Okay… so as I talk with people about their big dreams… I’m routinely asked a question:
“How can I get the word out about my big dream?”
In other words… they might be asking…
- How can I get some help with my big dream?
- How can I spread the word and get people on board with my big dream?
- How can I let people know about what I’m wanting to do?
Great questions.
Obviously, in some cases… it can really help to spread the word about your big dream. Maybe it’s to see if someone else has a similar dream… so you can team up. Maybe it’s because you need a lot of people’s input.
Or maybe… it’s simply about drawing a line in the sand and letting the world know that you’re working on a big dream.
Whatever the reason… there are times when you need to spread the word.
So… how can you do it when you don’t have the budget to buy a commercial during the super bowl or put a billboard along a busy freeway?
Well… recently I rolled out a simple concept to a group of the country’s top college students… and they took it and ran with it!
It’s simple. It’s cheap (actually, it’s free). And you can do it every time you click “send.”
Here’s the concept:
You include the synopsis of your “BIG Dream project” in the footer of your personal email.
Yup… that simple.
Here are some elements to consider:
1. THINK “BIG DREAM PROJECT!”
That’s right. Keep it simple. Be able to explain the current season of your big dream journey and define your current BIG Dream Project. So, you may have a big dream of writing a book about parenting and that’s great. In that case, your “BIG Dream Project” might be to collect people’s favorite stories about parenting.
Or… you may have a big dream of traveling to Australia. Perfect! Maybe your current “BIG Dream Project” is to collect information on the best places to visit while you’re down unda. Or maybe to ask for help with ideas on how to get there cheap!
2. BE CONCISE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE AND WHAT YOU NEED
This is in the footer of your email. So being concise is important. Now, granted… if people are going to scroll down to read what you have to say under your signature… there’s a good chance that they’ll be curious. So they will stay engaged enough to read something… but you can’t offer a novel.
So if you have some things in place (like a plan… or some passion… or some stories already collected), let people know. But keep it short. And if you need some help, ask for it. But be specific and to the point. Again, if you need stories ask for them. If you need advice, ask for it. If you need contacts, ask. But don’t ask for a bunch of different things. It will get confusing. And people won’t know how to plug in.
3. STAY HUMBLE
For the college students I mentioned… I told them to let the world know about their dream project but to stay humble. For example, I suggested including something to the effect of “Hey, I know that I may not be able to make all my income from this project, but some day I hope to. In the meantime, I really need your help.”
This tips the hat to a couple of things. For those parents who all of a sudden see a “Dream Project” pop up on their kid’s email footer… they won’t automatically think their child has quit everything to pursue this dream. But at the same time, they’ll see that their son or daughter is taking a risk and going after something.
For our BIG Dreamers who are a little older than the typical college student… it can pay to stay humble too.
I mean, it takes a little humility to ask for help doesn’t it? I mean in our day and age, we all want to appear like we’ve got it all put together. We don’t want to admit that we need some help. But let’s be honest. We do need help… don’t we? Especially when we’re going after our big dreams. So why not just stay humble and ask.
I mean… really… when someone humbly asks for help on a big dream… who can say no? (OK, in this case anyone can say no. BUT… someone who is willing to read your footer might just say “yes,” and get you some of the help you need to see your BIG Dream Project through!
4. ASK ABOUT THEIR BIG DREAM
Why not inspire the world to dream big with you?
Why not wrap up your new email footer with…
“By the way, I believe we all have big dreams… what’s one of yours?”
You might just find some things out about your friends and family that you never knew!
EXAMPLES:
Needing some specifics? Let me offer up some living breathing examples…
Here’s one from Katie Weiler…
—— Forwarded Message
From: Katherine Weiler
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:52:59 -0600
To: “Mitch@mitchmatthews.com” <mitch@mitchmatthews.com>
Subject: Re: Big Dream Gathering
Mitch,
Thanks! You absolutely can use my footer for whatever examples you want! I know that it’s already made a difference, three people at work today said they’d read my blog which is awesome!
