How to Sell Without Being “Salesy”

On my podcast, John Hu from Stan confirmed what I've always suspected.

He's worked with thousands of creators on their businesses on Stan, and he noticed a pattern with the most successful ones.

"The creators who make the most money aren't the ones with the biggest audiences," he told me. "They're the ones who've mastered selling without being salesy."

Here's what John means:

Instead of "Get my fitness guide, $19" – the successful creators lead with value:

"Here are my top 3 tips for losing weight:
1. Count your macros, eat healthy
2. Do this specific thing
3. Have a consistent workout routine (this one's the hardest)"

THEN they naturally mention: "That last one is where most people struggle. I created a guide that walks you through staying consistent – link in bio."

John's seen this pattern across every niche. The creators who give massive value first, then offer solutions to the hardest parts? They're the ones building sustainable businesses.

It's not about having the perfect product. It's about serving first, selling second.

What's one way you could lead with value before asking for anything?

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Try Stan for your creator business:

Full convo on SPI Podcast 862: