“Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.” ✍🏾 ~Natasha Bedingfield

A mini pep talk on growth (#337)

Earlier this week, someone who booked one of my new pep talks (!!) was struggling a bit with subscriber growth.

I’ve been there, too.

For years, #jesspicks would not go higher than around 300 subscribers. Starting a newsletter can be easy. Keeping it going when it seems that no one is clapping for you can be incredibly hard.

Even though that number wasn’t increasing, people replied with “thank yous.” Folks would see me at events and say, “Love your newsletter” or “I learned about this tool from you.” Not to mention, folks were still opening and clicking each week, so I could see some magic was happening there.

And that’s what kept me going.

It wasn’t until I made “subscribe to my newsletter” my main call to action for everything that I did that I started seeing a change. That saying about “what you focus on growing” is so true.

I sometimes still look at other creators and wish I had the thousands of subscribers they have. But also, at what cost? I love that the folks here want to be here and get value from my content. And looking at it that way changes your perspective about things, including what success can look like.

Slow growth is still growth. And a small list can be a mightier list.

Trust me. Even if it seems like no one is reading your content, they are! Folks are watching you and being inspired by you.

The numbers are not always a measure of the impact you’re making.

Keep building. Keep creating. Keep going.

I’m clapping for you. 👏🏾💖

On to the picks!

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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.  

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#loves 😍

• 🎤. Resource: Speaker in a Box. I have been working with Saya to help me build a Speaking/Facilitation income stream, and she has been amazing. Her newest product is for folks who want to get into paid speaking engagements and need the step-by-step of getting started, along with tips and templates. If this is up your alley, please grab it while you can. Pre-orders are available until 8/31, with the added bonus of free group coaching. 🎉
  

• 📚. Reading: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Assuming we live to be 80 years old, we’ll live about 4,000 weeks. Oliver talks about how it’s impossible to get everything done within a limited time, and the sooner we accept that the sooner we’ll realize we can’t fail. This book has some deep concepts, so I read a bit here and there.

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#IeIds

30 One-Sentence Mindset Tips for Side Hustlers

I compiled a list of mindset tips I’ve learned as a side hustler. Awareness of these can help us better navigate the day-to-day juggle. A few faves:

• If you don’t know what to do, take a step – clarity comes from taking action.

• Don’t underestimate the power of consistency.

• Just because you have the time to do something doesn’t mean you have the energy.

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Productivity Tool Roundup

Jeremy is doing a roundup of tools for busy journalists, and I think these can be helpful to side hustlers, too. I already love and use Oasis (AI that turns your voice memos into content) and Libby (borrow books from the library and send them to Kindle).

I want to check out his other recommendations, including a free Calendly alternative.

A Wonder Tools Presentation ⚡️

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#icymi

• 😍. Last issue’s top pick: 15 Ideas You Can Steal to Make the Next 12 Months a Period of Remarkable Growth (2nd week in a row!)
  

• 💡. Need some inspiration/advice? Grab a mini pep talk.

• 💬. Side Hustle Convos: Learn from others who have started successful businesses and are juggling it with their day jobs.

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#classifieds 🗞

• Get 100 freelance opportunities in your inbox every Friday. Subscribe for free or for a suggested donation of $3/month. Join countless creators and freelancers who have found clients.
  

• Did you know you can get a 44-day free trial of MemberVault if you sign up by Aug 31st? I use and love MemberVault for my offerings. 🙌 Sign up for the extended trial.
  

• Want to earn money promoting other newsletters and potentially pay to build your newsletter subscriber base? Join the SparkLoop Partner Network.

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#lifevibes

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supporters ☕️

Thank you, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Hmza, 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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