I appreciated the advice given in this article. Being new, developing voice, image, footprint, there is a struggle to be recognized. What I compose in this “newbie” stage seems to circle around and loop back to a similar theme. Yet, these themes take time to develop. I am not a professional writer, have not planned to be, but I have desire to be seen and heard. The writer passion has resided in this head for many years and holds many things, visions, and experiences longing to be expressed. Do variations detract? IDK, I am learning while figuring it out.
I find that within the variation, there is repeated motif, repeated message, established criteria, and a common thread. Though the writing varies from limerick, to prose, to essay, or memoir, the loop circles round to the same nexus. I hope that artful expression is not what you discourage when you talk about the hodge-podge of random display on a homepage. If the work is read continually, would readers not find the same threads weaving a story of life lived in the tidbits of dreams and disappointments, in the humor and in the trials, within those lessons learned?
I am hopeful, that being human bears that grace. Collectively, the works produced, the thoughts shared build the “knowing” of the writer. And despite AI that might deem me more computer than human because humans cannot know grammar or complicated grammatical or scientific constructions without AI deeming them less human or valuable due to an algorithm. It takes courage over disappointment to give effort to develop a skill that bears flaws. Humans long to be seen and heard. I just hope that my efforts to create do not fall prey to another’s inability to recognize that. If Substack does not allow that space, then I failed to understand the plan.
I actually think those recurring themes are a good thing, Phyllis.
You don’t need to sound completely different every time you publish. If the same ideas keep showing up in different forms, that’s often how you develop your voice.
Keep writing. The patterns will become clearer as you go.
Genius! I feel like what's difficult is picking a course or problem that people are really stuck on. I can think of a few for pastors and people in ministry that I could really help in, but for parents or marriage stuff, I'm no expert in that!
If you can already name a few problems people are struggling with that you can genuinely help with, I’d start there. You don’t need to be an expert in everything. You just need to solve one problem really well.
I briefly tried Skool but it felt like building something I didn't want to build for people who never wanted it in the first place. So I rolled my own.
The trap with polling is it asks people to predict what they'll buy, and they're terrible at that. Watch what they already do instead. Which of your posts overperformed? What question do people keep asking you in comments or DMs, the same one, over and over? That repeated question is the product. You don't have to be big for this, you need one recurring pain showing up in your existing replies. Build the thing people already ask you for unprompted, not the thing they say yes to in a survey. Behavior is the real poll.
I totally agree with you. Everyone says make what people are DMing you or asking questions about. I have zero engagement, no one is asking or commenting about a damn thing so I have no idea what people are thinking. A couple of friends/family give hearts or share in support but that’s it!
Guidance on how to avoid just throwing products and courses out and waiting to see what sells. Avoid 'thinking' I know what my audience needs and instread actually building what they need. I know I can poll my audience but I have tried this and get little engagement because I am new and small. I need a better way so I build the right thing and don't waste time.
Love this idea Matt, and I know the pain you’re talking about. Living 6h ahead of my clients and colleagues is a real pain sometimes. I have to cram everything in the 3-4h overlap we have, I know async is the future for that reason. You don’t put barriers to value.
Also the hybrid model course-coaching I think is spot on because you add the follow-up and accountability layer that normal course lacks.
Matt, I've learned a lot in a short time. I want you to know that a lot has been from you!
Some ideas were my own, others were from other experts. I consider you to be one of those experts, cuz I can see you've been at it a while, and obvi you put a lot of thought into it.
I've watched one of your lessons, the "2nd brain" one.
(I bought the product, it helped me bunches & piles = def worth the money!)
So, anyway, I don't know if you're achieved your dream, but it sure seems like you're well on your way.
Good topic!
Thanks, Cynthia. Glad you found it interesting. 🙌
Thanks for explaining the numbers✨
You’re welcome, Laura. Those numbers make the model a lot easier to see.
My interest is peaked. I'll follow for a bit and see how it feels when I read you. Thanks.
Hi Phyllis,
I'm happy you're here. I tend to do the same, follow for a bit first. You have some lovely posts as well. Linda
I appreciated the advice given in this article. Being new, developing voice, image, footprint, there is a struggle to be recognized. What I compose in this “newbie” stage seems to circle around and loop back to a similar theme. Yet, these themes take time to develop. I am not a professional writer, have not planned to be, but I have desire to be seen and heard. The writer passion has resided in this head for many years and holds many things, visions, and experiences longing to be expressed. Do variations detract? IDK, I am learning while figuring it out.
I find that within the variation, there is repeated motif, repeated message, established criteria, and a common thread. Though the writing varies from limerick, to prose, to essay, or memoir, the loop circles round to the same nexus. I hope that artful expression is not what you discourage when you talk about the hodge-podge of random display on a homepage. If the work is read continually, would readers not find the same threads weaving a story of life lived in the tidbits of dreams and disappointments, in the humor and in the trials, within those lessons learned?
