I have an offer today. Well, it's really John's offer, and I'm sure that as John's diehard fans, most of you guys here already have this. But I'll share it just in case, and I'll give you a ton of bonuses... just in case. However, instead of selling John's offer, imma sell... myself and my bonuses... because none of you know who I am, and everybody knows who John is. So... let me start with a little "success story," if you will... See, I'm a copywriter as much as any solopreneur is a copywriter. I've learned it to sell my own offers, which is why, at times, I feel a bit... insecure. Unlike some of you, I do not have proof of excellence that comes with working for clients. But today was different. Today, the VP of Content of a well-known tech company that I'm sure everyone has heard of in the publishing space emailed me with this: === You seem very busy with the Side Blogger, but do you ever have room for copywriting work? We need some help with a few ongoing projects. === Yep, that was an inbound request. Scott (the VP) is correct in assuming that I'm busy with my own business, so I have no idea whether or not it's gonna go anywhere beyond me feeling ticklish about it. But I wanna point out a few things: 1. Today was the result of writing a blog for 8 years 2. Also running a newsletter for 8 years 3. Almost two of which as a daily emailer 4. Publishing content on various platforms, mine and others, too In the last eight years, I've created a comfortable online business for myself. Completely replaced (and well exceeded) my radio frequency design engineering salary. And managed to get some cool people reading my emails and blogs... including some of you here, as well as Scott there. And if you want to get some content marketing wisdom from me, now's a good time, because I'll give you $997 worth of it. You can use the $997 toward any of my offers... membership (up to one year), coaching, newsletter classifieds, my Write Without AI (email writing) workshop... whatever you want...

This challenge is about getting you out of any of the following grimy and depressing prisons: * Failed promotions and offers that nobody wants * Spending tons of time to write emails, and they still aren't making sales * Having a list, and knowing you should do something with it, but it's such a chore * No opens, no clicks, no replies * An old list that's either gone to sleep or died * No money, and rent is due How we get there is by sending a handraiser email to your list, and starting a conversation. This handraiser email is: * Short (A 9-word email is typical, but +/- 5 words won't kill ya) * Personal (It reads like a 1-1 email, not a marketing, broadcast, newsletter email) * Expecting a reply (The email takes the form of a simple question, rather than a statement or an invitation to click a link) You can find Step 1 of the 9-Word Email Challenge here. Today, we're on to Step 2!!!! (Thanks to @Lawrence Bernstein for cluing me in to the importance of using 4 exclamation points.) Step 2 is just as easy as Step 1, and maybe more so. Simply ask yourself: ====> 2. Who do I know (or know of) who would be perfect for my offer? SUPER IMPORTANT: Think of a specific person. One person. Somebody who would be a perfect prospect for this offer. (Yes, think of just one person even if you will be blasting this out to your entire list.) Do not waffle and describe an "avatar," or talk about the kind of person who would be right for this. You need to have a name in mind by the end of this step. If there's nobody you know (or know of) like this, then you have a bit of extra work. Go online and find a specific person like this. Depending on what your offer is, you can find perfect prospects on LinkedIn, or inside Skool groups (as either owner or member), or on podcasts, on forums, ... you get the idea. I cannot stress this enough. Find a specific, real, living person, with a name, who would be perfect for your offer. This will be crucial for Step 3 of this challenge.