Turn “Is This For Me?” Into “Yes, I’m In” (Why Specific Messaging Beats Generic Hype)
The Story: How I Broke My Own Rule
A few years back, I made myself a promise: no more online courses.
I’d just binged a few back to back and needed a break.
So when Brenna McGowan started teasing her new pre-launch program, I was certain I wasn’t going to buy.
I wasn’t a course creator—I was a service provider, busy with 1:1 clients. This program? Not for me.
Honestly, I was just lurking on her list to watch a master at work.
But then… everything changed.
Brenna sent an email calling out copywriters by name, showing how her process could help us charge more.
Then I heard her on a podcast, talking about how 1:1 service providers could use her approach to fill up their calendars—not just course creators.
That was it. Next thing I knew, my “no more courses” rule was toast and I was in.
That’s the magic of specific messaging.
The second you see yourself in an offer, you go from “maybe later” to “sign me up.”
It’s not about slicker copy or fancier funnels—it’s about making people feel seen.
What Your Audience Is Telling You (If You’re Listening)
If you’ve ever gotten a DM like, “I almost signed up, but I wasn’t sure if it was for me…” you’re closer than you think to a yes.
Those questions and hesitations?
They’re breadcrumbs—real-time clues about what your messaging almost nailed, but didn’t quite make obvious.
Instead of rewriting your product, tweak your language.
How to Turn “Is This For Me?” Into “Yes, I’m In”
Here’s how you can use those breadcrumbs to sharpen your messaging and get more people saying yes:
1. Collect the Clues
Don’t ignore those questions, hesitations, or “quick check” DMs—they’re your audience telling you exactly what’s missing.
Save screenshots of people asking, “Will this work for someone like me?”
Flag hesitations in your emails or social replies.
2. Say the Quiet Part Out Loud
Get specific in your copy about who your offer is for and who it’s not for.
Don’t just say “for business owners”. Call out “for course creators who’ve launched twice but still feel stuck” or “for copywriters looking to book out client projects.”
If it’s not for total beginners, say so! The right people will trust you more.
3. Drop in Micro-Stories
Share tiny, relatable examples that your ideal buyers see themselves in.
“If you’re a coach who’s had a ‘meh’ launch, this is for you.”
“If you’ve tried batching your emails but still feel burned out, you’re not alone, this is why I built this.”
4. Keep Refining Every Launch
Every time someone asks, “Is this for me?” or hesitates on your checkout, treat it as your next copy tweak.
Don’t just move on—update your sales page, FAQ, or headline with those exact words.
Why This Works (The Brain Science Bit)
It isn’t just a “copywriting trick.”
Our brains are wired to pay attention to whatever feels directly relevant to us—that’s your Reticular Activating System (RAS for short) at work. The more specific your messaging, the more it “pings” your audience’s brain, helping them see themselves (and their needs) right in your offer.
That’s exactly what happened to me.
I wasn’t just any service provider skimming Brenna’s emails—I was a copywriter actively looking to book out my calendar, fill those client slots, and charge more for what I do. The moment Brenna’s message called out copywriters and addressed that exact pain point, it felt like she was speaking straight to me. Suddenly, I wasn’t just reading along for the marketing inspo, I became her ideal buyer.
So, if you want more of your best-fit prospects to stop scrolling and think, “Whoa, this is made for me,” get specific and let their brains do the rest.
Next Steps: Get the Real Answers From Your Audience
If you want help figuring out exactly why your audience is hesitating or not hitting “buy,” start with my free resource: Why They Didn’t Buy.
It’s a simple, actionable system for collecting honest feedback—so you can tweak your messaging, handle real objections, and get more yeses the next time you launch.
When you’re ready to go even deeper, check out Buy‑ology—my step-by-step framework for turning all those “I’m not sure this is for me…” moments into messaging that feels personal, powerful, and totally clear.
Inside Buy‑ology, you’ll get my Behavioral Breadcrumb Tracker (and a whole lot more).
These tools help you organize audience insights, test new messaging, and make every launch smarter and more effective without all the second-guessing. Get Buy-Ology
