I Started a Daily Newsletter on Substack

Here’s what it’s about and five reasons why I started it

Business doesn’t have to be complicated.

But over the nearly two years I’ve been building an online business, I’ve done nothing but complicate things.

I’ve tried different business models, devised arcane systems that even I couldn’t follow, and failed spectacularly as a result.

OK, maybe I didn’t screw up too badly. I’ve made some decent money, made friends, and learned a ton of things about the creator business.

But things could’ve been better. If only I kept things simple.

That’s why, after a brief period of soul-searching, I decided to start an atomic newsletter.

I’ve seen a number of atomic newsletters.

Examples of this include 8 AM, For The Interested, and one of my personal favorites, Minimalist Hustler Daily by Medium’s very own Jamie Northrup - Minimalist Hustler.

I didn’t start calling atomic newsletters by that name until I heard it from another writer on Medium named Evan Kelly. If you’re unfamiliar with it, an atomic newsletter is one where the content is short and snappy (readable in under a minute) but incredibly useful.

Atomic newsletters have appealed to me for a while. But overthinking kept me from moving forward. I was afraid to fail. Thus, I failed by not even trying at all.

But I’m over my analysis paralysis. I’m no longer going to let my internal negativity prevent progress.

That’s why I decided to start Upsmart Daily.

What is Upsmart Daily?

Upsmart Daily’s premise is simple. I will send a very short free email to my subscribers every day. Each email contains links to tools and resources that can help people become smarter and happier. The entire email can be consumed in a minute or less.

Will it take off?

I have a good feeling it will. But I really don’t know.

All I know is that an atomic newsletter is the right move for a number of reasons.

These reasons include:

1/ I’m already curating content privately.

I like reading, listening, and watching things that help me improve myself, manage my finances, start/grow a business, be happier in my career, and so on.

Upsmart Daily is basically just a public version of me compiling helpful resources all over the internet. Instead of keeping what I find for myself, I can now share it with anyone.

2/ I’m busy and about to get REALLY busy.

I have a day job, a family, and a bunch of other stuff going on.

On top of that, I’m about to move to a new house and start my master’s in nursing program this summer.

Even if I wanted to, I don’t have the time to go all in on content creation.

But I’m not about to ruin my momentum as a creator just because I’m busy and about to get busier.

Instead, I’m finding ways to fit creativity into my schedule. Hence, an atomic newsletter.

3/ A curated, atomic newsletter will help me deliver more value to readers.

I like to write because I have plenty of things to say.

But there are also people who think and say similar things to what I have to say. Except they have more experience and credibility.

I could deliver more value to readers by being a vessel for their ideas.

Yes, I will still write my content. But, right now, I’d prefer to be more of a student taking notes rather than a guru.

4/ Atomic newsletters can be profitable.

Newsletters, in general, can be profitable. Its length doesn’t matter.

Atomic newsletters can be monetized in the same way as any other newsletter.

Some ideas include:

• Sponsorships
• Affiliate marketing
• Using the newsletter as a vehicle to sell products and/or services
• Subscriptions
• And so on.

One of my goals in life is to help others while having a thriving and sustainable business for me and my family.

I have plenty of faith that an atomic newsletter can get me there.

5/ Writing short newsletters is likely the key to saving my mental health as a creator.

Being a creator has been fun. But the threat of burnout has also been a constant presence.

I think part of it is because I’ve focused the majority of my efforts in the last two years on creating long-form content.

While there is immense value in long-form content, producing it week after week after week can be draining.

I’ve toyed with the idea of taking a hiatus, but what good will that really do? Without changing the way I do things, I will encounter the same problems when I return. If I do, in fact, still decide to return.

It’s better to stay in the game and change my strategy than take an indefinite break.

Parting Thoughts

I’m not going to lie.

I’m writing this article, in part, to promote Upsmart Daily. At the end of this article, you will find a link that leads to its sign-up page. I’m proud to share Upsmart Daily because I believe it carries immense value for readers like you.

Another reason why I felt inspired to write this article is that I want you to consider starting an atomic newsletter.

I’m still baffled as to why I waited this long to start one.

I can’t tell you that writing an atomic newsletter can turn you into a millionaire. Every creator experiences things differently. And I haven’t made money from my atomic newsletter.

But if you like to help others and start a simple business but have limited time, then atomic newsletters are the solution.

As promised, here’s a shameless plug to my newsletter:) Feel free to check it out. You can become a subscriber by clicking HERE!