Shaking Up The Snooze Button

5 Hot Takes About Writing (and 1 Extra Lesson That May Surprise You)

I recently asked a close friend for some feedback on my most recent newsletter draft.

I wasn’t quite prepared for the feedback I received: My newsletters…were boring.

Ouch! Right? But, in my ever-enthusiastic quest for self-improvement, I welcomed the critique. What’s better? My friend was excited to help me do better!

Today, I'm excited to share the five lessons I learned about writing from this candid heart-to-heart.

If you make it to the end, you’ll learn one more surprising lesson that, if you fold it into your life, can become a superpower.

These are the golden nuggets that will (I hope) turn my writing from snoozefests to fireworks!

Let's dive in.

1. ☄️ A Dazzling Title is a Game Changer!

Before this feedback, my newsletter titles were like off-brand cereal in a supermarket—forgettable.

I was reminded that a catchy title is the storefront of my content.

It's the first thing you see, and it needs to draw you in.

Now, each title I craft has as much thought and creativity as the content itself.

And guess what? It works! 🎉

2. ✂️ Brevity is the Soul of Wit!

I've been guilty of writing lengthy, text-heavy newsletters and blog posts.

The result? People lose interest.

The advice? Trim the fat.

Deliver value with fewer words. Leave people wanting more. Make every sentence count.

Now, I aim for quality over quantity, and I hope you all stay with me till the very end. 🤞

3. 🖼️ A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

As I revisited older posts, I noticed that it was true! My newsletters were like the Sahara Desert—dry and barren…of visuals.

That's when it hit me! Visuals can simply convey complex ideas quickly and clearly.

They break up the text, make the content more digestible, and keep you engaged.

Now, every newsletter features interesting and relevant visuals.

It's like a mini feast for the eyes! 👀

4. 🔥 Bring on the Sizzle!

If my newsletter was a steak, it was missing the sizzle.

It was missing the anticipation. It was missing the excitement. It was yelling ”Where’s THE BEEF?!” (This commercial stood the test of time!)

I needed to make my content more enticing, more appealing.

Now, I use persuasive language, emphasize key points, and create a build-up.

It's about making you feel the rush of discovery! 🔎

5. 📓 Embrace the Power of Personal Stories!

My newsletters used to be all about others' stories.

But my friend nudged me: "Why don't you share your own experiences?"

It was a lightbulb moment.

As an expert, my personal stories can inspire, educate, and connect with you on a deeper level.

Now, I sprinkle in my anecdotes, making the newsletters more relatable and real. ✨

🤌 Feedback Doesn’t Have To Be Scary

So, there you have it!

Five hard-learned lessons that I’m going to use to transform my newsletters.

I’m on a journey, and I'm thrilled to share it with you.

I’m thrilled you want to be on it with me.

And I have one more lesson to share: Lesson #6.

Feedback doesn’t have to be scary—it's the forge where better versions of ourselves are created.

Stay tuned for the next issue, where I'll be sharing some behind-the-scenes stories from my journey. It’s going to be a blast!

Until then, keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly, stay curious! 🤘

Chase

Weekly Snacks

• I made all of these images in a service called Midjourney. If you’re interested in the prompts I used, feel free to say hi on Twitter and ask me about them!

• I published 20 Notion Cover Images inspired by Space Diorama created from Midjourney Prompts (with the prompts included).

  

• I have a question: Why are you reading my newsletter? Let me know in the comments, DM me on Twitter or send me an email