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I’m thrilled to share a story from when my book “Launch” hit the bestseller list. It was an exciting journey, and I want to talk about what it takes to write a best-selling book.

The answer might surprise you!

I remember first sharing my excitement about hitting number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Since then, the comments and congratulations poured in across my blog and social media. One comment stood out, saying, “Congrats Jeff, but honestly 99% of us can’t do this. You had big-time marketers mailing the list for you because of your history in the industry.”

It’s funny because that’s precisely the point. In many of my videos, I emphasize the importance of having a list – a list of prospects, clients and of partners.

My success with Launch was largely due to my list and my partners’ lists.

This shows the incredible power of email marketing and why building your list and building the relationship with your list, should be a primary focus of your business. Even if you’re starting out with nothing.

Why Building Your List is Crucial

I achieved success with Launch through my list and my partners’ lists.

The reason I have partners willing to mail for me is because I’ve done great things for them over the years. It didn’t happen overnight… It took years to build my list and nurture relationships with my partners.

Once someone joins your list, whether they’re a prospect or a client, you have the golden opportunity to draw them back to your offers.

And once they’ve bought from you, they’re even more valuable… A returning client can be worth up to 15 times more than a new prospect.

The Importance of Starting Small

That commenter mentioned that 99% of people couldn’t do what I did. Whether or not that’s true doesn’t really matter. What truly matters is taking those first small steps and getting started.

I couldn’t have achieved this success two decades ago. It’s all about that first step and making incremental progress from there.

Start building your list today and forge relationships with potential partners. You never know what incredible opportunities might unfold.

So the question isn’t whether you can be a number one New York Times best-selling author right now, it’s about whether you’re willing to start taking those small steps toward that goal.

This is the same with launching… The most important launch I ever did was my first one, generating $1,650 in sales. I was ecstatic, not just for the money, but because I proved to myself that I could do it.

That belief and understanding that you can create value and be compensated for it is crucial.

From that initial success, it’s just a matter of degrees, scaling up to greater achievements.

Turn Small Wins into Big Successes

Maybe you’re part of the 99% who aren’t going to put a book on the New York Times bestseller list right now. But you know what? You’re probably further along than I was back in 1996 when I did my very first launch.

Success isn’t some magic trick, it’s a matter of degree, scale, and persistence.

I’m one of those so-called “overnight successes” that took more than 20 years to happen. And you can be too if you just keep taking those steps. 

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Start Small and Celebrate Wins: My first launch wasn’t a fortune, but it was proof that I could do it. Celebrate those small wins – they’re the building blocks of bigger successes.
  • Build and Nurture Your List: Your list can be a goldmine. Whether they’re prospects or clients, these are the people who believe in what you’re offering (and don’t worry if you have a “small” list – I did too in the beginning). Treat them well, provide value, and keep them engaged.
  • Build Relationships: Don’t go it alone. Build and maintain relationships with partners who can support your journey (and potentially promote you down the road). Mutual support goes a long way.
  • Take Incremental Steps: Don’t get overwhelmed by the big picture. Break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. Each step forward is progress.
  • Consistency is Key: Keep showing up. Whether it’s through emails, social media, or your blog – stay consistent. Your audience needs to know they can rely on you.
  • Learn and Adapt: The journey isn’t a straight path. There will be twists, turns, and lessons along the way. Embrace them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

So, keep pushing forward, building and nurturing your list, and taking those incremental steps toward your goals.

And who knows, maybe one day you’ll end up on the bestseller list like me.

Whether you’re launching a book or launching a product, the secret to my success – and the success of countless others – lies in the proven launch formula that has generated over $1 BILLION in sales across every market imaginable.

Ready to start? Enter your best email address here to get access to Launch Quickstart – my FREE training that will help you build a business you love.

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