A subscriber asked…
“I enjoyed your email today. It got me thinking, did I miss the part as to why you write your emails? What you get in return?”
Well, just 2 weeks ago I would have given my answer a bit differently than today.
Reason being…
I’ve been doing a rather massive reorientation of my business.
There’s still going to be a big focus on helping freelancers (which I love!). But also solopreneurs.
And specifically… helping people build their own email list.
Of course… with a bit of a daily-email flavor to it. (But I don’t discriminate if they want to miss out… and only email weekly 😉)
I’m excited about the opportunity that opens up when people are emailing and building their lists. And if I can help… great!
Before making these changes. I went back to the basic questions…
Who do I serve? And why?
Kudos to my business coach for the reminder about keeping these in the picture. And using these questions to continue guiding what I do.
So here’s the top 3 reasons why I write daily email…
With my answers to those questions wrapped up in here too…
Reason 1…
For years I’ve wanted to help freelancers like myself get over hurdles. Because I was forever seeing them get stuck.
Often it was mindset stuff. But on the practical things too.
Like getting their website going. They’d spend weeks worrying about it to the Nth degree. While the bank balance remained at zero because there was no client work coming in.
I’ve been in that place too, for sure. And still have my moments.
But now I have experience to offer.
Plus, practical knowhow with tech stuff. Like websites and email setup.
You may not know… I was a geek waaay before it was trendy.
In yesterday’s email I talked about playing computer games at age 5. Well, at the same age I started writing my own programs for that computer!
Geek to the extreme?! 🤓
Even with my new focus on helping people build their email lists… there’ll still be plenty of general stuff relating to clients, and solo-business-related things… that’ll keep flowing through the daily email pipe.
Reason 2…
Because I’m in business. And being in business is a great way to be of service. Of helping people find solutions to their problems.
Sometimes it’ll be through things like free info. And sharing my take on things.
Other times the solution I offer will help provide a transformation, save someone time, or have a large time commitment from me… so will have a price attached.
This simply means… there’s sales involved.
I even like to say… “Sales is service”.
I well-remember the person on Facebook who gave me a 👿 when they heard those words from my lips.
I think it’s because people have quite negative views of selling.
From past experiences, I guess. And societal stereotypes (like the pushy car-salesman thing).
I know I’ve had my own hang-ups about it in the past.
Through my emails I sell stuff that I’ve created because it can help people.
And will also promote other people’s creations that I truly believe in.
My view is that sales ALWAYS comes (or should do) as a side-effect of “service first.”
And practically… I need sales because I need to eat. And my family kinda likes that too. 🍽
But it’s always a value-exchange.
Someone likes what I offer. That may also involve the cumulative effect of enjoying my emails.
So they buy the thing. And I make some money.
It’s the win-win, double-handshake, both-smiling thing. 😊😊
Reason 3…
I enjoy it.
It’s fun for me to write.
The format of daily email is beautiful… at least the style I like to do it in.
It’s got lots of scope to try things because you’re just hanging out… writing to people who want to hear from you every day.
It doesn’t have to conform to a strict pattern.
Sure, there’s some rules to follow (and, funnily enough, I’m working on a pretty cool product about just that. Maybe it’ll be ready in July).
But it’s not like other forms of email, like weekly newsletters.
Or if it is looking like your typical weekly newsletter… then it might be a tad on the boring/overwhelming side for EVERY day!
(I’ve seen daily email done VERY badly. Even by a copywriting training company that should know better!)
It’s fun to interact when people ask questions. Like the person who prompted this email (thank you! 😄).
It’s nice that it’s NOT a one-way street. And, although I have limited time and can’t just chat on email all day, it’s something I value.
And I think the people I reply to value as well.
So… them there’s the reasons.
And it’s one of my ways of being (or trying to be!) a decent human being. Which is all I expect from my subscribers and customers too.
If people like what I offer… and want to invite me into their inbox… cool! 😎
If not, no worries. That’s why emails come with unsubscribe links.
Ready to build your email list? Go here…
EmailForTheWin.com
Chris Milham