1,000 email subscribers are more valuable than 10K Twitter followers.
But getting your first few email subs can be a grind…
Here’s how to get your first 1,000 email newsletter subscribers (without spending on a penny on paid ads)
🧵
But getting your first few email subs can be a grind…
Here’s how to get your first 1,000 email newsletter subscribers (without spending on a penny on paid ads)
🧵
In 2016, my email list had 55 subscribers.
That bothered me.
As an email copywriter, I helped my clients earn tens of millions of dollars from my campaigns.
Yet with my own email list… it was one of those “cobbler’s children have no shoes” scenarios.
That bothered me.
As an email copywriter, I helped my clients earn tens of millions of dollars from my campaigns.
Yet with my own email list… it was one of those “cobbler’s children have no shoes” scenarios.
But, I made a commitment, come hell or high water that I would grow my list.
I wanted to build that asset.
When you have an email list full of people who trust you… you have the foundation to build a business that can help a lot of people.
I wanted to build that asset.
When you have an email list full of people who trust you… you have the foundation to build a business that can help a lot of people.
I wanted to start creating products.
But without a list… who the hell are you going to sell them to?
The only thing was…
I didn’t know what list-building methods would work for ME.
I mean, yeah sure.
The idea of paid traffic sounds excellent.
But without a list… who the hell are you going to sell them to?
The only thing was…
I didn’t know what list-building methods would work for ME.
I mean, yeah sure.
The idea of paid traffic sounds excellent.
Everyone in your newsfeed has some “magic system”:
"... even if you’re new… and you have no fingers… and you don’t own a computer…"
"... and you’re illiterate… and you don’t have a business…
"...and you suck at everything and have a 75 IQ!"
It's all BS.
"... even if you’re new… and you have no fingers… and you don’t own a computer…"
"... and you’re illiterate… and you don’t have a business…
"...and you suck at everything and have a 75 IQ!"
It's all BS.
Butn reality, when you don’t have a lead magnet, when you don’t have a big budget... and when you’re still trying to figure out your brand, and audience, and a million other things about WHO you are and WHAT your business is…
Paid ads are out of the question.
Paid ads are out of the question.
So… what other options did I have?
Well, there were webinars.
And launches.
And blogging.
And FB Lives.
And Instagram.
And Twitter.
And Snapchat.
And guest blogging.
And Linkedin.
And Podcasting.
And speaking.
And Amazon.
And ebooks.
And SEO.
And on and on and on.
Well, there were webinars.
And launches.
And blogging.
And FB Lives.
And Instagram.
And Twitter.
And Snapchat.
And guest blogging.
And Linkedin.
And Podcasting.
And speaking.
And Amazon.
And ebooks.
And SEO.
And on and on and on.
I wasn’t really sure what the hell I should be doing. So I started doing everything.
Some things tended to work better than others.
And growth happened very slowly.
Most people who promise outsized, overnight results with anything they’re selling are usually full of shit.
Some things tended to work better than others.
And growth happened very slowly.
Most people who promise outsized, overnight results with anything they’re selling are usually full of shit.
Success usually takes time. All good things take a lot of work.
List building – was no different.
It didn’t matter if it happened slowly.
Fact is: it HAPPENED.
So I figured I’d reflect back on my journey and share some of the things that helped me cross the 1,000 subs mark.
List building – was no different.
It didn’t matter if it happened slowly.
Fact is: it HAPPENED.
So I figured I’d reflect back on my journey and share some of the things that helped me cross the 1,000 subs mark.
Let’s take a look at what it took…
1. Content Is King
If there’s one thing I could recommend that will consistently grow your list… it’s producing content.
I like writing articles and videos. But you can also do audio or whatever.
1. Content Is King
If there’s one thing I could recommend that will consistently grow your list… it’s producing content.
I like writing articles and videos. But you can also do audio or whatever.
The thing is…
Most people create shit content.
It’s either unoriginal. Or it’s written, “for Google.” Or it’s a carbon copy with a slight editing of something else.
Most people create shit content.
It’s either unoriginal. Or it’s written, “for Google.” Or it’s a carbon copy with a slight editing of something else.
Wanna know my secret “system” for creating fresh content every single week?
1: Do cool shit.
2: write about it.
3: Wash, rinse, & repeat every week until you die.
Pretty simple.
1: Do cool shit.
2: write about it.
3: Wash, rinse, & repeat every week until you die.
Pretty simple.
Don’t try and “create content.”
If you try and create content, it’s probably going to suck. But if you document the stuff you’ve done (or are currently doing)… you’ll have a much easier time and it’ll be a lot more effective.
Why does this work so well?
If you try and create content, it’s probably going to suck. But if you document the stuff you’ve done (or are currently doing)… you’ll have a much easier time and it’ll be a lot more effective.
Why does this work so well?
People are not going to sign up to your list if you don’t have anything important to say…
Or if you have not demonstrated that you might have solutions to their problems.
If you’re creating something consistently… people will tune in.
Or if you have not demonstrated that you might have solutions to their problems.
If you’re creating something consistently… people will tune in.
If you want the attention, you need to be consistent with this stuff.
I have written articles 6 years ago that are still attracting people to my world.
I did not realize this would happen.
I have written articles 6 years ago that are still attracting people to my world.
I did not realize this would happen.
And when I was writing those articles, it kinda sucked. I’d much rather be watching reruns of The Office or taking a nap.
But I wrote the damn articles. And now they live on the internet forever and act like a magnet for people who are looking for the kind of solutions I offer.
But I wrote the damn articles. And now they live on the internet forever and act like a magnet for people who are looking for the kind of solutions I offer.
