Hey Reader,

Most creators know the importance of a newsletter, but they struggle to figure out what to say.

Typically, we start with imitation — how do we write a newsletter like our favorite creators?

But quickly, we realize that newsletters are personal. You have an audience expecting to hear from you each week. How do you make sure you’re actually providing value to them?

Tim and I came up with a framework for the different newsletter formats you can use to make a real impact on your audience — we call it the Three L’s.

Let’s start with the first one…

Links: Curate content and purpose

The easiest way to get started as a creator is to share curated links. Think of it as a “link dump” where you share recommendations relevant to the topics you talk about.

For example, if you’re an interior designer, share links to furniture you love or well-curated spaces you’ve seen.

People will appreciate you hunting through the internet for links to share with them. In this case, you are providing value not with your words, but with your unique taste — the audience wants to think how you think.

Famous creators like Shaan Puri use this method effectively by sharing a few links, tweets, books, or other things that he finds valuable, and his audience loves it.

Even if you are not a big-name creator yet, having a well-curated set of links can position you as a tastemaker in your niche.

Letters: Share personal insights and observations

This strategy is about being personal and sharing your thoughts, observations, and experiences.

Think of it as a more narrative approach where you provide your unique take on relevant topics.

A great example of this is Greg Isenberg, who writes Greg’s Letter — captivating newsletters that mix his personal experiences with insights on internet businesses, startup ideas, and advice for entrepreneurs looking to live a fulfilling life.

If you want, you can also combine this Letter strategy with a few curated links at the end of the piece. It can be a great way to fill out your newsletter and give your readers a little bit of everything!

Lessons: Teach and provide value

This strategy includes your how-to guides, manifestos, and step-by-step tutorials.

Readers love these because they provide clear, actionable advice they can immediately apply.

Think about your niche and the problems your audience faces. Create content that addresses these issues with practical solutions. For example, if you coach YouTube content creators, you could create a how-to guide to landing and negotiating brand deals.

Keep in mind, lessons are evergreen content! Once you go through the hard work of creating them, you can repurpose them into courses, lead magnets, or an automated email series.

Once you have a backlog of content, you can even recreate and remix old newsletters to create a fresh perspective. I wrote so many newsletters about productivity, most of them being how-to guides. From there, many of them turned into courses — which totally changed my business!

Whether it’s links, letters, lessons, or a mix of all three, these formats allow you to consistently send engaging newsletters to your audience.

Thanks for reading, listening, and watching!

Matt Ragland

This week on the HeyCreator show I share the biggest reason creators struggle to grow and the mindset shift that helped me move forward. If you’re feeling stuck in your creative journey, unsure of your next step, or debating a big transition, this is for you. I’ll walk through: ​ 🪤 The common trap that holds creators back 🧠 How to make strategic decisions for long-term success 😃 Practical steps to regain momentum and start creating with confidence You’re not alone in this journey. Whether you’re pivoting your business, redefining your goals, or just looking for clarity, I hope this video helps you take that next big step. Let’s build something meaningful—together. Watch HeyCreator! Make sure to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. ​

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