How I build custom email newsletters (Blind dinner) | Build in public E123

All right. So, this is my update for my All right. So, this is my update for my All right. So, this is my update for my build and public log. build and public log. build and public log. Uh, I’m really excited for today because Uh, I’m really excited for today because Uh, I’m really excited for today because I’m going to show you the progress I’ve I’m going to show you the progress I’ve I’m going to show you the progress I’ve made this week in the last few days and made this week in the last few days and made this week in the last few days and I’m going to show how I build a I’m going to show how I build a I’m going to show how I build a newsletter, like a custom bespoke newsletter, like a custom bespoke newsletter, like a custom bespoke newsletter from scratch. I’m going to newsletter from scratch. I’m going to newsletter from scratch. I’m going to walk you through exactly how it works. walk you through exactly how it works. walk you through exactly how it works. So, yeah, let’s jump into it. So, first So, yeah, let’s jump into it. So, first So, yeah, let’s jump into it. So, first of all, I basically have the website for of all, I basically have the website for of all, I basically have the website for the newsletter built. the newsletter built. the newsletter built. What is the newsletter? It’s called What is the newsletter? It’s called What is the newsletter? It’s called Random Daily URLs. Random Daily URLs. Random Daily URLs. If you remember, if you’re kind of old If you remember, if you’re kind of old If you remember, if you’re kind of old like me and you remember Stumble Upon, like me and you remember Stumble Upon, like me and you remember Stumble Upon, this was a service where you would like this was a service where you would like this was a service where you would like click a button and you would randomly be click a button and you would randomly be click a button and you would randomly be taken to like really cool interesting taken to like really cool interesting taken to like really cool interesting websites and and and things across the websites and and and things across the websites and and and things across the internet. It’s kind of like that, but as internet. It’s kind of like that, but as internet. It’s kind of like that, but as a newsletter. So, the idea is every day a newsletter. So, the idea is every day a newsletter. So, the idea is every day you’re going to get uh an email with you’re going to get uh an email with you’re going to get uh an email with like one really cool random like one really cool random like one really cool random URL that takes you to a cool thing that URL that takes you to a cool thing that URL that takes you to a cool thing that you can go see and play around with. Um, you can go see and play around with. Um, you can go see and play around with. Um, and the idea is like every morning you and the idea is like every morning you and the idea is like every morning you can go every morning, Monday, Monday can go every morning, Monday, Monday can go every morning, Monday, Monday through Friday, not the weekends. Uh, through Friday, not the weekends. Uh, through Friday, not the weekends. Uh, you just discover something cool and you just discover something cool and you just discover something cool and interesting on the internet, human interesting on the internet, human interesting on the internet, human curated. There’s no AI, which is kind of curated. There’s no AI, which is kind of curated. There’s no AI, which is kind of funny cuz that’s my thing is doing AI funny cuz that’s my thing is doing AI funny cuz that’s my thing is doing AI stuff. It’s just like a curated stuff. It’s just like a curated stuff. It’s just like a curated no algorithms, no like selling you crap, no algorithms, no like selling you crap, no algorithms, no like selling you crap, just cool content across the internet just cool content across the internet just cool content across the internet every day. Uh that’s kind of my my thing every day. Uh that’s kind of my my thing every day. Uh that’s kind of my my thing that I’ve done. I’ve ran newsletters for that I’ve done. I’ve ran newsletters for that I’ve done. I’ve ran newsletters for like four years. Um I sold off two of my like four years. Um I sold off two of my like four years. Um I sold off two of my newsletters, my the last two which were newsletters, my the last two which were newsletters, my the last two which were about art. It was the same concept. about art. It was the same concept. about art. It was the same concept. Every day I’d email you art, one one Every day I’d email you art, one one Every day I’d email you art, one one little piece of art. And what happened little piece of art. And what happened little piece of art. And what happened was this became part of people’s daily was this became part of people’s daily was this became part of people’s daily routine. So you’d wake up in the morning routine. So you’d wake up in the morning routine. So you’d wake up in the morning and you would just click and see one and you would just click and see one and you would just click and see one nice piece of art. Maybe you discover a nice piece of art. Maybe you discover a nice piece of art. Maybe you discover a new artist. The idea is the same but new artist. The idea is the same but new artist. The idea is the same but like for random cool content across the like for random cool content across the like for random cool content across the internet. What have I done? I built the internet. What have I done? I built the internet. What have I done? I built the website which is important piece of it website which is important piece of it website which is important piece of it because uh the website powers the because uh the website powers the because uh the website powers the newsletter. newsletter. newsletter. So it’s kind of wacky. I’m going for So it’s kind of wacky. I’m going for So it’s kind of wacky. I’m going for like a really brutalistic like a really brutalistic like a really brutalistic theme and fun, cartoony, brutalistic theme and fun, cartoony, brutalistic theme and fun, cartoony, brutalistic uh aesthetic and design. It’s not for uh aesthetic and