Growing Your Email List With Killer Content

The marketplace is oversaturated with content - which means . . .

. . . there is NO room for humdrum content anymore. If you want to stand out in today's crowded internet space, your content MUST be killer.  Yeah, that's a strong word, but seriously - you need to be thinking outside the box when it comes to getting your audience's attention.  And more importantly, how to keep their attention once you have it.

But, how the heck do you create killer content?

In this week's episode, I share the 3 MUST have components when creating killer content that drives traffic through your sales funnel (more on that in a bit) and 7 specific tips to gain engagement and grow your email list.  Want the inside scoop with examples, mayhem, and musings? Tune in to the entire episode here.

What the heck is killer content and why do I need it?

First I dig into what killer content is and the #1 key factor is giving your audience a quick win.  Say what? Yeah - a quick win.  They don't have all day, week, year for results.  They need something NOW to know you are the real deal and can help them get from point A to point B pronto monto.  (That's totally a saying I stole from my mom - what the heck is a monto anyway?) So give them the win and don't make them work too hard for it - you are just wetting their whistle for more.

Answer the unanswered problem.

When you can listen to the questions that aren't being asked and start answering those, you become the master of your market and also a marketing master. Tune in here to understand what everyone else is doing in your marketplace and how you can be different. It's easy to follow bandwagon trends, what isn't easy is seeing what people are really asking without asking and taking the conversation there.  When you can do that, you become the trendsetter and people will wonder where you got your secret powers.  The secret is simple. Do a LOT more listening than you do talking and start listening to what people aren't saying when they ask questions. Create content around that and you my friend will become the go-to person in your industry.  It's just a matter of time.

No matter what you create, make sure it leads somewhere.

So many times I see people pour their heart and soul into content only to say "well that's all folks" and sign off.  No call to action, just information. No next step, no continuing the conversation. It's so depressing to watch. Especially when their audience is hungry for me.  It's a disservice to not ask people to take the next step with you.  I give examples from a very specific industry that you can listen to here. Lesson learned, make sure your content is leading to the next step of turning that audience into a customer.  Otherwise, you are spending a WHOLE lot of time creating stuff that will NEVER make you money.  Ain't nobody got time for that.

But what the heck do I talk about? aka What content should I create?

After creating 76 podcast episodes, umpteen training videos, and various webinars, etc. I've learned a thing or two (usually the hard way) about how to create content.  I've also studied a LOT of the masters.  Here's the shortlist of how to know what to create:

1. Know your ideal client inside and out.  You've heard it before, you're hearing it again. But when you know your audience, you understand them. When you understand them you know their struggles. When you know their struggles you can create a solution. That solution is what they are looking for.  Create it through content.
2. Stalk your competitors and see what questions are being asked that they aren't answering. (see above) A quick gander at comments in a Facebook group or on an Instagram post will give you BIG insight if you are in detective mode. Research isn't easy, but it makes all the difference. Go pull up a Facebook group you know your peeps are in and see what questions are being asked.  There's this cool search tool to make it easier.  Hurry up, I'll wait. (insert the Jeopardy theme song) Did you find anything? I already know you did, so get to it.  Create the content already.
3. Look everywhere for questions that are being asked. Networking groups, online forums, social media, questions asked at events you attend, questions being answered by your peers and other industry leaders. Those questions become the content for your audience. I can guarantee the people you are serving have not invested in all the areas of education and learning you have.  They simply don't have the time, so become their resources simply because you are well versed in what you do.
4. Become a go-to resource known for the value you provide. There are a lot of people out there (who shall not be named) that just skim the surface. But when you can offer a specific solution to a specific hiccup, the clouds will part, the doors will open and the people will literally FLOOD in. Do that, and then do it again. And again. (you get the picture)
5. Ask more questions. This simple trick will set you light years ahead of the competition.  Why? Because most of your competitors are busy talking about themselves, their products and services and could care less about the critical component of sales. The customer.  If you are listening, you aren't talking. When you listen, you hear and you learn. Take that knowledge and use it to grab attention and create transformation. Win-win.
6. Be genuine, authentic and you. People buy from people. When it comes down to it, someone will choose you over someone else because . . . you are you. They relate to you. They get you. They are your people. But if you are busy trying to be someone else, the waters get muddied and they can't find you or relate to you - alas they go elsewhere.  Because confused people don't buy.  They want answers, help and they are already confused - they don't need more confusion, they need answers and they NEED them from YOU!
7. Relate to your audience outside of the business.  So maybe you run around thinking about your business all the time. Totally acceptable and expected. This is your baby. This is your passion. (if it's not, we need to have a chat, but later.) Regardless, you may be a little obsessed with what you do. However, your people are not. This is just one little ticker in a whole line of things they have going on in their business and their lives.  We as humans are naval gazers. We can't help ourselves. But if you can lift your head up and realize life is going on outside of business, you will see people are living their lives. When you can create continuity between yourself, your experiences and theirs, you start to build relationships.  This is a VERY good thing.

 

That a wrap for this week.  I would love to know what content you have been inspired to create.  Head on over to the Facebook Group and tell us what piece of content you'll be creating next.