Complexity is overrated

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Complexity seems to be “in” right now, unfortunately.

And it makes no sense at all.

Everywhere you look, you’ll see some new social media influencer praising his new 50-step funnel, his 30 different opt-in pages, with 15 different lead magnets, for which he’s using 100 different ads, each meticulously being tracked to determine the optimal copy, creative, targeting settings, and every other option you could ever imagine.

The irony is that the same influencer, in reality, has no idea what they’re doing, is putting in hundreds of hours to get this all to work, and might only be getting a 5% increase in total revenue for his effort (if he’s even getting an increase in revenue at all).

See, both in live and in business, it’s always the simple solutions that perform best.

I’m obviously biased when I say this.

But I’ve never seen it not be the case, where a simple solution not only allows someone to 1) free up more time to work on more important things or not have to work at all, and instead spend their time doing the things they love most in life 2) understand how everything functions a lot better and a lot clearer, making it not only much easier to make their solutions perform better but almost guaranteeing the success of the effort they put in and 3) if they happen to work with clients, they’ll undoubtedly get better results because of how easy and simple it is to both explain their frameworks and implement the framework in the client’s business.

While complexity looks cooler and might attract newbies and shiny object addicts…It’s the simple solutions that attract the best customers, get the most optimal results, and make for a more enjoyable experience.

See, I have three main business pillars: simplicity, freedom, and enjoyment. If something doesn’t align with one of those pillars, I don’t do it.

And that should tell you a lot about my business models.

Anyway.

If you’d like to see for yourself how to thrive with a simple email business, then check out Email Valhalla here: https://alexvandromme.com/valhalla


I decided to walk 100km

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In 136 days, on the 9th of August, I’ll be joining a long-distance march of 100 kilometers (walked in less than 24 hours) aptly named the “Dodentocht” (Dutch for Death March).

I’ve never done anything like this.

In fact, I’ve never been hiking or going on long-distance walks before. The only “long-distance” walking I’ve ever done before where a few times when I had to walk home after a night out or when I didn’t have any other transport at that time, and those walks never took longer than 2 hours at most.

With that said.

I’ve got a lot of training to do. Walking 100km is no easy feat. But I just know I’m able to do this if I put my mind to it. If I put in the work and start building up slowly but surely.

In fact, I’ve started going on some walks in the past few days already.

I’ll start with some nice 5–10km walks, then bump it up to 20–30 and so on. I’ve got exactly 19 weeks to get to my goal. And that’s more than enough time.

Another benefit, beside the health-related ones, is the increased creativity you get from going on a walk. I don’t know how or why it works. But for some reason, and this has been confirmed to be the case scientifically, anecdotally, and some other -ally I can’t think of right now, something about walking in nature, letting your mind wander, being away from distraction, and going about your ways helps your brain organize everything and heightens your creativity.

Just try it out for yourself.

You’ll get so many ideas you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Emails, sales pages, videos, tweets, LinkedIn posts, articles, products, you name it, going on a walk makes the creation of those 10x easier.

All you need is your feet to move and somewhere to jot down the ideas you get while walking.

Anyway.

I’m off to go walking right now.

And afterwards I’ll write some more content, create some more products, and earn some more money while doing so. If you’d like to learn how to build your Email Empire to get you paid for sharing your ideas through email and creating products or offering your services to people to help them improve their lives.

Then check out Email Valhalla here: https://alexvandromme.com/valhalla


Christopher Nolan never went to film school

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I was watching an interview with Christopher Nolan on the ReelBlend podcast the other day.

One of the most interesting things Nolan said was how he didn’t go to film school.

Just imagine that. One of the biggest, best, and definitely one of the most popular, directors currently around. Yet he didn’t go to film school or any other form of formal training in the art.

Instead, he simply got in there and started practicing making films at an early age.

Nolan was seven years old when he first borrowed his dad’s Super 8 camera to play around with.

He loved watching other films, thinking about the narratives, and just indulging himself in the world of cinema.

But that’s not where our story ends.

Christopher Nolan isn’t the only person where this is the case. Coincidentally, another big industry name who works closely together with Nolan, and someone who, as you may (or may not) know, I can’t seem to shut up about, also didn’t have any formal training.

More specifically, Hans Zimmer.

Zimmer never went to music school. Instead, he used to play in rock/punk band when he was younger and loved to improve music on the piano or create his own compositions.

Now, this isn’t to say the only solution for you is to start young.

Maybe it is if you want to compete at the highest level of Hollywood. But I’m guessing that’s not your gig. And it’s not mine either.

Instead, I want you to realize the importance of going out there in putting in the work. Getting the practical experience. Getting your hands dirty so to say. You don’t have to get some formal schooling to be good at your craft (this isn’t medical advice).

