Earlier today, I gave a presentation.
One person asked, "How do I build an audience for my work when I am starting from zero?"
They explained, "I have no mailing list readership yet. No social media presence yet. No clients yet. Nothing. I'm at zero. What can I do?"
Here's what I know.
Every exciting project—whether it's a podcast, newsletter, company, or anything else—starts at zero.
Zero is powerful.
Zero is a new beginning.
Zero is a place where you can build something new and do it right.
When I began this newsletter ten years ago, I started out with zero readers.
Then, I sent a personal email to several friends, family members, colleagues, former classmates, and teachers. "I started a newsletter. Would you like to sign up?"
That led to my first 50 newsletter subscribers.
Later, I asked folks, "If you enjoy this newsletter, would you please mention it to a friend? Perhaps you could encourage them to sign up."
That led to my next 50 subscribers.
Later, I contacted a few websites, magazines, and other places and said, "Could I write a monthly column for your publication? And, may I please include a link to my newsletter at the end of each column?"
Several said "yes" and this led to hundreds more subscribers.
Gradually, those people told other people ("Hey, you might enjoy Alex's newsletter, check it out") and hundreds turned into thousands.
Whatever you are trying to grow—whether it's a readership, listenership, revolution, or community—it all starts with zero. But you don't have to remain at zero forever.
You can tell one person and then another. You can ask people to spread the word. You can pitch yourself for an opportunity that provides greater visibility for your words, your mission, or cause.
Each action has a ripple effect. One victory leads to another. In time, the ripple expands.
But the key is, you have to be willing to start.
And once you've started, you have to be willing to keep going.
Even once you're very established in your profession, there are moments along the journey when you feel like you're back at zero once again.
If you're currently at zero, celebrate that beautiful zero because anything can happen from here.
Have you ever noticed how zero is a circle?
Infinite possibility.
Maybe zero isn't such a bad place to be.
-Alex
PS. Do you know someone who recently started a new project? Someone who feels like they're at "square one" or "zero" and have such a long way to go? Feel free to forward this email to them. Send them some words of encouragement to start & keep going.
PPPPS. Do something, today, that makes you feel powerful. It might be lifting weights, writing a list of your proudest accomplishments, or talking to a friend who reminds you...who you truly are. To the best of your abilities, do things that bring you more power, not less.