How to get more customers - SPEIDI Edition

As many of you know, there have been several devastating fires tearing their way through Los Angeles. And as someone who grew up near there, who spent a prom eating at one of the restaurant’s that burned to ash, and who still has friends and family there, the news been so heartbreaking. I first just want to shout out LA and send them and everyone affected by the fires (which is…everyone there) so much love.

As I was scrolling around Instagram, getting news about the fires, seeing who was affected and what was going on, I also saw something that delighted me, and something that reminded me of you all, my business besties who are always looking to learn and grow and get your beautiful work out into the world, and wondering how to do that without selling your soul to bro-culture funnels.

And this IT couple from the mid-2000’s felt like the perfect example of one way to explain how to grow and get your beautiful work out into the world.

It came in the form of SPEIDI.

Yes, as in Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from the hit reality tv show of the 2000’s, The Hills.

I know…I’m just as surprised as you are.

So the short of it is that these two lost their home, and essentially all their money, in the fires. In the aftermath of the devastation, Spencer got on social multiple times a day to let everyone know how they could support them…by streaming Heidi’s music.

What ensued felt like a social media campaign of millions of people sharing their reels using Heidi’s music. Celebrities and non-celebrities alike have all been participating in StreamGate ‘25, and so many of us have been following along as Heidi’s music went from virtual obscurity, to being #1 on multiple charts in multiple countries.

Her music career had been dead for 15 years, and now she’s being asked to sing at major events, she’s being interviewed for major publications, and her music is rising in the charts.

And in this situation, I saw so many examples that can be applied to business, and frankly, life, that I wanted to share with you today.

Whether or not you like Spencer and Heidi, or Heidi’s music, try to take these lessons and ask yourself…

“HOW might these apply to my life right now?” and “WHAT can I learn from this?”

Here goes…

1. Tell your customers/followers what you want them to do, how they can help you, and what action you want them to take, clearly, specifically, and simply

   You would be shocked to know how many business owners don’t do this. How many folks don’t tell people what they do, how they can work with them, or ask them to sign up for their newsletter, or to check out their website.

   But people don’t do things unless you tell and direct them, especially in business. So make sure you’re directing them with a CTA (call to action) in all your content.

   Spencer’s CTA was to stream Heidi’s music. He even gave us the idea to put the volume on mute, and keep streaming all day to get the numbers up. That’s it. Super easy.

   CTA examples:
   - Like or comment
   - Share this
   - Reply
   - Share an emoji
   - Sign up for my opt in freebie/newsletter/free course etc
   - Buy (fill in the blank)

2. Whatever you’re asking, make it a low buy-in, especially at first

   Make it easy for people to support you without them having to do a lot, especially if they don’t already “know, like, and trust” you.

   Spencer didn’t ask us all to buy Heidi’s album or merch at first. He didn’t ask us to donate $100. He asked us to stream Heidi’s music in places where we already stream music. Super low stakes, and something anyone could do.

   If you’re just starting out, make sure you have things in place that make it easy for people to support you. My CTA examples above have some great options, but some examples are for folks to give you their email address in exchange for some freebies, or to like or comment on your work.

3. Make it beneficial and fun for your customers to participateI’ve talked about this in previous articles, but the thing that your customers care about the most is that they get something they need and want from your business. Business isn’t just about you and what you’re good at, it’s about solving problems for other people.

   In this example, Heidi’s music is actually fun (for some people at least 😂). So people played it while working out, they made up dances and posted them online, they made playlists for their friends. This exchange was mutually beneficial for Speidi, and everyone else.

4. Include people in the journey and the behind the scenes of your businessPeople LOOOOOOVE bts. Just ask all the reality shows and Instagram accounts with millions of viewers. We all want to feel a part of something and feel like we can relate to others.

   Spencer shared this journey with folks all along the way, from his first ask, to all the people sharing their Reels and TikToks of Heidi’s song, to them crying in gratitude at how her song was moving up on the charts, and the interviews they’re now having.

   People love a good success story. Make sure you bring your customers along the journey with you as you grow and build yours.

5. Hype up the people that support you and show gratitudeThis one is self-explanatory. Everyone wants to feel like they’re doing something good, and everyone likes being recognized for what they do.

   Think of ways to hype up your customers: share their stories, thank them for purchasing, give them extra freebies, send handwritten cards. Basically, take really good of your people once they’re in your world.

   Spencer has been doing this all over his videos…thanking and tagging people who share, sharing their content, etc.

   Have an abundance mindset when sharing other people’s things and gratitude for the folks that help you.

There are more but I’ll stop for now, and now I want to hear from you. Which one of these 6 speaks the most to you right now? Which one/s are you great at already and which could use more attention?

Let me know in the comments below. (See…there’s one call to action). And like and share this article if it speaks to you. THANK YOU! (See…there’s three more)

It’s my FAV EVER to answer your specific business/marketing questions. Please oblige me by asking yours? Here’s a form to drop your question here anonymously and I’ll answer it in future columns.

ALSO…my mission is to help as many folks as I possibly can with free business advice. I believe business can be a beautiful and fun experience that allows for a life of fulfillment and freedom, instead of an overwhelming rollercoaster. I want to save you that overwhelm.

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