I don’t care how if you’ve gone to business school, med school, music school, or no school at all.

The only thing that matters is how often you’re practicing your craft.

And that’s one of the many, many, seriously many, reasons why I recommend you and everybody else to start mailing daily and start doing so today. The amount of growth you’ll experience is almost unfathomable—both in personal ability as well as in business and revenue growth.

You don’t need to go to email or business school to get started.

But getting a quick 1–2 hour introduction to point you in the right direction never hurts.

With that said.

Check out Email Valhalla to learn the foundations and avoid the early pitfalls so you can focus on getting in there and getting that practice in starting today.

Here’s the link for more information: https://alexvandromme.com/valhalla


You don’t know what you know

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Once in a while, I’ll receive a question similar to the following one I received recently:

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I don’t feel ready and don’t think I have enough knowledge to create something to sell as a product. I don't want to rip people off by making a course that won't help them.

What should I do?

===

And I get it.

I’ve been there myself.

It’s so easy to get stuck in your own echo chamber of people you know, things you do, tips & tricks you know, experiences you’ve shared with others, and overall knowledge you’ve learned.

Everything you know seems obvious to you because you know it.

But that certainly isn’t the case for other people.

I can guarantee this: you can many facts & figures others do not, you’ve done countless things others haven’t even thought about, you’ve picked up hundred of lessons, went through thousands of small periods of trial & error, and talked to god-knows-how-many people from all sort of backgrounds, with all sorts of experiences, who all left their imprint on you, leaving you with a 100%—this isn’t even up for debate—unique perspective on life and everything that (doesn’t) interest you.

Yet you still wonder if you’ve got anything useful to offer to people?

Answer me this:

Is there something, anything, you know in life that helps you?

The answer is yes. Obviously. There are many such things you know.

Now think about stuff you know that helps you on a daily basis, doing things you like, things you’re passionate about and could talk about for hours.

That’s useful information.

Especially for people who want to do the same things—not the ones who’re already doing the same things, the ones you know and look up to, the ones you’re surrounded with who got you thinking “everyone knows this” in the first place.

Now your next question should be: “So how do I get these people together, show them I know my stuff, and sell my new product?”

Well, I’m glad you asked.

Because I’ve got just the thing for you. Let me introduce to you Email Valhalla. It’s my flagship course which will teach you how to build your Email Empire where you can grow your list, build your authority, get people to trust you, and consistently and efficiently sell your products—ones that’ll actually help them.

Click here to find out more about Email Valhalla: https://alexvandromme.gumroad.com/l/valhalla


Was this a waste of my time?

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I spent 3 hours working on a tiny logo for the new website I’m creating to host my blogs and products on.

Why did I spend 3 hours creating a logo (especially when the website isn’t even finished yet)?

There’s no doubt in my mind that I could’ve spent my time a whole lot better, working on more productive tasks, doing stuff that actually gets me paid, and creating content that actually adds value to other people’s lives.

In fact.

This is the first time I’ve ever taken time out of my day to work on creating a proper logo (or at least for this business).

I never bothered before simply because it’s not profitable. A logo doesn’t make or break a business. No matter how good the logo may look, it won’t help you increase your monthly revenue.

Most people would be better off focusing their attention elsewhere.

Improving their offers. Getting more traffic. Creating more products. Talking to more leads. Everything but creating a logo.

But here’s the thing.

I’ve been doing a lot of that already. For quite a while actually. And just recently I gained a whole new understanding of the direction I want this business to go—something that’ll no doubt change again eventually.

But I’ve got big plans, a grand vision, and a ton of clarity for now. Not to mention a lot of motivation (and discipline).

So what does this logo have to do with anything?

Well, it’s a token.

A sign of a new beginning. A new page in my adventure. The start of the next chapter. It embodies everything I’ve achieved, learned, and experienced so far. It’s a reminder of my past journey and, more importantly, everything that’s still to come.

Looking at it makes me smile as well put me in the right mood, the right setting, the world that I’ve built so far.

And if there’s anything I’ve learned so far about (online) writing. It’s that your writing transcends the pure literal meaning of the words you share.

Your readers quite literally get a glimpse of your vision, your feelings, and if you’re doing things correctly, then they might even be able to join that world (and if that world is built with care and dedication, then they might love that world so much they don’t ever want to leave anymore).

Anyway.

That’s a lot of high-level, big-vision, philosophical business advice.

So let’s keep it practical for this last bit.

None of this could’ve been made, realized, and built if it wasn’t for my religiously building a list, writing it every day, and plugging my products that help improve my reader’s businesses (and lives by extension).

If you’d like how to build and write to your own email list, then check out Email Valhalla here: https://alexvandromme.gumroad.com/l/valhalla


Look at product creation through a different lens

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Look at this email I received some days ago from a long-time reader (who I forgot to ask if I could name him):

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…

I also had this realization about games after taking your "Product Creation Made Easy" course. 

