Finding Your Value In The Invisible

Numbers, data and transformations have always influenced our decisions, yet some of the most valuable aspects of building our audience or community remain unseen.

The satisfaction we find in our work, the quiet impact we have on others and the connections and conversations that happen out of sight all contribute to success in ways that no metric can fully capture. 

The intangibles are impossible to chart on a dashboard, but they are what make a difference. They bring ourselves, resilience, change and a lasting sense of purpose to our work and the relationships we build. 

At a recent YATM Lunch Club event, one of the attendees said they hadn’t joined our membership space. They were curious about where the transformation would be.

It was a good question. We hesitate to commit to anything without understanding the potential return. We need assurance, whether it’s about gaining more clients, enhancing our skills, or impacting our revenue. Where will the change be and the growth be? We need something quantifiable as it holds a place of effectiveness for our work, but my answer here is around the intangible. 

YATM Club focuses on building confidence in a collective space. You can’t put a number on that. It’s a place to hang out with other great people where you can learn from them and they can learn from you. If you have an idea you want to bring to life, you’ll have a supportive network by your side!

The remainder of this article explores aspects that cannot be measured, highlighting the returns that are not tied to traditional achievement metrics.

Two likes may seem insignificant compared to thirty, and a few visits to your “About Us” page might feel underwhelming next to a popular landing page. 

In a recent article I highlighted the myth of more. More often seems better, while “less” can feel like falling short. But when we focus only on what can be measured, we risk missing out on the underlying factors that drive loyalty and long-term success.

Metrics are important; they show us what attracts people, which products or posts generate engagement, and where we should concentrate our efforts.

However, the most valuable elements of our work often cannot be quantified.

Much of what contributes to your best work—what makes it uniquely “you”—exists beyond the realm of measurable data. By embracing these unmeasurable aspects, you create the freedom to develop your work organically and build lasting relationships with others.

Here is what I know about the return or the ‘transformation’ that you can never see.

Perhaps your work follows a path that goes beyond measurable metrics.

Enjoyment is one of the most important factors in any creative endeavor, even though it may not be quantifiable on an Excel sheet.

When you genuinely enjoy your work, that sense of fulfilment flows off the page or screen. Enjoyment isn’t just a motivator; it’s the foundation for building momentum and continuity.

It’s the force that helps you progress even when numbers aren’t where you want them to be or when growth feels slow. For instance, when I started my newsletter, writing was something I enjoyed and wanted to get better at. That’s why it’s still here.

Since then, my enjoyment in community-building, experimentation, and shared learning is what keeps the work alive. If I ever stop enjoying it, perhaps it is time to move on? 

Enjoyment is not just a personal benefit; it’s also something that people can sense and respond to. In fact, those who bring visible enjoyment and enthusiasm into their work create a connection that data alone cannot capture.

Sometimes the enjoyment isn’t in finishing the run, it’s the run itself. 

A powerful and immeasurable aspect of your work is its positive impact on others, often without your awareness.

When your ideas inspire someone to think differently or encourage them to try something new, that influence goes beyond what metrics can capture.

The trust and support you cultivate by simply being present, sharing your insights, and connecting openly over time are far more valuable than a temporary spike in social metrics.

What happens is you create supporters who stand by you in the long term. You may not immediately see a “return” on your content, but the quiet work happening behind the scenes lays the foundation for future relationships and opportunities.

A large part of audience engagement happens in private conversations, outside the reach of metrics. 

Whether it’s a private message, a small group chat, or a forum discussion, the word-of-mouth sharing that occurs out of sight is more influential than public “engagement.” 

The YATM Club operates away from the public eye, using Circle as our platform. However, the conversations and ideas are helping people in more public spaces. People are supporting each other that no metric could see in a wider domain.

Out of sight is powerful, it allows people to refine their own, be brave and discover a new idea that was in front of them all along.

There’s something powerful in the connection and shared energy you experience when interacting with your audience, particularly during live events.

At the YATM Lunch Club, I see this firsthand: the vibe during a discussion or the unspoken support among attendees is invaluable. It’s a validation that goes beyond any metric, letting you know that your work resonates.

This connection is not something that can be easily measured, yet it carries immense significance. Whether it’s the feeling of “being in it together” in a group setting, the enthusiasm of an engaged audience, or the energy that flows during our time together, these moments make a lasting impact. They confirm that you are on the right path, help you assess the effectiveness of your work, and strengthen the bond between you and your community.

A good example are the people who share their thoughts after the event and the people at the event join in, see what I mean here from Liam Toms and Caroline Attreed here

Visibility and progress doesn’t only sustain you—it strengthens the community around you. 

It means you build an environment where people feel welcomed, valued, and willing to contribute. This sense of enjoyment creates a genuine space for people to join and stay, drawn to the energy of someone who is passionate and invested.

A collective approach is a force that encourages people to participate actively, shaping a space where everyone feels they belong and can contribute. This is the kind of connection that can’t be measured by clicks or views but has lasting value.

Confidence is another unmeasurable aspect that plays a huge role in growth. 

As time goes on, you may notice yourself becoming more assured in your work and more willing to share openly with others. However, confidence does not develop overnight, nor can it be easily measured.

As you grow more confident, you’re likely to open up about your journey, acknowledging your challenges and mistakes. 

This kind of openness resonates with people on a personal level. It makes you relatable. Sharing both the highs and the lows of your journey creates a strong, lasting connection that’s impossible to reduce to numbers. It’s this honesty and openness that build community loyalty over time.

The most meaningful moments often arise from personal, one-on-one interactions.

After sending out the YATM newsletter each week, some of the most rewarding experiences are the replies, comments, and conversations that come from readers. These are simple yet powerful exchanges, like a “thank you” note or a thoughtful reflection on an article. Such moments can’t be captured in metrics, but they hold immense personal value.

These one-to-one moments often remind us why we do the work in the first place. They’re a chance to connect directly with other people who have that kinship with your work. For me, these interactions are a highlight of my week, reinforcing the purpose behind You Are The Media. They represent the community connection that no data or marketing dashboard can fully capture.

There’s no denying that metrics offer valuable insights and can guide our choices, but they only tell part of the story

Much of what truly matters—the enjoyment of creating, the quiet impact of helping others, private conversations, personal connections, and shared energy—exists beyond what can be measured. These intangibles are the essence of building something meaningful.

What you can’t measure doesn’t make your work less valuable; rather, it enhances it. 

So the next time you find yourself caught up in chasing metrics, remember that what truly matters may be what no metric will ever capture.

There’s more to success than numbers alone.