This is something that needs to be said. Let me elaborate: give up on your business idea, not your business. I've failed at so many startups and have been lucky enough to have succeeded with a few. Almost every single time, the initial idea morphed into something completely different by the time we launched and/or started picking up traction. One of the biggest problem with first-time startup founders is that they are too afraid to deviate from their initial idea.

I've had to learn this the hard way.

For 3 years I worked away at an idea I thought was what people wanted, a pretty unique software solution for competitive monitoring, without ever doing the proper research and market validation. Needless to say it didn't take off the way that I had hoped. My latest venture, which I'll drop in here for those who are curious: EvermailAI.com (a software that automatically collects information about your prospects and leverage artificial intelligence to create personalized messages) which has seen considerable success - 700+ signups at the time of writing this - initially started as an internal tool for our marketing team!

My point being, you never know where you or the market is going, so be open to changing the initial vision. I see too many people stubbornly sticking to the same idea without listening to their customers, their team, and their supporters. It might be time for you to give up on your business idea, but not your business! Go you! 📈

I'm thrilled to share the incredible success I've had with my latest project, EvermailAI.com! In just two weeks, we somehow managed to hit the 500 signups mark... and today, I want to let y'all in on how this was achieved and what I've learned. 🚀

1. WE PRACTICED WHAT WE PREACHED

EverMail AI is an email marketing automation that was initially designed to be an internal tool. But as the development of EverMail AI was eventually completed over several months, something became clear to us.

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Before taking EverMail AI to a wider audience, we thought to ourselves: Could EverMail AI successfully market itself? Spoiler alert: yes.

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Sourcing leads both organically and via Apollo, with EverMail AI's personalized outreach, resonated with our target audience. This short initial testing period saw a cold email conversion rate of ~23%, which was an amazing start that resulted in 192 signups.

2. GOOGLE (CONVERSIONS) AND LINKEDIN (AWARENESS) ADS

• Keyword Selection:
  • We conducted thorough keyword research to identify terms relevant to email automation tools, using Semrush. We also ensured that ads were displayed to users actively seeking products like EverMail AI.
  • We utilized Google Search Ads for high-conversion intent keywords, focusing on users actively searching for solutions.
• Ad Copy Creation:
  • You must craft engaging and concise ad copy to capture the audience's attention. We highlighted EverMail AI's USPs and emphasized the benefits of personalized email automation.
  • Something important is to use tailored ad copies based on the platform - emphasizing detailed features on Google where users are more likely to convert quickly.
• Budget Management:
  • This is a bit obvious, but you must regularly monitor and adjust the budget based on the performance of different campaigns to ensure maximum ROI and prevented unnecessary expenditure.
  • We allocated a larger budget to Google Ads for conversion-focused campaigns and a more modest budget on LinkedIn Ads for brand awareness.

3. Competitive Pricing Strategies:

Offering EverMail AI at a competitive price point was key to attracting users for us initially, even if it did not scale. We were pretty scared to offer 1,000 personalization credits for $24 at the start knowing we could charge much more... but by providing a valuable product at an affordable rate, we positioned EverMail AI as a not only a functional but also a cost-effective solution in the market.

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Transparent Pricing: We clearly communicated the pricing structure on the EverMail AI website and in all marketing materials as well as prioritized transparency to build trust with potential users, acknowledging that clear and upfront pricing is a key factor in decision-making for users evaluating different solutions.

The transparency extended to outlining the features included in each pricing tier, ensuring users had a comprehensive understanding of what they would receive with their investment. This approach aimed not only to attract users genuinely interested in EverMail AI but also to establish a foundation of trust by being open about the cost of the service.

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Free Trial Options: We introduced a free trial period for EverMail AI, providing users with an opportunity to experience the tool's benefits firsthand without committing to a subscription. The free trial was designed to showcase the practical value of EverMail AI, allowing users to explore its features, test its effectiveness, and determine how it could seamlessly integrate into their workflows.

This strategy not only attracted a larger user base but also allowed EverMail AI to demonstrate its value proposition effectively, converting trial users into long-term, satisfied customers.

THANKS!

I've got a treasure trove of other insights waiting to be shared, from outclassing copycat products to the intricacies of social media marketing, but I'll leave that for another post. Thanks a ton for taking the time to read through this! 🎉

In a world where small-scale entrepreneurs navigate the digital wilderness, there emerges a tale of triumph. Meet Robert, a lone wolf entrepreneur who defied the odds to scale their business to new heights... and one of my closest friends. No swanky office, just a laptop, a cozy corner, and a relentless pursuit of the 10k/mo mark that recently came into fruition via his company [redacted for privacy reasons]. I'm going to save you the long story and unravel just the email marketing stack that became their trusty companion on this thrilling journey. No corporate mumbo-jumbo, just a warrior's toolbox for modern-day marketing battles... it's such an interesting story that I had to share this bit with the entrepreneurs of Indie Hackers for the culture!

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Rob's journey started with something that many successful entrepreneurs will tell you – the foundation of their success lay in building a devoted audience. Rob didn't just collect emails; they nurtured them. He had the benefit of having an existing lead list to work off of, but these were not previous clients or anything, these were complete strangers.

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Efficiency was key to Rob's success. They set up email automation that ensured timely delivery of content and engagement. With the right software, they could reach their audience in just the right way, increasing open rates and conversions. He told me he uses EverMail AI (evermailai.com), which personalizes outbound at scale. Rob knew that people are more than just a name on an email list. They personalized emails based on user behavior, preferences, and past interactions. The result? A sense of individuality that deepened the connection between the brand and its audience.

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Ultimately, engaging content, meaningful conversations, and genuine connections with their followers formed the bedrock of their success. In a digital world awash with information, Rob realized the power of persuasive storytelling. Their emails weren't just bland newsletters; they were captivating stories that pulled readers into their world. Through genuine, personal anecdotes and a dash of humor, they breathed life into their brand. No corporate jargon, just authentic communication.

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In the world of email marketing, one size doesn't fit all. Rob knew the importance of using all the tools at his disposal and meticulously testing everything. Continuous optimization ensured that their emails evolved to perfection, and to send out his emails he uses Instantly (instantly.ai). A successful entrepreneur doesn't just shout from the mountaintop; they also listen. Rob encouraged feedback and engagement, valuing the opinions of their audience. It wasn't a one-way conversation; it was a dialogue. And this didn't just extend to his customers, his team always had feedback for him.

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As the days turned into months, and the emails kept flowing, Rob's income soared to a steady 10k/mo. It wasn't a fluke; it was the result of a well-crafted email marketing stack that combined the art of communication with the science of data analysis. No flashy corporate tactics, just the spirit of a digital warrior conquering the modern business landscape. In the digital age, Rob had found their secret weapon, and it was none other than a well-crafted, personalized, and engaging email marketing strategy.