I was in a weird space and was trying to make products to help game devs. Thinking of a product to make, light research and ponder their usefulness. You know the "classic" process.

Then, after taking your course, it "clicked" in my brain that products could be ______ and that's what I should be doing. That makes a whole lot of sense because that's the essence of prototyping and getting feedback. I hadn't thought about seeing a game through that "lens" before.

===

Truth be told, there’s a lot of uncertainty out there about how products should be created, positioned, and marketed.

It doesn’t help that every nutjob with access to social media thinks of himself as an expert without so much as having created a product, much less sold any. They hear advice from other people (who likely haven’t got the slightest clue themselves) only to parrot the exact advice and try to grow some authority by spreading the same misinformation.

This process repeats for dozens, hundreds, if not thousands of people.

Until they’re at a point where everyone repeating the same (untested) advice. And who then, would doubt what they’re saying? Surely everyone can’t be wrong?

Spoiler: they probably are.

If the majority is correct. Then why aren’t the majority of people successful?

Funny how that works huh?

Anyway.

That’s the reason why I only ever teach & talk about stuff I’ve personally experienced. Things I’ve been working on, for months, sometimes years, to the point where I have a backlog of trials, errors, and successes to show.

Which is also why so many people experience moments of insight or get “ah-ha!” moments when they go through my products.

It’s because I focus on the intricacies of how things work.

I show people the bigger picture. I talk about the errors in the “standard” path everyone seems to love so much and what to do instead—and everything is backed up and proven by examples or personal experience.

This email is an important product creation lesson on it’s own.

But if you’d like to learn a lot more and get a similar “click” in your brain as the reader who wrote me the above message, then check out Product Creation Made Easy and discover the true tried & tested way to ideate, create, and launch profitable digital products in 21 days or less.

Check it out here: https://alexvandromme.gumroad.com/l/product


I might get cancelled for saying this, but …

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I don’t enjoy the classic James Bond movies.

You see, my family has this almost bi-weekly ritual of re-watching (or watching for the very first time in my case) all the James Bond movies from Dr. No in 1962, starring Sean Connery, all the way to Daniel Craig’s No Time to Die released in 2021.

I just now finished watching For Your Eyes Only with Roger Moore.

And man.

Maybe it’s on me. But these movies just aren’t it for me. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is.

Whether it’s the slow-moving pace of the plot. The predictability of the story. The pure lunacy of how Bond never actually does much, except mindlessly walk in somewhere, gets spotted, attacked from behind, shot at, ganged up on, and eventually abducted, only to have the enemy play pranks on him instead of getting rid of him right then and there, and then magically getting out as if nothing ever happened (and this cycle repeats multiple times throughout every movie).

Now don’t get me wrong.

There’s a lot the movie does right (the box office numbers and popularity speak for themselves). But there’s so much more it does wrong—or it does for me at least.

And that’s what I’m getting at right now.

It’s ok if I don’t like the movies (at least the older ones, I do enjoy the more modern adaptations). Maybe I’m simply not the right target audience for it. It’s made for other people to enjoy who like these types of patterns, these types of plot lines, and these, almost whimsical, adventures (as the later movies got more serious and less comical).

And that’s the same for you and your business.

You don’t have to please everyone to routinely get $100+ million box office numbers (most made $500 million with less than a $50 million budget or more in today’s money).

All you have to do is to get popular in the right market, to the right people, and keep giving them what they want again and again.

And if that’s the case.

Then you might want to consider employing the wonderful art of email to keep your customers close, stay in constant connection, get to know them better than they know themselves, entertain them, and promote your new offers time and time again, with knowing for absolute certain that they’ll buy whatever you're putting out (because it’s also aiding their lives, never forget this part).

The best part?

Email Valhalla shows you exactly how to do all of the above.

Check it out here: https://alexvandromme.gumroad.com/l/valhalla


How Dune teaches the perfect business-building formula

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I saw Dune: Part Two a few days ago in the theater.

I won’t spoil anything, so no worries

But I can tell you this: it was an amazing experience. Excellent storytelling, wonderful world building, and an incredible score that perfectly blends in with every other aspect of the world of Dune.

Long-time readers know about my love for everything Hans Zimmer so I won’t go into yet another deep dive of the score.

Instead, I want to talk about world building.

More precisely, how everything just fits together—including the shots, the filming style, the dialogue, the music, the VFX, the sound design, and everything else that has to be taken care of when adapting a book into a movie.

Now don’t get me wrong.

Frank Herbert put a lot of time and effort into creating a huge, complex, vibrant and interesting world. But adaptation is a whole different beast of its own (case in point, the many, many previous Dune adaptations that all failed miserably).

But no.

