The Secret to Getting MORE is to…

Recently, one of my email subscribers, an author of a self-published book, reached out to me and asked for advice on how to get more book sales and gain the attention of big distributors for his book.

My answer:

Do what EVERY business has to do — build an audience.

If you’re running a business or side-hustle, building an audience is a crucial first step.

Without an audience, it’s difficult to generate interest and make sales.

But how do you build an audience from scratch?

Let’s get into it and find out!

So…

What do I really mean by “build an audience?”

Simply put, build an email list of people interested in the “thing” you sell, along with customers and superfans.

The author I mentioned above, has been actively pushing flyers and telling anyone he comes in contact with about his book.

Because the book is a fictional drama surrounding football, he’s really wanting to attract football fans (which is a smart move).

Here’s a photo he took while putting fliers for his book on the windshield of thousands of cars at a Texans game.

My advice was simple — if you’re going to promote your “thing” (book, product, service, etc) make sure you send potential leads to a place where you can get their email address so you can build your email list.

With a solid email list, you have a direct line of communication with your audience and can nurture relationships with them over time.

No fighting with social media algorithms.

No fighting with Google search algorithms either.

No middle men.

It’s your brand in direct contact with your leads and potential customers.

Here’s how to make this happen:

⚡Step #1:
Set up a one-stop hub for your audience to find your content and products

Sign up for a free ConvertKit account and log in.

Click on the “Grow” option in the top navigation bar.

Click on the “Creator Profile” tab to fill in your basic information, such as your name, profile picture, and bio.

Click on the “Links” tab to connect your social media accounts and customize other profile settings.

This is perfect to create the hub for your brand (for FREE).

Here’s how mine looks:

I would link any promo material I have to my Creator Profile (or to a free landing page also made within ConvertKit).

If you have a website, you should add an opt-in form to your website and make it the first action any visitor can take.

Again, here’s my example:

💡Football Book Example:

The author can use his Creator Profile page to welcome readers to the fictional world of his book.

He can promise subscribers the chance to immerse themselves in a world of high-stakes games, intense rivalries & dramas, and unforgettable characters based on his book.

So…

Now you’re getting subscribers, now what?

⚡Step #2:
Send out weekly emails packed with value

In ConvertKit, Click on the “Broadcasts” option in the top navigation bar under the “Send” tab.

Click on the “New Broadcast” button to create a new email.

Write your weekly newsletter email and add it to the broadcast.

Preview and send your email.

Simple as that 💪🏾!

I strongly encourage you to block out time every week specifically to write these emails.

Literally schedule the time in your calendar.

💡Football Book Example:

Each week, the author can tell short stories and explanations based on the promises made on his Creator Profile.

.

.

But how do you know what to write about?

You write about what’s most valuable to your potential audience.

In order to do this, you must learn what they consider to be valuable…

⚡Step #3:
Learn what your future customers want most

Find out what your customers want, more specifically what they want to avoid and what they want to gain.

Here’s a quick way to find this out using one of the largest marketplaces on earth — Amazon.com:

Look for reviews with a lower star rating, as these are more likely to contain constructive criticism or complaints.

Pay attention to recurring themes or comments across multiple reviews, as this can indicate a common pain point or desire.

Read through the reviews in detail and make note of any specific language or phrases used to describe the product or experience.

Look for reviews that mention specific features or benefits that are important to your target audience, as this can provide insight into what they value most.

By analyzing customer reviews in this way, you can gain a deeper understanding of the pain points and desires of your target audience.

This information can help you create more targeted and effective emails, as well as get informed product ideas for the future.

💡Football Book Example:

Start by searching for popular football-related books on Amazon and look at the reviews.

Let’s use “Friday Night Lights” as an example…

Look for reviews with a lower star rating and high star ratings — paying close attention to recurring themes or comments across multiple reviews.

Look for reviews that mention specific features or benefits that are important to your target audience, such as accurate portrayals of football tactics or compelling character arcs.

Take this invaluable information for inspiration on what to write about each week in your emails.

Now it’s your turn:

Don’t wait any longer, take the first step towards growing your business and start building your email list today as a solopreneur or side-hustler!

And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email…

Peace and Love
Jesse “The Sunday Emailer” Young El