… To Monday Mantra!
Today’s milestone issue is going to be all about what I’ve learned growing my newsletter over the past year — the good, the bad, and the way too expensive. 😂
It’s been a wild adventure so far. Thank YOU for supporting me on this journey!
"Don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress.”
When I came up with Monday Mantra, my plan was simple: get off social media and write something helpful that isn’t subject to the algorithm. Something short enough to read with coffee, that sounds like a real human.
And then KEEP doing it.
Fifty-something Mondays later, here we are. Guess you could say it “stuck.”
Yeah, I’ve written issues on Sunday night more than I’d like to admit. But sending it every week has taught me a ton about newsletters (and business in general).
Here’s a few takeaways …
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Your voice matters more than the topic.
There’s only so much you can say about your area of expertise (without inducing narcolepsy).
In the age of AI, it’s more important that whatever you’re writing sounds like a real human who has actually put in their 10,000 hours.
People value your perspective and point of view. [ And maybe a healthy dose of sarcasm. Heh. 😉 ] Don’t lose that to robots.
***
Authentic growth is S-L-O-W.
The tendency is to send out a newsletter and check subscriber count like it’s a stock ticker. Fact: it took me almost six months to cross 500.
And I made some (costly) mistakes along the way. [ See: The 600 ]
Bottom line: you can’t “buy” friends. Not in life. Not in newsletters.
Don’t bother paying for boosts or ads when you first start out. 99% of them won’t stick around long-term.
***
Your email list is the one audience you actually OWN.
Social is fine, but it’s Rented Space. Algorithms change, and what worked 2 weeks ago suddenly doesn’t.
When you pursue authentic newsletter growth (see above), know that those folks chose to be on your list. It’s a much closer relationship that compounds over time.
When someone replies with, “this is exactly what I needed to hear today” or, “I’m having that exact same problem right now,” … that’s the good stuff and what makes it all worthwhile.
***
Consistency beats perfection.
My best issues start as small observations: something I noticed during a project, a website headline that didn’t make sense, an awkward non-business situation.
Subscribers stick around because they want to hear about things that are relatable.
So, think of your newsletter like a conversation with a friend.
You wouldn't cancel plans because you don’t have something wildly interesting to share. You'd just show up, talk, and trust that they like you anyway. 😉
***
So, here we are. After an entire year of better Mondays.
If you've been thinking about starting a newsletter — you don't need a massive audience, a perfect niche, or a color-coded content calendar to get started. Trust me.
You just need to believe that small, consistent actions add up to something meaningful.
They do.
Fifty-something Mondays is proof of that.
Your move. ♟️
***
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The page comes down next Friday, so lock in your time before it’s too late.
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Victory Points
By: Mike Shary
My board-game-loving, copywriter extraordinaire and mentor, Dad ❤️
Splendor is a smooth engine-building game for two to four players about turning a collection of gems into serious influence.
On your turn, you either take a few chunky poker chips from the table or spend them to buy a development card. Those cards give you permanent discounts in one gem color and often come with points attached. As your tableau grows, it gets easier to afford bigger, fancier cards. Nobles may visit if your collection matches their tastes, adding a last little burst of prestige.
Early on, you’re just gathering chips and grabbing cheap cards, not worrying whether each move is perfect.
Over time, your engine starts to hum. You see quicker paths, smarter sequences, and tiny efficiencies that were invisible before.
The players who do best are not the ones who freeze trying to calculate every outcome. They are the ones who keep taking solid steps, trusting that momentum will reveal better options.
Your brand works the same way. If you wait for the perfect website, the perfect tagline, the perfect launch plan, you stay stuck in planning mode.
Progress looks like a clear first offer, a simple home page that explains it, and one consistent way to invite people in. A thoughtful brand advisor helps you choose the next useful move, build reusable assets, and refine as you go, so each iteration makes the whole system stronger.
If you like elegant games with quick turns, satisfying upgrades, and a calm sense of steady growth, Splendor is an easy recommendation for families, couples, and groups who enjoy watching a simple plan grow into something impressive.
Make it a great week! 🙌
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You received this email because you're a client of Premier Designs or subscribed to the Monday Mantra newsletter. Update your preferences or unsubscribe anytime. The links in our “Victory Points” section are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase.
