Jun 25·edited Jun 25Liked by Veronica Llorca-Smith
I ran my 1st online free drawing session last week and only 1 person showed up (my mum and my son were there too!) I ran the session and I learned so much even just having one person there.
I only have 4 paid subscription members at the moment, they’re not very active but I’m showing up for them just as I said I would.
Showing up for yourself first is the key. If you keep doing what you love and giving your best, people will show up. It might be slowly, it might take time, but it's a journey and you will be there to enjoy every minute.
Quick story to illustrate your good points. A new minister was assigned to a rural church in ranch country. For his first sermon, he worked long and hard to get ready for his Sunday inaugural appearance. He showed up early and no one had arrived. At the appointed hour, one rancher ambled in and sat down in one of the pews. No one else showed up. The new, young minister looked at the rancher and said, "Good morning. I don't know what to do. I have worked to prepare a sermon and you're the only one here." The rancher smiled and said, "Son, I don't know much about preaching, I'm just a rancher. But, if one cow shows up, I feed it." The new minister took that as a clue and launched into his introduction, 3 points and conclusion, and after twenty minutes, he looked at the rancher and said, "How did I do?" Rancher: "Son, like I said, I don't know much about preaching and sermons, but if that one cow shows up, I don't give it the whole load."
Love this perspective, Veronica. When I was getting started in my business, I would show up no matter what (still do, I suppose). Oftentimes nobody would show and it would be me in an empty Zoom room. I still showed up and ran the whole thing as if the room were full. I saw it as an opportunity to practice and I took it every chance I could.
I like this article too. A change in attitude. It reminds me of something I heard before. Be the victor not the victim. I know I would not be good at this, but imagine applying to everything in your life. You could impact those closest to you as well.
I have not officially moved to a paid subscriptions, but I am writing and doing videos as if I have paid subscriptions. What means more to me than the money though is the engagement I get with my readers. It means that I have met my goal. I want my newsletters to do more than teach local history but tell it in such a way people feel good after they read it. Also, I believe I have something important to say, and when you believe that, you will push yourself to write.
I also think that if you want to monetize your newsletter, you have to focus on giving great FREE content. That's the way to get people to upgrade. They like what you write, they trust you, and they want more.
Keep it up, you have the right mindset and strategy!
This post is really appreciated. Writing, as with any solo art or profession, can be so lonely. It's no wonder we want to have big audiences for a sense of connection, but a single meaningful connection is at least equally rewarding. Thanks for the reminder, Veronica.
I struggle with these fears, myself. I have no problem in teaching a class of tweens but I freeze when thinking of a parent’s meeting or a webinar for teachers.
Sometimes I walk the path just thinking about one teacher I tutor via zoom. I know she’ll read my posts. I know she’ll ask questions and make suggestions.
I’ve impacted one. I’m ready to impact another. One at a time.
I’ve been in the situation where literally nobody showed up to free online events I offered and it’s difficult but as long as you’ve prepared well it’s not a waste. People still probably saw the advertising I did in getting my name out there and I had material ready for next time.
Also, we never know how many people see events we advertise and think “I’d love to attend but I can’t because of XYZ. I’ll try make the next one”
Jun 26·edited Jun 26Liked by Veronica Llorca-Smith
If I look at it from a different angle, it's just all research that I can look to as I grow. In these small growth increments, I can learn what' my customers' real problems are and I get a more intimate look at the details. This is a great reminder, thanks!
I love that angle, Julie, and there's something magic about starting small. You get the luxury of intimacy and direct connection with your readers/ subscribers, which is hard to get later.
Love this. I always ask myself, “what’s the worst that could happen?” And when we feel into the worst case scenario, often it’s not as bad as we think… and then we can do it!
6 is absolutely a number to be proud of!
I am hosting a seasonal gathering next week—a live virtual gathering. I started them in the Fall of 2023. :)
Thank you. This is inspirational. I really appreciate how you wrote for that one subscriber for weeks. And I’ve taken notes of what you said in the comments about showing up for yourself first.
I ran my 1st online free drawing session last week and only 1 person showed up (my mum and my son were there too!) I ran the session and I learned so much even just having one person there.
I only have 4 paid subscription members at the moment, they’re not very active but I’m showing up for them just as I said I would.
Thank you for this essay, perfectly timed!
I'm so happy to hear that.
Showing up for yourself first is the key. If you keep doing what you love and giving your best, people will show up. It might be slowly, it might take time, but it's a journey and you will be there to enjoy every minute.
Keep it up!
Thank you Veronica!
Impacting one person at a time is absolutely the way to go. Thank you for sharing this! 💛
Thank you, Laia!
Sometimes it's easy to get blinded by big numbers and forget that everything starts with 1.
Quick story to illustrate your good points. A new minister was assigned to a rural church in ranch country. For his first sermon, he worked long and hard to get ready for his Sunday inaugural appearance. He showed up early and no one had arrived. At the appointed hour, one rancher ambled in and sat down in one of the pews. No one else showed up. The new, young minister looked at the rancher and said, "Good morning. I don't know what to do. I have worked to prepare a sermon and you're the only one here." The rancher smiled and said, "Son, I don't know much about preaching, I'm just a rancher. But, if one cow shows up, I feed it." The new minister took that as a clue and launched into his introduction, 3 points and conclusion, and after twenty minutes, he looked at the rancher and said, "How did I do?" Rancher: "Son, like I said, I don't know much about preaching and sermons, but if that one cow shows up, I don't give it the whole load."
