25 Things You Can Learn From Havi (and Selma)

1.Allow enough time for people to get interested

In her biggification post about getting interest, she recommend that you give extra time for first product launches.

I learned to allow months for getting the word out. And even then I sometimes ended up teaching classes that had three people in them. Now, finally, astonishingly, it’s gotten to the point where I can completely fill a class in a day or two. But that’s crazy. Not the norm.

The norm is that you want to give your Right People (and yourself) at least a couple months to get used to the idea that a course is coming. That way, you have more time to figure out what works and what doesn’t. And more time to plant gentle reminders. To answer more questions. To work on your own stucknesses as they come up. Stuff like that.

I’ve observed many launches, and I definitely agree with this. A slightly longer launch gives you the chance to develop your brand and get feedback on what works. Another idea is to have a slightly extended launch.

2.  Your stuff doesn’t have to be helpful for everyone.

Havi discussed this further in her post about ‘What if my stuff is boring and useful?’

It doesn’t.

It just needs to be helpful for the people who need it in that form in that moment. Those are your Right People. The ones who need your voice.

Anyone who doesn’t find it helpful? Probably not one of your Right People. Or not ready yet. That person can go. Be there for the ones who do need what you have to say.

This is amazing advice. So many people try to be helpful to everyone and end up with a scattered readership. Targeting a smaller group can lead to a more interactive community and higher conversions.

3. When hiring, look for someone you like.

Havi expanded on this in her Ask Havi column about hiring help

The other huge piece of advice I got from Michael —and this was my lightbulb thing— was this:

I should stop looking for a VA … and start looking for someone I really like who gets my business. Someone who really, really gets it. To look for qualities over skills, personality over ability and willingness to learn and get dirty over experience. Find the person you like and then train them to do what you want them to

This was a fascinating piece of advice and something I’m sure will come in handy. I’ve already chosen some of the people I want to hire. One of the main reasons is that I really like them and think they are awesome.

4. Transparency does not mean having to tell people everything.

Havi wrote about this further in her post about transparency.

It really doesn’t. You can be transparent about the fact that you can’t be transparent. It’s perfectly legitimate — as well as “transparent”, “vulnerable” and “authentic” — to tell your audience that this is a difficult subject for you to write about because of your own personal pain.

That doesn’t mean though, that you have to document that pain. Especially if you don’t freaking feel like it.

I try to be very honest online – mostly because I have a poor memory and couldn’t remember my white lies. As a result, I am very open about having an anxiety disorder but try not to tell people about the hard and painful times. I only do this when there is a very clear benefit.

5. Even experts aren’t experts

Havi wrote about this in one of her blogging therapy posts.

That’s because — in some sense — there’s no such thing as, you know, the ultimate expertise where you know everything about whatever it is you’re an expert in.

A real expert is someone who knows how little she actually knows and is throwing herself into learning more.

No matter where you are in your field and no matter how much you know about a topic, there’s pretty much always going to be someone (or — more likely —thousands of someones) who knows more about it than you do.

I never want to be an expert – I hope to always keep learning. I really appreciated this post by Havi.

6. Everyone has problems

Havi wrote about it one of her awesome biggification posts.

Success doesn’t mean you don’t have problems. It means you’re strong enough to ask for help.

I agree with this. I’ve often asked for help – both online and offline – and the support allowed me to push forward and get more done. Its not the problems themselves, its how you deal with them.

7. Go to conferences to network

Havi expanded on this in her post about content relevance

Conferences are 98%+ the opportunity to meet people you think are cool. If the content rocks then yay. But that’s icing.

I go to conferences because of the rocking content – and see the people as the bonus. I have very limited experiences at conferences though and was very pleased to read this.

8.You DO have time for social networking

In her fascinating post, she said

You can decide that you’re not interested in being on Twitter. That “all this” social networking stuff is not for you. But you don’t get to complain that nobody reads your blog. You don’t get to complain that people don’t come to your website. And you don’t get to complain that you don’t have any clients or customers.

I agree. I’ve gotten so many opportunities via twitter – guest posts, interviews and even a job offer. It may seem daunting but is definitely worth investing your time in.

