3 Critical Decisions Before Starting Your Newsletter

THIS WEEK’S LESSON

3 Steps to Start a Newsletter

I’m talking with my friend. It’s an exciting conversation because she’s ready to go all in on her consulting business.

Super talented. Super smart. And super connected.

A good foundation.

But our conversation focuses on something where she has little experience.

Growing an email list.

“Don’t worry,” I tell her. “We can work together on this if you’d like.”

So I’m putting together a plan for her to take all the guess work out of growing an email list. I’ll help her execute it — sharing ten years of experience, templates, and strategy along the way.

Today I want to focus on some of what I’ll do with her (and what you can do too). Especially if you’re focused on getting your first 100 to 1000 subscribers.

Let’s dig in.

First, understand that NO ONE CARES

The great Zig Ziglar said everyone’s favorite radio station is WII.FM (what’s in it for me).

And he was right. Stop talking about your product.

Instead focus on:

• What problem you solve

• Benefits of reading your newsletter

• How your newsletter is different (category design)

Second, create a runway for yourself

In 2015 I joined a program called Podcaster’s Paradise. Back then it coast $1200/year for lifetime access. The most I ever invested in myself.

The BEST thing I learned in that course is to create 6-8 episodes before hitting publish.

That way I would never be in a rush or staying up late to create content for the week. I had a runway — a buffer.

Give yourself this gift. Thank me later.

Third, design your template

You’ll also want to create a template that is color-by-number style.

If you’ve noticed, this newsletter has the same template each week:

• Opening section

• Curated links

• Sponsor Slot

• Main article

• Meme

• Closing

• Feedback poll

• Sharing

Every great newsletter follows a template. Even Seth Godin. His template is: I’m going to write something meaningful and short each day.

James Clear promises this each Thursday:

Okay, now you have three ideas that will help you start.

Next week we’ll talk about what to do to get subscribers and grow your list.