Welcome to This Week’s Edition!

Hey Friend,

Another week, another step toward building an audience you own (not one controlled by an algorithm). This week, we’re diving into owning your email and why it’s crucial for your business.

But first, here’s what’s inside:
✅ A deep dive into Email list for events
✅ A curated section featuring top resources
✅ Industry news you need to know
✅ A special promo or sponsor highlight
✅ A quick poll (takes 10 seconds!)

Let’s get into it. 👇

DEEP DIVE:
From Struggling Artist to Convention King:
How one artist built a thriving events empire by owning his audience

Imagine waking up one morning to find your social media account suspended—followers gone, engagement erased. This happens every day to businesses relying on rented platforms.

 In Today's Deep Dive:

• Why email is your business lifeline

• How owning your audience helps you keep control

• A 3-step method to start owning your audience today

 🎥 WATCH THE FULL STORY:

⏱️ Runtime:19 minutes

 In this exclusive interview, Dirk shares:

• His journey from traveling artist to event empire builder

• The exact strategies he used to pivot during COVID

• How he built and maintains his dedicated audience

• Behind-the-scenes insights on running successful events

 Prefer reading? Here's the full breakdown 👇

🎯 THE POWER OF PIVOTING

Talk about a plot twist! Imagine transforming from a road-warrior artist into the mastermind behind some of the hottest anime conventions in Texas. That's exactly what Dirk Strangely did, and boy, does he have some stories to tell!

For two decades, Dirk hustled the art scene - we're talking Disney galleries, cross-country shows, the whole nine yards. But when COVID threw its wrench into the works, he didn't just pivot - he revolutionized his entire business model.

💡 THE BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT

"I already had this tech platform for artists," Dirk explains, leaning forward with enthusiasm. "Instead of letting it collect dust, we transformed it into a virtual convention powerhouse."

The result? A mind-blowing 127,000 visitors in one day! Here's the kicker - they didn't just get traffic, they turned it into profit. Every artist and vendor made money, proving that quick adaptation can turn crisis into opportunity.

🔑 KEY BUSINESS INSIGHTS

#1: Build Before You Need It Dirk's secret sauce for event marketing? He built a robust email list years before he needed it. "As an artist, I always collected emails at shows. When I launched my own convention, I already had a built-in, trusted audience."

#2: Think Beyond Boundaries "Never limit yourself geographically," Dirk advises. That's why he named his convention Kemo Kawaii (meaning "cute and disturbing" in Japanese) instead of tying it to a specific city. Smart move for someone planning multi-state expansion!

#3: Over-Prepare for Success "We over-prepare," Dirk reveals. "What feels like chaos to us looks like perfect organization to others. That's because we put in triple the prep work most promoters do."

📈 THE RESULTS SPEAK VOLUMES

Now in its fourth year, Kemo Kawaii isn't just surviving - it's thriving. With profit margins hitting up to 38% , they're breaking records and breaking ground. How? Weekly team meetings, meticulous planning, and something most organizers miss...

❤️ THE SECRET SAUCE

But here's what really sets Dirk apart - his ability to build lasting connections. At a recent show, a successful lawyer approached him, recounting how he'd inspired her art journey when she was just 13. "These moments aren't just heartwarming," Dirk grins, "they're business gold. Your biggest fans become your best marketers."

🎯 ACTION STEPS FOR YOU:

1. Start collecting email addresses TODAY - don't wait until you "need" them

2. Think bigger than your current geographic location

3. Focus on building genuine connections with your audience

4. Over-prepare - it's better to be over-ready than overwhelmed

Want to see this magic in action? Follow Dirk's journey at strangely studios.net.

💡 PRO TIP: Keep an eye on Kemo Kawaii's expansion plans. When someone combines this level of business savvy with genuine community building, big things happen!/

🎧 Short on time? Get the full story in our podcast version - an exclusive audio experience for newsletter subscribers only.

 CURATED PICKS: 
What You Should Check Out

📌 . "Discover how transforming casual followers into a dedicated owned audience can create sustainable business growth and long-term success."

→ https://www.selfemployed.com/why-owning-your-audience-builds-lasting-success
📌 "Learn proven strategies to build and monetize your audience directly, eliminating dependency on unpredictable social media algorithms."

→ https://www.podia.com/articles/own-your-audience
📌 "Explore how building an owned audience can become your most valuable business asset, creating predictable revenue and growth."

→ https://blog.beehiiv.com/p/the-power-of-building-an-owned-audience

FIRST-PARTY DATA NEWS

(Quick updates on industry trends, platform changes, or data privacy shifts.)

DNA testing pioneer 23andMe files for bankruptcy as concerns mount over data privacy of 15M customers 

"23andMe, once valued at $6 billion, is filing for bankruptcy after a massive data breach exposed 6.9 million customers' genetic information. Why it matters? This serves as a wake-up call for businesses relying solely on third-party data - when you don't own your audience and their data, you're building on borrowed time. It's another powerful reminder why building direct relationships with your customers through owned channels is more crucial than ever."

Meta Agrees to Stop Targeting UK User with Personalized Ads 

"Meta's latest bombshell - they're planning to charge UK users up to £12.99 monthly for an ad-free experience on Facebook and Instagram. Why it matters? This shift isn't just about dodging ads - it's a clear signal that 'free' social media is dying. Smart businesses are already pivoting to owned channels like email and SMS, where they control both the relationship and the costs of reaching their audience."

PepsiCo and Retailers Collaborate to Enhance Sales Forecasting Using First-Party Data

"PepsiCo is revolutionizing their approach by partnering directly with retailers to gather first-party purchase data. Why it matters? Even a giant like Pepsi recognizes that traditional consumer data isn't cutting it anymore. They're betting big on direct data relationships - exactly what small and medium businesses can achieve through their owned audience channels, just at a different scale."

How I Can Help

If you found value in this newsletter and are curious about improving your online presence, here are a few ways we can work together:

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🤝 Strategic Consultation Let's dive deep into your specific challenges and goals. In this one-on-one session, we'll examine your current situation, identify opportunities, and create a clear roadmap for your digital success. You'll walk away with clarity and understanding of your best path forward. [Schedule a Strategy Session →]