I recently took part in the inaugural LinkedIn Editorial Program and was astounded when they revealed the numbers.
Apparently, there are 1 Billion people on LinkedIn.
There are 4.95 billion active social media users worldwide.
This means that 20% of active social media users in the world are on LinkedIn.
This information intrigued me and I did some fact-checking on the internet.
This is what I found:
Facebook is still the biggest social media platform, with 3.049 billion users.
Next in line are:
WhatsApp – 2.78 billion
YouTube – 2.7 billion
Instagram – 1.4 billion
Twitter numbers are falling rapidly from 528.3 million. In 2024, this figure will decrease by 5.1% to 335.7 million (according to Oberlo).
This little exercise helped me understand I was on the right platform.
I joined LinkedIn in 2021 and started writing regularly on it in 2022.
I love the platform for three reasons:
1️⃣ It’s the best platform to connect with professionals and thought leaders. It enables me to have meaningful conversations and foster professional relationships.
2️⃣ The community here is genuinely positive. Conversations are respectful, and comments consistently reflect encouragement and celebration.
3️⃣ It allows me to write Goldilocks’ size content 😁. Neither too long, nor too short. Just right!
How long have you been on LinkedIn?
What is one specific reason you like the platform?
I have great news to share with you.
I have been invited to participate in the LinkedIn Editorial Content Program this month.
It’s LinkedIn’s new deep dive and Top Voice spotlight initiative.
I was so surprised and delighted to be picked up by their Australia Chapter.
This training and help from the platform is so timely as I am getting more focused with my content and trying to address the right audience I am planning to serve.
The training starts in the third week of January, and I am so excited.
Rest assured I will share my learnings with you.
Follow me and turn your notification on so that you don’t miss my posts.
Thanks a heap, LinkedIn!
Marketing Lesson #1
I secured my first client yesterday.
Within 3 days of launching my business.
She was the second person I approached regarding the creation of an education-based asset
designed to boost her opt-in rate to 70% and establish an email list of qualified clients even before the official launch of her business.
Her response was an immediate ‘YES.’
One of the deciding factors in saying ‘YES’ could be the fact that I offered her my premium service at no cost.
Interestingly, the first client declined, while the second enthusiastically accepted.
Marketing Lesson #1: When embarking on a new business venture, whether it involves a product or service, offer it at zero cost initially.
This approach doesn’t diminish the value of your service; rather, it allows you to build without undue pressure and address any glitches in your processes.
It helps you gain advocates for your offer.
When I launched my course ‘Write Your Book In 30 Days,’ I made the first cohort open for anyone who was interested.
The move attracted 20 enthusiastic participants who later became advocates, referring students for subsequent cohorts.
This strategy is not unique to services; SaaS companies routinely provide free versions of their products
to facilitate organic growth through word of mouth.
I’m extending the offer of my premium service for zero cost to just one more client.
If your business could benefit from an education-based asset that automatically builds your mailing list, contact me for a chat.
For those starting out, consider implementing a Marketing Lesson #1 in your strategy.
Problems are projects!
It was a concept I learned last year.
It comes from the great mind-science pioneer Jose Silva.
When faced with a problem, don’t think of it as a problem.
Instead, turn your “problem” into a “project.”
What it means is, when you think about your problem, you are in a negative frame of mind. Your problem appears like a roadblock hindering your progress.
But when you think of it as a project, you get in a positive state of mind. You start thinking about how to solve it rather than remaining stuck.
When you create a project from your problem to move it from ‘problem’ to ‘ideal world,’ where the problem no longer exists.
Jose Silva had a creative visualization exercise for it.
He called this technique, the “Three Scenes Technique.”
In his famous Silva Mind Control classes back in 70s and 80s, he would get people to first visualize the problem and feel the pain rather than suppress it or push it away.
Then he got them to visualize themselves taking some action to move away from the problem.✨
And then, in the third scene, visualize themselves in an ideal world where the problem no longer exists and feel the joy and happiness of this solution.
This simple way of embracing a problem and then thinking of a project to make the problem obsolete, and then thinking of the end result when the problem has fully disappeared, is how I approach problems now.
I have a problem with my marketing skills. I have turned it into a ‘project.’
I am on to it. Soon, it’s going to be obsolete. And I will become an expert on the topic. 😎
I am taking several actions to solve it.
One of them is doing creative visualization meditations daily.
The second is studying the great marketers and learning from them.
The third is applying what I learn to my business.
The fourth is teaching others.
What problem do you have? Can you turn it into a project?
I declare 2024 as the Year of Marketing
I have been writing online for 5 years now.
So far, my trajectory has been:
From a:
Terrible Writer —> Confident Writer
Confident Writer —> Author of 5 books
Author —> Course Creator
Course Creator —> Book Writing Coach
But there was one significant missing factor.
I didn’t learn how to market my books and my course.
By marketing, I don’t mean selling.
Marketing is about creating and nurturing relationships.
Marketing is about understanding your customer and their needs.
Marketing is about solving your customer’s problems and adding value.
Marketing is about you and your story as well.
I like this definition of marketing the best:
“Marketing is the art of telling a story that resonates with your audience and convinces them to be part of it.”
This is exactly what I will be doing.
I will share my story of studying marketing, learning from the best marketers I can find, implementing their strategies I like, and inviting you to be part of the journey.
Because, if you haven’t learned to market, you will miss out on the chance to turn your passion or idea
into a thriving business.
What is your biggest marking challenge?
4 Observations research unveiled about goals
It is that time of the year again when we are looking at the goals for 2024.
I dabbled into several articles, including the research articles that are popping up about goal setting.
Here are the 3 researchers found about goal setting:
1. Your Goals Should Be A Bit Out of Reach but Not Impossible
Research reveals that the most rewarding goals are those that challenge us, just a tad out of our immediate grasp but still within the realm of possibility. It’s the sweet spot where growth and achievement intersect. Remember, the journey is as crucial as the destination.
2. The Work That Goes Into Achieving Your Goal Should Excite You, Not Just the Results
Goals should be more than just endpoints; they should be endeavors that excite us, not only for the outcomes, but for the journey itself. Finding joy and fulfillment in the process ensures sustained motivation and a richer sense of accomplishment.
3. Frustration and Anxiety as Progress Signals
Surprising, right? Research suggests that experiencing frustration and anxiety along the way isn’t a setback but a sign of progress. It means you’re pushing boundaries, stepping out of your comfort zone, and challenging yourself. Embrace these feelings—they’re indicators of growth.
4. Singular Focus, Have Only One Goal
The research speaks loud and clear—opt for the power of one. Concentrating on a single goal enhances clarity, focus, and consistency. It’s not about limiting, but about channeling your energy and efforts for maximum impact.
Setting goals isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about the transformative journey and the person you become along the way.
Keep aiming high, find joy in the pursuit, and remember that frustration and anxiety are the companions of progress.