This post first appeared as an email to the Alt Summit 2024 attendees who came to my roundtable talk on Demystifying Newsletters.
April 12, 2024
Hi everyone!
Hope it's okay if I email you again. I've been thinking about you!
Finding a place for all that wonderful creative energy after Alt Summit is kinda tricky! Don't feel bad if you're still trying to incorporate your takeaways – I think we're all in the same boat. Maybe you don't even remember me and my Roundtable talk, haha. Here I am if you forgot!
Since Alt Summit, I've seen some real newsletter progress from you guys.
- Katie from Brie and Banquet and I chatted on the phone (thanks Katie!)
- I subscribed to Jen's good-for-the-planet newsletter Stepping Stones, it's so great.
- Lots of positive email conversations about naming newsletters, affiliate links, and different email service providers.
If you'd like to chat on the phone about getting clarity on anything newsletter-related, reply directly to this email to set up a 30-minute call with me. :-)
A few things I've been saving for you guys...
- The death of the follower. The whole talk is good, but skip to the 23 minute mark if you want to have your socks knocked off.
- Don't ask for feedback, ask for advice. Interesting trick! Definitely borrowing this one.
- Find out if you need to do more or do less.
- Repeat a 10-day cycle 10x. A lot of unfortunate bro energy in the writing, but I'm including it because I think we can retrofit these ideas/ ditch what doesn't work for us or our audiences. If anyone tries this, I'd love to see.
- An upcoming event that seems up our alley:
"Yelp's Local Business Summit is less than a month away, taking place Wednesday, May 8, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET! It's virtual, free to attend, and packed with entrepreneurial advice from diverse experts and business owners. Don't miss headliner Roy Choi, James Beard Foundation Award winner, entrepreneur, and chef, whose passion and perseverance helped him achieve global recognition from a humble food truck. Hear about his journey and his advice for how to succeed as a local business owner.
Plus, sit down with Drybar founder Alli Webb, who turned an at-home blowout service into a $255 million business, and discover her tips for thriving in the face of industry challenges."
Alli Webb! We know her! ;-) Sign up here.
One macro idea:
Remember at the round table how we talked about “pajama work”? That part where you dig in and answer those really personal questions of "Why am I creating this thing?" and "How do I want to bless my readers?" If you find that work daunting, may I recommend watching this episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine or the silly movie Waking Ned Devine, and then asking yourself, "What would they say about me?" Write down what you hope to be remembered for. That's your answer.
One micro idea:
If you're overwhelmed by creative-life-on-the-
Love,
Alex
PS: Does anyone here own a clothing company? Or did you meet anyone at Alt who does? If so, I'd really like to get in touch asap.