I’m sad I missed the workshop too but appreciate this guide. I’ve been trying to pivot so my newsletter can be about leadership more broadly but also want it to be fun, not just teaching content. Right now I think I need to create sub pillars bc my curiosity is so big I have trouble deciding where to start each month. Also some of my ideas feel too resource intensive - but feel like the most fun (like interviewing trailblazing leaders on a monthly basis)
Sudha — I'm glad to keep having this conversation here.
So, the work of launching a newsletter is in the publishing, testing and honing in. And unfortunately, there will be a lot of resource-spending without a lot of investment back into you for a while.
That's something we probably don't talk enough about in newsletter spaces: the inherent creative, energetic and sometimes financial risk with bringing your ideas into the world.
I would say that if you have an AMAZING idea (that feels like the most fun!) but that makes you hesitant because it's too resource intensive, find a way to do that thing anyway.
Scale back everything else that you "think" you should be publishing to look like a "respectable" newsletter and pour what you have into THAT ONE idea. From a productions standpoint, you'd be surprised how much one incredible interview can be reimagined into community discussions, shorter reflective essays, etc.
Yes, I want my newsletter to be a place that inspires leaders through conversation - a place for leaders (esp women of color social changemakers) to feel seen - and to be amplified for their trailblazing work. A place where we dig in to see what drives them, what gives them hope, where there is grief, and what ties us all together. And a place where we laugh, share resources, get creative, and love on each other. A place where I can share my leadership reflections and creative insights in community and in conversation. In short a cultural hub for stories of leadership and innovation. I also want it to be a place where aspiring social change makers can find playbooks and hope and explore their own understanding of power and agency.
That feels like such a leap from my current 1x/month essays. And I have worried about asking folks for time for these interviews without having the right framework of questions and plan and strategy in place. Yes the financial and creative risk are real but even more for me is the risk of social capital and undermining relationships that mean a lot to me.
You have such a big vision for your newsletter — it's very aspirational. :) I can't help but think that perhaps lifting some of the pressure for it to be a big, impressive newsletter, you could give yourself some time to really hone in on that interview series; dig into what you're most drawn to in a conversation/interview; consider what readers aren't getting in the current landscape; and let that marinade for a while.
For me, I know I have to let my newsletter aspirations rest separately from my production/strategic work of what I am publishing. Because they can (and do!) kind of end up clobbering one another after a certain point. But I would say if you have a network of people who trust you and who would enjoy talking to you, it's worthwhile thinking through what would make an interview series fun, enjoyable and interesting -- for them, you and readers. Just the process of building out what it might look like OFTEN sparks new ideas for essays, etc. And that's my final nudge to give the interview series a chance. Cheering you on... ;-)
I love this nudge!! Thank you! You’re right, the ideas might come from building it out rather than from trying to plan it into existence.
I would love to hear more about how you have to separate your newsletter aspirations from your production/strategic work bc it seems to me like you’ve integrated those well!
I guess mine fails the longevity test. My central theme is how to build and run a sustainable business without falling prey to shiny object syndrome or trying to mimic other's success. But as I start my gradual move away from my current career over the next 1.5 years I know I'll find it harder to write about topics that are current and trending in this realm. Right now I'm writing a series on stepping away from social and how I've been managing it while still running a business that requires engagement, and using the monthly container for the topic has really been helpful. When I started digging deeper (thanks to one of the last lives on here) I started looking for overall trends that I return to in my newsletter that is approaching !!3!! years old, and there are some things to unpack here.
One: I love adding a humorous slant, and find I get more engagement when I do.
Two: The more I share personal stories the easier it is for me to write about a topic.
Three: The overarching theme is dancing to the beat of your own drum, which I know is very broad. I've been trying to tackle this theme in many, many different ways and am ready to find a focus that is better defined and can handle the longevity test.
I don't have trouble coming up with content, but I do struggle with jumping all over the place with content that is sometimes just loosely related to my newsletter theme.
Hi Page - thanks for sharing some of your reflections from the pressure test. I think "dancing to the beat of your own drum" does need some focused energy in order for readers to know what they're signing up for.
It makes me wonder if, instead of trying to pick a theme month to month, if you've ever done a "Getting To Know You" series — where you share about the big moments that have shaped you in life, where you went off the beaten path, what you learned, what surprised you and how you think about things (and invite readers to do so) differently?
