Why I'm going to experiment with a new newsletter format over the next 30 days

And how what I learn might help you build your own audience

Over the next 30 days, I’m trying a new approach to my newsletter called the micro newsletter format.

This idea comes from Josh Spector of the *For the Interested* newsletter. Instead of delivering full articles to your inbox, each email will feature compelling headlines with links to helpful content. This means you’ll receive links to resources I’ve created or discovered that can make a difference for you.

Why the change? I want to make it easier for you to browse the newsletter quickly, find the value you need, and skip the rest.

What’s in it for you?

By adopting this format, I’ll be able to share a wider variety of valuable resources, including:

- Fresh content I’m building.
- Materials I’ve created in the past.
- Podcast episodes I’ve appeared on.
- Resources from others that I know will help your business.

The best part? You get to pick and choose what resonates with you—without reading a long email.

What can YOU learn from this experiment?

I’ll share insights from the process to help you decide if a micro newsletter format could work for your business. Here’s the data I’ll be tracking and sharing:

- Open rates: My current 30-day average is 35%.
- Unsubscribes: Almost non-existent—I only get a few per year.
- Clickthrough rates: My most recent newsletters had a disappointing 1%. I’m expecting this number to improve significantly with the new format.

If the experiment is successful, it could address a common challenge I hear from clients: finding the time to write a regular newsletter. The micro newsletter approach makes this easier by lowering the barrier to sharing content. All you need to do is send a quick email with a link.

If this works, I’ll create a detailed resource that shows exactly how I did it and everything I learned so you can try it, too.

One decision I’m still figuring out

Should I send the micro newsletter via Substack’s traditional article format (which posts it to my Substack website) or use their email-only feature? I’ll use the email-only option for my first email and see how it performs. Stay tuned for updates.

Have questions?

If you’re curious or have feedback, simply reply to any of the emails. I respond to every message and will incorporate your insights into the experiment.

Will I still send long-form newsletters?

Yes! I’ll continue to send occasional long-form newsletters. This serves two purposes:

1. It fulfills my promise to deliver in-depth content to my readers.
2. It provides data to compare the performance of long-form and micro newsletters.

Both formats will be part of the next 30 days, ensuring a solid foundation for comparison.

I’m excited to explore this new format with you and see how it improves the value I provide.

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Three ways I can help you

Course Builder Coaching - Want one-on-one guidance in creating a course? Book a meeting with me to see how I can help you.

The Atomic Course Blueprint - Want to create a course without the usual overwhelm? Try creating a tiny course. Find out more here.

iPARA: How to organize your digital life for action - Is digital disorganization keeping you from reaching your goals? What if just four folders could let you not just stay organized but actually get things done. See for yourself here.