✨ the SPARK 206 ~ Houston, We Have a Problem
✨ the SPARK 206 ~ Houston, We Have a Problem
What Should Drive Your Offers
Can you think back to when you were a child, when it was time to go back to school, and there was excitement about what the year would bring?
Back-to-school shopping, new backpacks, and school supplies… (I don’t remember getting lists for school supplies before the school year started like my kids did).
The excitement was because of the possibility of a new year.
In fact, I think many adults feel this way when September rolls around (even if you don’t have kids in school anymore). The start of the school year feels a bit like the start of the New Year - but maybe with a little less pressure to improve every area of your life. 😉
That was how the Internet felt when I got started back in 2008.
And it felt that way for quite a while… until it didn’t.
Without going sideways with the challenges we’ve all dealt with over the last 4+ years, I’d say there is a level of distrust across the board - like nothing I’ve ever felt (online business, government, media, etc.).
Fortunately (yes, I promise this won’t be a downer), I’m sensing a lot of hope again.
And Substack is a massive part of that.
I’m floored at the daily kindness, vulnerability, and support I see on this platform.
Will marketers ruin this, too? Hopefully not… but I’ll stay in my happy bubble and not give that any more energy.
My gut tells me there is still plenty of time to find what works for you on Substack without the fear of being sucked into a funnel or high ticket offer (both of which are fine, but it’s certainly not the vibe here).
Since Substack doesn’t have an API, there isn’t much you can do to “set it and forget it.”
You can schedule when to email and post, but that’s it.
My friend Ross Brand has jumped full force into Substack (this is the benefit of being a bit of a veteran in the online space; it’s easy to try something new, and if it feels right, massive action can deliver mass results), and we’ve been having a ton of fun sharing what we’re learning.
I’ve been head down working on my ‘Visual Guide to Substack’ and thought I’d give you a sneak peek (I’m committed to getting this finished this weekend):
This thing will be a bit of a beast, but that’s mainly because of the quantity of screenshots.
And I want to be crystal clear… this isn’t about “getting a zillion subscribers, making 10k a month, or how to grow your Substack publication.”
This is a step-by-step guide to setting up your Substack account and publication.
However, I am including best practices, tips, etc. My goal is to help people understand why I’m recommending things instead of just telling them to “do this.”
Houston, We Have a Problem
After months of wavering on moving to Substack, when I finally decided to switch from beehiiv (having moved from ConvertKit)- I was much more intentional and took my time.
I signed up for Substack a few years ago but didn’t do much with it.
This time, I was going to go step-by-step.
That’s when I realized that “we have a problem.”
After a few conversations with friends who are seasoned digital marketers (one friend said she lost an entire Sunday, 🤪), I knew I could help solve this problem.
That’s why I decided to create this guide.
When I looked back at the things I’ve created that have been successful, each one solved a particular problem.
The products I created because I felt I needed to create something… anything…didn't do so well.
We’ve all heard it at one time or another… your offers need to solve a problem for your customer.
The best place to start is with a problem you’ve experienced (like my example of the Substack onboarding).
Think about the things that frustrate(d) or challenge you and how you solved (or wished someone else) solved that problem.
Here’s a quick list of questions you can ask to determine if your product idea solves a problem for your customer:
What specific problem does this product address?
Who is experiencing this problem? (Define your target audience)
How urgent or painful is this problem for them? (Is it a minor inconvenience or a significant issue?)
What solutions are currently available for this problem? (And how does yours differ or improve upon them?)
How does this product make your customer’s life easier, better, or more enjoyable?
Can you clearly explain the benefits or results your customers will get from using your product?
Are people actively searching for or asking about solutions to this problem?
Will this product save your customer time, money, or effort?
Is the solution simple and easy for the customer to use or implement?
How will this product make your customer feel once the problem is solved?
And… to circle back to last week’s newsletter, getting a minimum viable version out is OK. Even if initially you only sell a few. If you can sell a few, you can sell a lot.
SPARK Spotlight 🔥
It’s been a while since I’ve been on a podcast, and this was well worth the wait! (I think I might be pursuing more interviews and recording my own shows again.)
Listen to my interview on BrandStack, with Ross Brand: Grow Your Audience With Newsletters And Email Marketing.
A Little Brainpower 🧠
This is a powerful question - and one that hits hard at midlife. “How Much Is a Year of Your Life Worth?” (Thanks
for the recommendation!).For your newsletter: “Obvious Best Practices Too Many Newsletters Still Don’t Do.” (Thanks
for sharing this in your newsletter!).We all know storytelling works. Here are “6 Ideas for Epic Audio and Video Storytelling [Examples}.”
Tool Time 🛠
Video: This looks promising. Try this for condensing large video files without compromising on quality. Use Condensa free here.
Podcasting: A new way to sell and deliver exclusive podcasts, audiobooks, courses, and memberships. Check out SupportCast here.
Signatures: Add an animated signature to your emails, newsletters, content, and more. Order your signature from Signature.supply for a one-time fee here.
YouTube: This looks super handy… Create chapters for your YouTube videos in seconds. Try TimeSkip for free here.
SO many cool updates from Canva this month! Check out everything they’ve “dropped” on their Droptober page!
Anyone else? 🤣
Well, we’re down to a little over one week before we “fall back” and set our clocks back.
As much as I love the warm weather and blue skies, I’m ready for some cozy days and, well, “sweater weather.” 😉 🍂🍁
Have a wonderful day,
Kim
p.s. If you’re enjoying the SPARK on Substack, it would be super helpful if you shared it (and if you’re on Substack, reply and let me know so I can support you!).