Hope things are going well, talk to you soon!
Katie Weiler
Drake University, 2013
319-###-####
My BIG Dream Project: Make America healthy
First of all thanks for checking this out. If you do, you will know about one of my life’s big dreams.
My BIG Dream Project is to transform the food industry in America in order to put an end to childhood obesity and improve the health of our nation as a whole. It’s ambitious, but change has to begin somewhere. Food and health is something I’m passionate about, which is why I want to spread the joy of living a healthy lifestyle and help improve people’s lives.
Click here to hear more of my story:
www.katieweiler.wordpress.com/my-dreams/ <http://www.katieweiler.wordpress.com/my-dreams/>
By the way, I believe we all have big dreams… what’s one of yours?
Here’s another one… from college student Jeff Mitch.
From: Jeffrey Mitch
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:14:56 +0000
To: “Mitch@mitchmatthews.com” <mitch@mitchmatthews.com>
Subject: RE: SUCCEED FASTER
Check it out Mitch! Thanks again for the help.
-Jeff
My BIG Dream Project: Inspirational Author & Speaker
First of all thanks for reading this. If you do, you will know about one of my big dreams.
My BIG Dream Project is to become an inspirational author and speaker. I know I may not be able to make all my income from this right now, but I’m starting to write a book about embracing creativity from within the walls of a cubicle because I have had some interesting experiences within the walls of a cubicle and I believe I can help people achieve their dreams!
Some of the things I still need are contacts, opportunities, and other inspirational stories about life within a cubicle to make this dream a reality. So if you have someone that is looking for a motivational speaker or has any stories about their life within the walls of a cubicle and you’d be willing to connect me with them I would really appreciate it. Also, if you have an event that you need a speaker to present at, think of me. I might be able to present on a topic and enhance your event, and you’ll be helping me to go after my big dream in the process.
Since you have this, then you obviously have my email address. So if you have ideas, connections or encouragement for me… I’ll take the help! And no matter what… thanks again for reading this!
By the way, I believe we all have big dreams… what’s one of yours?
Here’s an example of someone who applied this concept to their business email…
Here’s to you,
Jackie Smith
Jackie Smith
Life Coach
P: 414.###.####
E: Jackie@UnstuckYou.com
My Mission and big dream is to help people to get unstuck!
Are some of your friends stuck… and you
need some help to inspire them? Let me help you help
them. www.unstuckyou.com
I believe in helping people to get unstuck and I’ve gotten pretty darn good at it. I need some help in connecting with people who might need my help. Don’t worry. I won’t hit them with hard selling tactics. Those just don’t work! Nope. I’ll just send them some free strategies on how to get started with getting unstuck. If they want to find out more… we can take it from there. Plain and simple.
Thanks for reading this and thanks for helping!
By the way, I believe we all have big dreams… what’s one of yours?
Okay… those are some examples.
PS – NOT EVERYONE WILL READ THIS!
Yup. It’s true. As I wrap this up, I want to concede this point.
Not everyone is going to scroll down and read about your BIG Dream Project in the footer of your email.
It’s true.
But… what if?
What if someone does?
What if just one person reads it and they’re able to connect you with someone that can help?
What if just one person reads it and they send you a piece of advice that you’ve needed?
What if just one person offers you a bit of encouragement to keep you on your big dream journey?
What if?
Not only that… but what if your BIG Dream Project inspires just one person to think about their own BIG dream?
That might make it worth it… right?
Well, not everyone will do it. And that’s okay. Not everyone should. But… if you read about this and think… “Maybe I should.” Or you think… “What if this was a way for me to put it out there?” Or if you read this… and your heart races at the thought of the world knowing just a bit more about your big dream… then maybe just maybe you want to consider it.
And if you do… send us an email.
That’s right. Shoot us an email at contactus@bigdreamgathering.com.
Show us your footer and we’ll include it as an update to this post!
Sound good?
Hope so.
Keep dreaming big and helping others to do the same,
Mitch Matthews
