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- 🐙 Start with WHY, not WHAT
🐙 Start with WHY, not WHAT
the #1 fatal mistake 90% of solopreneurs make (and how to reverse it)
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Hey there, solopreneur!
Let's cut straight to the chase:
Your content isn't converting. Your offers aren't selling as much as you want.
And you're starting to wonder if you should just pack it all in and become a professional cat video curator instead.
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/29836c05-d575-4032-8287-0e906696e6d7/giphy.gif?t=1720084977)
This is the reality of 90% of solopreneurs I talk to (OK, maybe not the last part).
The problem? You're talking about WHAT you do and HOW you do it... but you're missing the most crucial piece of the puzzle.
The piece that turns casual browsers into die-hard fans and tepid leads into eager buyers.
That missing piece is your WHY.
And Simon Sinek's Golden Circle framework is about to become your new secret weapon for unlocking it.
"People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it."
Today, we're diving deep into the world of the Golden Circle and how you can leverage it to transform your solopreneur empire from "meh" to magnetic.
You'll discover:
Why most solopreneurs get their messaging backwards (and how to flip the script for maximum impact)
A step-by-step process for uncovering your core 'WHY' using the "WHY Excavator" prompt
How to apply your newly discovered 'WHY' to revolutionize both your content creation and offer development
Let's. Get. Golden. 🌟
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How I Gained 100K Followers in Under 3 Months
As someone who's built a thriving online business from scratch, I know firsthand how game-changing the right strategies can be.
After losing nearly everything in the FTX crypto collapse, I was determined to rebuild stronger than ever.
That's when I discovered the power of AI for content creation.
By leveraging AI tools and frameworks, I was able to:
Create a week's worth of high-quality content in just 1 hour
Skyrocket my audience growth to 100K followers in 65 days
Generate content that authentically resonated with my ideal audience
The results were so transformative that I knew I had to share my strategies with fellow solopreneurs.
And so, The AI Audience Accelerator was born.
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9d573833-118e-4133-91be-a64b492cc7e9/letsdivein2-min.gif)
How Most Solopreneurs Get Their Messaging All Wrong
Tell me if this basic, all-too-common solopreneur CTA sounds familiar:
"Check out my new course on email marketing! It covers everything from list building to segmentation to automation!"
Snooze fest, right?
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Here's the harsh truth:
Nobody cares about what you do or how you do it... at least not at first.
What they care about is WHY you do it.
That's the key insight behind Simon Sinek's Golden Circle framework.
Most businesses communicate from the outside in:
WHAT → HOW → WHY
But the most inspiring leaders and brands? They flip the script:
WHY → HOW → WHAT
BY STARTING WITH YOUR 'WHY', YOU:
Connect with your audience on an emotional, visceral level that goes beyond features and benefits
Differentiate yourself from the sea of lookalike competitors in your niche
Attract die-hard fans who resonate with your mission and values (not just your offerings)
Think about it:
Apple doesn't start by telling you about the technical specs of their latest iPhone.
They start by tapping into your desire to think differently, to challenge the status quo, to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Patagonia doesn’t open with the technical features of their outdoor gear.
They start by rallying you to join their mission to save our planet, making you feel like a guardian of the environment with every purchase.
Airbnb doesn't lead with their vast inventory of unique accommodations.
They begin by inviting you to "Belong Anywhere," tapping into your desire for authentic travel experiences and human connection.
The product specs? That's just the 'what'. And it comes last.
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Let's break down the Golden Circle in full:
WHY: This is the core belief of your business. It's the reason you get out of bed in the morning. It's the purpose, cause, or belief that drives everything you do.
HOW: This is how you bring your why to life. It's your unique approach, your special sauce, your differentiating value proposition.
WHAT: This is what you actually do. It's the products you sell, the services you offer, the content you create.
Most solopreneurs start with the 'what' and maybe touch on the 'how'.
But by leading with your 'why', you tap into the part of the brain that controls decision-making and behavior.
You speak directly to your audience's emotions and values, creating a magnetic pull that's hard to resist.
And the best part?
Your 'why' should infuse EVERYTHING you do - from your social media content to your product offerings.
It's the golden thread that ties your entire brand together and makes you unforgettable.
But how do you actually uncover your 'why' and infuse it into your content and offers?
That's where AI comes to the rescue.
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9aecc84-84c4-4fac-949e-b5e0b7dd67a9/promptcorner2.gif)
The "WHY Excavator" Prompt
This prompt is designed to help you discover your WHY behind your content and solopreneur business:
I need help uncovering my WHY as a solopreneur. Please guide me through exploring my origin story to reveal my core purpose.
Ask me the following questions, pausing for my response after each:
What motivated you to start your business initially?
Describe a moment when you felt absolutely certain you were on the right path. What happened?
Think of a time you helped someone and felt deeply satisfied. What did you do, and why did it feel so meaningful?
What personal experiences have shaped your worldview and approach to business?
If your business could leave one lasting impact on the world, what would it be?
After I've responded, please analyze my answers for common themes, values, and motivations.
Then, craft a WHY statement that encapsulates the core purpose revealed in my origin story.
The statement should be concise, inspiring, and focused on the impact I want to have on others.
HOW TO USE THE WHY EXCAVATOR PROMPT:
This one’s super simple. Claude or ChatGPT will guide you through a series of questions, one at a time. Answer them thoroughly and thoughtfully, and by the end, it’ll analyze them and output a comprehensive “WHY” statement for you.
Here’s an example of it’s output after I went through the exercise (took me about 4 minutes):
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c7c7a861-cc79-4b00-8210-416e0de99cad/Screenshot_2024-07-03_at_11.09.03_PM.png?t=1720084157)
Pretty neat, huh?
I subconsciously knew this was my mission and the “WHY” behind the AI Solopreneur, but seeing this articulated gives me much more clarity on my future direction.
All solopreneurs should have high-earning, low time investment “lifestyle businesses” powered by AI.
Just like I’ve achieved.
And I want to help as many of you as possible achieve the same.
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1b2503f9-2721-4c05-9fac-492b6300a81a/wrapup2.gif)
WHAT YOU LEARNED TODAY
Why most solopreneurs get their messaging backwards (and how to flip the script for maximum impact)
A step-by-step process for uncovering your core 'WHY' using the "WHY Excavator" prompt
How to apply your newly discovered 'WHY' to revolutionize both your content creation and offer development
That's the beauty of the Golden Circle.
No more bland, forgettable content.
No more 'me too' offers that blend into the noise.
Just you, your core purpose, and a tribe of devoted fans who resonate with your mission on a soul-deep level.
As for me, my 'why' is to empower solopreneurs to harness the limitless potential of AI, freeing them to focus on their zone of genius and make their unique mark on the world.
Pretty golden, if you ask me. 😉
Keep diving,
Ole
P.S. — Over 265 people enrolled in the AI Course Creator recently.
Missed it?
P.P.S. — Don't have an audience to sell to yet?
No problem.
My first course — The AI Audience Accelerator — will help you leverage AI to go viral with ease and create 1 week of content in 1 hour.
It's the ultimate tool for accelerating your X and LinkedIn audience growth faster than the competition.
(I used these AI systems to go from 0 to 100K X followers in 65 days).
What did you think about today's edition? |