Now for years, I’ve known that publishing my very own newsletter would be an optimal way to do that and more however, as an innovative marketer, I kept coming back to the fact that there are already a ton of newsletters out there – and some of them are excellent. So I fought the concept of creating one tooth and nail. Did the world really need another newsletter?



Then one day I happened to take off my scarcity-mindset hat and put on my abundance-mindset hat and came to the realization that there’s room for all of us out there. So I said to myself, “Why not, there are plenty of potential subscribers available to me; there are over 6 ½ billion people in this world! And a portion of those people are meant to hear the information I will provide, from me."

Being an online entrepreneur, I knew that if I took this major commitment on, I would want to do it electronically because in my mind, it would be cheaper, faster and easier for me to produce. So I went ahead with an electronic version of a newsletter or better known as an ezine. For weeks I scoured my favorite ezines, looking for both what I liked and didn’t like about them and came up with a professional and traditional layout for my soon to be ezine. I got it all ready – it looked great, I was all set to go.

Then right before I hit the send button in my contact management software, I slammed on the brakes. “Wait a minute", I said, “What was I about to do". This ezine, while potentially could be well received, looked and felt just like all the rest. Then my inner monologue really kicked in as I heard myself saying, “It could very easily get lost in the shuffle or worse yet, go unnoticed! That could translate into a significant number of people not getting the value I plan to offer every week – value that could possibly make or break a business"! And the conversation in my head went on and on and on. Bottom line, I just didn’t feel good about it anymore. And I knew if my heart wasn’t in it, the subscriber would know and ultimately both the subscriber and I would lose! They don’t get great content and I lose a subscriber and potential ‘Raving Fan’.

Now I don’t believe in being different just for the sake of being different. I believe in being different when it makes a difference, to both my target audience and to me. I educate my clients and prospects all the time on how to differentiate themselves from the competition. Basically, it was time for me to practice what I preach.

So I shifted gears and went back to the drawing board. That was painful. I was done. Why not just send it out? I just couldn’t. I wanted to create a something that made a difference and I wanted prospects to take notice. I wanted to create an ELF (Easy, Lucrative, and Fun) experience for them – I wanted a masterpiece.

Then it clicked! I love to speak! I love to write as well but I certainly enjoy speaking more. I also knew that studies prove that people are more likely to listen than to read and that they also retain more that way. On top of that, there were a lot less audio-based ezines than print ones so I would certainly stand out from the pack. All signs pointed to using audio, so right away, I knew an audio-based ezine was right for me. I felt great about it! And the rest is history…

So, what ways can you add more value to your target audience? How can you become top-of-mind with them? What else can you do to differentiate yourself from the competition? How can you do all of these things and actually have fun doing them? – Because believe me, people will notice.

My ezine the “Marketing Minute" worked for me, what would work for you? Ponder that one a bit.

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