The Daily Stoic email surpassed 500,000 subscribers.
I joined the team at 50,000 subscribers.
Here's 11 things I've learned about building a big audience and creating quality content:
I joined the team at 50,000 subscribers.
Here's 11 things I've learned about building a big audience and creating quality content:
1/ Simplify
Emerson said great writing uses “the language of the people.”
Bad writing uses big words.
People don’t want big words. If they want complex ideas, they want them made simple.
@RyanHoliday writes in a favorite @dailystoic email: if it’s not simple, it’s bullshit:
Emerson said great writing uses “the language of the people.”
Bad writing uses big words.
People don’t want big words. If they want complex ideas, they want them made simple.
@RyanHoliday writes in a favorite @dailystoic email: if it’s not simple, it’s bullshit:
2/ Lengthen your timeline
Steve Martin once said that anyone who stays with an instrument for 40+ years will inevitably be able to play it.
500K subscribers was an inevitability for Daily Stoic.
Because @RyanHoliday plans to stay with it "until I drop dead."
Steve Martin once said that anyone who stays with an instrument for 40+ years will inevitably be able to play it.
500K subscribers was an inevitability for Daily Stoic.
Because @RyanHoliday plans to stay with it "until I drop dead."
3/ Good content wins
We use @ConvertKit to send the Daily Stoic email.
It shows new subscribers, unsubscribers, opens, etc.
@RyanHoliday doesn't know the login for Convertkit.
He doesn't care about numbers. If the content is good, numbers follow. He focuses on the content
We use @ConvertKit to send the Daily Stoic email.
It shows new subscribers, unsubscribers, opens, etc.
@RyanHoliday doesn't know the login for Convertkit.
He doesn't care about numbers. If the content is good, numbers follow. He focuses on the content
4/ Solve problems
No one wakes up thinking, I need some philosophy.
"But they do wake up with problems they need solutions to," Ryan Holiday says. "As it happens, Stoicism provides a lot of those solutions."
To secure readers, solve their problems. Make something they need.
No one wakes up thinking, I need some philosophy.
"But they do wake up with problems they need solutions to," Ryan Holiday says. "As it happens, Stoicism provides a lot of those solutions."
To secure readers, solve their problems. Make something they need.
5/ Keep it concise
Daily Stoic emails are short (~500 words).
"Because I realize most people are very busy," Ryan Holiday says.
I like @morganhousel's rule: Make your point & get out of the way.
Better to leave people wanting more than feeling like you wasted their time.
Daily Stoic emails are short (~500 words).
"Because I realize most people are very busy," Ryan Holiday says.
I like @morganhousel's rule: Make your point & get out of the way.
Better to leave people wanting more than feeling like you wasted their time.
6/ Meet people where they are
Daily Stoic has a podcast, a YouTube channel, Instagram, Twitter, & TikTok.
In a perfect world, Ryan Holiday would just write books, articles, & emails.
"But you gotta meet people where they are," he says. Then you can take them where you want.
Daily Stoic has a podcast, a YouTube channel, Instagram, Twitter, & TikTok.
In a perfect world, Ryan Holiday would just write books, articles, & emails.
"But you gotta meet people where they are," he says. Then you can take them where you want.
7/ Show don't tell
From @RobertGreene, Ryan Holiday learned the power of illustrating ideas.
Ryan doesn't explain Stoicism to you. He shows you Stoicism.
People don't like lectures. People like stories.
The mantra that informs Ryan's approach to writing: show don't tell.
From @RobertGreene, Ryan Holiday learned the power of illustrating ideas.
Ryan doesn't explain Stoicism to you. He shows you Stoicism.
People don't like lectures. People like stories.
The mantra that informs Ryan's approach to writing: show don't tell.
8/ Become a habit
Daily Stoic emails go out at the same time every day.
When you show up at the same time, you become part of a person's routine.
Weekly works too:
@JamesClear's "3-2-1 Thursday"
@tferriss' "5-Bullet Friday"
As @jspector writes,
Daily Stoic emails go out at the same time every day.
When you show up at the same time, you become part of a person's routine.
Weekly works too:
@JamesClear's "3-2-1 Thursday"
@tferriss' "5-Bullet Friday"
As @jspector writes,
9/ Hire experts
In mid-2021, we hired @mattragland to be our "Convertkit ninja"
Matt optimized our systems & processes and allows everyone to focus on what they do best.
"Pay for professional help," Ryan Holiday says, "if you think pros are expensive, try hiring an amateur."
In mid-2021, we hired @mattragland to be our "Convertkit ninja"
Matt optimized our systems & processes and allows everyone to focus on what they do best.
"Pay for professional help," Ryan Holiday says, "if you think pros are expensive, try hiring an amateur."
10/ Consistency compounds
We have a Google Doc called "UNSENT"—it's 152 pages.
When asked how he produces so much, Ryan Holiday says he just writes a little bit every day.
“Compound interest is one of the most powerful forces on earth. And you can apply that to your own work.
We have a Google Doc called "UNSENT"—it's 152 pages.
When asked how he produces so much, Ryan Holiday says he just writes a little bit every day.
“Compound interest is one of the most powerful forces on earth. And you can apply that to your own work.
11/ Just start
If you’re thinking about starting a newsletter…
Before I started mine, I told Ryan Holiday I was waiting to know for certain what to write about.
"Just start," he said
“You're better off starting imperfectly than being paralyzed by the delusion of perfection.”
If you’re thinking about starting a newsletter…
Before I started mine, I told Ryan Holiday I was waiting to know for certain what to write about.
"Just start," he said
“You're better off starting imperfectly than being paralyzed by the delusion of perfection.”
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