I just finished an online class this week.
At the end of the document that housed our test, our instructor thanked us for taking his class and invited us to reach out on LinkedIn, which is exactly what I did.
There’s something to be said for a strong call to action; sometimes you can’t and won’t get what you want unless you ask.
Case in point: my newsletter.
While the site itself has seen modest growth over the years, my newsletter has languished pitifully.
I could blame it on people’s fear of cluttering their email inbox and their lack of interest in receiving weekly updates of my writing, but I know the truth.
I simply stopped promoting it.
I think sometime after my 2019 exodus from Medium, I believed it was a waste of time to promote my newsletter, as no one seemed to be clicking the link to sign up.
So I buried my call to action at the bottom of my page.
What I should have done is double-down my efforts to ask for subscriptions.
By hiding my ask at the bottom of my site, I was treating my desire for subscribers as an afterthought, when I knew in my heart that a robust mailing list was exactly what I needed to take sylviesoul.com to the next level.
And so, going forward, I’m going to make a more concerted effort to ask for subscribers to my site. In fact…
If you enjoy my writing, I encourage you to sign up to my newsletter.
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And while I’m at it…feel free to buy me a coffee if you feel so inclined, or if my writing has impacted you.
It Feels Awkward to Self-Promote
I get that.
Sometimes it can feel super-skeezy to put yourself out there or to toot your own horn.
It calls to mind those slick personalities at a networking party who promote themselves while constantly looking over their conversational partner’s shoulder for a better, more lucrative opportunity.
As creatives, we have to get over this mental hurdle.
Your content readers are not mind readers.
You have to stop believing that you’re being annoying.
You are putting yourself out there and you matter.
Which is why I’m using my platform to promote some projects I’ve been involved in lately.
The My RØDE Cast Podcast Competition
This is my third year in a row competing in the My RODE Cast podcast competition.
The previous two years were okay efforts, but this year I feel I’ve learned from my mistakes and have crafted my best possible entry by far.
I’d love for you to listen to it; it’s only two minutes long.
And I’d also appreciate it if you’d vote for my entry so I have a chance at the People’s Choice Award!
My Upcoming Story in Black Sci-fi Short Stories
On June 15, my story “Suffering Inside, But Still I Soar” will be published alongside several other talented black authors as part of the Black Sci-Fi Short Stories collection published by Flame Tree Press.
My Podcast Appearances
I have my own podcast, but I haven’t really spoken about the podcasts where I’ve been invited as a guest.
I encourage you to listen to the following shows: