Building an email newsletter! | Build in public E122

All right, this is my update for my All right, this is my update for my All right, this is my update for my build on public log. I have a lot to build on public log. I have a lot to build on public log. I have a lot to talk about, a lot of updates and talk about, a lot of updates and talk about, a lot of updates and something to demo and show you. So, something to demo and show you. So, something to demo and show you. So, let’s get into it. First of all, I still let’s get into it. First of all, I still let’s get into it. First of all, I still have not gotten back into the rhythm of have not gotten back into the rhythm of have not gotten back into the rhythm of recording every day that’s coming. Um, recording every day that’s coming. Um, recording every day that’s coming. Um, there’s a update right after this and there’s a update right after this and there’s a update right after this and I’ll get into I’ll get to that. So, what I’ll get into I’ll get to that. So, what I’ll get into I’ll get to that. So, what have I been working on? I’ve decided to have I been working on? I’ve decided to have I been working on? I’ve decided to take a little detour take a little detour take a little detour uh and build another newsletter. That’s uh and build another newsletter. That’s uh and build another newsletter. That’s right, an email newsletter. So, a couple right, an email newsletter. So, a couple right, an email newsletter. So, a couple reasons why I want to do this. I need reasons why I want to do this. I need reasons why I want to do this. I need more eyes on what I’m building, what I more eyes on what I’m building, what I more eyes on what I’m building, what I want to build. And my one of my dreams want to build. And my one of my dreams want to build. And my one of my dreams has always been to have a business where has always been to have a business where has always been to have a business where I have multiple I have multiple I have multiple projects or income streams that projects or income streams that projects or income streams that complement each other or I could uh kind complement each other or I could uh kind complement each other or I could uh kind of crosspromote. of crosspromote. of crosspromote. So, perfect example, a tech newsletter, So, perfect example, a tech newsletter, So, perfect example, a tech newsletter, put a sponsorship for my own product and put a sponsorship for my own product and put a sponsorship for my own product and cross-promote. Now, I won’t do that at cross-promote. Now, I won’t do that at cross-promote. Now, I won’t do that at first. I kind of want to get this going first. I kind of want to get this going first. I kind of want to get this going uh and then try to make money off of it uh and then try to make money off of it uh and then try to make money off of it later. Um nothing too crazy. Exactly later. Um nothing too crazy. Exactly later. Um nothing too crazy. Exactly what I did with my last newsletter. what I did with my last newsletter. what I did with my last newsletter. Think about it. Perfect. You build an Think about it. Perfect. You build an Think about it. Perfect. You build an audience of tech folks. And then once I audience of tech folks. And then once I audience of tech folks. And then once I build something a bit more flushed out build something a bit more flushed out build something a bit more flushed out and I’m trying to take to market, hey, I and I’m trying to take to market, hey, I and I’m trying to take to market, hey, I already have a free well essentially a already have a free well essentially a already have a free well essentially a free marketing channel set up. So that’s free marketing channel set up. So that’s free marketing channel set up. So that’s kind of the goal. And once I do this, kind of the goal. And once I do this, kind of the goal. And once I do this, once I build this, I’m not going to once I build this, I’m not going to once I build this, I’m not going to spend a lot of time. Once I build this, spend a lot of time. Once I build this, spend a lot of time. Once I build this, it’s kind of a set it and forget it. it’s kind of a set it and forget it. it’s kind of a set it and forget it. It’ll just take a couple hours a week to It’ll just take a couple hours a week to It’ll just take a couple hours a week to run. So, it’s not like a a huge time run. So, it’s not like a a huge time run. So, it’s not like a a huge time commitment every day or every week. It’s commitment every day or every week. It’s commitment every day or every week. It’s kind of a a big investment up front and kind of a a big investment up front and kind of a a big investment up front and then I have this thing running on then I have this thing running on then I have this thing running on autopilot is the plan. So, this is the autopilot is the plan. So, this is the autopilot is the plan. So, this is the landing page that I’m working on right landing page that I’m working on right landing page that I’m working on right now. Uh, it’s a work in progress. This now. Uh, it’s a work in progress. This now. Uh, it’s a work in progress. This is locally on my computer, so it’s up is locally on my computer, so it’s up is locally on my computer, so it’s up yet. I’m going for I’m going all in on yet. I’m going for I’m going all in on yet. I’m going for I’m going all in on the super brutalistic design and the super brutalistic design and the super brutalistic design and aesthetic. I like it. I’m digging it. aesthetic. I