I am in London on a short break with my family and I wrote this newsletter a few days before we left. You are reading an automated email that was scheduled to be sent while I am away on holiday.
One of the greatest benefits of automating my online business with a tool like ConvertKit is that it allows me to maintain my business operations running while I take some time off. By setting up automated emails and funnels, I can continue to engage with you and deliver valuable content, even while I am on holiday with my family.
This is a pretty easy thing to do nowadays, and the best part of it is that you don’t need to be an expert in systems or automation. Anyone with an internet connection can do this and run an online business remotely.
Working remotely as a creative entrepreneur allows me the flexibility of work-life balance that everyone is talking about online. As someone that got started as a stay-at-home dad, I know firsthand the importance of leveraging the power of the internet. Not being tied to a physical location in order to earn a living is something that I don’t take for granted.
I want to share with you the framework of how to start this process of working online as a creative entrepreneur. The first thing that you will need is an email list. Having an email list is the most important thing in any online business.
However, if you are a beginner, it can be overwhelming to start building an email list from scratch. So here are the practical steps on how to start building an email list for beginners.
Step 1: Choose an Email Marketing Platform
The first step to building an email list is to choose an email marketing platform. I use Convertkit, which provides a variety of features, such as email templates, automation, segmentation, and analytics, to help me manage my email list and campaigns. In fact, I use Convertkit for both of my businesses, Stock Music Licensing, and for this brand Daniel Carrizalez (Creative Entrepreneur) but you can use any of the other email marketing platforms such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and AWeber.
Step 2: Create an Opt-In Form
Once you have selected an email marketing platform, you need to create an opt-in form to collect email addresses. An opt-in form asks visitors to join your email list. The opt-in form can be positioned in the footer, sidebar, or as a popup on your website, or you can share it on your social media profiles, for example on your bio on Instagram. Just make sure the opt-in form is straightforward, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to comprehend.
Step 3: Offer an Incentive
Offering an incentive is an excellent way to encourage visitors to sign up for your email list. It can be anything from a discount, a free e-book, your weekly newsletter, a webinar, or a free trial. The incentive should be something that your target audience finds valuable and relevant to your business and your brand.
Step 4: Promote Your Email List
Now it’s time to promote your email list or newsletter to your target audience. I use social media platforms to promote my weekly newsletter on a post or on my bio. I also use a call to action (CTA) to join my email list on every YouTube video I make.
Step 5: Keep Your Subscribers Engaged
Once you have started building your email list, it’s important to keep your subscribers engaged. Send them relevant and valuable weekly content that they find interesting, such as newsletters, product updates, or exclusive promotions. For example here at Forward Friday I share weekly actionable mindset, business, and lifestyle tips. I also share 3 of the coolest things I’ve found that week. It might include music, books, articles, or tools from across the web.
Building an email list can be challenging, especially for beginners. It’s the main reason why many creative entrepreneurs are not successful. They just want to be a creator and the idea of becoming an email marketer is something that doesn’t resonate with them. When I got started I had no idea what an email list was or why should I have one. Back then my wife Demi kept telling me that in order to build my online business I needed an email list, not YouTube subscribers or followers on social media. The real metric for any online business is an email list, not followers on social media platforms.
Following the above steps, you can start building an email list even if you have no prior experience. An email list will help you reach out to your target audience in a direct way without the problems of social media algorithms and keep your audience engaged with you, your business and brand.
LISTEN TO MY LATEST PODCAST EPISODE:
Bridging the gap between creativity and business: the 3 skills you must hone
PODCAST I’VE LISTENED TO THIS WEEK:
The Joe Rogan Experience – Episode 1309 with Naval Ravikant
BOOK I AM READING:
I am a big fan of Steven Pressfield and “Turning Pro” is a book that encourages you to leave behind your amateur mentality and embrace the mindset of a professional. Based on his own experiences as a writer he illustrates the differences between an amateur and a professional, emphasizing the importance of discipline, commitment, and self-mastery. The book is divided into three sections: The Amateur Life, The Amateur Life Vs. The Professional Life, and Beyond Resistance. Pressfield argues that resistance (any force that prevents us from achieving our goals) is the greatest obstacle to becoming a professional, and offers practical advice on how to overcome it. This is a book that challenges you to take ownership of your life and pursue your passions with a sense of purpose and dedication.
MUSIC I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO THIS WEEK WHILE WORKING OUT:
This album has to be the best heavy album I’ve listened to in a long time. I’ve been lifting heavy weight with this album on a loop.
Have a nice weekend!
Daniel