Quote from James A.Hart on July 17, 2025, 12:13 am

When starting a new business, it’s easy to focus on building the perfect product or rushing to make that first sale. But the truth is: before you sell anything, you need attention. And the simplest, most reliable way to capture attention is by collecting email addresses — even before your product exists.

In fact, getting your first 100 email subscribers is often more valuable than making your first sale.

Here’s why.

You Need People to Launch To

If you don’t have an audience, launching a product is like shouting into the void.

An email list gives you direct access to people who are already interested in what you’re building. These aren’t just random names — they’ve raised their hand and said, “I want to hear more.”

Even if you’re just exploring an idea, a simple landing page that collects emails is enough to start. You don’t need a product, a logo, or a business name. You just need a page that says:

“I’m working on something for [this type of person]. If you want to be first in line, enter your email.”

That’s it. This small step gives you leverage.

Day-One Sales Come From Pre-Built Trust

The people on your email list are the ones who will likely become your first customers. If you’ve been sharing updates, asking for their opinions, or documenting your journey — they’ll be the first to buy.

And once that snowball starts rolling, it becomes much easier to get:

• Feedback
• Reviews
• Momentum

Even a small list — 50 to 100 people — can lead to strong early traction. Without it, your product has no guaranteed buyers.

Build It Before You Need It

Some founders make the mistake of waiting until after the product is ready to build an audience. By then, it’s often too late. You’ve already spent time and money — and now you’re hoping strangers will care.

But when you build a list first, you’re not guessing anymore.

You’re creating with real people in mind. You’re building trust while building the product. And when launch day comes, you’re not starting from zero — you’re starting with support.

Don’t Overcomplicate It

You don’t need fancy tools or expensive software. Just:

• A basic landing page (you can use any website builder)
• A form that collects emails
• One clear message: what you’re building and who it’s for

Then start sharing the page:

• Post about it on your personal social media
• Send it to friends who match your target audience
• Drop it in relevant Facebook groups or communities

Your first few subscribers might be your friends or your mom — that’s fine. The goal is to get people in the loop.

Summary: Why It Matters

Your first 100 email subscribers are proof that someone is paying attention.

They represent momentum, validation, and a starting point.

Sales will come. But attention — earned early — is what makes those sales possible.

Before you launch, before you build, before you worry about funnels or ads — build your list.

It’s the smartest move you can make.