like it. I’m digging it. aesthetic. I like it. I’m digging it. You may not dig it. You may not like it. You may not dig it. You may not like it. You may not dig it. You may not like it. I understand if you don’t. No, no hate I understand if you don’t. No, no hate I understand if you don’t. No, no hate from me if you don’t like it. I thought from me if you don’t like it. I thought from me if you don’t like it. I thought about it. Number one, I want to do it. I about it. Number one, I want to do it. I about it. Number one, I want to do it. I need uh I need to do something fun I need uh I need to do something fun I need uh I need to do something fun I want to work on. I’ve been working too want to work on. I’ve been working too want to work on. I’ve been working too much on things I don’t want to work on. much on things I don’t want to work on. much on things I don’t want to work on. And frankly, this is And frankly, this is And frankly, this is like all the money I’ve made on my like all the money I’ve made on my like all the money I’ve made on my business in the last two years was from business in the last two years was from business in the last two years was from a newsletter that I basically set up and a newsletter that I basically set up and a newsletter that I basically set up and just kind of ran on autopilot. I know just kind of ran on autopilot. I know just kind of ran on autopilot. I know newsletters stick with what works. This newsletters stick with what works. This newsletters stick with what works. This will be my third real newsletter and I will be my third real newsletter and I will be my third real newsletter and I have a feeling like I’m well I’m hoping have a feeling like I’m well I’m hoping have a feeling like I’m well I’m hoping third times a charm. I have a feeling third times a charm. I have a feeling third times a charm. I have a feeling I’ll be able to like get this one going I’ll be able to like get this one going I’ll be able to like get this one going much faster than before. I’ve made money much faster than before. I’ve made money much faster than before. I’ve made money from this. I I know how to how it works. from this. I I know how to how it works. from this. I I know how to how it works. Uh the plan is to try to get this done Uh the plan is to try to get this done Uh the plan is to try to get this done in the next week and launched and then in the next week and launched and then in the next week and launched and then put it kind of on autopilot and just do put it kind of on autopilot and just do put it kind of on autopilot and just do a little bit of marketing and updates a little bit of marketing and updates a little bit of marketing and updates here and there and then get back to here and there and then get back to here and there and then get back to agents code and building agents and all agents code and building agents and all agents code and building agents and all of that which leads right into uh some of that which leads right into uh some of that which leads right into uh some important updates. important updates. important updates. Number one, I am officially back in Number one, I am officially back in Number one, I am officially back in London. I am a little bit more settled London. I am a little bit more settled London. I am a little bit more settled in. I’ve been here a week now. The jet in. I’ve been here a week now. The jet in. I’ve been here a week now. The jet lag is over. Uh I can confirm what they lag is over. Uh I can confirm what they lag is over. Uh I can confirm what they say about jet lag is pretty true. They say about jet lag is pretty true. They say about jet lag is pretty true. They say every hour, you know, hour times say every hour, you know, hour times say every hour, you know, hour times time difference or time zone that you go time difference or time zone that you go time difference or time zone that you go through takes about a day to recover. So through takes about a day to recover. So through takes about a day to recover. So I went 8 hours. Yeah, I took about 8 I went 8 hours. Yeah, I took about 8 I went 8 hours. Yeah, I took about 8 days to feel better. I was so jet-lagged days to feel better. I was so jet-lagged days to feel better. I was so jet-lagged last week and I had to work and I was last week and I had to work and I was last week and I had to work and I was really busy. Um, I’m feeling a lot really busy. Um, I’m feeling a lot really busy. Um, I’m feeling a lot better. I’m settling into London, but better. I’m settling into London, but better. I’m settling into London, but uh, I’m gonna take a vacation next week, uh, I’m gonna take a vacation next week, uh, I’m gonna take a vacation next week, almost a week from now. So, the plan is almost a week from now. So, the plan is almost a week from now. So, the plan is to work on the newsletter, do something to work on the newsletter, do something to work on the newsletter, do something kind of fun this next week, and then I’m kind of fun this next week, and then I’m kind of fun this next week, and then I’m going to go on a vacation/h holiday, going to go on a vacation/h holiday, going to go on a vacation/h holiday, doing a 10day road trip through doing a 10day road trip through doing a 10day road trip through centralish Europe. Uh, I’m probably not centralish Europe. Uh, I’m probably not centralish Europe. Uh, I’m probably not going to do an update to be honest. I’ve going to do an update to be honest. I’ve going to do an update to be honest. I’ve decided I need like a real