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.
End of the year tasks
As we are approaching the end of the year, I will spend the next few days performing a Digital Reset to start the new year with a clean and organized digital space.
Here is the list of things I am doing.
⭐️ Emptying my desktop and download folders, archiving what needs archiving and deleting the rest.
⭐️ Clearing my inbox. Archiving what I need and deleting the rest, I already work on Zero Inbox policy.
⭐️ Cleaning up my archives as well, keeping the ones I need and deleting the rest.
⭐️ Unsubscribing from newsletters and promotions that I do not read anymore.
⭐️ Organizing my desktop and cloud storage according to the PARA structure.
⭐️Evaluating my subscriptions and unsubscribing from services that I no longer require.
⭐️ Deleting any unused apps from my phone and Mac to free up space.
⭐️ Updating my operating system to the latest version.
⭐️ Turning off all notifications.
What will you be doing to declutter and streamline your digital life to start the new year afresh?
23 Things That Made The Year 2023 For Me
1. Journaling daily.
2. Intermittent fasting.
3. Starting building in public.
4. Writing regularly on LinkedIn.
5. Replacing annual goals with life long mission.
6. Joining ‘Ship 30 For 30’ and learning lean writing.
7. Using Silva meditation method to become a relaxed writer.
8. Bringing my inbox to zero and keeping it that way.
9. Employing PARA method to keep my digital files in order.
10. Publishing my 5th book ‘Become A Productive Writer.’
11. Writing the first draft of ‘A Writer’s Guide For Travel Writing.’
12. Turning my website into a repository for all my writings.
13. Doing ‘Building A Second Brain’ course with Tiago Forte.
14. Building my knowledge management system and kept it up to date.
15. Nailing my productivity through Author Planner & Bullet Journal.
16. Cruising from Sydney to New Zealand with family and friends.
17. Traveling through the United States and Canada for six weeks.
18. Taking a extended vacation in India to explore south and north-east states.
19. Spending a week at a wellness centre learning yoga, fasting and naturopathy.
20. Turning my Substack newsletter into a hub for teaching writing books from life.
21. Targeting my course ‘Write Your Book In 30 Days’ to coaches and professionals.
22. Joining Premium Ghostwriting Academy with Nicholas Cole and Dickie Bush ?
23. Pivoting my focus from online writing to educate through Educational Email Courses.
What made your year?