I am hopeful, that being human bears that grace. Collectively, the works produced, the thoughts shared build the “knowing” of the writer. And despite AI that might deem me more computer than human because humans cannot know grammar or complicated grammatical or scientific constructions without AI deeming them less human or valuable due to an algorithm. It takes courage over disappointment to give effort to develop a skill that bears flaws. Humans long to be seen and heard. I just hope that my efforts to create do not fall prey to another’s inability to recognize that. If Substack does not allow that space, then I failed to understand the plan.
Thank you for your article.
I actually think those recurring themes are a good thing, Phyllis.
You don’t need to sound completely different every time you publish. If the same ideas keep showing up in different forms, that’s often how you develop your voice.
Keep writing. The patterns will become clearer as you go.
Were you reading my mind when you wrote this?
Haha, maybe. 😂
Sounds like you’re working through some of the same questions I was when I figured this model out.
Small newsletters can win with the right model. Looking forward to reading this one.
Yeah. The model matters a lot more than the size of the newsletter. 😄
Hope you enjoy it, Aniket.
Genius! I feel like what's difficult is picking a course or problem that people are really stuck on. I can think of a few for pastors and people in ministry that I could really help in, but for parents or marriage stuff, I'm no expert in that!
That’s actually a good sign.
If you can already name a few problems people are struggling with that you can genuinely help with, I’d start there. You don’t need to be an expert in everything. You just need to solve one problem really well.
I briefly tried Skool but it felt like building something I didn't want to build for people who never wanted it in the first place. So I rolled my own.
Yeah, that’s the trap.
It’s easy to spend months building the thing before asking whether anyone actually wants it. 😂
Now this is interesting. I’m about to set up a mini course and now I’m thinking I could add a coaching component.
The course gives people the knowledge. The coaching helps them actually use it. That combination can be pretty powerful.
Do you have an article on how to identify the best course/coaching product to sell to your audience?
The trap with polling is it asks people to predict what they'll buy, and they're terrible at that. Watch what they already do instead. Which of your posts overperformed? What question do people keep asking you in comments or DMs, the same one, over and over? That repeated question is the product. You don't have to be big for this, you need one recurring pain showing up in your existing replies. Build the thing people already ask you for unprompted, not the thing they say yes to in a survey. Behavior is the real poll.
I never poll. Did it the past, and doesn't give you REAL answers.
however, when you have a tiny audience then no one DMs you to ask questions so this is not applicable at the beginning.
I totally agree with you. Everyone says make what people are DMing you or asking questions about. I have zero engagement, no one is asking or commenting about a damn thing so I have no idea what people are thinking. A couple of friends/family give hearts or share in support but that’s it!
I get it its not easy. I jam here dishing out advise and then this happened to me :D
https://brandlab360.substack.com/p/how-i-fed-up-my-substack-subscription?r=7k0h5s
So from my learning, if you do not know it today, that is absolutely ok, you just need more time and no one is rushing you anyways.
I had to figure it out on a whim and I am not sure it will work. So I decided to write and document the journey of my f*** up
did you do some market research beforehand asking what problems people have?
1000% agree
could you explain what exactly you’re looking for?
do you mean coming up with an idea?
Guidance on how to avoid just throwing products and courses out and waiting to see what sells. Avoid 'thinking' I know what my audience needs and instread actually building what they need. I know I can poll my audience but I have tried this and get little engagement because I am new and small. I need a better way so I build the right thing and don't waste time.
Well I solved this for myself like so:
I create a fast version of a product in 4 days OR come up with a quick coaching offer + deadline and keep launching until something sticks.
This is great. What do boundaries look like on frequency of check ins and expectations on response time etc?
I check my emails/telegram daily. most of the time replies take 5-10 minutes.
Great read ive taken so much from it
Thanks, Paul. Glad you got a lot out of it. 🙌
Love this idea Matt, and I know the pain you’re talking about. Living 6h ahead of my clients and colleagues is a real pain sometimes. I have to cram everything in the 3-4h overlap we have, I know async is the future for that reason. You don’t put barriers to value.
Also the hybrid model course-coaching I think is spot on because you add the follow-up and accountability layer that normal course lacks.
thanks Dave
@Matt Giaro you have the best graphics!
thanks!
Matt, I've learned a lot in a short time. I want you to know that a lot has been from you!
Some ideas were my own, others were from other experts. I consider you to be one of those experts, cuz I can see you've been at it a while, and obvi you put a lot of thought into it.
I've watched one of your lessons, the "2nd brain" one.
(I bought the product, it helped me bunches & piles = def worth the money!)
So, anyway, I don't know if you're achieved your dream, but it sure seems like you're well on your way.
Here's to success! 👍 😁
thank you Jeffro!
Excellent!
🫡