Good to have you again, my friend, and welcome to the 101 new subscribers who have signed up during August.
Here is Robin Good, writing you from Holbox Island, Mexico.

I write this newsletter for entrepreneurs, consultants, trainers and experts who want to become trusted advisors in their market niche. 

Inside each issue of this publication I curate 21 “actionable” resources under these specific seven topics:

1. Create Value (free version)

2. Cultivate Relationships (free version)

3. Communicate Effectively (free version)

4. Market Oneself (free version)

5. Increase Visibility (Premium)

6. Monetize (Premium)

7. Stay Always Ahead (Premium)

   +

8. Recommended Tools (Premium)

9. Recommended Newsletters (free version)

10. From the Heart (Premium)

Language Editions
There are two editions of this newsletter:
The original English language edition and the Italian version. 

Free and Premium versions
Each edition is published in two formats:

a) the Free Edition (which you are reading now) with the first 4 topics and 12 actionable resources + the Recommended Newsletters (free)

b) the Premium Edition with all 7 topics and 21 actionable resources +
Recommended Tools and the section From the Heart
+
Access to the full archive of previous free issues. All new issues stay open and accessible for 10 days for all subscribers then they are locked into the Premium archive.

The Summary

Top Ten Highlights of issue #11:

1) See a great example of how to create value by collecting and organizing what others have done to solve a specific problem (inside How To Create Value)

2) Identify key actions that make your newsletter more trusted and opened (inside How To Cultivate Relationships - free)

3) Communicate better who you are and what you do on your personal profile(s) through this effective framework (inside How To Cultivate Relationships - free)

4) Adopt these 10 copywriting frameworks (inside How To Communicate Effectively - free)

5) Market yourself without appearing to do so (inside How To Market Yourself - free)

6) Leverage GMBusiness to the next level (inside How To Get More Visibility - Premium)

7) Discover all the ways to monetize your newsletter (inside How To Monetize - Premium)

8) Find out where to learn more from the experts at zero cost (inside How To Stay Always Ahead - Premium)

9) Interesting newsletters I recommend for online entrepreneurs (Recommended Newsletters section - free)

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In Detail

1) How To Create Real Value     

Showcase How Others Do It

To create unique, useful value, here’s a well-proven road I’d suggest to consider. Collect and bring together in an organized fashion, examples of how others have solved a particular issue. 

Here’s a good example. A collection of personal workspaces from online entrepreneurs. The value is in seeing how others have set up their personal working space in a way that is efficient, comfortable.

Lots to learn when you look outside your own perfect garden.

workspaces.xyz/ 

Source: Robin Good

Bring New Info To The Table

“...it makes sense to think of our articles as being active participants in a collaborative ecosystem of content.”

The collective intelligence of the planet at work through the Internet. We learn from each other, we inspire each other, we teach each other like we have never done before.

In this perspective, what is valued most is what you can add to the existing discourse rather than how much better you can present what’s already out there. 

“If you acknowledge the idea that your content is part of a collaborative ecosystem, your objective shifts from beating rival articles to complementing them. 

Instead of trying to blithely outrank that gargantuan skyscraper article, work on the assumption that the reader did read the competing post. 

If that’s true, how can you add value beyond what they’ve already read?”

“In this new world, risk-taking content — anything that differs from the existing search results in terms of focus or opinion — has a mechanism for being rewarded. 

Underdogs have a new tool in their struggle to outcompete skyscraper content.” 

Source: Ryan Law - “The Winner Doesn’t Take It All…”

Build Constellations

Steer away from the latest, the breaking, the new.
Write content that lasts over time.

Through it, map a territory.
Paint a panorama.
Shed light from different angles on what inspires you.

“Timeless content is about remaining relevant long into the future.

While timely writers chase fireworks, timeless writers build constellations.

Timeless content doesn’t always go viral in the moment. But it maintains its value much, much longer into the future.”

Source: Nicolas Cole - Content Writers: Don’t Focus On Individual Pieces. Build Your Library

2) How To Cultivate Relationships                 

First, Make Friends

To build relationships it takes to be open.

Open to know other passionate people on the same frequency.

Because in the end, the people you are friends with, can make a big difference to any initiative you put out, if not else by supporting you and providing you honest feedback.

So, for what it takes, it is a great idea to make it immediately clear on any of your profiles that you are open to listen and to make friends before you need to think about business.

Source: Jakob Greenfeld on Twitter

Make Them Interact

For those who write newsletters.

a) It is of the essence to have your readers, not just read, but actually interact in some way with it.

b) The reason for this is that if they do interact with your newsletter they have much higher chances to receive and see your emails than everyone else.

The four types of interaction that tame filters in your favor are:

1. Direct replies and responses

2. Addition of senders to address books

3. Saving of your newsletters in special folders

4. Removal of messages from **** folder

Source: Jodi Harris - “The One Email KPI To Watch in the Age of Mail Privacy Protection”

Start From Your Profile

No matter which social media you use, make sure your profile says something to the reader about what you are bringing to their table.

What’s the benefit of knowing you?
Who do you help?
In achieving what? Specifically.

Boasting titles with fancy english words satisfies your ego but does not help you achieve the key one thing necessary to build relationships: having true interest in the other, not in showing off your credentials. 

