Lesson 4: How Many Modules?
Lesson of the Week:
Multiple Modules - Can’t I Just Write an Essay Every Week?
In an earlier edition, we explained the module strategy but never explained why we think it’s such a great strategy.
To recap: The module strategy is a way to construct your newsletter out of various parts, like legos. If you watch many YouTube videos, you may want to include a curated module on YouTube videos each week. There is a lot of value in good curation; it could be tweets, essays, or books. If you enjoy drawing, you may include a module on that. The module possibilities your newsletter could be made out of are endless.
We believe there are three big advantages to this strategy.
Advantage number one is that different modules appeal to different people. Each module is a chance to engage with your audience. Your audience doesn’t need to like every module; as long as they get value from one module, they will appreciate your newsletter.
Advantage number two, with multiple modules, there’s less pressure to write a perfect newsletter. Many newsletters consist of a single essay. While these can be great, it’s a lot of pressure to write an interesting essay every week. It’s easy to procrastinate and not ship due to perfectionism.
Lastly, modules create a structure for your newsletter. With modules, you know exactly what content to collect during the week. And if you follow our recommendations, that content is based on things that you already consume and enjoy. We believe in making the newsletter fit your lifestyle, so you can stick with it and keep publishing week after week.
These module constraints will fuel your creativity and make it easier to ship your newsletter every week.
Newsletters of the Week:
Alina Okun’s Can Do newsletter is a fantastic well of inspiration. She has four modules in her newsletter. An update on her Portfolio Career, an article, a quote, and a tweet.
Alina views her career as a portfolio. She divides her career into five buckets: DAO’s, writing, mentoring, Small Bets, and advising. She will always be able to give an update on one of these aspects every week.
The article that she shares is usually career-focused. This week it was Sam Altman’s essay “How to be Successful.”
The quote and the tweet are likewise inspirational.
Alina gives the reader four chances to be inspired. If just one works, she’s succeeded.
Each module also fits her lifestyle. Alina can easily give an update on one of the areas in her Portfolio Career each week. Likewise, because she’s a prolific reader, she’ll have an article, a quote, and a tweet easily at hand every week.
The pseudonymous newsletter, Liberty’s Highlights also uses a variety of modules to please different audiences. He starts off with a series of short hits (quotes, links to essays, thoughts). Liberty then has three main modules: 🏦 💰 Liberty Capital 💳 💴, 🧪🔬 Liberty Labs 🧬 🔭, and 🎨 🎭 Liberty Studio 👩🎨 🎥. Sometimes he calls them Business & Investing, Science & Technology, and The Arts & History (I don’t know why he switches between the headers). These modules are more in-depth thoughts on news and essays in these three areas. Given the wide range of topics, it’s very likely Liberty’s audience will find something interesting in these modules.
Tip of the Week:
Clearly demarcate your modules. It makes it easier for skimmers to know when to pay attention to a new section.
Thank you for reading. We hope you have a wonderful weekend. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with a friend or two.
Louie & Chris
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