I have thought a lot about this question: Why do you write a daily email? Not because anyone has asked me–few care–but because it intrigues me. And if I can succinctly answer it, I will be able to persevere when I want to quit. So, the answer? To become a better writer. That wasn’t always my answer. When I first started, I might have a...

Few companies take advantage of customer stories (also known as case studies). Why is that? I think it’s because most companies can’t tell a story to save their life. They can pitch, sell, and feature blast, but few can tell a story about a customer that draws you in; while also selling you on their solution. Some try to write customer...

I love making life easier (or less stressful). And one way I make life easier is to use frameworks to think better. One example is using a Stoicism fundamental framework: The Stoics realized that there are things we control and things we don't control. To get to the good life, we should focus on the things we control, and accept the re...

Do you celebrate enough? 🍻 I'm not talking about that celebrating—the kind where alcohol is involved. I mean celebrating your wins—even the small ones, like not eating sweets for the day. For me, I am quick to acknowledge the losses. I see that as a way to improve—pointing out the failures and learning from them. But a few months ago, ...

I'm fascinated with startups. They're a concrete reflection of what is needed to succeed in business. They don't have moats or establish revenue channels to rely on. They must build quickly, pivot when needed, and develop revenue sources. Most established organizations could learn a thing or two from startups. And that's what I hope to...

Most business writing sucks. It's a sea of sameness. Websites, blogs, and social media posts all look the same. If you think you're different, I have an exercise for you. Go to your website or latest social media post and cover your logo or profile picture. Read it as your audience would. Now, go to another website in your industry or ...

I love it when someone unsubscribes. Or when someone tells me my daily email is too {insert undesirable trait}. Why do I enjoy this? Because the goal of content should be to push away the wrong people. And to violently pull in those who see the world the same way as you. Many of the best content creators are hated by people who don’t s...

Which do you choose: To be better or different? If you picked being better, today's resource would disagree with you. He would instead suggest that being different is the key to winning. The companies that win 80+% of the category they compete in do three things: • They spend time naming the problem • They have a unique POV • They posi...

I poured myself a cup of warm dark roast. I started writing daily for an entire year. I just finished shitting. Do you care at all? I doubt it. Unless there was something in it for you, we humans are selfish. Maybe I could relate the coffee brand I use with a meta marketing lesson. Or I could share the five lessons I've learned from pu...

Too many religious books are written by people who scarcely resemble Jesus. Those on top (i.e., rich pastors, celebrities like Tim Tebow) are the most frequent writers about religion. But this book is different. Howard Thurman represents someone on the bottom, overlooked, hated for his skin color, much more similar to the Judaic Jesus....

“Why do you invest so much time into writing your email when you’re unlikely to make any money from?” Great question. It’s something I’ve thought hard about. If you know me, you know I’m intentional and resourceful with my time. So then why would I presumably waste it writing a daily email that 60 people read? Because it positions me t...

I receive many emails. Maybe not as many as you, but my inbox can get lit like a Christmas tree. Case and point: This got me thinking: How does one stand out in the inbox? Whether you’re selling me on your LinkedIn growth course or black Friday deals, how do you draw unproportionate attention? Is it the headline? Is it the person sendi...

You ever heard of the Chicago Cubs? There's a gripping story about how they became known for all the wrong reasons. Let me share the story: It was the eighth inning of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, and a fan named Steve Bartman reached out to catch a foul ball. Unfortunately, while he reached out, he bumped Moisés ...

"How do you feel, Jordan?" "Well, I'm sad. But for me, one thing stands out: legacy—the impact she left on those close to her. The size of the hole that will be left now that she's gone." This was my reaction to my dad asking how I felt about my grandma passing this past week. It illuminated a truth for me: The primary metric for our l...

I rarely have original thoughts. I'm guessing the same is true for you. So, rather than always sharing MY thoughts, I strive to weave in ideas from those who are more qualified. And along with that, I want to begin sharing those people directly with you. I am a firm believer that we are the sum of our inputs. Sadly, many of my previous...

