I could spend a week telling you everything I know about email.
It’d go by quickly too.
We’d have lots of fun, and you could immediately implement what I teach. Then we’d watch the results in real-time with buttered popcorn.
It’d be a 5-day version of my weekly Strategy Sessions.
{Your name} thing is … if you don’t know who is on your list, and why, your best work will fall short of moving your best readers to reply, share and buy.
I could invest thousands to hire my colleagues and to devote our full attention to writing a single message for you, and it just wouldn’t matter.
None of it does, if you don’t know your audience.
That’s how big a deal knowing your audience is.
It’s also the number one reason I turn away so many people who want to work with me.
They don’t know enough about who they want to serve, so they have to take a side step back to learn more about that elusive person.
All before we ever talk about email and copywriting.
Notice how I say person, and not “type” or “demographic”.
Remember, on the other side of your computer, your reader is a real person.
So I’m issuing a challenge.
I want you to build a list of 100 new readers you actually know in the 31 days of March.
Readers you understand and can picture in your mind so that you effortlessly write to them and move them to action with your advice.
Each day, you’ll move closer to the end goal while building excitement to write for your new readers.
I know this because it’s the same technique I used to build my own list, and will always use to build it (along with others).
It’s also the same technique consistent bestselling authors like Tim Grahl, Dan Pink, and Chip and Dan Heath use to build their respective lists.
We’re in good company {Your name}.
Their method… hidden in plain sight… they build their list offline… with people they meet in person.
Whenever they are out at café, work event, conference, getting gas, and the like, they proudly share their work.
They don’t give out their list details to just anybody, only people can benefit from the results of reading their content.
If it’s a good fit, these authors ask the person to pull out their smartphone and join the list right there and then. It’s so simple, yet so rare to see.
When you do take this approach, you’ll want to spend at least 2 minutes getting to know the person a bit first.
You’re not here to be some mouk pitching and promoting for the sake of list-building.
That tactic leads to poor (or no) sales or daily writer’s block.
(not so tactful tactics are doomed to fail)
However, listening is how I, and 100 other writers, built their list.
Today I know about 80% of my readers personally.
Want to know your next 100 readers like you know your best friend? But not in the mood for 31 days of list building, then call me, maybe.
We’ll craft your email brand together.
Your family, friends, even your worse enemies, will want to join your list and listen to what you have to say without you asking.
Be well,
Max!
P.S. Speaking of knowing my readers, let’s jam this week in New York.
I’m visiting NYC for a conference and want to jam with you in person. If you’re in the area between now and March 1, reply to hang with me.