Everything just felt right this time around. As if this could have perfectly well been a new and original work.

There’s enough detail into every scene to make the world feel alive and real.

The exposition is done in a natural way, which does not overwhelm the viewer while perfectly bringing everyone up to pace to understand just enough to follow the story, yet leaving out a lot of information to make the viewer wonder about what’s actually going on behind the scenes.

Who’s who? What do some of these things mean? Even though you don’t understand everything and everyone (unless you’ve read the books), you can still feel when something’s off, when people have ulterior motives, when there’s more going on behind the scenes (which there always is).

It’s the combination of just enough explanation combined with a giant, complex, and living world that creates the feeling of curiosity and intrigue.

And that formula of creating the curiosity to learn more, to stick around, to want to find out what’s happing, and to become obsessed with the world you’re getting sucked into, well, that formula isn’t restricted to film or story alone.

You can apply that same formula to your business and create a world of your own.

A world that captures people’s attention, brings them in with just the right amount of exposition, and keeps them there by leveraging the power of your well-blended collection of characters (offers), worlds (media), music (personality), and entertaining teachings (storytelling).

(Read that paragraph over and over until it sinks in)

And while it’s not something you’ll create overnight. You can start building your world today.

How?

By learning how to write emails and creating the perfect environment to introduce everyone to your world—all the while building your email empire.

Check out Email Valhalla today if you’d like to learn how.

Here’s the link: https://alexvandromme.gumroad.com/l/valhalla


Why I’m not active on LinkedIn anymore

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If you follow me on LinkedIn, you might have noticed that I haven’t been posting that often anymore.

In fact, I haven’t posted anything at all this week.

And no, I’m not quitting. There’s nothing going on. I’m not going through some stuff that forced me to stop posting.

And no, I didn’t get banned again (imagine).

Simply said.

I realized that I don’t actually enjoy the whole social media content creator thing as much anymore. A lot of stuff I read feels (and often is) fake.

It’s all the same dumbed-down information (if it isn’t outright BS advice that’s actively hurting every single person who’s reading it). Which can be good for some, but that’s not what I want to focus on right now.

Don’t get me wrong.

Social media can be a good thing. It’s a tool like any other, after all.

It’s probably one of the best practice fields for newcomers.

But it shouldn’t be the only thing people depend on. In fact, you shouldn’t depend on it at all.

I’ve seen so many people who fall into the social media echo chamber, only to never get out again. They skip and forget to learn so many business fundamentals necessary for their entrepreneurial career. Most of them aren’t getting any real results either.

That’s the biggest danger.

It feels like you’re doing stuff and achieving something, while in reality, you probably aren’t.

Likes are nice yes, one-off clients here and there are nice as well.

But recurring revenue, something most social media content creators don’t have, is a whole lot more nicer.

So I’m exploring different avenues.

Most notably, paid ads to drive traffic to my website, writing articles, working on SEO, getting referrals, and so on.

The key here is, however, to make your email list the center of everything—which is another thing on social media many people forget.

As the saying goes, “All roads lead to email”.

That’s where the money’s at after all.

And if you want to learn how to effectively build and monetize that email list, then check out Email Valhalla here: https://alexvandromme.gumroad.com/l/valhalla


Music composition, game design, and business

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For the past few days, I’ve been busy learning game development (again) and creating music to go alongside it.

It’s been incredibly fun, exciting, and especially rewarding.

I don’t know exactly what it is, but every type of creative work is always extremely rewarding, no matter how slow your progress might be. Going from a few consecutive notes that sound nice to a well-crafted chorus with multiple instruments or going from a pixel on your screen to a moving character (both of which are only small parts of the final deliverable) gives you so much motivation to keep going.

It’s one of those few types of work where progress can actually be seen (and felt) no matter how insignificant it may seem.

Part of why I’m doing this is because I just genuinely enjoy doing so.

Another part is to develop the skills to build out my own universe of the novel I’m writing, bit by bit, in different media, and creating the entire feel of it myself, from the storyline to the character art, to the music, video game adaptations, cinematics, and much, much more.

All of which will boost my email game (and business) as well.

But this whole process reminded me of something important.

The more progress you see yourself making in the early stages, the faster (and better) your results will be. Now this might just be anecdotal proof for me. But I’ve never seen this not to be the case for me, or anyone else for that matter.

Working on something for months on end, without seeing any actual progress to be proud of is demoralizing for everyone and almost never helps to make a well-put-together final deliverable.

Which brings me to Product Creation Made Easy.

In it I teach my simple PCME framework that shows you how to create a product from start to finish, with a big emphasis on getting actual results early on, so you can see (and feel) the progress you’re making—helping you deliver a better end results and keeping you motivated throughout the whole process.

Check it out here to learn more about it: https://alexvandromme.com/pcme