4 Reasons Why I Started a Weekly Newsletter

…and why you should, too.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

I am a big believer that writing about what you know and sharing that writing through a newsletter has the power to change your life.

I see a ton of newsletters about writing, and many are very informative, but they’re also long. My newsletter is simple: three sentences to imitate and study, two quotes about writing to inspire and motivate, and one writing prompt/tip.

That’s it. Nothing fancy. I want readers to get in, get out, and get writing.

My goal is straight forward: help people become better writers.

And that’s the key: simplicity. Find your why, build a system for gathering knowledge, and be deliberate about a writing routine.

I recommend everyone starts a simple, weekly newsletter.

And I have 4 specific reasons why:

Reason #1: To build a writing routine and system

Life is crazy. Day job, kids, wife, all the cool shows on HBO Max and Hulu. When does anyone find the time to write?

Publishing a weekly newsletter, no matter how “small,” helps you build a routine and system for collecting and organizing information and knowledge whatever it is that you’re writing about.

Writing is a habit. Sitting down, collecting bits and fragments of cool things, and putting those cool things into an easy to read format helps you get over perfectionism and the fear that comes with writing in public.

Reason #2: To build a community

The key for writers is building a community of readers who support you and your work. I think this is even more true for fiction writers.

Writers need other writers just as much as they need readers.

Publishing a weekly newsletter helps build community of supporters you can lean on and learn from. Sure, social media is great but nothing beats the personalized approach a newsletter gives you. You can ask your readers for input and feedback on how to make your newsletter better.

Building a community is not about selling; it’s about trust.

Reason #3: To help people

I believe writing is about helping other people. That could be helping someone escape their troubles. Or, it could be helping someone learn a new skill or acquire a bit of knowledge. Publishing a newsletter is about helping someone with something.

I think it’s good to remind ourselves, as writers, that our main goal involves the reader. I, for one, get too caught up in my own garbage and self-serving behaviors that I need to remind myself that writing isn’t about me -- it’s about the reader.

Reason #4: To challenge myself

Lastly, publishing a weekly newsletter challenges yourself. It pushes to think, to look a the world in a specific way, to constantly remind yourself that someone - even it it’s one person - is waiting on your newsletter.

It’s important to find ways to challenge yourself as a writer. Publishing a weekly newsletter is like going to the gym and lifting a little bit of weights every week. Sure it feels like vanity, but over time you remain in shape and fit, in good health to spend more time with the ones you love.

If you have a few moments, take a look at the archives and let me know what you think of my newsletter. If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them.