A lot like quitting smoking!
Happy Monday!
I hope you’re having an amazing day and getting to do something that makes your heart happy!
That was the thought I had on the weekend while I was working on newsletters for Saturday and Sunday.
I’ve been wanting to change my style for awhile now, and I’ve written about that a lot. About how the laundry list format just doesn’t do it for me anymore, and I’d really like to give more value.
And yes, I know there is a certain value in the laundry list where you get all the deals in one place, but you don’t get a whole lot of me in there. And while I’m never going to be one of those people who shares a ton of deep personal stuff – I’m way too private and paranoid for that – I would like to share more of my journey from historian to creative soulpreneur, because it’s a pretty big change and one I never really saw coming at the time.
But back to quitting smoking…
Here’s how I see the analogy, and if you’ve ever quit or tried to quit smoking or breaking any other bad habit, you’ll totally get this…
You decide you’re going to quit.
You tell everyone you’re going to quit and you make a big bold action to prove it. (True story: I once threw a whole carton of cigarettes in the garbage to emphasise the point.)
You last a day or two, and then you go back to your habit.
This lasts until the next time, and you repeat the process.
And this cycle happens again and again, before something finally clicks and you’re able to kick the habit for good. In my case it took 10 years of trying and 2 heart attacks before I finally quit. And even at that it took a couple of months with a nicotine inhaler before I stopped totally.
Now, think about writing a newsletter as a habit. It’s something I’ve done daily for the last 5 years. And at least weekly for 20 years before that. I’ve been writing email newsletters since 1997, and they’ve always had the same “laundry list” style, although the early ones were lists of free resources because I wasn’t confident enough to ask people to buy anything from me.
And then one day I decided I didn’t like that format anymore. Sales were down, clicks were down, unsubscribes were up… So I decided it was time to quit and change things up.
That lasted for a few days, and then I sort of slid right back into the laundry list way of things.
And it starts the same way… I’ll just have one smoke with my coffee this morning… Or, I’ll just add one more offer today because this one’s really good… And before you know it, you’re back to a pack a day, or 20 offers in one email.
Then the cycle starts again.
All this to say, I’m not sure how many tries this is for me now at changing the format of my newsletter, but I’m giving it another go.
It may stick this time, and it may not. I know that a lot depends on me, and I can make the choice every day whether to do something new or fall back into familiar and safe habits.
Today I’m choosing new.
I hope you like it. I’d love your feedback, so please do reply and let me know your thoughts.
Current Deals and Updates from Me
The Affiliate Program is Ready for Signups
The new affiliate program is finally ready. After a lot of back and forth, I’ve decided to stay with amember for now with a few changes from the Ritchie Media program. Existing affiliates got their invites to sign up on the new site on Friday. If you are an existing affiliate, OR if you are new to affiliate marketing and would like to promote your products, you can find the details and application form here:
Affiliate Application Form for Creative Repurposing
New Planner for Sale!
The good news is I’ve finally got a brand new planner finished and up in the new shop. It’s a 90-day dated goals planner that runs from April 1 to June 30, so you can keep all your Quarter 2 goals and plans in one place. It’s on sale through April 12, and you can save $10 with coupon code SPRING10. Here’s a quick peek, and you can get the full details here: 90-Day Dated Spring Goals Planner
Yes! I’m tooting my own again today, because I’m so stinkin’ excited about the new membership, the new website, and life in general!
For only $9 a month you are getting:
- 30 coloring patterns
- A monthly pre-recorded training on different ways to use the patterns, create products, and grow your business. (The first training will be delivered this week)
- A brand new members only community where you can ask questions and get feedback.
- A monthly challenge
- A members only coupon for 30% off anything else in my shop
If you’re not a member yet, you can join us here: Coloring Patterns Monthly 2.0
And, on May 1, my rebranded signature course will be re-opening. This will be a totally new course, with updated information and training, and you can get on the waiting list here: The Magic of Repurposing Waiting List
Today’s Featured Partner Pick
Ends Today!! Any Size Image Secrets from Amy Harrop – I picked this up when it launched, and finally had a chance to read through the guide. I picked up some good tips and have a few ideas on how to turn some of my existing products into SVGs for sale. I love how she always finds new resources for her trainings, and this one is no exception. She’s got a number of different tools – both free and paid that you can use to create your own SVGs too.
Partner Deals Ending Today
Free Self-Care Reset Journal and Prompts Bundle from Jennifer at Health and Wellness PLR includes 50 journal prompts, journal and workbook in Canva format, and 2 eCovers. Available through Monday, April 10.
Sue’s birthday sale is on this weeekend! She’s celebrating by having a huge sale where you can save 61% on anything in the shop (including the first month of memberships) when you use coupon code SUE61 through April 10. Shop Sue’s Birthday Sale
Brandable Motivational Graphics for $1 from Ekit Hub! Alice and Yusef have a set of 10 motivation graphics for you this weekend for only $1 in their Easter Eggstra Long Weekend Sale. There’s also a bump offer to pick up 90 more graphics for only $7.
New Training: Create a Digital Phone Planner in PowerPoint from Lori Winslow is available and on sale through Monday April 10. Use coupon code CALLME to save $20 at checkout.
Easter Sale from Piggy Makes Bank ends tonight at midnight. From now through the end of today you can save 50% on all available products, when you use coupon code PETERCOTTONTAIL.
Free DFY Content & Other Goodies
Free Start Dreaming Big PLR from Tools for Motivation is available through Tuesday, April 11. This bundle of content includes content on:
- Part 1: Realizing Big Dreams Through Motivation
- Part 2: The Mantra of Starbucks Executive Michelle Gass
- Part 3: The Things You Need to Have to Reach Your Big Dreams
Each part includes the article, and audio file, 3 social graphics, and a blog header graphic.
Free Content: The 5 Must-Have Skills for Becoming a Consultant from Sharyn at Content Sparks. This is an epic blog post pack that comes with a lead magnet and content upgrade sequence. It’s available for free through Tuesday, April 11.
Starts Today!! Me Skills Live Coaching Event hosted by Kelly McCausey is on this week from April 10 to 14. The topic is Building Skills for a More Joyful Life, and features 14 presentations on personal development and mindset topics. Registration is free, and replays will be available for purchase. I’m signed up already, and hope to see you there!
That’s it for me this afternoon. I’m off for a short walk as part of my new committment to living a healthier lifestyle, and then back to record some training and set up this month’s challenge for Coloring Patterns Monthly members!
Have an amazing day! Create what makes your heart happy!