39 Comments
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Benthall Slow Travel's avatar

Love this, Jo — especially the reminder that freedom doesn’t have to come from something massive. My husband and I built our slow-travel life the same way: one small experiment at a time, stacking lessons until they became a lifestyle.

Your take on “proof before perfection” is gold — it’s the same mindset that keeps us moving from country to country with just two suitcases and a plan that’s always evolving. -Kelly

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Kelly. Loved your last post by the way. I’m with you more culture & connection & my husband is with yours, more adventure & trekking etc. Currently trying to get fitter to do a bit more of what my husband wants to do! Here’s to us stretching ourselves! 😁

Benthall Slow Travel's avatar

Thank you! I love that — it sounds like we’re living parallel versions of the same adventure. Here’s to meeting in the middle — swapping hiking boots for wine glasses (and vice versa) as we go. Stretching ourselves, indeed! 😄 -Kelly

Leticia Penha's avatar

I love this. It’s absolutely true. The trick is just to keep going. I built an e-book months ago and did absolutely nothing to promote it. Last month I finally had the courage to link it to my substack and talk about it on one of my first posts (I’m brand new to substack) I checked my inbox last Friday and there was my very first digital product sale. I still can’t believe it. I can’t wait to make more.

Jo Barnes's avatar

Yeyyy! Congrats Leticia! Here’s to many more! 😁🥳

Jeremie's avatar

What would be your answer to the question: how do I sell digital products when I don't have an audience? 🤔

This is the main thing I hear when I mention that to people.

Jo Barnes's avatar

Hey Jeremie, the simple answer is to build an audience. The even better answer is that as you build your audience you let them tell you what they need & you build digital products around those needs. It’s not easy and it’s the part most people stumble on. But platforms like Substack make it easier. - 1. Pick your target market - who you want to help, reach etc & why. 2. Start sharing ideas, valuable content, insights etc. 3. Build your email list (this is where Substack shines), 4. Connect, listen, chat. 5. Create products that solve problems. It takes time, tenacity & consistency. Your audience needs to grow to trust you and you need to become great at knowing what they need. And that’s why so many people stumble at this stage. They just don’t have the patience to keep growing & learning. Hope that helps! 😁

Jeremie's avatar

"It takes time, tenacity & consistency." > This is the key that a lot of people don't want to hear 😆

I agree with everything you wrote. One step at a time. It's not a get rich quick scheme. Patience and Hardwork!

Rachel's avatar

Thank you for this gentle nudge to create a passive income stream. I’m prepping to launch a healthcare consulting business and, while this had been suggested to me, minimized the value of creating something like this. Now, the ideas are flowing…

Jo Barnes's avatar

So glad I’ve inspired the flowing of ideas Rachel! 😁❤️

Linda Martin's avatar

If you’re starting at 0 audience, it’s not that easy to build an audience to sell your product to.

Jo Barnes's avatar

100% Linda. It’s not easy. It takes tenacity & consistency & really listening to what your audience wants & needs. The good news is we all started from zero. Everyone you see with a big audience started with none, and with the wonderful platforms available to us these days like Substack, it’s much simpler (not easier) than it used to be and makes the possibility of success available to all. 😁🙏

Lauren Adebesin's avatar

Beautiful and inspiring post.

Francis Chouquet's avatar

Something not to forget is to promote, promote and promote again otherwise your product gets lost. You have to promote at launch but also every now and then, especially if you use your website or a platform that won’t so the promotion of your product. This is the hardest part I learnt.

Jo Barnes's avatar

100%! 😎

THE SILK GAZETTE-Mansi Ranga's avatar

Thanks for writing Benthall🩷, it’s simple and inspiring read 🩷

Tim Kemper's avatar

That was a fun article to read. Thanks Jo

Mei Ling Tsui's avatar

What a helpful and inspiring post! I feel like you’ve already sparked some ideas for me 😊💡 I also love what you said about “stack & compound!”

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Mei Ling! 🙏

Charlotte - Evolve Yourself's avatar

Loved this! Thanks for the inspiration

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Charlotte! 🙏

teisha leshea's avatar

I've created several digital products, and most of them flopped. I enjoy making them, but I struggle to convince my audience to buy them.

Jo Barnes's avatar

Hey Teisha, my answer to Jeremie’s question above is very relevant to this. The goal is to have your audience tell you what they need, not to have to convince them to buy it. If you’re not selling your products it’s because a, your audience don’t trust you yet. b, you’re not talking specifically to their need, c, you’re not communicating the transformational value of your product well enough. As you grow your audience attempt to solve as many problems as you can and listen & watch for feedback & questions on your topics. The more questions shows you areas where you can do deeper with products or services. If in doubt, jump on calls with your audience. Ask questions, dig deeper, find out what they really need. The clues are there. It’s our job to look for them and then add so much value people can’t help but go further on their journey with us. Hope that helps 😁

The Old Grey Thinker's avatar

This is really helpful and good for thought

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thank you! 😁🙏

Gary Allen's avatar

As someone who spent 30 years in tech before transitioning to full-time coaching it almost sends me out in a rash to think of what you must have gone through in the 2010's trying this stuff out.

I've been that soldier many, many times (in a different) context.

Reading this you've given me the confidence to give it a shot. Thank you!

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Gary! Yep they were interesting times, although new to me & I learned a lot so there’s always a silver lining! Glad to hear it’s motivated you to take action. What are you working on?

Gary Allen's avatar

Hi Jo,

At present I spent alot of my time coaching people in that middle bit of life who feel a pull towards something more or different. I created a group coaching program called "The Second Act Blueprint" which seems to be going quite well.

I also spend alot of time coaching people on changing their relationship with alcohol or any compulsive behaviour actually.

You?

Nomad Freedom's avatar

Great tips and ideas. Thank you! 😊

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thank you! 😁🙏

Cliff Edwards's avatar

Amazing post. Thank you!

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Cliff! Glad it’s helped 😁🙏

Vicki James's avatar

I've launched a few products but nothing has landed. I don't know if it's the product or the marketing but I'd like to find the key with one moderately successful item.

Jo Barnes's avatar

Hey Vicki, please read my responses to Jeremie & Teisha, I’ve given very detailed feedback on the key to selling digital products and will definitely follow with a post as it’s an important question. I hope my responses help 😁

Vicki James's avatar

Will do. Thank you.