Zoom-Bombs, Pledges And A Dose Of Self-Doubt
If you read either of last week's emails, you'll know that last week was very much focused on the launch of my new publication and membership - Write With Lisa.
I spent Monday creating the publication and adding all the content. I also recorded the process and created a video and written guide for setting up a Substack account and publication.
On Tuesday, I launched my membership on a live lunch and learn. Then on Wednesday, I started promoting it across various platforms.
I'm feeling excited. I'm feeling positive. And I'm feeling optimistic.
But that doesn't mean I haven't had a few wobbles.
It didn't help that I got Zoom-bombed at the start of my lunch and learn. I know this was quite common at the start of the lockdowns when everyone started using Zoom more, but I had no idea it still happened and I'd never experienced it myself.
If you haven't experienced this, it's where someone hijacks your meeting and causes mayhem. Apparently, it's quite common for them to flood the screen with porn and offensive language. Luckily, my hijacker didn't get that far but it was still pretty unnerving.
I should have realised something was off when someone who hadn't registered joined the waiting room five minutes before the call started. I didn't recognise the name (Phil someone), but 30 seconds later, the registration notification came through so I assumed they had decided to join last minute.
I admitted them to the call. They were the first to arrive and they had the camera off. I didn't think anything of it as I appreciate some people prefer not to have it on. I said 'hello' and there was a slight delay before they responded, but I put it down to internet issues.
A couple more people joined and then 'Phil' asked why it had taken me so long to admit him to the call. I was a bit taken aback because I let him in five minutes early, but I told him it was because I was checking everything was ready to go.
His voice was a bit monotone and weird, but I was so focused on delivering my lunch and learn that I still didn't sense anything was off. A few more people joined and 'Phil' asked me why I made people register for the call in advance. I started to answer and that's when the screen went nuts.
His profile had changed to "Lisa Slater Hacked" and he started bouncing around the screen. He was saying all kinds of random stuff, but I have no idea what it was because I went into panic mode. I just said I was ending the call and asked everyone to rejoin.
I ended the call and then started it again. Phil was gone, but someone else I didn't recognise was waiting to be admitted. I ignored them and only admitted the people I knew had registered (most of whom had already been logged in the first time around or were people I know personally).
I was physically shaking from the experience. I was already nervous about the call (just the usual anxieties around wanting it all to run smoothly) so being unexpectedly Zoom-bombed really shook me. I didn't know what it meant in terms of security - had they been able to hack into anything that could put me at risk?
I did some research afterwards and from what I can gather they can rarely do any real or lasting damage other than disrupt your meeting. At least that made me feel a bit better about things.
Honestly, I don't get it. Why on earth would anybody do that? What do they get out of it? I like to think it wasn't someone targeting me specifically and I'm sure it's some kind of bot not a real person. But, still, what's the point? What's in it for them?
Anyway, despite the unwanted excitement and a pretty terrifying moment, I made it through the call and launched my new publication.
And the best part? I got my first Pledge. My membership programme had its first member.
Time for some self-doubt
I'm not going to pretend I wasn't worried about launching something new. What if I didn't get any interest? What if this thing I'd been working so hard on was a complete failure?
And then that thing happened where it suddenly seemed like everyone else was already doing something similar.
As soon as I launched, I started seeing communities, memberships, and online co-working events everywhere I looked.
And the self-doubt struck even harder.
Why would anyone join my membership when there are so many others? Others that already have lots of members. Others that have loads of great reviews and success stories. How can I compete? What am I thinking launching something like this?
And down the rabbit hole I went.
Until I reminded myself that I have a lot to offer. I have 11 years of experience running my own business, writing, talking about writing, and supporting other people with their writing.
And some people might actually like joining something new. Something small. Something they can be part of moulding and shaping.
I joined a brand new networking group last year and I love that I have been in it since the launch. I've loved seeing it grow and evolve.
Those other communities might have big membership numbers, but that isn't necessarily appealing. It doesn't appeal to me. I find big group chats quite exhausting.
Plus, it's harder to get to know everyone and get personalised support in huge membership programmes because there are so many people. And they can get a bit cliquey with lots of favouritism and ego massaging. I don't want mine to be like that.
I'm not bothered about being the popular kid with the most friends in the playground. I want my members to get genuine value from their membership. I want it to be enjoyable, but most importantly, I want it to be productive.
So, even though I'm having a few wobbles, I'm feeling ok.
I have three pledges so far. I'm hoping for at least ten when I do the full launch. And I still have three weeks to go. That means three weeks for you to take advantage of the half-price membership.
But why wait three weeks?
If you pledge today, your first payment won't come out until I turn on the paid subscription on April 1st, but you'll be securing your half-price membership (£10 instead of £20). And you'll retain half-price membership for as long as you remain a member - no price increase ever.
So if you're on the fence about joining, do it. Test the waters for £10 and find out whether it's a good fit for you. Let me help you write with confidence and purpose.
Your weekly ten-minute task
The weekly ten-minute tasks are short, simple tasks that should take around ten minutes to complete (although you can spend longer if you want to). The goal is to help you improve your sales and marketing processes.
Completing these tasks won't magically transform your business, but doing one small thing each week to improve is better than doing nothing. So block out ten minutes in the next few days and complete the below task.
Profile your three favourite clients
I want you to think about your three favourite clients, past or present. Who are they, and what do you like most about working with them?
Create a profile for each of them. Go into as much detail as you can about them/their business.
- How did they hear about you?
- What made them get in touch with you?
- What problem/need/requirement did they come to you with?
- Were you able to help them with that problem/need/requirement or were there other problems/needs/requirements that needed resolving?
- What solution did you provide?
- What were the outcomes?
Now I want you to do two things:
1. Think about how you can attract more clients like this - where will you find them, and how can you appeal to them
2. Think about how else you can help these clients, and if you haven't already offered to support them further, get in touch and offer ongoing/additional services.
Quite often, our existing clients aren't aware of other services we offer - it's up to us to keep them informed.
Weekly anagrams
Sometimes you need a little break from work or something to get your brain going while you have your morning brew. That's where the weekly anagrams come in.
And this week they are all types of trees:
- lem
- nut shore chest
- poke my nuzzle
- crib shrivel
- coy smear
If you are unfamiliar with how anagrams work: An anagram is a word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of a different word or phrase, using all the original letters only once.
Feel free to send me your answers once you’ve got them all – there’s no prize, but it’s always good to share your achievements. I'll give you the answers in next week's email.
And talking of answers, here are the answers to last week's anagrams:
- sore = Rose
- do rich = Orchid
- cat no rain = Carnation
- hamster munchy = Chrysanthemum
- lit up = Tulip
Thanks for reading
That's it from me this week. As always, if you'd like my help with anything sales, marketing or writing related, join my new membership programme Write With Lisa.
Lisa
