up here, and read all previous editions.
Truth is, these last couple weeks I’ve been feeling a bit whacked.
I’m constantly thinking on ways to grow the brand and how to evolve this into a business, and between full-time 9-5 work, the gym and everything else in life, I haven’t stopped.
I don’t want this to become a whinge-fest, but rather I want to show you that it’s not always glitz and glamour.
On my feed these last couple of weeks, you’d have seen me driving a Porsche 911, Audi RS4 and Aston Martin DBX707.
While that’s been an incredible opportunity, something I’ve made pretty clear is that the free press cars don’t pay my bills, sadly.
Don't get me wrong - working with manufacturers was a huge goal I set publicly in my goals post at the start of this year, and I'm incredibly lucky to have had press cars every day for two months to review and show you what they're really like to live with.
It might look like I’m killing it, and to be fair, I can’t wrap my head around the progress I’ve made in a year. Naturally, though being such a high achiever, I know it’s nowhere near where I plan on taking this.
But to share some news:
- I’m about to pay a large invoice for a physical product I’ve been cooking up for the majority of the year, so keep an eye out for that in the coming months.
- Some pretty cool opportunities have come across my desk recently, which I can’t wait to share.
- Work on the BMW documentary is progressing with Sam from Laag Media (see pic below), and that’ll air on my YouTube channel early July.
With that said, moving on.
PS – no movement on my new car yet after selling my JZX100 Chaser. With press cars booked until 25 July, there’s no need to rush. But trust me, it'll be something cool. It’s just a money problem now!
Lessons and Learnings:
If you’re new here, this section is where I try and distil something that’s happened to me recently into how it can be applicable to you.
I know you haven’t subscribed to this solely to hear me talk at you. I want you to take something away from this.
To be fair, this fortnight I feel like I made my point clear in Behind the Camera, but what I’ve learnt is to strip it back to basics.
Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War (I haven’t read this btw) is attributed with the saying:
“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat”.
Basically: don’t throw shit at the wall and hope it sticks — have a plan.
Often in the content, entrepreneurial, or just simply the game of life, I find myself trying a whole bunch of stuff for no reason. Sometimes it works, often it leaves me frustrated.
If there’s something you’re trying to achieve – for me, that’s building a strong personal brand and viable businesses in the automotive realm – you need to have a strategy and purpose.
I get a lot of people messaging me, an increasing amount now that I’m driving hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of press cars every month, asking how to do what I do.
The truth is – nobody can.
Because nobody can be exactly like me.
I position myself with my content to differ from many others, as:
- A genuine car enthusiast who has owned 27 cars by 26 years old
- Someone who has professional motorsport, communications and media experience
- A person with a (borderline obsessive) wealth of knowledge on the “Playstation Generation” cars and the culture that defines them
- And a guy who likes to have a good time, helping teach people about cars, how to travel to see them and what makes our passion so unique.
The best advice I have for you, and all those people who message me daily, is:
Be yourself. Document what you’re already doing. Find your unique voice.
If you’re trying to put on a show, it gets flushed out very quickly.
That applies to any aspect of life, not just making content.
Where My Head Is
This section is where I discuss more about where I’m currently at.
I’ve spoken already about feeling a bit muddled recently.
I haven’t felt this lost in a long time – even though success has been all around me.
I’ve been sitting at my desk most nights, sometimes for an hour, feeling totally lost and confused about how to break out of this self-imposed rut due to the massive goals and tight timeframes I’ve set myself.
At the moment, travelling back to Japan seems unlikely, buying a DC2 Type R seems impossible, and I’m not where I wanted to be with the business financials.
But I’m taking my own advice above, and stripping it back down to basics.
What’s my most engaged with content? What drives the most follows? What are the analytics telling me is my most valuable content based on engagement, follows, saves, etc?
Over the next few weeks, I think you’ll see some clear themes in my content.
I hope you’re enjoying it all and finding it, as always, helpful, entertaining, motivational, insightful, or a mix of all.
Spread the Word!
If something stood out to you from this edition, forward it to a friend or share on your Instagram story. I want to reach as many people as possible who’ll find this valuable - and that only happens with your help.
Want help with content, branding, or breaking into motorsport?
I’ve got limited 1-on-1 consults opening in June and July. Hit reply if you're keen.
For brand or business enquiries: pat@2pjz.com
Free + paid tools: 2PJZ Gumroad Store
Thank you for being here. Your support fuels this whole thing - and we’re only just getting started.
Stay Driven,
Pat – 2PJZ