design. It’s not for uh aesthetic and design. It’s not for everybody. I dig it. I don’t know. everybody. I dig it. I don’t know. everybody. I dig it. I don’t know. There’s like a certain design aesthetic There’s like a certain design aesthetic There’s like a certain design aesthetic now now now where it’s like Tailwind and and Shad where it’s like Tailwind and and Shad where it’s like Tailwind and and Shad Cenne and and there’s like this look I’m Cenne and and there’s like this look I’m Cenne and and there’s like this look I’m sure you’ve noticed across the internet. sure you’ve noticed across the internet. sure you’ve noticed across the internet. Uh that. I want to go like fly in Uh that. I want to go like fly in Uh that. I want to go like fly in the face of that and do something like the face of that and do something like the face of that and do something like brutalistic. brutalistic. brutalistic. Uh so you go here and you type in your Uh so you go here and you type in your Uh so you go here and you type in your email address and you subscribe. email address and you subscribe. email address and you subscribe. There is an archive. This is like every There is an archive. This is like every There is an archive. This is like every single day. So you’ll be able to go and single day. So you’ll be able to go and single day. So you’ll be able to go and and browse all the previous. This is all and browse all the previous. This is all and browse all the previous. This is all a work in progress. This is not 100% a work in progress. This is not 100% a work in progress. This is not 100% done and this is all fake. This is not done and this is all fake. This is not done and this is all fake. This is not real. But you’ll be able to come and see real. But you’ll be able to come and see real. But you’ll be able to come and see like everyday. So you you’ll be able to like everyday. So you you’ll be able to like everyday. So you you’ll be able to go like click and see like oh okay cool go like click and see like oh okay cool go like click and see like oh okay cool um um um yeah pretty straightforward. yeah pretty straightforward. yeah pretty straightforward. So that this will be like this is the So that this will be like this is the So that this will be like this is the this is the this is the site or the this is the this is the site or the this is the this is the site or the thing for today’s newsletter. Um that’s thing for today’s newsletter. Um that’s thing for today’s newsletter. Um that’s for a few days ago but yeah this is all for a few days ago but yeah this is all for a few days ago but yeah this is all kind of local as I build this out. Oh I kind of local as I build this out. Oh I kind of local as I build this out. Oh I need to fix that. Uh you get to submit a need to fix that. Uh you get to submit a need to fix that. Uh you get to submit a site. So, if you know of a cool random site. So, if you know of a cool random site. So, if you know of a cool random site, submit it. I’ll look at it and if site, submit it. I’ll look at it and if site, submit it. I’ll look at it and if it’s cool, I’ll I’ll I’ll throw it in to it’s cool, I’ll I’ll I’ll throw it in to it’s cool, I’ll I’ll I’ll throw it in to the newsletter. the newsletter. the newsletter. Okay. So, how does this all work? How I Okay. So, how does this all work? How I Okay. So, how does this all work? How I build a newsletter is I do it all build a newsletter is I do it all build a newsletter is I do it all myself. So, people often will ask me myself. So, people often will ask me myself. So, people often will ask me because I have experience running because I have experience running because I have experience running newsletters. I see people asking all the newsletters. I see people asking all the newsletters. I see people asking all the time or people have asked me time or people have asked me time or people have asked me uh what platform should I use? Should I uh what platform should I use? Should I uh what platform should I use? Should I use Substack or Beehive? Like, should I use Substack or Beehive? Like, should I use Substack or Beehive? Like, should I use a service? And my answer would be, use a service? And my answer would be, use a service? And my answer would be, well, what do you what is the newsletter well, what do you what is the newsletter well, what do you what is the newsletter going to be about? If it’s just like a going to be about? If it’s just like a going to be about? If it’s just like a I’m going to write I’m going to write I’m going to write and then like send the subscribers like and then like send the subscribers like and then like send the subscribers like a long form thing to read, yeah, go with a long form thing to read, yeah, go with a long form thing to read, yeah, go with some stuff. But what do you what are you some stuff. But what do you what are you some stuff. But what do you what are you going to send? Is it like marketing? You going to send? Is it like marketing? You going to send? Is it like marketing? You know, like what what is what are you know, like what what is what are you know, like what what is what are you trying to accomplish? So, you gota you trying to accomplish? So, you gota you trying to accomplish? So, you gota you got to first of all got to first of all got to first of all like work backwards like like what is like work backwards like like what is like work backwards like like what is your newsletter about? Mine is like a your newsletter about? Mine is like a your newsletter about? Mine is like a weird random thing where like I send you weird random thing where like I send you weird random thing where like I send you with an email every day and it has art with an email every day and it has art with an email every day and it has art or a website. Um could I go with like a or a website. Um could I go with like a or a website. Um could I go with like a standard service? Yes. But okay, so standard service? Yes. But okay, so standard service? Yes. But okay, so here’s the thing. When you send emails, here’s the thing. When you send emails, here’s the thing. When you send emails, a lot of emails. My previous newsletter, a lot of emails. My previous newsletter, a lot of emails. My previous newsletter, I