13
2 Comments

Mastermind Substack Creators Feedback+Growth Group

Heya!

I've recently been writing on substack for behavioural science: https://goodbrain.substack.com/ and a bit on startups: https://viralwegrow.com/blog/hype-value-hyping-hype-vs-hyper-growth/

Personally, I find when starting a new project/new skill - it is quite challenging as one doesn't know what they know and what they don't know. I am for example very keen to get more feedback on my writing style and how I could improve my content. I would love to have a small mastermind and feedback group on issues ranging from writing style to growing the newsletter. Emphasis on small as I think it would be good to have regular calls and active discussion contributions on how each newsletter owner can help each other.

If you would be keen to have such a mastermind group, please fill out this short form on your name, email and newsletter and I'll add you to the group https://bit.ly/feedbackcircle

  1. 1

    Immediate advice from someone who has written online articles for 20 years:

    1. Think of a topic that interests you and your audience.
    2. Research topic and find the 'angle' that will produce an attractive headline and get people reading. Angle could be something most people don't know or a strong opinion.
    3. Think to yourself 'why should anyone read this?' If you cannot answer why the article is useful, return to point 1.
    4. Write the middle of the article, the 'meat', which explains the subject matter in hand.
    5. Then write the conclusion, which summarises the middle and gives your opinion or explains why what you have written is important.
    6. Then write the introductory paragraphs, which essentially tell people why they should read on because you will tell them something very useful or opinionated about the topic. Eg "I was amazed to discover Hopin is valued at $2b yet has never filed accounts at Companies House'. You should write the introduction last because you know then what the rest of the article contains, and so can easily summarise at the start why people should read on. The first sentence is probably the most important -- it hooks people in. Spend 10x more time on the first sentences than any other.
    7. Often, your headline is hiding somewhere in your text -- a few words that summarise the article. If you cannot find the basis of a headline in your text, then think hard about point 3 again.
    8. Write punchy. Quite possibly the best advice on editing https://smartblogger.com/proofreading-editing-tips/ (if nothing else, read tip 1)
    9. Keep writing. Practice makes perfect. It will get easier. Remember that nobody is expecting Shakespeare in their inbox.
    10. Always sleep on an article before publishing. Your subconscious will give you ideas for improvements. Trust me on that.
    1. 1

      @colcol Thanks for the insights. I think your point #1 is very valid. Picking a topic that one can continuously write about and be interested in the long term is an underrated challenge. I have tried writing on other topics before and it was hard after the initial buzz is over! Thanks also for #6, #7. Going to study #6 a little. Yesterday I read about not punching a sentence with adverbs.

      Very thankful for the feedback. Hope that we can connect over call some time :)

Trending on Indie Hackers
How I grew a side project to 100k Unique Visitors in 7 days with 0 audience 47 comments Competing with Product Hunt: a month later 33 comments Why do you hate marketing? 27 comments $15k revenues in <4 months as a solopreneur 14 comments Use Your Product 13 comments How I Launched FrontendEase 13 comments