November Monthly Theme: What Does Your Audience REALLY NEED From You?
Lyric Kinard Kinard 
How creating meaningful interactions with your customers guides your business development
To really connect with and serve your audience, you need to listen, create meaningful interactions, and let your customers guide your evolution as an entrepreneur in an online teaching space.
Create Engaging, Authentic Emails: Your emails are a direct line to your audience’s inbox—so make them count! Keep them easy to read with short sentences, plenty of white space, and a friendly tone. Using storytelling techniques like cliffhangers (those open loops we love in good TV shows!) can be a fun way to pull readers through. Make your emails feel like letters from a friend, and you’ll have them looking forward to each one.
“In that first email you send after they join your list, make it personal. You could say, 'I’d love to just hop on a Zoom call with you to learn more about your challenges so I can figure out how to serve you better. This is not a sales call; I just want to understand your needs.” — Eran Bucai, DotCom Truths
Go Beyond Surveys with Real Conversations: Nothing beats the richness of a personal conversation. Regularly schedule one-on-one “coffee chats” or Zoom calls with people from your email list or social media following. This isn’t just another data-gathering exercise; it’s about getting to the heart of their needs and struggles. Don’t worry about a script—just ask open, genuine questions like, “What led you to my list?” or “Did you download/use my lead magnet?” or “What challenges are you facing that I could help with?” Listen carefully to their words so you can understand exactly how to serve them.
Cultivate True Relationships: These conversations aren’t just for insight—they’re about building a foundation of trust. When customers feel seen and heard, they stick around. And it’s in these connections that you uncover what they truly value, the obstacles they’re facing, and the reasons they might still be holding back from a purchase. It’s also a gentle way to invite them to take that next step when they’re ready.
Evolve Based on What You Hear: Every interaction is an opportunity to listen and adapt. When customers share their struggles and dreams, pay attention! You might discover that they need a bit more support—whether that’s through memberships, group Q&As, or an on-demand course to address their unique challenges. By evolving in response to real feedback, you ensure your offerings are meeting them exactly where they are.
This approach is about making a shift from transactional exchanges to meaningful relationships. By listening, adapting, and showing up in ways that are truly helpful, you’re not just building a business—you’re creating a community that grows right alongside you.
Become a Pro Member of the Academy for Virtual Teaching and get access to Guest Seminars, including experts Eran Bucai; Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax: US Tax Tips for Artists; Sondrasa of Art Quilts by Design: Livestreaming on Twitch; Sophia Scardaci with C&T Publishing, Creative Spark.
Categories: : Monthly Theme