sent an email seven days a week to I sent an email seven days a week to I sent an email seven days a week to thousands of people around the world, thousands of people around the world, thousands of people around the world, that yeah, that adds up and that’s that yeah, that adds up and that’s that yeah, that adds up and that’s thousand that’s tens and tens of thousand that’s tens and tens of thousand that’s tens and tens of thousands of emails thousands of emails thousands of emails uh a month. It’s very expensive. So, I I uh a month. It’s very expensive. So, I I uh a month. It’s very expensive. So, I I couldn’t afford to use um like Mailchimp couldn’t afford to use um like Mailchimp couldn’t afford to use um like Mailchimp or something like that. It’s just too or something like that. It’s just too or something like that. It’s just too expensive to send tens of expensive to send tens of expensive to send tens of thousands of emails a month. So, I I’m a thousands of emails a month. So, I I’m a thousands of emails a month. So, I I’m a control freak. I want deep control over control freak. I want deep control over control freak. I want deep control over everything. Everything. So, I I rolled everything. Everything. So, I I rolled everything. Everything. So, I I rolled my own system. Um I that’s what I’m my own system. Um I that’s what I’m my own system. Um I that’s what I’m doing here. Again, I’m using the same doing here. Again, I’m using the same doing here. Again, I’m using the same thing. I use an email software that thing. I use an email software that thing. I use an email software that um is responsible for sending like you um is responsible for sending like you um is responsible for sending like you know you you build the campaign. So a know you you build the campaign. So a know you you build the campaign. So a campaign is like an automated uh email campaign is like an automated uh email campaign is like an automated uh email every every day. I use software for that every every day. I use software for that every every day. I use software for that custom software. Not the best software custom software. Not the best software custom software. Not the best software but I self-host it. I’ve I prepaid for but I self-host it. I’ve I prepaid for but I self-host it. I’ve I prepaid for the software. Um it is the software. Um it is the software. Um it is like just running on my server. like just running on my server. like just running on my server. it it’s it’s already paid for. It’s it it’s it’s already paid for. It’s it it’s it’s already paid for. It’s super cheap. So, uh what I do is I set super cheap. So, uh what I do is I set super cheap. So, uh what I do is I set up an email to go out every day. The up an email to go out every day. The up an email to go out every day. The software has the list of emails and I software has the list of emails and I software has the list of emails and I send that off to Send Grid. Um I don’t I send that off to Send Grid. Um I don’t I send that off to Send Grid. Um I don’t I don’t mess around and trying to do that don’t mess around and trying to do that don’t mess around and trying to do that myself. Uh there’s a lot to that that’s myself. Uh there’s a lot to that that’s myself. Uh there’s a lot to that that’s not worth the pain. I think you’re not worth the pain. I think you’re not worth the pain. I think you’re you’re better off going with AWS, which you’re better off going with AWS, which you’re better off going with AWS, which is the very very very very cheapest, or is the very very very very cheapest, or is the very very very very cheapest, or send Grid or one of these uh third party send Grid or one of these uh third party send Grid or one of these uh third party like email senders. Their job is to make like email senders. Their job is to make like email senders. Their job is to make sure the email gets delivered to uh to sure the email gets delivered to uh to sure the email gets delivered to uh to the subscriber. the subscriber. the subscriber. I would not dare try to with that I would not dare try to with that I would not dare try to with that these days. Just pay someone. Pay if you these days. Just pay someone. Pay if you these days. Just pay someone. Pay if you really really really need cheap, go with really really really need cheap, go with really really really need cheap, go with AWS. So anyways, AWS. So anyways, AWS. So anyways, uh I have my own software running on my uh I have my own software running on my uh I have my own software running on my own server. It manages the the list and own server. It manages the the list and own server. It manages the the list and it sends off it builds the email every it sends off it builds the email every it sends off it builds the email every day and it sends it off to send grid. day and it sends it off to send grid. day and it sends it off to send grid. That’s it. Very simple. So how does this That’s it. Very simple. So how does this That’s it. Very simple. So how does this work? I have an email template that I work? I have an email template that I work? I have an email template that I make myself. Like I said, I do make myself. Like I said, I do make myself. Like I said, I do everything myself. So I use something everything myself. So I use something everything myself. So I use something called I use something called MJML. called I use something called MJML. called I use something called MJML. And this is a uh like markup template And this is a uh like markup template And this is a uh like markup template language where you build a an email once language where you build a an email once language where you build a an email once and it’s compiles to like this the crazy and it’s compiles to like this the crazy and it’s compiles to like this the crazy ass HTML for emails. So it looks in like ass HTML for emails. So it looks in like ass HTML for emails. So it looks in like Outlook works in all the email clients Outlook works in all the email clients Outlook works in all the email clients on mobile on desktop. Um there’s a lot on mobile on desktop. Um there’s a lot on mobile on desktop. Um there’s a lot of nice templates and examples. of nice templates and examples. of nice templates and examples. I use this. It I