Friend,
Really confused at how it's been 6 weeks since I arrived in the UK.
I'm in that weird blurry transitional period where I can't really remember what came before and, hence, can't remember why I've made this decision. It's kinda gross, to be honest, but I'm pushing through.
One perk: I can definitely eavesdrop on more juicy conversations these days, on account of they're all in English.
For the last week or so, I've become consumed with picking up more local clients for my UX business.
Why? Everything I'm working on right now is 100% remote -- which is cool, but can also be pretty lonely in a new city. Nice to keep some in-person stuff in the mix.
So, I'm basically back on the hunt for the first time in a while.
Which is why, today, I'd like to talk to you about statistics.
(I have a point, I'll get there, stick with me.)
While I do more technical work these days, I got my start in marketing--meaning that I still know all kinds of fun facts about how modern internet marketing works.
And modern internet marketing starts, kinda, as a numbers thing.
Let's walk through what I mean:
In marketing, you'll often hear big businesses talk about how 12 million people read their newsletter--or some equally crazy-high number.
But see, that's not *actually* true. They do send the email to 12 million people, but that doesn't mean every person *reads* those emails.
Statistically speaking, you can expect just 15% of those 12 million people to even *open* the email. That's shrinks the number immediately to 1.8 million people.
And sure, that still sounds like a lot of people. But those are just the ones who opened your email. You want them to read it and respond, right?
Well, on an email newsletter of any shape or size, you can expect about 1.5% of all those people to respond, click on a button, or do whatever it was you wanted them to do.
Meaning we've shrunk the number again. From 12 million people down to 180,000 people.
That means you started out with a population the size of Paris, France and wound up with a group the size of Mobile, Alabama.
I know. Wild.
Can you predict how I'm going to say this all relates to the job search?
Many of you are thinking: "SEE? I *have* to send out 100 applications a day. In fact, I'm going to push harder--300 this weekend."
But the ones who were paying attention will note that I said a list of any shape or size.
Meaning whether you're sending 1000 applications out or sending 10 great ones, you can still expect that 1.5% response rate.
I tell you all this for two reasons:
(1) There's nothing wrong with you. Those unanswered emails and unanswered applications are not about you. This is just how the math works out now, thanks to the internet.
(2) I didn't say that 1.5% response rate would always be in the positive. A response is simply a response. You need to focus on what's going to get your 1.5% to say YES.
PS: Want to job search together? Do this whole awful process with less stress, more focus, less scrambling, and more strategy? Schedule a free 20 minute call with me to discuss getting on that 5-Week Guided Job Search.
PPS: Payment plans available upon request, baby.