Scarcity, Dislikes, and the 80's Debut

Quit reading this part, I've got so much to share, c'mon...

Author

Pat Miller
February 18, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

GM to our 1,004 subscribers including our latest: Ro’ee, Alana, Bridget, Donna, and Jeff

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I gotta admit, I’m having a blast creating this newsletter and I appreciate you tuning in. This week’s issue has some stuff you need to know, a personal realization that might make you feel less guilty about spending money in the business, and a new feature that is, well, TOTALLY RADICAL.

In this week’s issue:

  • Instagram is testing a DISLIKE button? For real?!?!

  • Scarcity might be the sales angle you’re missing

  • How not to be a terrible client for your tax preparer

  • And other shenanigans.

Last bit: The Small Business Owners Community has launched our 2025 Call for Speakers. If you’d like to get on one of our stages, fill out THIS FORM by 3/2 at Midnight.

I’d love to hear your feedback on the newsletter so make sure to send me your questions, comments and sarcastic remarks. I read every reply.

Remember, it’s YOUR DREAM - Don’t Grow it Alone®

Pat

Instagram is testing a DISLIKE Button

Why This Matters: If the new feature is rolled out, the dislike count won’t be shown and it will help you know if your stuff is landing. I think it could be another free, easy data point to judge your content performance. What do YOU think?

techcrunch.com/2025/02/14/instagram-tests-a-dislike-button-for-comments

Scarcity Might Be Your Missing Link…

WTM: If anyone can buy your stuff at any time, what is their urgency to do it today? Perhaps you need to limit the supply. This quick easy read is already making me rethink my sales strategy. After all, “If it’s hard to get, it must be good…” Right?

blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-the-scarcity-principle-can-transform-e-commerce

It’s ALWAYS OK to spend money on this item in your business…

Make Tax Season Easier on Your Bookkeeper

WTM: It’s that time of year when we should light a candle for our financial professionals because they are dealing with YOUR MESS. Here are 5 ways you can make their life a little better so you don’t end up as their PROBLEM CLIENT.

www.inc.com/luke-templin/5-ways-to-make-tax-season-easier/91145050

RUMOR: Is there a new iPhone Coming TOMORROW?

Update - WE NAILED IT.

WTM: Apple CEO Tim Cook DID just announce a new iPhone. The iPhone 16E for $599. Read about it here:

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/the-iphone-16e-launches-for-599-with-ai-and-apples-c1-modem/

Pivot*: 20 Years Ago YouTube Started as a Dating Site

WTM: YouTube just turned 20 and it’s success is a reminder that you might have the right product but the wrong wrapper. It started as a dating site but now it’s the biggest media outlet in the world and it’s not close.

*drink. It’s an SBOC Community joke. I’ll explain next time I see you.

mashable.com/article/youtube-turns-20-years-old

80’s Song of the Week: YAZ - Situation

You may not know this, but I’m the best damn 80’s DJ in the galaxy. That might be a stretch, but not by much. I thought it would be fun to mix in some jams to make sure we’re not working TOO HARD. So, LET’S WATCH GRANDMAS DANCE. This video features kids in 1982 completely grooving to one of the best songs of the decade. I was fiddling with the math and realized that if the kid you’re watching was 25 in the video, she’s 68 now. That’s something to think about, no?

As for the song - what can you say about the album Yaz - Upstairs at Eric’s?
Flawless. Damn near magical. Enjoy.

And, if you’d like to play along, send me your favorite 80’s song. I’ll start and share a Summary 80’s playlist on Spotify and I might feature you and your business in the newsletter.

Now, GO SELL SOMETHING.

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