use this. It I use this. It It’s a good open-source It’s a good open-source It’s a good open-source way to build an email once and have it way to build an email once and have it way to build an email once and have it work everywhere. Is it perfect? No. work everywhere. Is it perfect? No. work everywhere. Is it perfect? No. Are there email weird email clients Are there email weird email clients Are there email weird email clients where it might not be working? where it might not be working? where it might not be working? Yes. But this is like an industry Yes. But this is like an industry Yes. But this is like an industry standard way of building emails that standard way of building emails that standard way of building emails that will work for like 99% of people. So will work for like 99% of people. So will work for like 99% of people. So what I do is I go and I build the what I do is I go and I build the what I do is I go and I build the template. template. template. I like get it to where I want it to be I like get it to where I want it to be I like get it to where I want it to be and that software I use fills in the and that software I use fills in the and that software I use fills in the details like the unsubscribe link, the details like the unsubscribe link, the details like the unsubscribe link, the email, the like links. So what I do is I email, the like links. So what I do is I email, the like links. So what I do is I build the template and I check it into build the template and I check it into build the template and I check it into git. So I every time I make a change I git. So I every time I make a change I git. So I every time I make a change I commit it. So there’s a there’s like a commit it. So there’s a there’s like a commit it. So there’s a there’s like a version control and what I do is I so in version control and what I do is I so in version control and what I do is I so in the software it lets you import from a the software it lets you import from a the software it lets you import from a URL. I create an API endpoint where my URL. I create an API endpoint where my URL. I create an API endpoint where my markup lives in the code and and it’s markup lives in the code and and it’s markup lives in the code and and it’s locked down. So like only only the locked down. So like only only the locked down. So like only only the server here can actually um only the server here can actually um only the server here can actually um only the software where the website lives it the software where the website lives it the software where the website lives it the website lives the same place the email website lives the same place the email website lives the same place the email software. So it’s open to to this but software. So it’s open to to this but software. So it’s open to to this but it’s blocked from the internet. I put in it’s blocked from the internet. I put in it’s blocked from the internet. I put in the link anytime I make a change that’s the link anytime I make a change that’s the link anytime I make a change that’s checked into git on GitHub. I import the checked into git on GitHub. I import the checked into git on GitHub. I import the new template new template new template and it fills in the details like you can and it fills in the details like you can and it fills in the details like you can see like uh the JSON. So how it works is see like uh the JSON. So how it works is see like uh the JSON. So how it works is there is an endpoint every day. So every there is an endpoint every day. So every there is an endpoint every day. So every day the email software goes to create an day the email software goes to create an day the email software goes to create an email and it goes, “Hey, I need the JSON email and it goes, “Hey, I need the JSON email and it goes, “Hey, I need the JSON to build today’s email. There’s an to build today’s email. There’s an to build today’s email. There’s an endpoint that has the data for that day. endpoint that has the data for that day. endpoint that has the data for that day. If it pulls that in, builds the email, If it pulls that in, builds the email, If it pulls that in, builds the email, and it sends it to the list. And how it and it sends it to the list. And how it and it sends it to the list. And how it does that is it just programmatically does that is it just programmatically does that is it just programmatically goes through the list, sends it off to goes through the list, sends it off to goes through the list, sends it off to Send Grid, which then sends it to the Send Grid, which then sends it to the Send Grid, which then sends it to the actual user. actual user. actual user. Like I said, everything’s bespoke. I do Like I said, everything’s bespoke. I do Like I said, everything’s bespoke. I do this. Why? Because it’s cheap as this. Why? Because it’s cheap as this. Why? Because it’s cheap as There was a lifetime thing where I paid There was a lifetime thing where I paid There was a lifetime thing where I paid for the software. You self-host it. I for the software. You self-host it. I for the software. You self-host it. I self-hosted in Docker on my own server. self-hosted in Docker on my own server. self-hosted in Docker on my own server. It was really cheap. I paid for it one It was really cheap. I paid for it one It was really cheap. I paid for it one time. Done. All I paid for is Send Grid. time. Done. All I paid for is Send Grid. time. Done. All I paid for is Send Grid. So, I have a plan. It’s like $30 to $50 So, I have a plan. It’s like $30 to $50 So, I have a plan. It’s like $30 to $50 a month to send tens and tens of a month to send tens and tens of a month to send tens and tens of thousands of emails. Yes, it’s not free, thousands of emails. Yes, it’s not free, thousands of emails. Yes, it’s not free, but it’s cheap compared to like but it’s cheap compared to like but it’s cheap compared to like Beehive or all these like uh things that Beehive or all these like uh things that Beehive or all these like uh things that you do this all yourself. I’m a software you do this all yourself. I’m a software you do this all yourself. I’m a software engineer. I like to build So, I engineer. I like to build So, I engineer. I like to build So, I build the template myself. I’ve done build the template myself. I’ve done build the template myself. I’ve done this since I’ve done this for 20 years. this since I’ve done this for 20 years. this since I’ve done this for 20 years. 