Black Friday Blues? Turn Your "Nothing to Sell" into a Selling Sensation.

Learn how to leverage your skills and build a community around your unique expertise.

Photo by Dušan veverkolog on Unsplash

"Courage" might be a bit dramatic.

It wasn't like I was scaling Mount Everest or wrestling a grizzly bear with my bare hands (though, now that you mention it, that does sound like a fantastic newsletter idea...).

No, my act of bravery took place in the considerably less perilous arena of... my laptop. More specifically, it was the day I finally hit "publish" on my Substack newsletter.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Launching a newsletter? That's not exactly leaping out of a plane without a parachute." And you'd be right. But for me, a lifelong sufferer of crippling self-doubt and a chronic case of "what-if-itis," it felt pretty darn close.

See, I had this nagging voice in my head, a real Debbie Downer of an inner monologue, whispering insidious doubts like:

• "You have nothing to sell."

• "No one will buy from you."

• "You're going to price yourself out of the market (or worse, undersell yourself and end up working for pennies)."

Sound familiar? Yeah, those gremlins love to party in all our heads.

But here's the thing about courage: it's not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. It's about taking action despite the fear, like a caffeinated chihuahua facing down a Great Dane. And that's exactly what I did.

The Science of Courage (Because Nerding Out is Fun)

Turns out, there's actual science behind this whole courage thing. Researchers have found that courage is linked to specific brain regions, like the amygdala (our fear center) and the prefrontal cortex (the CEO of our brain).

When we face a challenge, the amygdala screams, "DANGER!" But the prefrontal cortex, like a seasoned hostage negotiator, steps in to assess the situation and decide if we fight, flee, or... you know, just write a darn newsletter.

The more we flex our courage muscles, the stronger those neural pathways become. It's like building biceps, but for your brain. And who wouldn't want a buff brain?

Busting the "Nothing to Sell" Myth

Okay, back to my Substack saga. My first hurdle was that pesky "nothing to sell" Gremlin. But then I realized something: we all have something valuable to offer. Whether it's your expertise on underwater basket weaving, your hilarious takes on parenting a flock of ferrets, or your uncanny ability to predict the price of avocados, there's an audience out there craving what you have.

Think of it this way: you're not selling a product; you're selling a solution, an experience, a connection. You're offering a piece of yourself, your unique perspective, your hard-won wisdom (or, in my case, my mildly amusing observations on life, the universe, and everything in between).

"But Will Anyone Buy It?" (The Age-Old Question)

Ah, the eternal dilemma of the creator. It's like standing on the edge of a diving board, staring down at the water, and wondering if it's going to be a graceful swan dive or a belly flop of epic proportions.

But here's the secret: you'll never know until you jump.

The beauty of Substack is that it allows you to connect directly with your audience, build a community, and offer them something truly valuable. And when you do that, people are more than happy to support you.

Think about it: you subscribe to Netflix, Spotify, that weird sock-of-the-month club (no judgment!), because they provide something you enjoy. Your Substack can be the same – a source of entertainment, information, or connection that people are willing to invest in.

The Pricing Puzzle: Finding Your Number

Now, let's talk about pricing. This is where my inner cheapskate and my inner diva engaged in an epic battle royale. One minute I was convinced I should give my newsletter away for free, the next I was dreaming of yacht parties and caviar dreams.

But then I stumbled upon a nugget of wisdom: your price should reflect the value you provide. Are you offering exclusive content, personalized feedback, and a thriving community? Then don't be afraid to charge accordingly.

People are willing to pay for quality and convenience. And your time, expertise, and creativity are valuable commodities.

The Unexpected Perks of Courage (Besides Bragging Rights)

Now, I'm not going to lie, the initial thrill of seeing those first subscribers roll in was pretty exhilarating. It felt like validation, like the universe giving me a high-five and saying, "You go, girl!"

But the real magic happened after the initial buzz wore off. I started to notice some unexpected side effects of my newfound courage:

• Increased Confidence: Every time I hit "publish," that inner critic got a little quieter. I started to trust my voice, my ideas, and my ability to connect with my audience. It was like I'd leveled up in the game of life.

• Deeper Creativity: Knowing that I had an audience waiting for my words lit a fire under my creative butt. I started experimenting with different formats, exploring new ideas, and pushing myself outside my comfort zone.

• Unexpected Connections: My Substack became a magnet for like-minded souls. I found myself engaging in fascinating conversations, forming genuine connections, and building a community that felt more like a tribe than a mailing list.

• A Sense of Purpose: Sharing my story, my insights, and my (sometimes questionable) humor gave me a sense of purpose that went beyond just writing. It felt like I was making a difference, however small, in the lives of my readers.

Embracing the Rollercoaster (Because Life's Not a Flat Ride)

Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. There were days when the doubt crept back in, when the subscriber count seemed to stagnate, when I questioned if anyone was actually reading my rambling musings.

But that's the thing about any creative endeavor – it's a rollercoaster, not a leisurely stroll in the park. There will be ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments when you want to throw your hands up and scream (preferably into a pillow, to avoid alarming the neighbors).

The key is to keep showing up, keep creating, and keep connecting with your audience. Because even on the toughest days, there's something incredibly rewarding about sharing your voice and building something of your own.

Leaping into the Unknown (and Landing on My Feet)

So, I took the plunge. I crafted my first newsletter, hit "publish," and held my breath. And you know what? People actually subscribed! They read my words, they laughed at my jokes (or at least, I think they were laughing...), and some even became paying subscribers.

Was it scary? Absolutely. Was it worth it? A thousand times yes.

Because here's the thing: selling on Substack isn't just about making money (though that's certainly a nice perk). It's about sharing your voice, connecting with your tribe, and building something meaningful. It's about taking a chance on yourself, even when that inner voice is screaming "DANGER!"

And that is the true definition of courage.

So, What Are You Waiting For? (A Pep Talk in Disguise)

If you're reading this and you've got that little itch, that nagging feeling that you have something to share with the world, don't let fear hold you back. Take a deep breath, channel your inner chihuahua, and launch that Substack.

You might be surprised at the courage you find within yourself, the connections you forge, and the impact you make. And who knows, maybe you'll even inspire someone else to take the leap and share their own story.

And if launching a Substack isn't on your list, then by all means, go wrestle that grizzly bear. I hear they have excellent taste in newsletters.