Perfect is slow. Publishing is fast. Get something helpful out today, then use simple systems to make each next step easier.
Start with two quick articles
Write short, useful pieces. One clear idea per piece. Example: “3 fall events this weekend” and “A 5-minute parking guide near Castro St.” Plain words. Short sentences. A photo if you have one. Post them. Done beats perfect.
Assemble the newsletter in minutes (use the Article Cue)
Treat Letterman like a content system. When you finish an article, add it to the Article Cue. The cue is a holding shelf for pieces that are ready. When it’s time to build the newsletter, pick the articles from the cue, and Letterman drops them into the issue for you. You’re not hunting links or copy—your best pieces are already lined up.
Cadence that compounds
Chad recommends writing one article every day or every other day. Add each to the Article Cue as soon as you publish it. By the end of the week, the cue holds several ready-to-use pieces. Building the newsletter becomes a quick choose-and-insert job.
Always give readers a next action
Put a button on the page so people can act. No button = no sales.
Easy button ideas (pick one):
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Try Firstleaf (affiliate)
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Book a free consult (local service)
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Become a sponsor (for businesses)
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Get the weekend guide (lead magnet)
One button per page is enough. Use a plain label. Add one short benefit line above it.
Use tools that speed the first version
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OfferMint (when available): draft a starter page and outline fast. Polish later.
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Referral Widget (post-signup): after someone subscribes on your site, let them join your other publications with one click.
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ShareBirdy (coming): quick polls to collect emails and spark sharing.
A tiny weekly cadence (with the cue doing the heavy lifting)
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Mon: Draft two article outlines (headline + 3 bullets each).
Tue: Write and publish Article #1 → Add to Article Cue.
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Wed: Write and publish Article #2 → Add to Article Cue.
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Thu: Build the newsletter: open the issue, select 2–3 articles from the cue, add a short intro, drop in your sponsor block, ship.
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Fri: Check replies and clicks. Note one improvement for next week.
Reduce friction everywhere
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Reuse the same image sizes so you’re not re-exporting.
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Keep one sponsor blurb template (one benefit + clear CTA).
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Save a tiny style crib: headline length, emoji policy, where the sponsor block sits.
Measure just enough to improve
Each week, look at three things:
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Which cued article got the most clicks after send?
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Did the button get clicks?
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Did the post-signup Referral Widget add new readers?
If #2 is “no,” tweak the line above the button. If #1 and #3 are flat, try a stronger headline and make sure the widget fires after the most popular signup.
Common stall points (and friendly fixes)
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“My page isn’t perfect.” Ship the plain version now. Improve one thing next week.
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“I don’t know what to sell.” Add one simple button: affiliate link, sponsor inquiry, or free consult. Learn from real clicks.
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“I’m short on time.” That’s why the Article Cue exists. Write small pieces, cue them, assemble fast.
Example week (put it all together)
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Publish “3 Fall Events This Weekend.” Button: Get the Weekend Guide. Add to Article Cue.
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Publish “Parking Near Castro: 5-Minute Map.” Add a small sponsor block below. Add to Article Cue.
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Build the newsletter: intro + select both from the Article Cue + sponsor block + sign-off.
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After signup on your site, show the Referral Widget with 2–3 of your other publications.
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Next week, lead with the Most-Read article and keep the working button.
Bottom line
Publish first. Add one clear button. Cue your articles as you go. Then assemble from the cue in minutes. That’s how you mail on time, grow faster, and keep your publication moving—without getting stuck in “perfect.”