20 years ago, I was building HTML emails 20 years ago, I was building HTML emails 20 years ago, I was building HTML emails and sending them to millions of people. and sending them to millions of people. and sending them to millions of people. It’s what I’ve done for 20 years. It’s It’s what I’ve done for 20 years. It’s It’s what I’ve done for 20 years. It’s what I know. It’s what I do. And the what I know. It’s what I do. And the what I know. It’s what I do. And the website, it’s responsible for building website, it’s responsible for building website, it’s responsible for building the JSON for the email every day. It’s the JSON for the email every day. It’s the JSON for the email every day. It’s responsible for collecting the emails. responsible for collecting the emails. responsible for collecting the emails. It’s responsible for um showing off each It’s responsible for um showing off each It’s responsible for um showing off each edition like in the archive. It does edition like in the archive. It does edition like in the archive. It does everything. So there’s a contact form everything. So there’s a contact form everything. So there’s a contact form you can contact me. There is a you can contact me. There is a you can contact me. There is a submission form when you subscribe. submission form when you subscribe. submission form when you subscribe. when you subscribe to here um there’s a when you subscribe to here um there’s a when you subscribe to here um there’s a lot of abuse there’s a lot of bots now lot of abuse there’s a lot of bots now lot of abuse there’s a lot of bots now so there on the website in node so there on the website in node so there on the website in node essentially you type in when you type essentially you type in when you type essentially you type in when you type this in there’s a bunch of security this in there’s a bunch of security this in there’s a bunch of security behind the scene that checks to see if behind the scene that checks to see if behind the scene that checks to see if you’re a bot and I have a lot of tricks you’re a bot and I have a lot of tricks you’re a bot and I have a lot of tricks that I’ve learned over the years like that I’ve learned over the years like that I’ve learned over the years like how the hell do you stop the bots I how the hell do you stop the bots I how the hell do you stop the bots I won’t go into all of those tricks won’t go into all of those tricks won’t go into all of those tricks obviously cloud flare is a big part of obviously cloud flare is a big part of obviously cloud flare is a big part of it but there’s all these checks So when it but there’s all these checks So when it but there’s all these checks So when you when you hit the submit when you hit you when you hit the submit when you hit you when you hit the submit when you hit the subscribe that goes to my my own the subscribe that goes to my my own the subscribe that goes to my my own code that I’ve developed over the years. code that I’ve developed over the years. code that I’ve developed over the years. It checks everything is a bot. It goes It checks everything is a bot. It goes It checks everything is a bot. It goes so checks. Oh, okay. This looks like a so checks. Oh, okay. This looks like a so checks. Oh, okay. This looks like a legit entry. Then it pushes that email legit entry. Then it pushes that email legit entry. Then it pushes that email and contact information into that list and contact information into that list and contact information into that list on the software, the email link on the software, the email link on the software, the email link software, and you’re subscribed. you get software, and you’re subscribed. you get software, and you’re subscribed. you get an email that is like, “Hey, please an email that is like, “Hey, please an email that is like, “Hey, please subscribe. Like, please click this to to subscribe. Like, please click this to to subscribe. Like, please click this to to opt in because you need that or too many opt in because you need that or too many opt in because you need that or too many bots can still get through this. You you bots can still get through this. You you bots can still get through this. You you need to double opt in just to be on the need to double opt in just to be on the need to double opt in just to be on the safe side to prevent spam.” They click safe side to prevent spam.” They click safe side to prevent spam.” They click yes, I’m going to subscribe and you’re yes, I’m going to subscribe and you’re yes, I’m going to subscribe and you’re on the mailing list. Even that on the mailing list. Even that on the mailing list. Even that transaction email, I build that template transaction email, I build that template transaction email, I build that template myself. There it is. This is the email. myself. There it is. This is the email. myself. There it is. This is the email. Um, Um, Um, you click boop, confirm subscription, you click boop, confirm subscription, you click boop, confirm subscription, you’re on the email and done. And that’s you’re on the email and done. And that’s you’re on the email and done. And that’s it. I set it and forget it. So, one it. I set it and forget it. So, one it. I set it and forget it. So, one thing I’m really excited about for this thing I’m really excited about for this thing I’m really excited about for this newsletter is I newsletter is I newsletter is I I felt a lot of pain with the CMS and I felt a lot of pain with the CMS and I felt a lot of pain with the CMS and the data entry. So, what I like to do is the data entry. So, what I like to do is the data entry. So, what I like to do is for for these newsletters that I’ve done for for these newsletters that I’ve done for for these newsletters that I’ve done is I would cue things up. So I I would is I would cue things up. So I I would is I would cue things up. So I I would like usually on the weekends I would like usually on the weekends I would like usually on the weekends I would ceue up the the every email or the