This year, I got a couple DFY clients via my email list: One was a weekly-newsletter-writing gig. I just sent an email out to my list with the invitation. One qualified person replied, we talked, and agreed to work together. Another was an advertorial-writing client. I sent out an email saying I would write advertorials on commission only. A copywriter who's on my list offered to put me in touch with a business owner he knows, and that business owner turned into a client. But two random success stories is hardly a system. The fact is, I've gotten a handful of DFY clients via my list over the years... but I really wouldn't say I have a repeatable and ready way to do it. But maybe you do? Or you don't but wish you did? Or none of the above??? Let me know, I'll appreciate it:

So, quick question: Do you go to the bathroom without your phone? BIG mistake! That's where the greatest daily email ideas hit you. "Shush your mouth, Svet, I'm not gonna pee with my phone. I WILL remember the idea." Yeah, I thought so, too. But I've often forgotten about it a few seconds later. Okay, okay, I hear you. Maybe going to the bathroom with your phone is a bit extreme. But I suggest you bring it along your long strides outside. Or at least a pen and a piece of paper. Because the good ideas often hit us when we're away from the screen. Make sense? I hope so. As that's all my weird brain has for you this morning.

Thanks to everybody who participated in our recent $100 Reasons To Be Cheap Contest... ... we now have a Reasons To Be Cheap Playbook. I've collected all the reasons people gave, and grouped them into 5 (plus 1) categories, as I saw them. Don't lower your prices, but if you do, then use one of the justifications in this playbook.

This post is in response to John's call for success stories. Late last month, I finally decided to start cold pitching for brand (or otherwise) sponsorships. I have a blog of 8 years with decent traffic, and brands often reach out to me for partnerships... but I never do any type of outreach of my own. I was determined to change that. So I decided to send 6 cold pitches this month. Sent out the first cold pitch on Monday via LinkedIn. Got a response on Wednesday. Landed the deal, after some negotiations, on Friday. The coolest part is this: When I first sent the pitch, I simply wanted to see if there was an actual interest. I didn't send any real offers. The guy I pitched responded to that with a "how about a joint workshop to promote the software; I can pay $250 + affiliate %" And the final deal we landed on turned out to be $2,750 + affiliate %. So... not too shabby :) And that is my win of the week :)

I've been working on my cold-traffic funnel FOR MONTHS. First I created and then validated just the front-end offer... Then it was months of slowly building out the funnel... Then it took a few weeks just to actually be ready to go (always a million and one things at the last minute). I finally hit publish yesterday. Since then, I've had about $70 in ad spend... and this morning I got my first order, the front-end offer and both bumps, for $81 in sales. I have no idea how things will be going forward, but it's always great to get an early success to get addicted to persevering when things start getting rough later. I am reporting on this as my success story for this week. I would also love to hear your success story, big or small. Comment below or post it in a separate post so the rest of the group is more likely to see it.