Oh I needed this today. I'm sorry I missed the live! I did a podcast today where I realized I am still very excited about my topic but I've struggled with how to help make sense of what is happening at the intersection of tech and politics right now. This is a helpful guide to recalibrate a bit.
Thanks for today's live. You answered my question about not fire hosing my people. Which leads me to ask... Do you have a process on deciding how to organize my newsletter? I feel like there are so many concepts that either need introduction or education on that every time I bring up one topic or even a word, it brings up a new concept or definition that needs discussing.
BTW you said Ayurveda perfectly. Here is how you can remember Eye-Your-Vey-duh
I'm so glad to hear the livestream was helpful. And, the answer to your question about organizing your newsletter is: it's coming this month.
I try not to focus too much on organizing newsletters because I find it stifles creativity (and if you organize and tag prematurely in the newsletter space, it can create BIG messes that are a pain to undo).
What I like to work inside is certain "editorial building blocks," which I'll be exploring with paid members this month.
What I mentioned on the livestream is something I'll mention again here just in case some folks are reading and didn't catch it. The best thing you can do to give your readers structure while you're in a newsletter launch season is to choose a monthly theme and give readers the very best weekly (or bi-weekly) posts around that one theme. And then watch and see how they respond.
A lot of newsletter publication in the beginning will feel like building a plane mid-air, but if you do it with your best insights, heart and warmth, readers will come along. 🫶
Your substack is a constant source of practical and compelling guidance. I needed this one today. I pass the 3-step pressure test but find the need to block out segments on my calendar so I can feed the beast. I'm trying to use my substack to do a dry run for a book. Making the end of March my deadline for a solid book proposal. Wish me luck. Interestingly, your 3-step pressure test frames the questions I need to answer for a publisher! Great work. Thanks.
Exactly my thoughts! Well, not the book proposal, but building the book audience since it's in the process of being written. Making time for both is challenging, even though I passed the pressure test.
Good luck with the proposal - hope it's progressing! And love that you linked the pressure test questions to both newsletter and publishers.
You ask some powerful, truly pedagogical questions, Amanda. Lots to go away and think about here.
I’m sad I missed the workshop too but appreciate this guide. I’ve been trying to pivot so my newsletter can be about leadership more broadly but also want it to be fun, not just teaching content. Right now I think I need to create sub pillars bc my curiosity is so big I have trouble deciding where to start each month. Also some of my ideas feel too resource intensive - but feel like the most fun (like interviewing trailblazing leaders on a monthly basis)
Sudha — I'm glad to keep having this conversation here.
So, the work of launching a newsletter is in the publishing, testing and honing in. And unfortunately, there will be a lot of resource-spending without a lot of investment back into you for a while.
That's something we probably don't talk enough about in newsletter spaces: the inherent creative, energetic and sometimes financial risk with bringing your ideas into the world.
I would say that if you have an AMAZING idea (that feels like the most fun!) but that makes you hesitant because it's too resource intensive, find a way to do that thing anyway.
Scale back everything else that you "think" you should be publishing to look like a "respectable" newsletter and pour what you have into THAT ONE idea. From a productions standpoint, you'd be surprised how much one incredible interview can be reimagined into community discussions, shorter reflective essays, etc.
Yes, I want my newsletter to be a place that inspires leaders through conversation - a place for leaders (esp women of color social changemakers) to feel seen - and to be amplified for their trailblazing work. A place where we dig in to see what drives them, what gives them hope, where there is grief, and what ties us all together. And a place where we laugh, share resources, get creative, and love on each other. A place where I can share my leadership reflections and creative insights in community and in conversation. In short a cultural hub for stories of leadership and innovation. I also want it to be a place where aspiring social change makers can find playbooks and hope and explore their own understanding of power and agency.
That feels like such a leap from my current 1x/month essays. And I have worried about asking folks for time for these interviews without having the right framework of questions and plan and strategy in place. Yes the financial and creative risk are real but even more for me is the risk of social capital and undermining relationships that mean a lot to me.
You have such a big vision for your newsletter — it's very aspirational. :) I can't help but think that perhaps lifting some of the pressure for it to be a big, impressive newsletter, you could give yourself some time to really hone in on that interview series; dig into what you're most drawn to in a conversation/interview; consider what readers aren't getting in the current landscape; and let that marinade for a while.
