How I Wrote One-Year’s Worth of Newsletters in One Sitting (and How You Can Too)
Unveiling the Secrets Behind Efficient Content Creation and a Stress-Free Schedule
Read time: minutes (0.3% of your waking hours)
As a writer and newsletter publisher, I am no stranger to the time-consuming nature of creating content. It often felt as though I was constantly trying to catch up, and my other projects would suffer as a result. That was until I challenged myself to write a whole year's worth of newsletters in one sitting. Surprisingly, I succeeded, and I'm here to share the secret formula that revolutionized my content creation process.
Step 1: Idea Generation and Topic Selection
The first step in my journey involved brainstorming ideas for newsletter topics. I tapped into my creative reserves and found inspiration from various sources – my own experiences, intriguing subjects on the internet, and the gaps I noticed in existing content. After selecting a diverse range of captivating topics, I was ready to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Organizing Content in Notion
I chose Notion as my content management platform, as it offered an easy-to-navigate interface and convenient organizational features. I created a dedicated page for each newsletter and arranged them chronologically by publication date. This way, I had a clear roadmap of the newsletters I would release each weekend for an entire year.
Step 3: Harnessing the Power of AI
With my titles and ideas in hand, I turned to artificial intelligence to help me write the bulk of my articles. By providing the AI with my thoughts, resources, and a clear direction, I was able to generate comprehensive and engaging drafts for each of my newsletters.
Step 4: Personalizing the Content
After receiving the AI-generated drafts, I meticulously proofread and edited each article. I made adjustments, removed irrelevant sections, and added personal touches to ensure that the content was both accurate and reflective of my voice. The result? A polished and unique article for each newsletter.
Step 5: Scheduling and Automation on Substack
Once I had my completed articles, I used Substack's scheduling feature to automate their publication. This allowed me to set and forget my content, knowing that my newsletters would go out on time each weekend without any additional effort on my part.
Step 6: Generating Images and Thumbnails Using Midjourney
Visual elements play a crucial role in capturing readers' attention and enhancing the overall appeal of your newsletters. To create eye-catching images and thumbnails for each article, I turned to Midjourney, an AI-powered image generation program.
Here's how I utilized Midjourney to bring my newsletters to life:
Crafting Descriptive Prompts: For each newsletter, I came up with a brief, descriptive prompt that accurately conveyed the theme or subject of the article. These prompts served as the basis for the AI-generated images.
Exploring Multiple Iterations: Since AI-generated images can vary in quality and relevance, I experimented with different prompts and iterations until I found the perfect visual representation for each newsletter.
Optimizing Image Size and Format: To ensure the images displayed correctly across various devices and email clients, I optimized the size and format of the AI-generated images.
Integrating Images into Newsletters: I strategically incorporated the AI-generated images and thumbnails into my newsletters, using them to break up text, emphasize key points, or serve as a visual introduction to the content.
Step 7: Redirecting Focus to Other Projects
With a year's worth of newsletters taken care of, I was able to redirect my focus to other projects and interests. The time and mental energy I saved through this process proved invaluable, allowing me to be more productive and creative in other areas of my life.
Conclusion: A Game-Changer for Content Creators
The experience of writing a year's worth of newsletters in one sitting was truly transformative. By leveraging the power of AI, strategic organization, and automation, I was able to streamline my content creation process and free up time for other pursuits. This method has not only improved my productivity but also enhanced my overall quality of life. So, if you're a content creator struggling to keep up with your publishing schedule, consider giving this game-changing approach a try.
Actionable advice
Dedicate time to brainstorm and curate a diverse list of newsletter topics, drawing inspiration from various sources
Organize your content and resources using a project management tool like Notion, Trello, or Asana
Experiment with AI writing tools to help generate content drafts, while being mindful of the need for human input and editing
Personalize your content by adding your unique voice, anecdotes, and experiences
Utilize AI-powered tools like Midjourney to create compelling images and thumbnails for your newsletters
Optimize image size and format to ensure proper display across devices and email clients
Utilize automation and scheduling tools like Substack, Mailchimp, or ConvertKit to streamline your publishing process
Focus on engaging with your readers and fostering a sense of community to enhance the value of your newsletters
Reallocate time and energy saved from content creation to pursue other projects and personal interests