Business Tao with George Kao

Trying to attract with visuals tends towards a shallower engagement with one's audience… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

When you create something and people don't get it, you shouldn't quit. You simply need to test more ideas. This is why I believe in the importance of the 3 stages of content creation: 1. casual, prolific, exploratory. 2. improve on what's liked.3. integrate and productize. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

I don't believe your email list is your most important business asset... It's really about having a genuine connection with your audience and treating them with respect. That's why I don't use deceptive tactics like "lead magnets"... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

There's too much mercenary marketing advice out there. Even if it might get us a few more clients in the short-term, we don’t want to put more negativity into the world. Instead of selling to a client's "pain points", there is a better way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

You don't need to prove yourself as #1 in your field, or best selling author or any kind of puffery. All those tactics will feed your "fixed mindset". Instead, demonstrate your real expertise by showing up consistently to talk about about what's working for you now, and what you're learning. When people see that you are consistently in the practice of improving in your field, you naturally gain trust. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Years ago, I championed the idea that all knowledge should be freely available online, aiming to accelerate humanity's progress. When I actually tried it, I learned two valuable lessons -- (1) free courses resulted in lower engagement and commitment from participants, and (2) my motivation waned without the reciprocal energy of paid exchanges. This experience, coupled with the disappointing experiment in using Patreon, gradually shifted my perspective. I now seek a middle way. I hope to integrate generosity and sustainability. I now advocate for (fair) pricing of courses. It's important for boundaries, self-worth, and the support of small creators. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

My gentle launches are simple: Early bird for 1 week, then regular price for 1 week before the course begins :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Watch/listen to this episode first… Follow-up question I received: "So let's say we have an offer like with your example, 3 're-works' over 6 weeks... once you've got the most response from whichever one... when would you actually then launch what you'd been talking about? Would that be your next offering? Or would it be a few months out? What do you typically do? " My response: I would go ahead and launch (as the very next thing) the offer test that did the best. Basically, sell it while it's hot 😄 because it could be something in the culture or timing that's making your audience more interested in that one right now compared to the others, so... don't wait, assuming it'll be hot later (or that you'll be interested later!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

This principle has been essential to my success. How do I make great content? By making more content, and observing what spreads. How do I improve my skills? By working with more clients, and noticing who grows the most. True learning comes from action — we build muscles by doing things, not just reading about them. It takes *quantity* of action to develop quality of results. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

how to feel ready to put your work out there? begin, explore, publish, repeat. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com