--- name: newsletter description: Create engaging newsletter editions with proven structures, subject lines, and content formats. Supports curator, educator, and thought leader archetypes for ongoing audience communication. triggers: - newsletter - write newsletter - newsletter edition - weekly newsletter - email newsletter allowed-tools: Read Write Edit Grep Glob WebSearch WebFetch AskUserQuestion disable-model-invocation: true --- # Newsletter Architect Create compelling newsletter editions that readers actually open, read, and forward. ## Newsletter vs Email Nurture | Newsletter (this skill) | Email Nurture | |------------------------|---------------| | Ongoing communication | One-time sequences | | Regular cadence (weekly/monthly) | Triggered by action | | Curated + original content | Focused drip campaign | | Builds relationship over time | Moves toward conversion | | Subscribers expect it | Automated based on behavior | ## Conversation Starter Use `AskUserQuestion` to gather context: "I'll help you create a newsletter edition that readers will love. **Quick info needed:** 1. **Newsletter name/topic**: What's your newsletter about? 2. **Archetype** (pick one): - **Curator** - Curate the best links/resources (like Morning Brew) - **Educator** - Teach one thing deeply (like James Clear) - **Thought Leader** - Share opinions/insights (like Lenny's Newsletter) - **Hybrid** - Mix of above 3. **This edition's focus**: What's the main topic/theme? 4. **Cadence**: Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly? 5. **Tone**: Casual, professional, witty, etc. 6. **Any specific content to include?** (links, announcements, stories) I'll draft your edition with subject line options." ## Newsletter Archetypes ### 1. The Curator **Best for:** Busy professionals who want filtered content **Structure:** ``` SUBJECT: [Number] + [Benefit] + [Timeframe] "7 links that'll make you smarter this week" --- [Personal 2-3 sentence intro - what you're thinking about] --- ## 🔗 This Week's Picks ### 1. [Link Title] [1-2 sentence summary + why it matters] → [Link] ### 2. [Link Title] [1-2 sentence summary + why it matters] → [Link] (5-7 links total) --- ## 💡 One Thing I'm Thinking About [1 paragraph personal insight] --- ## 🛠️ Tool/Resource of the Week [Name]: [What it does + why you like it] → [Link] --- [Sign-off + CTA] ``` **Subject Line Formulas:** - `[Number] things you missed this week` - `The [topic] links worth your time` - `Your [day] reading list is here` - `[Number] [topic] finds (+ one surprise)` ### 2. The Educator **Best for:** Building authority, teaching skills **Structure:** ``` SUBJECT: How to [Outcome] + [Constraint/Twist] "How to write emails that get replies (even from busy executives)" --- [Hook - relatable problem or surprising fact] --- ## The Problem [2-3 paragraphs setting up the challenge] --- ## The Solution ### Step 1: [Action] [Explanation + example] ### Step 2: [Action] [Explanation + example] ### Step 3: [Action] [Explanation + example] --- ## Real Example [Before/after or case study] --- ## Your Action Item [One specific thing to do this week] --- [Sign-off + what's coming next week] ``` **Subject Line Formulas:** - `How to [outcome] (without [common sacrifice])` - `The [topic] mistake costing you [loss]` - `I [did thing]. Here's what happened.` - `[Number] [topic] lessons from [source]` ### 3. The Thought Leader **Best for:** Building personal brand, sharing opinions **Structure:** ``` SUBJECT: [Contrarian take] or [Provocative question] "Nobody talks about this side of [topic]" --- [Personal story or observation that sparked this edition] --- ## Here's What I've Been Thinking [3-5 paragraphs of your perspective] - [Key point 1] - [Key point 2] - [Key point 3] --- ## Why This Matters [Connect to reader's life/work] --- ## The Uncomfortable Truth [Your bold take that others won't say] --- ## What I'd Do About It [Actionable perspective] --- [Question for readers + sign-off] ``` **Subject Line Formulas:** - `The thing nobody tells you about [topic]` - `I was wrong about [topic]` - `Unpopular opinion: [take]` - `Why I stopped [common practice]` ### 4. The Hybrid **Best for:** Variety, testing what resonates **Structure:** ``` SUBJECT: [Main value] + [Curiosity element] --- ## 👋 Hey [Name/Friend], [2-3 sentence personal intro] --- ## 📝 Main Story: [Title] [The meat of this edition - 300-500 words] --- ## 🔗 Links Worth Clicking 1. **[Title]** - [One-liner] → [Link] 2. **[Title]** - [One-liner] → [Link] 3. **[Title]** - [One-liner] → [Link] --- ## 💬 From Last Week [Reader reply/question + your response] --- ## 🎯 This Week's Challenge [One actionable thing] --- [Personal sign-off] P.S. [Teaser for next week or bonus link] ``` ## Section Templates **Intro styles:** Story open (personal anecdote), observation (pattern you noticed), confession (honest admission), direct (topic + no fluff). **Sign-off styles:** Personal (where you're headed), forward ask (share request), reply prompt (specific question), teaser (next week preview). ## Subject Line Toolkit ### Formulas That Work | Type | Formula | Example | |------|---------|---------| | Curiosity | `The [thing] no one talks about` | The hiring mistake no one talks about | | Specificity | `[Number] ways to [outcome]` | 5 ways to close deals faster | | Personal | `I [action]. Here's what happened.` | I quit meetings. Here's what happened. | | Question | `What if [unexpected possibility]?` | What if your best employee is wrong? | | Contrast | `[Common belief] vs [reality]` | What they teach vs what works | | FOMO | `[Number] people already know this` | 10,000 people already know this | | Direct | `[Benefit] inside` | Your productivity playbook inside | **Power words:** "Actually" (contrarian), "Finally" (solution), "Warning" (urgency), "Secretly" (insider), "Quick" (low commitment). **Avoid:** "Newsletter", "Update", "Monthly/Weekly", "Don't miss", "Exciting news". ## Content Sourcing - **Curators:** Twitter/X lists, HN, Reddit, Slack/Discord communities, Google Alerts. Curation test: "Would I send this to a smart friend?" - **Educators:** Reader questions, your mistakes, processes that work, book insights, sparked conversations - **Thought Leaders:** Disagreements with common practice, beginner mistakes, changed minds, hindsight lessons ## Output Format ```markdown # NEWSLETTER EDITION: [Edition # or Date] ## Subject Line Options 1. **[Primary - best performer predicted]** 2. [Alternative A] 3. [Alternative B] **Preview text:** [40-90 chars that show after subject] --- ## Newsletter Body [Full newsletter content following chosen archetype structure] --- ## Metadata - **Archetype:** [Curator/Educator/Thought Leader/Hybrid] - **Word count:** [X words] - **Estimated read time:** [X minutes] - **Main CTA:** [What you want readers to do] --- ## A/B Test Suggestions **Subject lines to test:** - Version A: [Subject] - Version B: [Subject] **Send time options:** - [Day] at [Time] - [Why] - [Day] at [Time] - [Why] ``` ## Quality Checklist Before sending, verify: - [ ] Subject line creates curiosity (would YOU open it?) - [ ] First line hooks immediately (no "hope you're well") - [ ] One clear theme/focus (not a content dump) - [ ] Scannable format (headers, bullets, short paragraphs) - [ ] Personal voice (sounds like you, not corporate) - [ ] Clear CTA (reply, forward, click, or just enjoy) - [ ] Mobile-friendly (preview on phone) - [ ] Proofread (typos kill trust) ## Integration Works well with: - `brand-voice` - Apply your documented voice - `content-atomizer` - Turn newsletter into social posts - `hook-writer` - Generate subject line options - `copy-editor` - Polish before sending **Workflow:** ``` Newsletter draft → brand-voice check → copy-editor polish → send → content-atomizer → social posts ``` ## Frequency Guidelines | Cadence | Best For | Reader Expectation | |---------|----------|-------------------| | Daily | News, markets, quick hits | <3 min read | | Weekly | Deep dives, curated | 5-10 min read | | Bi-weekly | Thought leadership | 7-15 min read | | Monthly | Comprehensive roundups | 10-20 min read | **Rule:** Don't send if you have nothing valuable. Silence > noise.