break and the decided I need like a real break and the decided I need like a real break and the freelance gig that I’ve had for like 5 freelance gig that I’ve had for like 5 freelance gig that I’ve had for like 5 months months months going to 6 months. It ends next week. going to 6 months. It ends next week. going to 6 months. It ends next week. So, it’s finally over. They’re getting So, it’s finally over. They’re getting So, it’s finally over. They’re getting rid of me. Replace me essentially. Ah, that’s Replace me essentially. Ah, that’s Replace me essentially. Ah, that’s normal when you work at an agency. You normal when you work at an agency. You normal when you work at an agency. You help them start up the app, the help them start up the app, the help them start up the app, the business, whatever, and then they start business, whatever, and then they start business, whatever, and then they start replacing you with their own employees. replacing you with their own employees. replacing you with their own employees. This is very common. No hate, but I This is very common. No hate, but I This is very common. No hate, but I think they’re ready for me to go. think they’re ready for me to go. think they’re ready for me to go. Yeah. I I mean, I’m just ready for that Yeah. I I mean, I’m just ready for that Yeah. I I mean, I’m just ready for that transition and to go on go to the next transition and to go on go to the next transition and to go on go to the next thing. I’m going to end on Friday. I’m thing. I’m going to end on Friday. I’m thing. I’m going to end on Friday. I’m going to literally like shut my computer going to literally like shut my computer going to literally like shut my computer down next Friday and get on the plane down next Friday and get on the plane down next Friday and get on the plane and go on my vacation. So, it’s going to and go on my vacation. So, it’s going to and go on my vacation. So, it’s going to be like literally close and run to the be like literally close and run to the be like literally close and run to the airport. But when I come back, it’s airport. But when I come back, it’s airport. But when I come back, it’s going to be all in on the agents all in going to be all in on the agents all in going to be all in on the agents all in on agents code. my uh on agents code. my uh on agents code. my uh AI agent API service. I’m going all in AI agent API service. I’m going all in AI agent API service. I’m going all in and all of my focus is going to be on and all of my focus is going to be on and all of my focus is going to be on growing my business. I’m going to have growing my business. I’m going to have growing my business. I’m going to have weekly and daily updates. I’ll finally weekly and daily updates. I’ll finally weekly and daily updates. I’ll finally be able to really truly focus on the be able to really truly focus on the be able to really truly focus on the business and and trying to get this business and and trying to get this business and and trying to get this going. This is my one shot at making it going. This is my one shot at making it going. This is my one shot at making it and and getting some revenue in. Um it’s and and getting some revenue in. Um it’s and and getting some revenue in. Um it’s go time. I will continue to give updates go time. I will continue to give updates go time. I will continue to give updates as I go along uh in this next week. as I go along uh in this next week. as I go along uh in this next week. Probably not every day, but I’ll Probably not every day, but I’ll Probably not every day, but I’ll definitely have some more updates, definitely have some more updates, definitely have some more updates, especially when this is launched and and especially when this is launched and and especially when this is launched and and how this is going. Quick side note what how this is going. Quick side note what how this is going. Quick side note what this is built on. I’m trying AstroJS. this is built on. I’m trying AstroJS. this is built on. I’m trying AstroJS. It is It is It is okay so far. I don’t know. And there’s a okay so far. I don’t know. And there’s a okay so far. I don’t know. And there’s a small SQL like database to power this. small SQL like database to power this. small SQL like database to power this. there’s going to be a there’s going to be a there’s going to be a um an archive like so every every day it um an archive like so every every day it um an archive like so every every day it goes out Monday through Friday you’ll be goes out Monday through Friday you’ll be goes out Monday through Friday you’ll be able to see. So that’s the stack here. able to see. So that’s the stack here. able to see. So that’s the stack here. It’s going to be self-hosted. It’s going to be self-hosted. It’s going to be self-hosted. Uh nothing too special, but more to come Uh nothing too special, but more to come Uh nothing too special, but more to come on that. I will update as I go along. on that. I will update as I go along. on that. I will update as I go along. I’m hoping to have my my goal is to have I’m hoping to have my my goal is to have I’m hoping to have my my goal is to have this completely up and running by the by this completely up and running by the by this completely up and running by the by next Friday when I go on vacation. That next Friday when I go on vacation. That next Friday when I go on vacation. That gives me a week and a couple days. Um gives me a week and a couple days. Um gives me a week and a couple days. Um I’m super