Here’s to a REMARKABLE MONDAY, my friend! Let’s get right to it.

First, let me begin by saying welcome to all the new Remarkables who have joined the chat! I’m so humbled to see our community growing week after week. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

Our conversation for today is:

• Do your homework.

• When you see the crack, break through that opening!

• Don’t forget to follow up.

Do your homework.

Today’s Remarkable Monday is dedicated to you, my friend, who dares to shift the narrative. You are changing the conversation of what has been expected of and known about you.

Storytime! I usually try to move in silence, but I’m breaking my own rule. Why? Because I believe a recent experience I had contains value for your journey.

Recently, I was searching for opportunities to build brand awareness for Remarkable Monday. I had an idea to pitch myself as a contributor to a large publication that boasts millions of readers daily. But here’s the thing: I didn’t have a single personal connection to anyone in the organization.

I prayed for direction, and I felt strongly that I should start by becoming a student of their content. Once I familiarized myself with their voice, I was confident I could find my way in. Still, I thought to myself, “How do I break through?” I was sure the editors received tons of messages daily, and I couldn't help but doubt that I could effectively make this pitch cold. I recalled how I pitched other larger-name publications before with no success.

When you see the crack, break through that opening!

Somehow, this time it was different. Let that be the first note of encouragement for you. I know you've tried before. But this time isn't the last time.

While I was diving down the rabbit hole of articles on their website, I came across a sentence with a typo. Like a glitch in the Matrix, I saw an opening to add value and start a conversation.

Sidebar: A few months back, I was reading an article for a large news organization, and noticed a typo. I emailed the author to bring it to his attention. Needless to say, I learned that an email subject line with “TYPO” can really break through an inundated email inbox.

So I decided to shoot my shot to reach the editor at the publication. My email subject read, “TYPO: [name of article].” I even went a step further to let him know what I was interested in beyond just letting him know about the typo. I said, “Would bringing your attention to a typo in one of your previous articles ruin my chances of pitching myself as a contributor? If so, don’t reply to this email. In fact, I want you to delete it.”

Don’t forget to follow up.

At 5:55 a.m. the next morning, there was a reply in my inbox. The editor affirmed my “editor eyes,” and he ran down the next steps of the vetting process. The process is extensive, to say the least, but I’m planning to follow up by the end of the month. I’m submitting some of my best work in the cache of content requested for the pitch.

I say all of this to encourage you. Make this week remarkable. Don’t hesitate to shoot your shot! Make the necessary connections to bridge the gap between where you are and where you aim to be. Do your homework. Find an opening where you can add value. And don’t forget to follow up – and wow them!

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If you are reading this far…

I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so.

Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days.

If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.

See you next week,