2. Podcasts are awesome
I’ve been a guest on different podcasts.
Some of them have been shows with huge audiences and have brought a lot of traffic and email subs.
Others have been total flops.
I still hop on every single podcast I can, no matter how big the audience is.
I’ve been a guest on different podcasts.
Some of them have been shows with huge audiences and have brought a lot of traffic and email subs.
Others have been total flops.
I still hop on every single podcast I can, no matter how big the audience is.
People who are small today can become huge players one day.
And here’s something else…
If someone is willing to listen to you natter on for 20-60 minutes about a topic… and they LIKED what you had to say…
And here’s something else…
If someone is willing to listen to you natter on for 20-60 minutes about a topic… and they LIKED what you had to say…
There’s a pretty good chance they’ll want to learn more from you and sign up for your email list.
So my advice: take every podcast interview you are offered.
(If you’d like to invite me onto your podcast, shoot me an email)
So my advice: take every podcast interview you are offered.
(If you’d like to invite me onto your podcast, shoot me an email)
3. Give FREE Trainings
For years now, I’ve been giving free trainings in marketing, business, and copywriting groups.
These trainings are kind of a bitch to prepare for.
First, you have to figure out a topic to present on.
For years now, I’ve been giving free trainings in marketing, business, and copywriting groups.
These trainings are kind of a bitch to prepare for.
First, you have to figure out a topic to present on.
Then, you have to get over your fear of presenting to people who have no idea who TF you are.
Then, you have to create your presentation.
Then, you gotta deliver the thing and put on a rousing performance.
Then, you have to create your presentation.
Then, you gotta deliver the thing and put on a rousing performance.
And you don’t even get paid. (I’m NOT talking about giving a webinar that sells. I’m talking about a ‘no strings attached, here’s some good info to try kind of training.)
But ya know what?
Giving free trainings are amongst most valuable list-building activities I’ve ever done.
But ya know what?
Giving free trainings are amongst most valuable list-building activities I’ve ever done.
If you teach your heart out and genuinely give people good information and you don’t hold anything back… people will want to learn more about you.
More often than not, they’ll reach out and want to just give you money so you can do whatever it is you just presented, for them.
More often than not, they’ll reach out and want to just give you money so you can do whatever it is you just presented, for them.
Every free training you give is a captive demonstration to an audience of people who have raised their hands and told you they are interested in your topic.
It’s another form of content.
It’s something I’m going to continue to do to grow my list.
It’s another form of content.
It’s something I’m going to continue to do to grow my list.
4. Help people who need it
As your list starts to grow, you’ll want to ONLY do things that are highly leveraged.
And I think this is probably a good idea.
But I still take the time to try and answer questions that I see in communities like Copy Chief (or in other groups)
As your list starts to grow, you’ll want to ONLY do things that are highly leveraged.
And I think this is probably a good idea.
But I still take the time to try and answer questions that I see in communities like Copy Chief (or in other groups)
I’ve noticed that whenever I give advice to people who are struggling with an issue and are reaching out for help… those people tend to join my list and tell others about me.
It doesn’t cost me anything, other than my time.
And a lot of these people will NEVER buy from me.
It doesn’t cost me anything, other than my time.
And a lot of these people will NEVER buy from me.
But it’s not about that one person.
It’s a mentality you have to take as a content creator.
It’s the mindset that you are a person who has answers and are going places. And if people want to your journey, they will seek ways to entrench themselves in your world.
It’s a mentality you have to take as a content creator.
It’s the mindset that you are a person who has answers and are going places. And if people want to your journey, they will seek ways to entrench themselves in your world.
Growing Your List Is A Slow, Grinding Process. But It’s So Worth It.
Those four activities I just listed are not “do it one-time” type things.
I tried to get on a new podcast every month. I produced at least one article a week and now I’m doing threads & videos.
Those four activities I just listed are not “do it one-time” type things.
I tried to get on a new podcast every month. I produced at least one article a week and now I’m doing threads & videos.
I find at least one person I can help every single day. I bust my ass to create incredible free trainings that ACTUALLY help people… instead of hiding my stuff behind a paywall.
Getting to 1,000 subscribers might take you over a year - it did for me.
Getting to 1,000 subscribers might take you over a year - it did for me.
Hey – it might not.
Some people manage to grow a huge list very fast.
But I did it the slow way.
As a result, I’ve gotten to know hundreds of people on my list.
I’ve dialogued withed them.
They’ve replied back to my emails and have asked questions.
Some people manage to grow a huge list very fast.
But I did it the slow way.
As a result, I’ve gotten to know hundreds of people on my list.
I’ve dialogued withed them.
They’ve replied back to my emails and have asked questions.
They’ve helped me grow by recommending my stuff to other people.
And I’ve helped them with the content I create.
We both help each with the feedback loop that gets created during this process.
And I’ve helped them with the content I create.
We both help each with the feedback loop that gets created during this process.
This is how you build your audience.
This is how you build your list.
This is how you start to travel down the path to attracting what @kevin2kelly calls… 1,000 True Fans.
It’s going to be a grind to build your list. But man… it’s worth it.
This is how you build your list.
This is how you start to travel down the path to attracting what @kevin2kelly calls… 1,000 True Fans.
It’s going to be a grind to build your list. But man… it’s worth it.
@kevin2kelly Take it from me.
I've got 10,000+ subcribers today and a business that's bigger than I ever could have imagined, because I took those first few steps.
The same can (and WILL) happen to you...
I've got 10,000+ subcribers today and a business that's bigger than I ever could have imagined, because I took those first few steps.
The same can (and WILL) happen to you...
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