excited about my vacation. And I’m super excited about my vacation. And I’m super excited about my vacation. And if you want to know what the vacation if you want to know what the vacation if you want to know what the vacation is. So I was going to try to show you is. So I was going to try to show you is. So I was going to try to show you the map in my internet just went the map in my internet just went the map in my internet just went completely down. I don’t know why the completely down. I don’t know why the completely down. I don’t know why the internet went down. Okay. So I’m going internet went down. Okay. So I’m going internet went down. Okay. So I’m going to show you the map. Uh so anyways, to show you the map. Uh so anyways, to show you the map. Uh so anyways, we’re going from basically Munich, we’re going from basically Munich, we’re going from basically Munich, Bulgaria down to Austria. Bulgaria down to Austria. Bulgaria down to Austria. Uh little village in the mountains Uh little village in the mountains Uh little village in the mountains alpine kind of area uh Alps area of alpine kind of area uh Alps area of alpine kind of area uh Alps area of Austria. Then we’re going to cut over Austria. Then we’re going to cut over Austria. Then we’re going to cut over through Lichenstein and we’re going to through Lichenstein and we’re going to through Lichenstein and we’re going to go to this lake um in Switzerland, go to this lake um in Switzerland, go to this lake um in Switzerland, Interlucken. It’s like that area. Um Interlucken. It’s like that area. Um Interlucken. It’s like that area. Um that’s pretty close to the Alps where that’s pretty close to the Alps where that’s pretty close to the Alps where there’s that famous observatory like there’s that famous observatory like there’s that famous observatory like high on like this mountain peak. You high on like this mountain peak. You high on like this mountain peak. You could take the highest train in Europe, could take the highest train in Europe, could take the highest train in Europe, too. We might go there. I don’t know. too. We might go there. I don’t know. too. We might go there. I don’t know. We’ll see. It’s kind of expensive. Um We’ll see. It’s kind of expensive. Um We’ll see. It’s kind of expensive. Um but there’s like all these little alpine but there’s like all these little alpine but there’s like all these little alpine little villages. It’s summer. won’t little villages. It’s summer. won’t little villages. It’s summer. won’t hopefully not be as cold. And uh then hopefully not be as cold. And uh then hopefully not be as cold. And uh then we’re going to drive down through we’re going to drive down through we’re going to drive down through Switzerland to all the way to Lake Switzerland to all the way to Lake Switzerland to all the way to Lake Geneva, so the border with France. Then Geneva, so the border with France. Then Geneva, so the border with France. Then we’re going to loop back up to Zurich we’re going to loop back up to Zurich we’re going to loop back up to Zurich for my birthday. Um there’s going to be for my birthday. Um there’s going to be for my birthday. Um there’s going to be a nice birthday dinner a nice birthday dinner a nice birthday dinner on Lake Zurich at a really fancy on Lake Zurich at a really fancy on Lake Zurich at a really fancy restaurant. It’s a national holiday. restaurant. It’s a national holiday. restaurant. It’s a national holiday. There should be fireworks. It’s going to There should be fireworks. It’s going to There should be fireworks. It’s going to be epic. Um, we’re gonna leave the card be epic. Um, we’re gonna leave the card be epic. Um, we’re gonna leave the card there and we’re gonna make our way back there and we’re gonna make our way back there and we’re gonna make our way back to London, fly to Bordeaux, France, have to London, fly to Bordeaux, France, have to London, fly to Bordeaux, France, have some wine, castles, go to the beach. some wine, castles, go to the beach. some wine, castles, go to the beach. Yes, there’s a beach in Bordeaux. Nice Yes, there’s a beach in Bordeaux. Nice Yes, there’s a beach in Bordeaux. Nice nature area. Um, a little village like nature area. Um, a little village like nature area. Um, a little village like an hour away. We’re going to go there, an hour away. We’re going to go there, an hour away. We’re going to go there, go to the beach, then fly back to go to the beach, then fly back to go to the beach, then fly back to London. Pretty epic 10day trip through London. Pretty epic 10day trip through London. Pretty epic 10day trip through Europe. Uh, it’s going to be intense. Europe. Uh, it’s going to be intense. Europe. Uh, it’s going to be intense. It’s going to be exciting. That’s why I It’s going to be exciting. That’s why I It’s going to be exciting. That’s why I might take a couple days off. I might might take a couple days off. I might might take a couple days off. I might need a vacation from the vacation, but need a vacation from the vacation, but need a vacation from the vacation, but after that, so expect about a couple after that, so expect about a couple after that, so expect about a couple weeks, I will finally get back to things weeks, I will finally get back to things weeks, I will finally get back to things and be working fulltime and then it’s go and be working fulltime and then it’s go and be working fulltime and then it’s go time. We’re going to make some money. time. We’re going to make some money. time. We’re going to make some