The article highlights that running out of steam is a common reason for newsletter failure. What productivity strategies or techniques do you find most effective in maintaining your creative momentum and preventing burnout when producing regular content?
I'm going to start by saying I absolutely do run out of momentum and get stuck myself every now and then. Thankfully it's not that often these days as I've adopted a bunch of the strategies below:
The first thing is I start by making a big list of potential topics to write about by thinking through the main problems, challenges, goals and aspirations my readers/clients have. I'll explore those quite thoroughly thinking about root causes, impacts, related problems etc.
Then I make a similar list of interesting stories or other ways of illustrating those topics from my experience, client experience or that I've heard or read. This means that for any topic I can write a handful of emails covering the same topic in a different, interesting way.
I'll do that at the start when I'm first thinking of doing emails in a particular area - and revisit it periodically every few months to update it.
The separation of thinking of the topics from the writing process is important I think. I can write on a predefined topic to a strict deadline pretty well. But I can't think of ideas to a deadline - it puts too much pressure on. So by having a "database" of ideas created in advance I can just pick one off when I need to write.
I also try to take notes regularly on thing I see or ideas I have. I've used variosu systems over the years from clever Zettelkasten/second brain systems in tools like Notion or Craft to just writing things down on notecards. The system is less important than making sure you always capture ideas as they strike you otherwise they'll be gone.
That all really helps - but even then you still get stuck every now and then.
I really like the idea of creating a database of interesting stories and ways to illustrate points. I already have a database of ideas to share (tools, tips, etc) but I don't have the supporting examples. I usually come up with them as I write, having a bank would make it much easier. That seems like such a no brainer now you mention it.
Any recommendations on how to spot when a story or example qualifies as interesting?
I am usually pretty bad at identifying what would pique the interest of others. I feel like I do a lot of things and loads of success stories from my clients but knowing what to share is a whole different skill!
The first part is to recognise that a "story" can be really simple and quick. it doesn't have to be a whole email written as a story. it can be as simple as an intro to a
"Back when I was. junior consultant my biggest frustration was not being given what i saw as the best roles on projects. I didn't understand it until my mentor, Kieron, pulled me to one side and gave me three simple tips that made a huge difference to my career progression. I think they'll help you too..."
That's all it takes. I could add more by putting the tips in Kieron's words and saying what happened when I applied them. But even just used as an intro they work to elevate the email, make it more interesting, and position me as having learned from experience rather than just spouting theory.
My point here is that almost any event or experience can be used in an email. as long as there's some kind of connection with the point you want to make.
The second thing is that you can generate a big list of stories and other ways of illustrating your email by using prompts. So for any topic, just asking yourself questions like "Have I made a big mistake in this area in the past?", "Did I get help from a mentor or colleague in this area?" etc.
I've got a list of prompts you can use in 4 different categories here: https://www.ianbrodie.com/emailtopictoolkit/ - just click the image to download it. The story prompts are in section 2.
The article highlights that running out of steam is a common reason for newsletter failure. What productivity strategies or techniques do you find most effective in maintaining your creative momentum and preventing burnout when producing regular content?
Hi John - very good question.
I'm going to start by saying I absolutely do run out of momentum and get stuck myself every now and then. Thankfully it's not that often these days as I've adopted a bunch of the strategies below:
The first thing is I start by making a big list of potential topics to write about by thinking through the main problems, challenges, goals and aspirations my readers/clients have. I'll explore those quite thoroughly thinking about root causes, impacts, related problems etc.
Then I make a similar list of interesting stories or other ways of illustrating those topics from my experience, client experience or that I've heard or read. This means that for any topic I can write a handful of emails covering the same topic in a different, interesting way.
I'll do that at the start when I'm first thinking of doing emails in a particular area - and revisit it periodically every few months to update it.
The separation of thinking of the topics from the writing process is important I think. I can write on a predefined topic to a strict deadline pretty well. But I can't think of ideas to a deadline - it puts too much pressure on. So by having a "database" of ideas created in advance I can just pick one off when I need to write.
I also try to take notes regularly on thing I see or ideas I have. I've used variosu systems over the years from clever Zettelkasten/second brain systems in tools like Notion or Craft to just writing things down on notecards. The system is less important than making sure you always capture ideas as they strike you otherwise they'll be gone.
That all really helps - but even then you still get stuck every now and then.
In that case my first port of call is this: https://unsnooze.ianbrodie.com/p/5-go-to-sources-of-great-ideas-for
I also have some other techniques I use:
https://unsnooze.ianbrodie.com/p/3-hard-won-lessons-on-getting-unstuck
https://unsnooze.ianbrodie.com/p/i-found-a-new-guru-to-steal-from
https://unsnooze.ianbrodie.com/p/how-to-get-out-of-a-rut
Hopefully at least one will help.
- Ian
I really like the idea of creating a database of interesting stories and ways to illustrate points. I already have a database of ideas to share (tools, tips, etc) but I don't have the supporting examples. I usually come up with them as I write, having a bank would make it much easier. That seems like such a no brainer now you mention it.
Any recommendations on how to spot when a story or example qualifies as interesting?
I am usually pretty bad at identifying what would pique the interest of others. I feel like I do a lot of things and loads of success stories from my clients but knowing what to share is a whole different skill!
Hey John - good question.
Two parts to the answer I think.
The first part is to recognise that a "story" can be really simple and quick. it doesn't have to be a whole email written as a story. it can be as simple as an intro to a
"Back when I was. junior consultant my biggest frustration was not being given what i saw as the best roles on projects. I didn't understand it until my mentor, Kieron, pulled me to one side and gave me three simple tips that made a huge difference to my career progression. I think they'll help you too..."
That's all it takes. I could add more by putting the tips in Kieron's words and saying what happened when I applied them. But even just used as an intro they work to elevate the email, make it more interesting, and position me as having learned from experience rather than just spouting theory.
My point here is that almost any event or experience can be used in an email. as long as there's some kind of connection with the point you want to make.
The second thing is that you can generate a big list of stories and other ways of illustrating your email by using prompts. So for any topic, just asking yourself questions like "Have I made a big mistake in this area in the past?", "Did I get help from a mentor or colleague in this area?" etc.
I've got a list of prompts you can use in 4 different categories here: https://www.ianbrodie.com/emailtopictoolkit/ - just click the image to download it. The story prompts are in section 2.
Cheers
Ian
This is great. Downloaded and will work through it. Thanks, Ian!