What you hate in others is likely your shadow. 😶 Wat? “"If we don't confront the shadow in ourselves, we'll spend our time and energy despising or fearing the same material in others." — Richard Rohr.” This happens to me frequently. An example is when Katie and I went to the movies with my brother and nephew a few weeks ago. It was a g...

Every Wednesday (as of now), I will share an in-depth review of a recent book I've read. Last year alone (2021), I read 48 books, so I have plenty to share. Before I share today's review, I have two requests of you: 1. Share constructive feedback on how I can make this the most valuable book review you read 2. Share great books that yo...

One full year of shipping daily (excluding weekends) ✅ What did I learn? Here are the top 10 lessons I learned writing and shipping daily: 1. The anxiety of shipping work daily is most significant early on and subsides over time 2. Writing daily creates a backlog of content to avoid the pressure of shipping daily 3. In the end, it's no...

One platform. That’s all you need to dominate to be successful in marketing. But if you’re like me, you feel a constant pull toward new social media platforms or maybe old ones you’ve long since left. Why the pull? Because we see others dominating on those platforms and wonder if we could improve our marketing by going there, too. But ...

What happens after we die? Have you ever asked yourself that question? I’m sorry to get morbid with you. It’s something I’ve spent little time thinking about. I grew up in a fundamental Christian church that preached a clear message to what happens after we die: We go to heaven, see all of our dead family, get a lovely mansion, walk on...

I need to ask for forgiveness. Please forgive me for ragging on Gary Vee so much. The guy isn't that bad. He spews many things that derail young marketeers, but he also helped me grasp a few core marketing and life lessons. So, to pay my respect to him for that, I want to start a new miniseries. The miniseries? Gary Vee Wisdom (Don't j...

It's back. Book reviews are here. Every Wednesday (as of now), I will share an in-depth review of a recent book I've read. Last year alone (2021), I read 48 books, so I have plenty to share. Before I share today's review, I have two requests of you: 1. Share constructive feedback on how I can make this the best book review you read 2. ...

With a new year comes a new approach to this daily email. Rather than a lengthy essay, I will keep it short. Below are all the changes I'm making/promising to you in the framework of Start, Stop, and Continue: Start doing: • Writing shorter emails that are more digestible (most of the time!) • Sharing other influential people that guid...

Long-term thinking wins with marketing. “Getting the sale” is not long-term thinking. Yes, it pads your P&L statement but can shortchange future earnings. What does long-term thinking look like in marketing? Caring for and establishing a relationship–built on empathy–with your customers. That is what ensures future earnings. Let’s see ...

When's the last time you had "fun?" When was the last time you engaged in "play?" For me, it was almost four years. I would have occasional moments of fun or play, but it was never intentional. And at times, it would create guilt. Guilt that I wasn't working. Someone, somewhere, was not playing, thus getting further than me. This was a...

Have you ever heard of Eugene Schwartz? I didn't until the legendary copywriter, Ben Settle, mentioned him. Ben said to become a better copywriter (ad writer), he would copy–by hand–every ad Eugene put out onto a 3x5 card. He did this for over 500 ads written by other legends like Eugene. That's wild. But it clearly helped Ben become o...

To be a great writer, you must read. I will die on that hill as many eloquent writers have. “"For a man to write well, there are required three necessaries: to read the best authors, observe the best speakers, and much exercise of his own style." — (Ben Jonson, Timber, or Discoveries, 1640).” “"Writing is a difficult trade which must b...

What does "scale your email marketing" mean to you? Does it mean to make it more effective? Does it mean to send a shit ton more emails? We run into another ad that uses the infamous "scale" word. I won't bore you why I think it shouldn't be used in marketing. But ask yourself, does my customer use and think in the term "scale?" If yes...

Have you ever lost your pet? I have. I won't get into the gruesome story here, but it's a grim experience. Thankfully, an organization or group of people in Green Bay band together and help pet owners find their lost pets. How do I know this? When driving around, my wife and I see many "lost pet" signs. And my wife noticed something pe...

What is the purpose of giving gifts? Why do we give gifts on Christmas? While I've never questioned gift-giving before, something within me inquired why this year. I still bought a crap ton of gifts that may or may not get used. But I thought it was interesting that I've never truly questioned this practice. So, here I am with you, que...