Why You Probably Don’t Need a Newsletter

Two years ago, I made a promise to myself: I'm going to write + publish a weekly newsletter. No matter what. Amazingly, we're now at 100 f*cking issues of this thing.

It's easily one of the best decisions I've made in my five years of running Growth Habit.

How? The newsletter has pushed me to regularly expand on topics that are important to me and those I serve. And it's allowed me to deepen relationships with incredible people who are curious about my work.

But it hasn't been all cuddles + unicorn kisses.

Here's five things I've learned on the journey to 100 issues. Including, why you probably don't need a newsletter. 

1. Getting a New Habit to Stick

The most important part of getting a new habit to last might surprise you...

It's changing your identity. Aka "this is who I am". Unless you commit to the change at that level, it's near impossible for it to stick.

Why?

Because the moment things get tough, you'll snap back to the comfort of "who you've always been". It could be a rough night's sleep, one of your kids getting sick, or an unexpected roadblock. You have to "become the kind of person who does X".

So I became a person who publishes a weekly newsletter, no matter what.

It doesn't matter if I'm sick, on vacation and forgot my laptop charger, overwhelmed with client work, or if it's Christmas. I'm someone who publishes a newsletter every single week. This may change in the future, but for now it's an identity that's serving me.

2. Invaluable Thinking Time

If you want inspiration, read. If you want clarity, write.

Forcing myself to write something longer on a regular basis has helped me process ideas + organize my thoughts. It's invaluable thinking time. And there's a few things I first fleshed out in a newsletter that became the basis for full fledged frameworks for my clients.

Like my Rocketship Method.

3. It Doesn't Have to Be Written Words

For all the benefits of regularly writing, it can be hard as hell for me to do. Some newsletters flow out in a couple hours. Others take me 14 excruciating hours to write + edit.

You don't need to do write words for a newsletter.

A member of my community recently launched an audio newsletter. It's similar to a newsletter, just in audio form. People have the choice between listening to the audio or reading the transcript.

4. How to Get More Clickthroughs

What's the ultimate goal of your newsletter? You want people to sign up, open what you've sent, and read what you're sharing. Without question.

For most people, the ultimate goal is getting them to clickthrough.

You want people to click to download your thing, book a call, or sign-up for whatever you're offering. But how do you get more people clicking through? Embedding what you're inviting them to organically in the body of your email vs only in the signature at the bottom as an afterthought.

5. You Probably Don't Need a Newsletter

Most people don't need a newsletter. What you want is a longer format thing that allows curious people to spend more time with you + your thinking. That can be a newsletter.

But it can also be...

• A podcast

• Livestreams

• A YouTube channel

• You regularly hosting workshops

• Or any other longer form thing that goes beyond the scrolling feeds.

So go figure out what makes the most sense for you based on your strengths + the consumption habits of your Dream Clients, then get cracking so you can help more people + have more impact.