ceue up the the every email or the ceue up the the every email or the content that’s going to be in the email. content that’s going to be in the email. content that’s going to be in the email. I would do it on the weekend for the I would do it on the weekend for the I would do it on the weekend for the next week. So I’d schedule things next week. So I’d schedule things next week. So I’d schedule things because I don’t want to around and because I don’t want to around and because I don’t want to around and do that every day. Like I’m very busy. do that every day. Like I’m very busy. do that every day. Like I’m very busy. So I would just like sit down for like So I would just like sit down for like So I would just like sit down for like an hour and queue up the next week or an hour and queue up the next week or an hour and queue up the next week or two. Sometimes like if I’m going on two. Sometimes like if I’m going on two. Sometimes like if I’m going on vacation or I’m going to be away, I’d vacation or I’m going to be away, I’d vacation or I’m going to be away, I’d queue up like queue up like queue up like maybe a couple weeks. So, the one thing maybe a couple weeks. So, the one thing maybe a couple weeks. So, the one thing I’m doing differently about this I’m doing differently about this I’m doing differently about this newsletter is I want a real CMS just for newsletter is I want a real CMS just for newsletter is I want a real CMS just for me. This is um only for me, only for me. This is um only for me, only for me. This is um only for me, only for admins. This is locked down. You can’t admins. This is locked down. You can’t admins. This is locked down. You can’t go you can’t log in on the internet. go you can’t log in on the internet. go you can’t log in on the internet. There is going to be a content calendar. There is going to be a content calendar. There is going to be a content calendar. So, it’s like, hey, there’s there’s no So, it’s like, hey, there’s there’s no So, it’s like, hey, there’s there’s no content on the weekends. Um this is all content on the weekends. Um this is all content on the weekends. Um this is all local knocked out. There’s not really local knocked out. There’s not really local knocked out. There’s not really going to be multiple entries, but I’ll going to be multiple entries, but I’ll going to be multiple entries, but I’ll be able to select a date and add the be able to select a date and add the be able to select a date and add the content right here and add the add like content right here and add the add like content right here and add the add like the categories, the tags, um, add the the categories, the tags, um, add the the categories, the tags, um, add the like description, the URL, and schedule like description, the URL, and schedule like description, the URL, and schedule it. it. it. What this does is it pushes it to a real What this does is it pushes it to a real What this does is it pushes it to a real database database database and the website, you know, pulls in the and the website, you know, pulls in the and the website, you know, pulls in the database like pull pulls in, you know, database like pull pulls in, you know, database like pull pulls in, you know, the the the data from the database, the the the data from the database, the the the data from the database, builds the JSON for the email every day. builds the JSON for the email every day. builds the JSON for the email every day. So that JSON endpoint is just like that So that JSON endpoint is just like that So that JSON endpoint is just like that day’s entry. It’s like here’s your data day’s entry. It’s like here’s your data day’s entry. It’s like here’s your data to build the email today. Very very to build the email today. Very very to build the email today. Very very straightforward. Um, straightforward. Um, straightforward. Um, the one interesting thing about this for the one interesting thing about this for the one interesting thing about this for the art, it’s fine. Like I the art, it’s fine. Like I the art, it’s fine. Like I I put in the information, the art is I put in the information, the art is I put in the information, the art is stored on my CDN. So I I, you know, stored on my CDN. So I I, you know, stored on my CDN. So I I, you know, there’s a CDN that I use. It pulls from there’s a CDN that I use. It pulls from there’s a CDN that I use. It pulls from the CDN. It puts it into the email. No, the CDN. It puts it into the email. No, the CDN. It puts it into the email. No, no, no big deal. I could blast out no, no big deal. I could blast out no, no big deal. I could blast out 10,000 if I wanted to. the art, you 10,000 if I wanted to. the art, you 10,000 if I wanted to. the art, you know, it just goes to the CDN, but a lot know, it just goes to the CDN, but a lot know, it just goes to the CDN, but a lot of email clients like cache the images. of email clients like cache the images. of email clients like cache the images. No worries. Like millions of people can No worries. Like millions of people can No worries. Like millions of people can go to the website. It was static. It go to the website. It was static. It go to the website. It was static. It would be able to handle millions of would be able to handle millions of would be able to handle millions of traffic. Like it was fine. But here’s traffic. Like it was fine. But here’s traffic. Like it was fine. But here’s the interesting thing is like I’m going the interesting thing is like I’m going the interesting thing is like I’m going to be sending URLs to people to go to to be sending URLs to people to go to to be sending URLs to people to go to like these small random indie like URLs like these small random indie like URLs like these small random indie like URLs like because this is going to be like like because this is going to be like like because this is going to be like cool interesting things that people are cool interesting things that people are cool interesting things that people are building. It’s not going to be like building. It’s not going to be like building. It’s not going to be like commercial. So, it’s going to be like commercial. So, it’s going to be like commercial. So, it’s going to be like cool little experiments