For me, I know I have to let my newsletter aspirations rest separately from my production/strategic work of what I am publishing. Because they can (and do!) kind of end up clobbering one another after a certain point. But I would say if you have a network of people who trust you and who would enjoy talking to you, it's worthwhile thinking through what would make an interview series fun, enjoyable and interesting -- for them, you and readers. Just the process of building out what it might look like OFTEN sparks new ideas for essays, etc. And that's my final nudge to give the interview series a chance. Cheering you on... ;-)
I love this nudge!! Thank you! You’re right, the ideas might come from building it out rather than from trying to plan it into existence.
I would love to hear more about how you have to separate your newsletter aspirations from your production/strategic work bc it seems to me like you’ve integrated those well!
I guess mine fails the longevity test. My central theme is how to build and run a sustainable business without falling prey to shiny object syndrome or trying to mimic other's success. But as I start my gradual move away from my current career over the next 1.5 years I know I'll find it harder to write about topics that are current and trending in this realm. Right now I'm writing a series on stepping away from social and how I've been managing it while still running a business that requires engagement, and using the monthly container for the topic has really been helpful. When I started digging deeper (thanks to one of the last lives on here) I started looking for overall trends that I return to in my newsletter that is approaching !!3!! years old, and there are some things to unpack here.
One: I love adding a humorous slant, and find I get more engagement when I do.
Two: The more I share personal stories the easier it is for me to write about a topic.
Three: The overarching theme is dancing to the beat of your own drum, which I know is very broad. I've been trying to tackle this theme in many, many different ways and am ready to find a focus that is better defined and can handle the longevity test.
I don't have trouble coming up with content, but I do struggle with jumping all over the place with content that is sometimes just loosely related to my newsletter theme.
Hi Page - thanks for sharing some of your reflections from the pressure test. I think "dancing to the beat of your own drum" does need some focused energy in order for readers to know what they're signing up for.
It makes me wonder if, instead of trying to pick a theme month to month, if you've ever done a "Getting To Know You" series — where you share about the big moments that have shaped you in life, where you went off the beaten path, what you learned, what surprised you and how you think about things (and invite readers to do so) differently?
Oh I needed this today. I'm sorry I missed the live! I did a podcast today where I realized I am still very excited about my topic but I've struggled with how to help make sense of what is happening at the intersection of tech and politics right now. This is a helpful guide to recalibrate a bit.
Thanks for today's live. You answered my question about not fire hosing my people. Which leads me to ask... Do you have a process on deciding how to organize my newsletter? I feel like there are so many concepts that either need introduction or education on that every time I bring up one topic or even a word, it brings up a new concept or definition that needs discussing.
BTW you said Ayurveda perfectly. Here is how you can remember Eye-Your-Vey-duh
I'm so glad to hear the livestream was helpful. And, the answer to your question about organizing your newsletter is: it's coming this month.
I try not to focus too much on organizing newsletters because I find it stifles creativity (and if you organize and tag prematurely in the newsletter space, it can create BIG messes that are a pain to undo).
What I like to work inside is certain "editorial building blocks," which I'll be exploring with paid members this month.
What I mentioned on the livestream is something I'll mention again here just in case some folks are reading and didn't catch it. The best thing you can do to give your readers structure while you're in a newsletter launch season is to choose a monthly theme and give readers the very best weekly (or bi-weekly) posts around that one theme. And then watch and see how they respond.
A lot of newsletter publication in the beginning will feel like building a plane mid-air, but if you do it with your best insights, heart and warmth, readers will come along. 🫶
Your substack is a constant source of practical and compelling guidance. I needed this one today. I pass the 3-step pressure test but find the need to block out segments on my calendar so I can feed the beast. I'm trying to use my substack to do a dry run for a book. Making the end of March my deadline for a solid book proposal. Wish me luck. Interestingly, your 3-step pressure test frames the questions I need to answer for a publisher! Great work. Thanks.
Exactly my thoughts! Well, not the book proposal, but building the book audience since it's in the process of being written. Making time for both is challenging, even though I passed the pressure test.
Good luck with the proposal - hope it's progressing! And love that you linked the pressure test questions to both newsletter and publishers.