What a brilliant story, Gary!
I love the simplicity of it. The rancher is a wise man and his point is spot on: if one cow shows up, you feed it.
It's a great illustration.
Love this perspective, Veronica. When I was getting started in my business, I would show up no matter what (still do, I suppose). Oftentimes nobody would show and it would be me in an empty Zoom room. I still showed up and ran the whole thing as if the room were full. I saw it as an opportunity to practice and I took it every chance I could.
Wow, Kaitlyn, good on you and tbh, that's the attitude of a winner, regardless of the outcome.
Be ready to perform even if you are the only one. It's still a win: you perform, you practice, you become better and you own it.
It's always an opportunity.
Thank you for sharing, it takes a lot of courage to perform in an empty room ❤️
I like this article too. A change in attitude. It reminds me of something I heard before. Be the victor not the victim. I know I would not be good at this, but imagine applying to everything in your life. You could impact those closest to you as well.
Absolutely, it's the change in attitude.
After a session where only a couple of people show up, you have 2 versions:
"This is not worth it, people don't see the value."
Or,
"Wow, I impacted 6 people, I'm ready to impact 600 more."
I know which one I choose 😉
Be the victor, not the victim!
I have not officially moved to a paid subscriptions, but I am writing and doing videos as if I have paid subscriptions. What means more to me than the money though is the engagement I get with my readers. It means that I have met my goal. I want my newsletters to do more than teach local history but tell it in such a way people feel good after they read it. Also, I believe I have something important to say, and when you believe that, you will push yourself to write.
That's amazing, Rainey!
I also think that if you want to monetize your newsletter, you have to focus on giving great FREE content. That's the way to get people to upgrade. They like what you write, they trust you, and they want more.
Keep it up, you have the right mindset and strategy!
This post is really appreciated. Writing, as with any solo art or profession, can be so lonely. It's no wonder we want to have big audiences for a sense of connection, but a single meaningful connection is at least equally rewarding. Thanks for the reminder, Veronica.
Exactly, Michael, even if only one person leaves a comment, that's enough to give us fuel to keep going.
My first Notes barely had any likes or comments but I kept going and people did show up. Resilience is key.
So touching! And also so real!
I struggle with these fears, myself. I have no problem in teaching a class of tweens but I freeze when thinking of a parent’s meeting or a webinar for teachers.
Sometimes I walk the path just thinking about one teacher I tutor via zoom. I know she’ll read my posts. I know she’ll ask questions and make suggestions.
I’ve impacted one. I’m ready to impact another. One at a time.
That's the mindset, Isabel, one at a time, and then 2...it's the way to make an impact.
Good on you for taking the step and impacting one person at a time.
I’ve been in the situation where literally nobody showed up to free online events I offered and it’s difficult but as long as you’ve prepared well it’s not a waste. People still probably saw the advertising I did in getting my name out there and I had material ready for next time.
Also, we never know how many people see events we advertise and think “I’d love to attend but I can’t because of XYZ. I’ll try make the next one”
That's such a great point, Alfie.
That work and preparation is not in vain and you gain from the experience.
Also, being comfortable with no one showing up makes us more confident and stronger.
Beautiful
Thank you 🙏🏼
This post really touched me! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Betina.
I'm so excited to meet you on Thursday!
Yes!! Me too!!
If no one shows up
I'll show up
Thank you, Edward!
Same here ;)
Veronica, you are such an inspiration. Thanks for the encouragement to step out and show up, even if no one else does.
Thank you so much, Paul.
It makes it a bit easier when we know that others are going through the same thing.
Thank you Veronica 🙏
The Power of One - powerful.
I am dragging myself inch by inch to get an offer done. Irl was no problem! Online 😱
I know, Janet, things online can be quite daunting, especially when technology gets on the way...
Keep going, once you do it once, it's not a big deal anymore but showing up is the key!
Thank you ❤️🩹
If I look at it from a different angle, it's just all research that I can look to as I grow. In these small growth increments, I can learn what' my customers' real problems are and I get a more intimate look at the details. This is a great reminder, thanks!
I love that angle, Julie, and there's something magic about starting small. You get the luxury of intimacy and direct connection with your readers/ subscribers, which is hard to get later.
Exactly!
Love this. I always ask myself, “what’s the worst that could happen?” And when we feel into the worst case scenario, often it’s not as bad as we think… and then we can do it!
6 is absolutely a number to be proud of!
I am hosting a seasonal gathering next week—a live virtual gathering. I started them in the Fall of 2023. :)
That's awesome, Sam and yes I love reframing the "worst-case scenario" mindset because it's never as bad as we paint it.
That's a great initiative! All the best with it, it's a great way to connect with people 🫶🏻
Thank you. This is inspirational. I really appreciate how you wrote for that one subscriber for weeks. And I’ve taken notes of what you said in the comments about showing up for yourself first.
Thank you, Deirdre, and yes, showing up for yourself first means committing to yourself. That's they key to personal growth.