i really like the way that you broke it all down, especially since I am about to sit down and layout some goals and strategies this weekend. The only thing I must say is that I do not feel that pop-overs work, in fact they may alienate some. I feel that if people like you, they will find a way to subscribe no matter what, and if they do not like you, no amount of pop-overs will persuade them. Just my 2 cents.

You are doing a great job of building the list though, and the site is better than ever. Keep it up!

I like the fighting analogy.

- Your goal is to win the fight.
- Your strategy might be to not use your strength, but rather your quickness to win over the stronger opponent.
- Your tactics might be a quick leg kick and then back away. Then a couple quick jabs and then duck and work your angles.

I have a system that works quite well for discovering my strategies and tactics (though I never really thought of them like that but I suppose that’s what they are).

I write down my goal where I want to be in X amount of time, say 10 years.

Then I work my plan backwards. Where am I in 5 years and what must I have accomplished to get there. Then 1 year, then one month, all the way down to what I need to do today.

This gives me a clear plan. Planning your strategies forward I think is a little like driving blind, it’s hit or miss if you will get to your goal.

Just because time is linear doesn’t mean we have to think that way all the time.

@James – You’re right about tools, because tactics are often carried out by specific tools. Good call!

I mentioned something recently about how you should focus on your goals rather than the tools (talking about keeping up with the latest tools). The tools that people use to implement a strategy should be merely supportive of the strategy instead of making them the strategy…or something like that. Regardless, you said it a lot better in this post…excellent.

Right on the mark.

Focusing on tactics instead of strategies means that you’ll be prey to every opportunity monger pitching the “The Number One Secret To Getting 5,000 Subscribers In 30 Days!”

With a solid Strategy, you’re better equipped to CHOOSE opportunities that make sense.

Thanks again for the wisdom.

John