The world doesn’t need my voice

Hey friend,

I don’t know what to say. But it feels wrong to not say anything, so here it goes: The world is… a lot right now, isn’t it?

This past week, I went on my first business trip in three months, and it was, well, weird. The airports were not quite vacant, but security took mere minutes, my TSA pre-check status now a joke; and over half the gift shops and restaurants were closed. It was strange to rent a car and wait in line as one attendant representing three different companies ran my credit card and walked me to my car for the week.

From the safety of the suburbs, I heard news of George Floyd’s death and then started receiving all kinds of words and feelings from friends all over the country and world.

Then, I came home to see news of riots and protests and the national guard being called in to Nashville. Now, we are currently under curfew, as is the case for other American cities. Meanwhile, there is a global pandemic, economic recession, and many people are just trying to figure out how to be.

So, yeah. It’s a lot. And I’m saying that as white man who runs an online business from the comfort of my own home, so I recognize my own privilege there. By the way, I used to think of privilege as something to feel guilty about or apologize for, but now I see it as a responsibility to use.

What I want to say this week is, well, not much. Sometimes, I assume that what the world needs is my voice; but not now, at least not in the advice-giving, I-have-all-the-answers kind of way. Because I don’t. And I shouldn’t. Sometimes, the best voice is one that says, “I’m here and I’m listening.”

The best voices in my life say that to me: my friends and my loved ones, my therapist, the people who have enough space to let me be who I am. And I want to follow their example and say the same to you, to anyone who may be struggling or afraid or downright confused:

I’m here. I’m listening.

And to my friends of color: I am for you. I am learning to address the systemic racism that has made you feel unsafe and unwelcome. I am growing and trying to use my voice when needed—without assuming the answer to that is “always.”

Please feel free to let me know how I can be there for you.

Also, it feels odd to share this, but last week, I promised you a free workshop on email lists. But now, I wonder if that’s not a terrible idea—because my email list is not just a place to share and sell things but it’s also the best point of connection I have with readers.

And I’d love to help you build or grow your email list not just so you can say things but so you can listen. Perhaps, that’s what we need right now more than anything.

So, here it is. This Thursday, I’m hosting a webinar called, “How to Get Your First (or Next) 100 Email Subscribers In Only 2 Hours”.

If you’re struggling to grow your email list, this workshop will teach you a simple way and effective way to get new subscribers fast (and no, this isn’t some kind of trick or hack. It’s a technique I’ve learned and used for years.)

Click here to register for the workshop which won’t cost you a thing. (You’ll be automatically registered.)

It’ll be 90 minutes of live teaching from me, so clear your calendar and come ready to take notes.

See you soon!

Best,

Jeff

P.S. Tell me how you are. How is all THIS affecting you? Shoot a quick reply. I promise to read them all.

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