Special [🐝U] -versary issue

There's still snow on the ground out here in Alberta.
STILL!

Not everywhere.
Most of it’s finally melted.
But in the spots where the trees block the sun, it's still sitting there in stubborn little piles, refusing to acknowledge that it's May.

This week I've got fallen trees to clear thanks to a 4-day windstorm,
an ATV trailer to assemble (so I can pick up those trees) with no instructions
& what I'm fairly certain are the wrong number of pieces,

Oh … I also have a brand new retainer client I said yes to even though they don't check most of my usual boxes.

& today is the 1-year anniversary of the Be Yourself Marketing newsletter.
(which is why you’re seeing this hit your inbox on a Monday instead of Sunday!)

I launched on May 4th on purpose.
Star Wars Day.
My little private joke …
"May the tech force be with me" …

Because there are always hiccups when you're starting something new.
There were more than a few.
I kept going anyway.

Here's why I'm telling you this

Not to celebrate me.
To show you what's actually possible when you stop waiting until it's perfect & just do it … as yourself, at your current level, with what you've got right now.

Because a year ago I was genuinely worried I'd run out of things to say.
I made a list of topics just in case.

I haven't touched it … not once!

The plan was to write “every week-ish” ... because I wasn’t sure I could do weekly so the “-ish” gave me permission to stretch things out a bit.

I ended up writing up to 4 times a week

The audio version was introduced last month. I really didn’t feel ready for that.
But my mentors (Ilise Benun & Lisa Christoffel) didn’t budge when I tried pushing back on the suggestion.

Within 2 weeks it hit the top 10 downloads for Canadian-based podcasts on TrueFans.fm 

The thing you're talking yourself out of?
It's probably exactly the thing you need to be doing

What 1 year actually looks like

Here are the numbers that mean something … not follower counts, not vanity metrics:

63 - Subscribers on launch day
48 - Still here today (76%)

137 - Issues published

58% - Avg open rate

$0 - Spent on ads. Ever.
& I’m now averaging in a month what I hoped I’d make in the year.

→ The most-opened issue this year was about my uncle dying. (66.67%)
That edged out the 1 I thought would get the most opens … “I got scammed…” (65.65%)
→ The most-clicked was about an email that made people leave. (21.92%)

The worst unsub month was March 2026.
12 people left after some of my most direct content.
I looked at what I'd published.
I thought about it …

Then in April, there were 17 new subscribers
but I didn't change a thing.

Real content.
Real voice.
Real results.

The only 2 things that actually mattered

I kept moving before I was ready.
& I stayed true to who I am.

Not 1 or the other.
Both.
Every single issue.

No polished persona or bro-marketing playbook.
No pretending the stumbles weren't happening or the dog wasn’t whining to play outside.

Just showing up as myself & trusting that the right people would want that.
They did.
They're still here.

& here's what that means for you:
→ It doesn't have to be perfect.
→ It doesn't have to be expensive.
→ & It shouldn't have to look like anyone else's version of success.

It just has to be done … & it has to be yours
… in a way that fits who you are & where you're at right now.
That's it.

What's next?

Year 2 shifts from "can this sustain itself" to "how do I find more of the right people without losing what makes it work."

& I STILL want to know what YOU want more of.

More client stories?
More behind-the-scenes of the clientless build?
More mindset?
More tactical copywriting & strategy?
Something I haven't done yet that you've been quietly hoping for?

This all started with Marcus Sheridan’s They Ask, You Answer framework

… so when you ask, I answer.

A year ago it was "May the tech force be with me."

Today it's simpler.

May the force be with you …
in taking that first step, or the next one, towards something that's actually yours.

Make it a great “ “ week!
EG

PS:

If this newsletter helps you think differently, grow more honestly, or feel a little less alone building your business … there are a few ways you can support it (& keep it free for everyone).

→ clicking the 2 ads below
Clicking the ads you see helps fund the newsletter with just 10 seconds of your time.
Bonus points (to you) for getting to study their structure … because I DO check every single 1 before approving them.

→ keeping it reader-supported (by choice, not guilt or force)
If this newsletter earns a spot in your week, you can chip in whatever feels right …
bus change, a coffee, or “wow this really helped” $.
No pressure. Ever.

→ Introducing your people to me
If this feels like something your biz friends would find helpful, I’d appreciate you sharing.
& as a thank you, you get a 1-on-1 coaching call from every 10 referrals.

→ Getting a 2nd set of eyes on your business
When you’re ready for 1-on-1 help in your business, schedule a call with your special subscriber rate

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PPS:
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📣 Tell me what you want to read about … here

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📈 Want to talk about better marketing results for your business by being yourself?
Find a time that fits your schedule.