or little fun cool little experiments or little fun cool little experiments or little fun things. I don’t I can’t like overwhelm things. I don’t I can’t like overwhelm things. I don’t I can’t like overwhelm these websites. So, like let’s say this these websites. So, like let’s say this these websites. So, like let’s say this newsletter gets popular. Let’s say newsletter gets popular. Let’s say newsletter gets popular. Let’s say there’s 10,000. I can’t blast an email there’s 10,000. I can’t blast an email there’s 10,000. I can’t blast an email to 10,000 people and have 10,000 people to 10,000 people and have 10,000 people to 10,000 people and have 10,000 people go click the link. What What do I do? go click the link. What What do I do? go click the link. What What do I do? So, I’m trying to be clever. I want like So, I’m trying to be clever. I want like So, I’m trying to be clever. I want like a backup. So, you can click and go to a backup. So, you can click and go to a backup. So, you can click and go to like like in the email. It’s going to like like in the email. It’s going to like like in the email. It’s going to show you in the email. It’s going to show you in the email. It’s going to show you in the email. It’s going to show you um and this is what the email show you um and this is what the email show you um and this is what the email is going to look like by the way. It’s is going to look like by the way. It’s is going to look like by the way. It’s like super brutalistic. Again, like super brutalistic. Again, like super brutalistic. Again, hopefully it’s not too offensive where hopefully it’s not too offensive where hopefully it’s not too offensive where people won’t open it. But you’re going people won’t open it. But you’re going people won’t open it. But you’re going to click you’re so you you’ll click this to click you’re so you you’ll click this to click you’re so you you’ll click this and you’ll go see that website. But I and you’ll go see that website. But I and you’ll go see that website. But I need a backup because what if I what if need a backup because what if I what if need a backup because what if I what if I crash the website? So I need to be I crash the website? So I need to be I crash the website? So I need to be very like mindful of like not sending very like mindful of like not sending very like mindful of like not sending thousands of people to it. So there’s thousands of people to it. So there’s thousands of people to it. So there’s going to be like an internet archive going to be like an internet archive going to be like an internet archive backup ideally and when I enter the URL backup ideally and when I enter the URL backup ideally and when I enter the URL into the CMS, what I want is it to kick into the CMS, what I want is it to kick into the CMS, what I want is it to kick off uh a backup for the internet off uh a backup for the internet off uh a backup for the internet archive. So if like you go to click this archive. So if like you go to click this archive. So if like you go to click this and oh the site is down, too many and oh the site is down, too many and oh the site is down, too many people are looking at, you can click the people are looking at, you can click the people are looking at, you can click the backup link and and still like have the backup link and and still like have the backup link and and still like have the experience and still see the website. experience and still see the website. experience and still see the website. I’m going to also have to go make a I’m going to also have to go make a I’m going to also have to go make a screenshot and you might see the image screenshot and you might see the image screenshot and you might see the image in the email. I don’t know. We’ll see. in the email. I don’t know. We’ll see. in the email. I don’t know. We’ll see. So, what I’m working what I’m working on So, what I’m working what I’m working on So, what I’m working what I’m working on is a way to like stagger the emails is a way to like stagger the emails is a way to like stagger the emails throughout like a 24-hour period. So, throughout like a 24-hour period. So, throughout like a 24-hour period. So, that way I’m not overwhelming that poor that way I’m not overwhelming that poor that way I’m not overwhelming that poor website owner with like millions of, you website owner with like millions of, you website owner with like millions of, you know, hits. I don’t know. I need to know, hits. I don’t know. I need to know, hits. I don’t know. I need to figure that part out at the beginning. figure that part out at the beginning. figure that part out at the beginning. Who cares? But I I need to be mindful of Who cares? But I I need to be mindful of Who cares? But I I need to be mindful of that because I don’t want to like crash that because I don’t want to like crash that because I don’t want to like crash people’s servers and stuff. So anyways, people’s servers and stuff. So anyways, people’s servers and stuff. So anyways, this is the endpoint. This uh this is this is the endpoint. This uh this is this is the endpoint. This uh this is the template that gets pulled into that the template that gets pulled into that the template that gets pulled into that software like I said and it builds the software like I said and it builds the software like I said and it builds the email every day. It’s pretty cool. It’s email every day. It’s pretty cool. It’s email every day. It’s pretty cool. It’s super cheap. What am I pay what I want? super cheap. What am I pay what I want? super cheap. What am I pay what I want? One the only thing I’m paying for like One the only thing I’m paying for like One the only thing I’m paying for like I’m using Astro for the website. It’s I’m using Astro for the website. It’s I’m using Astro for the website. It’s just a static site. It’s on my server just a static site. It’s on my server just a static site. It’s on my server which the server runs all sorts of which the server runs all sorts of which the server runs all sorts of stuff. So, all I pay for is the server stuff. So, all I pay for is the server stuff. So, all I pay for is the server and the the the raw cost for the number and the the the raw cost for the number and the the the