“Define your own version of a well lived life.” 🤩 ~Brandy Morris
When thinking about this newsletter’s future, I want to keep doing what I’m doing in terms of providing value and supporting you on your journey of business building in a sustainable way.
Here are some things I’m thinking about as I plan for 2023.
1️⃣. Continuing to provide goodness
I want to do everything I can to help you succeed in your business while living a fulfilled life.
I’m planning to do a reader survey in a few weeks, but if ever there is a moment when you have a question or anything, please hit reply and let me know. I’m always open to hearing ideas on resources you need, goals you have, and tips/advice that you’d find helpful. The more I get to know you and understand where you may be struggling, the better I can support and encourage you.
This will significantly help me think through where to focus, what offers to create and promote, and tips/advice to share.
2️⃣. Growth. But, slow growth.
With about 1520 subscribers, the next growth milestone in my brain is 2K. And while I can’t directly control the outcome of folks subscribing, I can find ways to create more awareness for #jesspicks. One avenue that has worked well for me in the past is getting in front of other people’s audiences, which includes participating in bundles, podcast interviews, and guest blogging. So I will see what future opportunities I can line up.
On that note, here are a couple of recent features:
Subkit interviewed me for their Go Solo interview series (big shoutout to Saya Hillman for recommending me. You can also check out her fantastic interview here.)
I was quoted as a side hustle expert (!!!) in a Next Advisor column in partnership with TIME.
A note on growth: I am not in a hurry to grow. Slow growth is still growth. I’d rather have a smaller, engaged list of folks who want to be here than a massive list of people who don’t read the emails. Quality > quantity works for me.
3️⃣. Systems!
I admit there are weeks when completing this newsletter is very challenging. Or creating content in general. So I want to think through some ways to ease my workload.
That could look like batching parts of the newsletter in advance that I can pull from week to week. Or capturing a list of ideas for themes to write about it in the intro section.
This is about creating the space to think through some systems and possibly automation to make things easier.
4️⃣. Sharing, sharing, sharing (aka getting better at distribution/promotion).
I am pretty good about writing this newsletter every week, but not the best at sharing it. So, I’ve started reading through old issues to see what could be used and repurposed for my blog and social media.
Alice (my assistant) is helping me show up on social media and create incredible graphics, so that is a promotion channel we plan to keep working on in 2023.
Also, I’m licensing content to MSN for their Creator program, which has become a fun distribution channel for getting my content out there to new audiences. (And it has the extra bonus of ad revenue which is neat).
Every little bit helps.
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So, in a nutshell, the plan is to... keep going. And continue to work, improve, and build upon these four areas.
On to the picks!
P.S. Also saw this right before I scheduled this issue (thanks for the heads up, Dylan), so finding a new newsletter platform is a top priority in the coming weeks. 😭😭 Will keep you posted.
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#loves 😍
🎧. Listening: Never Gonna Not Dance Again. P!nk has a new song. I love it and have already added it to the Side Hustla! playlist. “So let the music play til the end.”
📚. Tool. Book of the Month. This service is excellent if you want new reads and love physical, hardcover books. Each month they curate five reads for you, and you pick one to get in the mail. Easy peasy. I just ordered this as my November pick.
#reads
30 Short Morning Habits to Start Your Day on Purpose — medium.com
“A good morning routine is the key to a productive day. It sets the tone for the day and can have a lasting effect on your mood and productivity. By starting your day on the right foot, you can set yourself up for success all day long.”
While my morning routine can often vary depending on what’s going on with work and caregiving, these are a few essential items that are a staple in my schedule:
First, making my bed - something about it makes me feel accomplished.
Eating breakfast - I didn’t even eat breakfast for a long time, but if nothing else, I’ll have cereal and a vitamin D supplement, which boosts my mood and energy.
Having coffee or tea - I am primarily a coffee person, often a signal to start my work day.
Do you have any habits that are must-haves to kick off your day?
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick was: 39 Creativity Newsletters Worth Reading
🤝. Want to connect with other #jesspicks readers? Fill out a profile and get an introduction as soon as next week.
#classifieds 🗞
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#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Humza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K. Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️
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