Issue: The Vulnerability of Low Numbers
Because small doesn’t mean weak — it means real.

Picture this:

You launch a workshop.
You pour your heart into the slides, the landing page, the promo emails.
And when the doors close?

Five people signed up.

Ouch.

Every part of you wants to hide that number. To sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn’t happen. Because in this online space, we’re taught that authority = big numbers.

But here’s the truth: the most magnetic leaders aren’t the ones hiding their low numbers.
They’re the ones sharing them.

Because vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s the fastest way to build trust.

There are three big reasons we shy away from sharing low metrics:

1.     Shame. We think small numbers signal failure. “Only 5 sales? I must be doing something wrong.”

2.     Comparison. We measure ourselves against peers flexing their 6-figure launches and 10k lists.

3.     Fear. We’re scared of being judged. What if people think less of us?

But here’s the thing: the people you’re meant to serve don’t want perfection. They want proof that you’re human.

And nothing proves humanity better than honesty about the messy middle.

Think about your own reaction:

·       When someone says, “I had 500 people join my webinar,” you might think, good for them.

·       But when someone says, “Only 12 people showed up — and it was the best session I’ve ever hosted,” you lean in.

Because suddenly, it feels doable. You can imagine yourself filling a room with 12. You can picture the intimacy, the conversations, the real connections.

That relatability is gold.

For readers like Lena, who fear irrelevance

From Inbox to Income Avatar Len…

, knowing that small numbers can still create impact is liberating. It makes her believe that even if she’s not “big” yet, she’s not invisible.

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Low numbers don’t weaken your authority. They strengthen it — when you frame them right.

Here’s why:

1.     They prove you’re not faking it. In a world of inflated screenshots, honesty stands out.

2.     They show your resilience. Readers respect leaders who keep going, even when results are small.

3.     They teach better lessons. Struggles reveal strategies. Readers learn more from what didn’t work than from polished success stories.

Authority isn’t about looking flawless. It’s about being believable.

Imagine sending this email to your list:

“Only three people signed up for my course. At first, I felt embarrassed. But then I realized: with three, I could give 1:1 attention. I asked them deeper questions, and their answers shaped my next offer. Without those three, I’d still be guessing.”

That’s vulnerability turned into value.

Instead of making you look “small,” it makes you look wise. Instead of hiding, you lead.

Most people won’t share their low numbers. They’ll gloss over them, pad them, or ignore them completely.

But if you’re the one who goes first — who says, “Yes, my last launch brought in five sales” — you instantly stand apart.

Your readers will think:

·       Wow, she’s honest.

·       If she’s being this real, I can trust her.

·       If she can own her numbers, maybe I can, too.

That’s what makes vulnerability magnetic.

Here’s a simple framework you can use:

1. State the Number Honestly.
Don’t inflate it. Don’t minimize it. Just say it.

2. Share How You Felt.
Admit the disappointment, embarrassment, or fear. Readers resonate with honesty.

3. Reveal the Lesson.
What did the low number teach you? What did you do differently because of it?

Example:

·       Number: “Only 20 people opened my last email.”

·       Feeling: “At first, I thought, Why bother? Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”

·       Lesson: “Then I realized my subject line was too clever and not clear. This week, I’m going back to simplicity. Maybe that helps you too.”

Now your low number isn’t a failure. It’s a teaching moment.

Here’s the hidden upside: vulnerability doesn’t just build trust — it drives conversions.

When readers see you’re willing to be honest, they trust you more with their attention, their time, and eventually, their money.

Because if you’re transparent about your struggles, they know you’ll be transparent about your offers.

This week, I challenge you to share one “low” number with your audience.

It could be:

·       The number of replies you got.

·       The sales you didn’t make.

·       The unsubscribes you noticed.

But don’t stop there. Share the story. Share the lesson.

You’ll be surprised how many readers reply with: Thank you. I needed to hear that.

We’ve been taught to hide low numbers. To cover them with polish. To only show the “good parts.”

But authority doesn’t come from looking perfect. It comes from being real.

And real means vulnerable.
Real means showing up with the truth.
Real means saying: “Yes, my numbers are small — and here’s why they still matter.”

Because at the end of the day, low numbers don’t make you less trustworthy.
They make you more human.

And that’s what builds the kind of trust that lasts.

👉 Call to Action: Reply to this email and share one “low” number you’re willing to reframe this week. Let’s make vulnerability your new superpower.

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