money. Uh, I hope to bring you all along for Uh, I hope to bring you all along for Uh, I hope to bring you all along for the adventure. If you would like me to the adventure. If you would like me to the adventure. If you would like me to post some updates on my vacation that post some updates on my vacation that post some updates on my vacation that interests you, let me know. I wasn’t interests you, let me know. I wasn’t interests you, let me know. I wasn’t planning on do on doing that, but if planning on do on doing that, but if planning on do on doing that, but if anybody wants to see, why not? Uh, on to anybody wants to see, why not? Uh, on to anybody wants to see, why not? Uh, on to my random story for today. This will be my random story for today. This will be my random story for today. This will be super super fast. Uh, getting super super fast. Uh, getting super super fast. Uh, getting reacquainted with reacquainted with reacquainted with London. Uh, I’ve been going for long London. Uh, I’ve been going for long London. Uh, I’ve been going for long walks. I like to go for long walks and walks. I like to go for long walks and walks. I like to go for long walks and now I’m trying to go for long walks now I’m trying to go for long walks now I’m trying to go for long walks around London to see London, see the around London to see London, see the around London to see London, see the sites, explore, get to know the city sites, explore, get to know the city sites, explore, get to know the city again. The other day I went not too again. The other day I went not too again. The other day I went not too early in the morning, kind of before early in the morning, kind of before early in the morning, kind of before lunchtime. I went along the river Tams. lunchtime. I went along the river Tams. lunchtime. I went along the river Tams. I was walking I was walking I was walking um um um and I was in this long stretch. you walk and I was in this long stretch. you walk and I was in this long stretch. you walk through these kind of tunnels things through these kind of tunnels things through these kind of tunnels things and I was by myself except for I walked and I was by myself except for I walked and I was by myself except for I walked by this homeless guy sleeping there by this homeless guy sleeping there by this homeless guy sleeping there and it made me realize how creepy London and it made me realize how creepy London and it made me realize how creepy London is when you’re by yourself. Uh I was is when you’re by yourself. Uh I was is when you’re by yourself. Uh I was completely alone for a good while just completely alone for a good while just completely alone for a good while just walking along the river and it was low walking along the river and it was low walking along the river and it was low tide and it has a weird vibe when it’s tide and it has a weird vibe when it’s tide and it has a weird vibe when it’s low tide you can see kind of the beach low tide you can see kind of the beach low tide you can see kind of the beach the shore along the the dams. Uh, I the shore along the the dams. Uh, I the shore along the the dams. Uh, I don’t know. It’s like a real creepy vibe don’t know. It’s like a real creepy vibe don’t know. It’s like a real creepy vibe being alone for some It’s such a crowded being alone for some It’s such a crowded being alone for some It’s such a crowded city. You’re kind of It’s kind of city. You’re kind of It’s kind of city. You’re kind of It’s kind of surprising and and a little eerie when surprising and and a little eerie when surprising and and a little eerie when you’re finally alone here, especially in you’re finally alone here, especially in you’re finally alone here, especially in a along the river in a kind of popular a along the river in a kind of popular a along the river in a kind of popular part of the the city. Um, I was just part of the the city. Um, I was just part of the the city. Um, I was just walking around taking it all in and and walking around taking it all in and and walking around taking it all in and and I was like, “Yeah, London can be kind of I was like, “Yeah, London can be kind of I was like, “Yeah, London can be kind of creepy when you’re by yourself.” Um, creepy when you’re by yourself.” Um, creepy when you’re by yourself.” Um, pretty cool though. pretty cool to have pretty cool though. pretty cool to have pretty cool though. pretty cool to have like a little the little area to like a little the little area to like a little the little area to yourself. But yeah, I’ve been walking yourself. But yeah, I’ve been walking yourself. But yeah, I’ve been walking around a lot trying to rediscover the around a lot trying to rediscover the around a lot trying to rediscover the city, get it reacquainted. It’s quite an city, get it reacquainted. It’s quite an city, get it reacquainted. It’s quite an adjustment from the small town I was in adjustment from the small town I was in adjustment from the small town I was in in California, but uh yeah, it’s I’m I’m in California, but uh yeah, it’s I’m I’m in California, but uh yeah, it’s I’m I’m happy to be here. That’s it for today. I happy to be here. That’s it for today. I happy to be here. That’s it for today. I will keep you posted on my funky will keep you posted on my funky will keep you posted on my funky newsletter and when it’s ready, I hope newsletter and when it’s ready, I hope newsletter and when it’s ready, I hope you all subscribe. you all subscribe. you all subscribe. That’s it. I will see you all next