“I hesitate following people who don’t have a description in their bio or no profile picture. 

A good bio is a strong signal. With little effort, it’s an invitation for the curious to connect. 

If you want to build relationships on Twitter, put effort into this first impression.”

Source: Arvid Kahl on Twitter

Think of social media profiles as modern-day business cards.

In writing a bio, it is easy to make the mistake to make it about you, and only you. “But it’s my bio! What should I add if it’s not about me?” The whole point of this is to convince people to follow you. Our nature is selfish. Whenever we read a bio, we don't think, "Oh, how interesting is this person". We think “Ok, what’s in it for me if I follow you?”. You need to describe in under 3 seconds what that "What's in it for me" is.

Here’s a good example:

Framework: I [what you do] [who you do it for, your target audience] / [Something that adds social proof or a transformative promise you're making] / [Call to Action: Follow, DM, contact...or what you are working on]

Source: Alex Lull - The Steal Club Newsletter: The Follower Funnel

3) How To Communicate Effectively      

Write Short Sentences

To make your content easier to read and consume, consider training yourself in writing shorter sentences. 

Start from revising any text you write and eliminating any unnecessary words. 

Follow-up by rewriting sentences that can be simpler and more direct.

Graduate by using language closer to how you express yourself with your voice.

“Shorter paragraphs help readers move through the text in a faster way than other kinds of sentences.

Sometimes, short sentences can pack more of a “punch” than other sentences. 

They’re so direct that they can catch attention and deliver a strong message.

Source: Jackie Pearce - “How to Shorten Your Sentences: 6 Easy Tips”

Say It In Grade School Language

Throughout higher education we’ve been trained to communicate in a formal, complex and indirect style.

But if you want to “sell” your ideas, vision, services, you need to express yourself in a simple, synthetic, understandable fashion.

“Abraham Lincoln inspired generations in a speech that lasted two minutes. 

John F. Kennedy took 15 minutes to shoot for the moon. 

Steve Jobs gave one of the most famous college commencement speeches of our time at Stanford University in 15 minutes. 

If you can’t sell your idea or your dream in 10 to 15 minutes, keep editing until you can.

Be selective about the words you use. If they don’t advance the story, remove them. 

Condense, simplify, and speak as briefly as possible. 

Have the courage to speak in grade-school language. 

Far from weakening your argument, these tips will elevate your ideas, making it more likely you’ll be heard.”

Source: Five Stars: The Communication Secrets to Get From Good to Great by Carmine Gallo via Richard Shotton on Twitter

Use Copywriting Templates

If you need to improve your marketing / sales copy, there’s no reason not to adopt the growing number of good copywriting formulas available.

Here is a great set of 10 proven copywriting frameworks, with associated examples, that can be of great help in writing content that converts readers into buyers. 

1. Features-Advantages-Benefits

2. Pastor

3. Before-After-Bridge

4. Attention – Interest – Desire – Action

5. Problem-Agitate-Solve

6. Picture – Promise – Prove – Push

7. Star-Story-Solution

8. Awareness – Comprehension – Conviction – Action

9. The 5 Basic Objections

10. The Four C's

Source: Chase Dimond on Twitter

4) How To Market  Yourself      

Market Yourself Without Marketing Yourself

This is really an art, accessible to everyone, but that so few embrace.

Josh Spector distills better than anyone else what I have preaching since I have started my solopreneur adventure 22 years ago.

1. Make (a lot) of things and put them into the world.
Your work is your greatest marketing tool.

2. Help people.
Selfish doesn't spread. Become known for being generous.

3. Overdeliver.
An adequate job doesn't get talked about. Exceed expectations.

4. Respond to people who reach out and acknowledge people who mention you. Everyone is worth your time. 

5. Share what you learn.

6. Teach what you know.

Your knowledge is an asset that becomes more valuable when you share it.
Create vessels to do so.

Source: Josh Spector on Twitter

Create a RAQ

Enriching your About page with unusual, personal details and stories offers opportunity for more engagement and seeds the basis of relationship building by making transparent your reality and perspectives.

​​That’s why it may be a good idea to create a RAQ (Rarely Asked Questions) page or section on your site where you share more about you.

Here some sample questions you could use:

• What’s something you usually don’t want people to know about you?

• What failures have you learned the most from?

• What’s  something you’ve accomplished in a non-traditional way?

• What’s the most unusual thing you’ve succeeded at?

• What are your least favorite places to be?

• Who influenced you the least in your life?

• If you were a tree, what species would you be?

• If an animal?

Source: Rick Lewis - “Use a “Rarely Asked Questions” Format to Immediately Improve Your About Me Page”

Share Who You Are

“In the beginning, I wanted to be like those cool [Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube] accounts. They’re pros in their field and put out insane value.

Until you follow them for a few months and realize it’s redundant.

The same thing is said repeatedly.

Also, they don’t talk about themselves at all. 

All work and no play is boring. 

[For you to become one of my trusted advisors] I want to know what you’re reading, what your workday is like, and what your challenges are.

I want to know how you feel. Not just ‘how to do X’.”

Source: Niharikaa Kaur Sodhi - “The Future of Audience Building Is Changing For Creators”

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From sunny Holbox,
Robin Good