“I don’t know if you receive these emails, however I would be so interested in meeting you …”

I did NOT get emails from customers and prospects at all like this when I got started in marketing.

At the beginning, when I was jumping into email marketing, I did some pretty classic moves.

Free download to get on the list.

Then gave some educational emails, while also throwing offers in frequently.

I tried all the things.

• Sales series.
• Simple offers dropped in emails regularly.
• Listing what I have available in every email in a PS section.

I got sales, yes.

But it was a constant grind, a fight, and always needing to update and try new things. Nothing really seemed to “just work.”

Then I came across a new idea.

Instead of trying to sell my product, I would write stories.

Series of stories in fact.

To bring people completely into my world …

Into the understanding and view which I had, figuring that if they got there, buying my product would be an easy choice.

Honestly, I was skeptical …

But I had encouragement from a friend who had learned to do email this way, and so I went for it.

It wasn’t the doubling of my open rates, nor the tripling of my conversion rates which completely won me over ...

(those numbers always fluctuate and aren’t the whole picture anyway)

It was getting these kinds of responses.

“Wow!!! Great info. I am serious excited about having this magazine and all the info you offer … it means more than you could know, and while you ramble on, I would be a willing listener.”

“Thank you for allowing me to share with you Joseph”

Because suddenly my email felt like a conversation.

It felt alive.

I wasn’t just talking AT people, I was having an experience WITH people.

I’ve had people share their personal tragedies with me as an apology for NOT purchasing.

I even had someone apologize for inconveniencing me while he wasn’t able to access the magazine he’d subscribed to.

(You know … that’s like basic customer service stuff)

“Hi Joseph, thanks for your help. Up and running. I really enjoy the coffee, Extracted Magazine, your videos, tips on brewing coffee, are all superb and so much fun. Sorry for the inconvenience, thank you again.”

I discovered a new way …

And from there I’ve never looked back.

Truth be told, the core of it wasn’t really about the stories, or the series.

It was about what I just shared there, in this email.

An Epiphany.

The Epiphany is the most powerful tool in your belt.

It’s giving someone a new view or understanding of their reality, which they CAN’T unsee.

They might reject it and go away.

And that’s fine. You don’t want the people who don’t see the magic you do and say “heck yes.”

But the people who do say “heck yes” in their heart, are not only drawn to go further, but they feel right at home with you as they do so.

Honestly just looking back through some of the conversations I’ve had because of this approach… especially with Extracted … gives me chills.

There’s something not just enriching, but powerful in taking an open hand approach which results in MORE people coming to you.

And not just more people … but more of the people who are passionate in the way you need them to be.

I built real actual relationships with my audience AFTER I stopped selling.

Think on this idea for awhile.

I’m going to keep traveling down this road with you in the future.

See you in the next one :)