My Biggest Regret as a Writer? Not Starting a Daily Newsletter Sooner
I started writing daily emails in April of this year.
I did it because Google and AI changed how SEO works. If I’m honest, I was also sick of slamming keywords into over-optimized SEO posts and editing work by other writers. I also didn’t feel like I’d written anything personal or enjoyable since my last book.
I’ve run an email list for years but treated it more like a broadcast tool. Here’s a post you’d like. Click the link so I can get traffic. That publishing model can work for some content businesses, but it’s not what I want to build.
I’m sorry I didn’t start writing these daily emails sooner. A few odd things have happened since I started, too.
More readers wrote in, asking questions and responding to my emails.
I love hearing from readers, even if it takes me a few days to reply. Most readers want to learn about becoming a content creator, a pro writer or need help with their content strategy. A few need paying work from me (please don’t ask.., I’m not hiring).
And one guy? Well, he wrote in from prison about a crime he didn’t commit.
Sure, more than a few readers were like “WTF?!” when all these emails started landing in their inboxes. Then, they hit unsubscribe. But they weren’t my ideal reader or client.
Revenue from my email list went up, too.
Writing more emails gave me more chances to present more offers and land deals with sponsors. Not every offer worked out, but I’ve a much better idea of what people want to buy.
I’d found way more content ideas.
Practicing in public isn’t always easy. But, writing a daily email forced me to come up with something to say….every day.
Like lifting a barbell at the gym, I find the process much easier now than a few months ago. If I don't get distracted, I can knock out one of these emails in 25 minutes after I drop my 6-year to school on his bike
I discovered that the best content is immediate.
From April-June, I scheduled my emails a week or two in advance. I didn’t want to get caught out if something popped up with a client or I’d to pick the kids up early from school.
Now, I avoid this type of manic scheduling. I aim for 1–3 days out at best.. I like reacting to whatever is current or going with the kids or my business. It always reads better.
If I’m on a roll, I’ll write a few emails but let them sit until need to press send. Then, I’ll edit, revise and update with something current.
I spend less time writing for social media… but my publishing cadence and engagement is up.
Last January, I doubled down on my content for LinkedIn and YouTube… something I should have done sooner, too.
I was surprised to find that many LinkedIn creators struggle to find things to say and write about, or they recycle identical posts over and over.
Spending more than an hour on social media per day nerfs my attention span and kills my mood. Thankfully, I can get in and out quickly, as my content is 95% ready to publish.
Sometimes, I’ll change the hook or edit the email into a pithy post, but I can get on and off social much more quickly.
How many emails are you sending to your list each week or month?
I challenge you to send more.
As much as I love writing daily emails, I want to share more behind-the-scenes content with a select few readers. The kind of behind-the-scenes content that will help you add $3–5k to your business in 2025.
I’m doing it inside a private Telegram group. It won’t cost you anything, and nobody, including me can see your number.