an argument I’ve been having for months

How to give advice without sounding like you’re giving advice

I’ve been having an argument with myself for months now:

Should I write “advice and tips” type emails, or keep sharing stories and writing about things that are more interesting to me than, say, how to craft the perfect call-to-action (I almost fell asleep just writing that)?

There are certain newsletters I read with Asana running in the background, so I can stash tasks for later. Two of my top industry newsletters are Newsletter Operator by Matt McGarry and Dan Oshinsky’s newsletter for Inbox Collective. I am subscribed to at least a dozen such informational newsletters.

Those kinds of newsletters are great.

…and they make me so tired.

I can’t consistently read a “do this and then do that” newsletter without falling into debilitating overwhelm. That’s why I tell you stories week after week—it’s a way to deliver information that’s memorable and not overwhelming.

Another reason for sharing through story is to give you context on the strategies I use, and what it takes to run this type of business. Because if there’s one question I ask myself when I’m reading about a cool strategy or deep-dive into How Famous Newsletter Gets 2000 Subscribers Per Day On Autopilot, it’s this:

“What would I have to sacrifice in order to implement this strategy, and for how long?”

Earlier-stage business owners don't always have perspective on that, but I do. I can easily spot which solopreneurs and small business owners have sacrificed their personal lives in order to achieve the success they have, using the strategies they teach.

That’s why an email template I often return to is the “a week in the life of Tarzan” email ←- that’s a link to one I wrote in May. I want you to know what kind of life is happening behind the scenes of my business.

…which means I’ll probably continue to share and teach through stories. ( If you have an opinion on this, please hit “reply” and let me know.)

This is what works for me, a writer who enjoys the act of writing and processes ideas by writing them down. But maybe that’s not you.

Here are some things to consider if you’re asking yourself what type of newsletter to start:

>> “What’s easy to write about?”

>> “What can you see yourself doing consistently that you won’t get bored of?”

>> “Do you have a vision for a future where you aren’t the one writing your newsletter”

>> “How much time do you want to spend replying?”

I would dread writing “5-bullet Friday” every week but it works for Tim Ferriss.

Ultimately, you can’t know what’s going to work for you or your audience until you try it. Tips and tricks are good to have on hand, but doing is better. You might start a newsletter and find you hate writing it only 3 months in. If so, pivot. Try a different format until you find something that works.

That’s all for today.

Have I earned the right to send you something utterly frivolous next week?
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Fingers crossed it’s a yes.

T-Boss