The concept of 1000 true fans, is extremely powerful. If you focus your goals simply on attracting, respecting and serving 1000 true and loyal fans. Your business will be a success, you will achieve financial freedom!
This simple yet extremely powerful concept is based on something I read from Kevin Kelly’s 1000 true fan theory. He states all you need is 1000 true fans and you never have to work again.!
Now I love to work, I love the “game”. What what this simple concept helps to do is keep you focused and hopeful. It prevents doubt and helps you be excited in reaching this simple target always.
It’s an extremely rewarding and fulfilling thing to be able to impact 1000 people. 1000 People is all you really need to be able to keep doing what you love, grow your brand, share your passion.
Afzol Ali
Problem with looking at others
In this modern digital age, when everyone flaunts their success. We sometimes lose focus and become unrealistic.
Let me explain.
Dreaming big and aiming high is a essential for any business and entrepreneurs. However, the problems begin when we get demotivated, lose the drive, feel as if you won’t ever make it. We look at what others are doing, those who are ahead of us, and get overwhelmed and try to do too much too quickly and burn out, worse give up.
We observe those that are making millions. Those influencers and brands with thousands and millions of followers and think, the journey is hard or impossible and get overwhelmed.
But What If your target was more attainable? What if your goal was to get only 1000 people into your world? That seriously alters perspective doesn’t it?
When I really understood this theory, it was a breath of fresh air.
Think! in the world of over 7 billion people, are there not 1000 people who you:
- Can you get along with?
- Think similar to you?
- Who you can help?
- Who will be interested in what you have to share?
Simple Maths of 1000 to £100,000
Let’s do the maths as numbers do not lie to make it more real to you.
- If 1000 people love what you do, buy only a single product from you once a year which you made just to serve them at a price of £100
- That will create £100,000 GBP per year-! ( $122,700 USD)
Do you think you will be happy with that?
As a startup, I think that’s more than enough for you to remain in business, focus on serving your customers and followers, grow your brand and business and not need to work for someone else ever.
Focus on the few, not the many
How to succeed as a Startup? Build your 1000 true fans:
- Reach and Engage
Find and reach out to people who love you and love what you are doing. Use all the digital platforms and even face-2-face when you can
- Serve and entertain
Truly care for them, serve them, entertain them. And you will enjoy yourself and money will come when these very people love you and trust you. Just give massive value.
- Focus on your customers, stop looking at others
You do not need millions, remember you just need 1000. Do not look at others, stop feeling overwhelmed by those Instagram accounts with 2m+ followers. They worked hard to get there, and they all started somewhere. You do not need millions of people to live the life you want. Just 1000 true fans and friends.
How to apply this to a Personal Brand?
You may not be a business with a lot of people. You may be just one person, who wants to serve and be financially free. But You may be thinking “But I do not know enough” or “who will listen to me?”. JUST STOP thinking like this.
The most important thing to understand is “SERVE!”. Those who are sincere, care and want people who trust them to succeed, always win.
All you need to know is a little more than another person to be able to help them. It’s like being in school. You do not need to be the teacher. You can be a student just like your friends. But you understood something better or revised something the night before to be able to help your friends. These 1000 people are your friends!
Always keep this in mind when your building content and stay motivated.
Your competitive advantage is You. You are unique, there is no one like you on this planet. Those who will be loyal to you like you for you and what you have to offer. Your only competitor is your own limiting belief.
How to apply the theory to Businesses and Brands?
Advice for those who are running and starting a business. People similar to myself. Then the understanding here is the same.
Understand your customers, put all your energy into acquiring the first 1000 customers. They are your early adopters and supporters. These people are so special, and treat them as such.
Yes, we want global recognition and newsworthy sales numbers. But really, when statistically 80% of all businesses fail within the first few years. If serving only 1000 people on a personal level keeps you growing, keeps you innovating and allows you to do what you love, That is a success.
Simply focus on serving them to your best of ability. Especially on the early days when your customer base is small enough to give them VIP treatment.
- Be prompt in your replies
- Solve customer complaints fast
- Engage with them one-2-one
- give a personal experience which big brands cannot easily do
Doing these things already puts you ahead of the wannabees.
In addition:
Repay the loyalty of these 1000 fans with extreme value. High-quality products, and products they want, NOT what you think they want.
Afzol Ali
How do you know what they want….? it’s simple ASK !
If you ask they will tell you. You be surprised at how customers are frank and will tell you. Your job is to listen and produce.
Once you have made what they asked, again engage with them through marketing, social media, emails, videos and so on. And let them know what they asked for you have available.
Repeat all this again and again. Not only will your 1000 fans carry on helping you grow. They will tell another 1000 people.
And that is the Snowball effect you will create, without too much stress.
Remember, Everyone started somewhere.!
Conclusion
Please people, really digest this concept. It will help you to stay focused and tailor your content, products and services for those elite few who had trust in you.
Look at competitors for inspiration. Do not look at them and compare. They are on their own journey, you are on your own separate journey.
My biggest takeaway here is, serve the few not the many. success will follow.