raw cost for the number of emails that get sent. Super cheap. of emails that get sent. Super cheap. of emails that get sent. Super cheap. It’s very very very very cheap. All I’m It’s very very very very cheap. All I’m It’s very very very very cheap. All I’m paying is like 2030 bucks a month for paying is like 2030 bucks a month for paying is like 2030 bucks a month for the emails. That’s why I I do it myself. the emails. That’s why I I do it myself. the emails. That’s why I I do it myself. It’s super cheap. That is how I build my It’s super cheap. That is how I build my It’s super cheap. That is how I build my newsletters. Any thoughts, any newsletters. Any thoughts, any newsletters. Any thoughts, any questions? What do you think? Is this questions? What do you think? Is this questions? What do you think? Is this interesting? Um, let me know in the interesting? Um, let me know in the interesting? Um, let me know in the comments. That’s it for today. on to my comments. That’s it for today. on to my comments. That’s it for today. on to my random story random story random story for today. Um, so this will be a really for today. Um, so this will be a really for today. Um, so this will be a really quick one. I’m super excited. Uh, it is quick one. I’m super excited. Uh, it is quick one. I’m super excited. Uh, it is my partner’s birthday and we are going my partner’s birthday and we are going my partner’s birthday and we are going to a special restaurant. Um, I will let to a special restaurant. Um, I will let to a special restaurant. Um, I will let you know how it goes. But the restaurant you know how it goes. But the restaurant you know how it goes. But the restaurant is you go in and it’s pitch black and is you go in and it’s pitch black and is you go in and it’s pitch black and they guide you to your seat they guide you to your seat they guide you to your seat and they serve you. It was like a fancy, and they serve you. It was like a fancy, and they serve you. It was like a fancy, you know, multi-course dinner. It’s like you know, multi-course dinner. It’s like you know, multi-course dinner. It’s like very fancy. Uh, you know, there’s like a very fancy. Uh, you know, there’s like a very fancy. Uh, you know, there’s like a chef. The menu changes and you get chef. The menu changes and you get chef. The menu changes and you get served and you eat in the dark and you served and you eat in the dark and you served and you eat in the dark and you have no idea what you’re eating. So, the have no idea what you’re eating. So, the have no idea what you’re eating. So, the idea is you don’t see it. You only taste idea is you don’t see it. You only taste idea is you don’t see it. You only taste and there’s a sensation. Uh, I’ve always and there’s a sensation. Uh, I’ve always and there’s a sensation. Uh, I’ve always wanted to go to this place. We’ll see wanted to go to this place. We’ll see wanted to go to this place. We’ll see how it goes. Um, what’s really cool is how it goes. Um, what’s really cool is how it goes. Um, what’s really cool is you’re like, “Well, h how do they serve you’re like, “Well, h how do they serve you’re like, “Well, h how do they serve you? How do the waiters serve you? Do you? How do the waiters serve you? Do you? How do the waiters serve you? Do they have night vision or something?” they have night vision or something?” they have night vision or something?” No, they have blind waiters, so they No, they have blind waiters, so they No, they have blind waiters, so they they’re used to just being blind, being they’re used to just being blind, being they’re used to just being blind, being in the dark. So, it’s fine. Really cool. in the dark. So, it’s fine. Really cool. in the dark. So, it’s fine. Really cool. So, they get a job and you know, they So, they get a job and you know, they So, they get a job and you know, they obviously know how to navigate in the obviously know how to navigate in the obviously know how to navigate in the dark. No worries. They’re blind. They dark. No worries. They’re blind. They dark. No worries. They’re blind. They are the waiters and the staff and they are the waiters and the staff and they are the waiters and the staff and they they bring you the food and you don’t they bring you the food and you don’t they bring you the food and you don’t know what you’re eating. So, that’s what know what you’re eating. So, that’s what know what you’re eating. So, that’s what I’m doing this evening. I’m super I’m doing this evening. I’m super I’m doing this evening. I’m super excited. Um, we’ll see. We’ll see how excited. Um, we’ll see. We’ll see how excited. Um, we’ll see. We’ll see how this goes. Uh, I’ve always wanted to go this goes. Uh, I’ve always wanted to go this goes. Uh, I’ve always wanted to go to this place. So, it’s a famous uh to this place. So, it’s a famous uh to this place. So, it’s a famous uh French restaurant. There’s chains in all French restaurant. There’s chains in all French restaurant. There’s chains in all the big cities. Yeah, next week is my the big cities. Yeah, next week is my the big cities. Yeah, next week is my last week at my freelance job and then I last week at my freelance job and then I last week at my freelance job and then I go on my big vacation for 10 days, go on my big vacation for 10 days, go on my big vacation for 10 days, probably two weeks. I will be away and probably two weeks. I will be away and probably two weeks. I will be away and then I’m going to focus then I’m going to focus then I’m going to focus on growing the newsletter, growing my on growing the newsletter, growing my on growing the newsletter, growing my marketing channel, and growing an AI marketing channel, and growing an AI marketing channel, and growing an AI business, figuring out what people need business, figuring out what people need business, figuring out what people need and and building what people need every and and building what people need every and and building what people need every day, all day. So, a lot more to come. day, all day. So, a lot more to come. day, all day. So, a lot more to come. Give me a couple weeks and I’ll be back Give me a couple weeks and I’ll be back Give me a couple weeks and I’ll be back to daily updates. So until next