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CJ Chilvers

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The great personal newsletter migration

For the third week in a row, about a dozen of my favorite indie newsletters have landed in the spam folder — newsletters I’ve opened and click-through hundreds of times. What gives? I love how Apple, DuckDuckGo, Neeva, and others are making our online lives a little more private and

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New(ish) Newsletter

I really have to get better at cross-posting about my newsletter issues. Last week, I did one on Creation and Kit Kats [https://www.cjchilvers.com/email/issue-274-creation-and-kit-kats]. It was part of a test on formatting, linking styles, and self-imposed constraints. The results? I love plain text emails. You seem

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Practical Ways to Post Something Every Day

I create the equivalent of at least 1 book worth of writing per week. Most of my work ends up in newsletters, websites, and marketing campaigns for companies you know very well. You won’t see my name, but you’re probably reading my stuff all the time. On good

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35 Lessons from 35 Years of Newsletter Publishing

My first newsletter was about ninjas in 1987. I was 12. Since then, I’ve been obsessed. I’ve created small newsletters for my own projects, and big newsletters for corporations. What ties them all together? Probably hundreds of things, but I’m lazy, so let’s start with 35.

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Clarity is Expensive

After many years of writing for big companies, a few universal truths have emerged from hundreds of projects, no matter the budget: * Having a clear audience is critical for creation, promotion, and sales. * Having a clear goal is existential for the project and ultimately the company. * It’s rare that

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New Newsletter: Walking in Memphis

Issue 271: Rethinking newsletters, the perfect book cover, and talking VH on YouTube at 2am. Check it out here [https://www.cjchilvers.com/campaigns/view-campaign/9lgxNi4aPZ7WkxKNSiSQ9vGtYR_hKDk-bgG9v0oG_LKhuQja7-pJPz3NOyneMCTVBTWc9oDK7TzwnYsRCt3C6HJ5sSEsurXg] , and subscribe here [https://www.cjchilvers.com/subscribe].

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The Importance of Giving a Shit

This is usually a lesser rule of being a creator, marketer, or human being. It’s almost implied. I’m bumping its status up a bit now. I’ve spent the past month driving through the eastern and southern US. Like many travelers, I was throwing money at businesses for

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Dave or Sammy? Ernie Ball or Kramer?

I stayed up until 2am talking Van Halen with these wonderful gentlemen.

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Marketing Maps Vs. Marketing Plans

Both are needed. Both must change on the fly to fully be realized. But it’s the marketing map that stirs the most inspiration. It’s a look inside the brain of a creator — messy but clear on principle. This is Walt Disney’s from 1957 (via George Mack [https:

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Book Review: Four Thousand Weeks

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals [https://amzn.to/3CZ1xxR] by Oliver Burkeman I have to admit, this is the time management book I probably would have written myself. Is there’s anything better for your time and project management than having someone else write your book for you?