Why You Should Join the 1% of Newsletter Creators
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The Challenge of Starting a Newsletter
When I released the inaugural issue of my newsletter, Email FYI, I couldn't shake the feeling of being an imposter. It took me roughly two weeks to muster the courage to launch it. During that time, I was closely following and subscribing to the newsletters of Josh Spector, Jamie Northrup (the Minimalist Hustler), Evan Kelly, Mark Thompson, and others, often feeling envious of their apparent success and devoted audiences. In fact, I based much of my newsletter's format on Jamie's Minimalist Hustler issues.
That first issue reached a whopping nine subscribers, three of whom were likely myself! Despite this, the feeling of fraudulence lingered. However, it's essential to recognize that I'm not a fraud, and neither are you.
Consider Bob Dylan; was he deemed a fraud for being heavily inspired by Woody Guthrie and beginning his career as a cover artist? Or think of Austin Matthews—does anyone label him a fraud for his incredible goal-scoring ability similar to Wayne Gretzky?
No, they don't. Those judgments exist only in our minds.
Understanding Our Emotions
We all experience emotions, but they aren't always accurate. While I might have borrowed my format from successful newsletters that inspired me, I was too focused on comparing myself to the people I admired instead of distinguishing myself from others who never took the plunge.
The individuals I aspired to emulate were ever-present in my thoughts. I longed to join the ranks of the "cool newsletters club," attract an engaged readership, and earn a six-figure income before even starting. My head was so occupied with my ambitions and the image of who I wanted to become that I overlooked how it might appear to those who would never consider starting a newsletter themselves.
In reality, it's a fabricated statistic, but I can confidently say that at least 99% of the people you know in "real life" won’t launch a newsletter. Many are satisfied with following the latest trends on popular social media platforms, even as they read more emails than they realize, including e-receipts and bills.
I even posed the question to my wife yesterday about her interest in starting a newsletter. Her response was something like: "If I dedicated my time to the kinds of things you do to set up and run a newsletter, I'd go insane."
Ouch. I completely understand.
The Lifestyle of a Newsletter Creator
The life of a newsletter creator—especially one who writes daily—isn't for everyone. In fact, I previously wrote an article outlining why you might reconsider starting a daily newsletter.
But what if you genuinely want to be in that elite 1% and create your own newsletter? What if you have something valuable to express and are willing to confront the inner critic that tells you you're not worthy and that the world doesn’t need another newsletter on your chosen topic?
I’m here to encourage you: you can do this. You should do this.
While the 99% may mock us, question our sanity, and shake their heads at our content, I assure you they'll be the ones subscribing and consuming our newsletters!
Join the 1% of creators who are starting and nurturing their own newsletters.
If you haven't yet embarked on this journey, check out my article designed just for you. If you're already on your way, consider subscribing to my daily newsletter, Email FYI, crafted specifically for you.
About the Author
Hello! I'm Matt Brady, and I have a passion for spreadsheets, emails, and black coffee. If you're looking for two valuable resources each day to help you share your story, grow your business, and increase your online revenue, subscribe to Email FYI (it's free!).
Chapter 2: Why Most People Hesitate to Start
The first video discusses the common reasons why 99% of people shy away from starting their own ventures, particularly newsletters. It provides insights on the fears and misconceptions that often hold individuals back.
Chapter 3: Overcoming Doubts in Your Writing Journey
In the second video, learn why starting a newsletter in 2024 might not be as daunting as it seems. The video challenges the conventional wisdom and encourages aspiring writers to take the leap.