9. Participate in the blogosphere

Havi expanded on this in her biggification post about business blogging.

If you have a business and you’re not hanging out in (and actively participating in) the land of blog, you’re doin’ it wrong.

This is very true but it also depends on your motives. I would recommend that you do a lot of hanging out before you participate; and also, that you participate before you start your own blog.

10. Make your free stuff REALLY stand out

Havi makes it hard to avoid her free content with the appealing graphic in her sidebar. Another option is to have a page prominently linked to in the header telling people about your free content.

11. Don’t be over promotional.

Havi said that ‘Shameless. Self. Promotion.’ were the three words that would drive your right people away.

Whatever it is that you do, it helps someone. It’s not fair to make it about your discomfort when they’re the ones who need you to help them with their discomfort.

This is a fascinating post, especially for those who are struggling with the idea of selling. I highly recommend it.

12. Act on your idea

Havi wrote about this in an article about marking your idea matter.

The implementation of an idea is more important than the idea itself.

For a year I talked about doing this blog series. During this time, I accomplished very little online. Acting on the idea has been the main reason for my recent successes.

13. Do a review of a critique

Havi did a post series analyzing the drive by shooting that she got from Men with Pens. It helped people analyze whether the critique was for them and showed how Havi processed and used the information from the critique.

14. Inject yourself into your writing

Havi expanded on this in her post about finding your safe space.

The more you you are in your writing, the easier it is for your Right People to say yes to whatever you’re teaching or offering.

I’ve found that people really appreciate authenticity in your writing. It has really helped me find my write people.

15. There are no shoulds in blogging

Havi wrote about this in a blogging therapy post on worrying.

Like in any career, there are no guarantees of success or any one path to success. It is all up to you and how you choose to approach it.

16. Call your affiliates partners

Havi talked about this in a biggification post on affiliate programs.

I decided I was going to start a partner program.

For people I liked and trusted and could feel good about partnering with

Not only are partners not “gross”, but I can feel warm and fuzzy about them and think of them fondly. Whereas if I had a bunch of affiliates I couldn’t really feel anything about them because they would be robots.

I have seen a number of bloggers emulate this style

17. If you have a faq, Update often.

In her post about writing a FAQ page, she said

What you do — and how you talk about it — will be shifting and changing as a matter of course, because whatever you do (business, art, writing) is a reflection of who you are.

And you, my dear, are always engaged in the dynamic process that is being alive. And being alive is about flow and change. So a FAQ that doesn’t change can be a sign that there’s some stagnation and stuckification happening.

This post reminded me that I don’t even HAVE an FAQ page, but it also applies to some of your other pages. You should try to update your about page to ensure its relevancy.

18. Comparison-based thinking will always get you down.

Havi discussed this further in the art and science of pricing. She talked about how comparing can make you too scared to get ahead. There is no problem looking at others and seeing what they offer as long as you detach yourself from the sales process.

19. Have an events page on your blog

Havi has an events page for those who may be interested in meeting her. This is a useful way to build community and also promote certain events.

20. Have a cute mascot

Everyone who is a fan of Havi is also a fan of Selma, her duck. It has become a strong part of her brand and has developed something of a cult following.

21. Have perquisites for coaching

Havi has prerequisites for those interesting hiring her for consulting purposes. This can eliminate people who wont match your services as well as save the user time.

22. Offer a personal recording of the consultation

She also offers a paid recording of the consultation. This is a huge selling point for me, as I worry that I’ll forget what we talked about. Some people offer these recordings, or even written reports, as an upsell.

23. Have an application process

Havi has an application process for her consulting products. This makes sure the client is a good fit and will get the most out of your services.

24. Create a paid community

Havi has created a really cool paid community called At the Kitchen Table with Havi and Selma. I haven’t yet joined, but it seems very different to your normal membership site.

You could possibly apply this concept to your own site.

25. Create a store

Havi has created her own ‘store‘ on her blog where she lists her products according to her main two philosophies. This helps people be able to easily compare your e-products and can make you seem a lot more professional.