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So today’s big news:
I’m launching the @MidwayMinute Rewards Program
for subscribers!
The daily email is also getting a new look.
One more big announcement too (and it has nothing to do with @TaylorSwift13) #Chicago
More here --> https://midwayminute.substack.com/p/3-big-changes-same-midway-minute
I’m launching the @MidwayMinute Rewards Program
for subscribers! The daily email is also getting a new look.
One more big announcement too (and it has nothing to do with @TaylorSwift13) #Chicago
More here --> https://midwayminute.substack.com/p/3-big-changes-same-midway-minute
For everyone who already subscribes: Thank you!
You have a personalized referral link in today's email (and it'll be in future issues as well).
In addition to the regular rewards, there are two more prizes to be had right now:
You have a personalized referral link in today's email (and it'll be in future issues as well).
In addition to the regular rewards, there are two more prizes to be had right now:
• A random drawing for a $75 gift card for @BreakingT for anyone who makes at least one successful referral before August 10.
• A $50 gift card to @StansDonutsCHI for the first person to earn the "Good Morning, Frents coffee mug.
(You'll need some
to go with that 
)
• A $50 gift card to @StansDonutsCHI for the first person to earn the "Good Morning, Frents coffee mug.
(You'll need some
to go with that )
Today's announcement was the culmination of a lot of work over the past few months and I have some thoughts on the entire process that I want to share later.
Until then, thank you
to everyone who has supported me along this wild ride so far.
Until then, thank you
to everyone who has supported me along this wild ride so far.
* SPORTS MEDIA THREAD *
So it's been ...
• 226 days since I was laid off
• 165 since I started a sports newsletter
• 134 since sports went away
But TOMORROW is Opening Day for the @Cubs and @WhiteSox and I'm happy I fought through it all.
So it's been ...
• 226 days since I was laid off
• 165 since I started a sports newsletter
• 134 since sports went away
But TOMORROW is Opening Day for the @Cubs and @WhiteSox and I'm happy I fought through it all.
Here are 5 things I learned about starting a daily sports newsletter (and mini-media venture) in the middle of a pandemic:
Disclaimer: I don't know if a lot of you will take any value from this. But with the job scene being what it is, there will sadly be a lot of people going down the same path.
Maybe some of this thread can help.
Maybe some of this thread can help.
1. Just start
I started @MidwayMinute on somewhat of a whim on a Monday in early February. I thought I'd put it out there and see what happened. I'd written a week's worth of samples for my dad, wife and @JayBusbee.
I had some logos from @GetSummins
But that was it.
I started @MidwayMinute on somewhat of a whim on a Monday in early February. I thought I'd put it out there and see what happened. I'd written a week's worth of samples for my dad, wife and @JayBusbee.
I had some logos from @GetSummins
But that was it.
I put that first newsletter out there anyway.
Within a week, I had almost 500 subscribers who were enthusiastic about the project and what I was writing about. I didn't have a choice to turn back around.
Within a week, I had almost 500 subscribers who were enthusiastic about the project and what I was writing about. I didn't have a choice to turn back around.
I could've second-guessed every detail and hemmed and hawed over my decisions before launching.
Had I done that, it would've put me in the teeth of coronavirus. Think I would've thrown my hat into the ring with no sports going on?
No chance.
Had I done that, it would've put me in the teeth of coronavirus. Think I would've thrown my hat into the ring with no sports going on?
No chance.
So my advice to anyone thinking of trying their next big venture: Just start.
You'll figure out the rest later.
(It also turns out that being laid off during a lockdown is an *excellent* time to work on projects you've been thinking about.)
You'll figure out the rest later.
(It also turns out that being laid off during a lockdown is an *excellent* time to work on projects you've been thinking about.)
2. People are awesome.
I wouldn't have gotten off the ground without the early support and promotion of people like @JeffPassan, @RobertFeder, @awfulannouncing, @realhecklerbrad, @ArthurArkush, @michaelkimHD, @lawonthedraw and @thecarm.
I wouldn't have gotten off the ground without the early support and promotion of people like @JeffPassan, @RobertFeder, @awfulannouncing, @realhecklerbrad, @ArthurArkush, @michaelkimHD, @lawonthedraw and @thecarm.
Seeing Chicago media stars like @WaddleandSilvy and @MattSpiegel670 show up on my list and then recommend me to their followers gave me energy on days that I was dragging.
Then there were the dozens of regular readers who gave me encouragement with great emails and DMs.
Then there were the dozens of regular readers who gave me encouragement with great emails and DMs.
You can't do great things without great people in your corner.
In fact, I wouldn't recommend even trying.
Don't be afraid to ask for help, either.
In fact, I wouldn't recommend even trying.
Don't be afraid to ask for help, either.
3. Self-promotion is HARD.
The downside of being a one-man shop is that it's up to you to get your work out there EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Honestly, I don't like it. Most days I hate slipping on the digital sandwich board to scratch out a handful of new subscribers.
The downside of being a one-man shop is that it's up to you to get your work out there EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Honestly, I don't like it. Most days I hate slipping on the digital sandwich board to scratch out a handful of new subscribers.
It doesn't come easy to me or most people.
But it's a necessary evil.
If you're not talking yourself up, who will?
But it's a necessary evil.
If you're not talking yourself up, who will?
4. Starting a newsletter is 25 percent about the writing and 75 percent about everything else.
I honestly underestimated how much work all of this would be. I normally spend 3-4 hours writing every night.
I spend at least that much during that day with ...
I honestly underestimated how much work all of this would be. I normally spend 3-4 hours writing every night.
I spend at least that much during that day with ...
Domain authentication? I know how to do that now.
Content marketing? I've read way too much on it.
Website design? I've learned enough to get by.
Content marketing? I've read way too much on it.
Website design? I've learned enough to get by.
It used to be that journalists wrote stories.
Salespeople sold ads.
Marketing attracted subscriptions.
IT handled the website.
Circulation delivered the paper.
Salespeople sold ads.
Marketing attracted subscriptions.
IT handled the website.
Circulation delivered the paper.
Things got more complicated 10-15 years ago once journalists were asked to record videos and podcasts as well as maintain a social presence and whatever else.
Now all of those things plus the jobs I mentioned in the last tweet are the responsibility of the journalist.
Now all of those things plus the jobs I mentioned in the last tweet are the responsibility of the journalist.
I'm not complaining.
But that's the reality for journalists now and going forward.
(Confession: I actually like learning about some of the things that were never in my purview before.)
But that's the reality for journalists now and going forward.
(Confession: I actually like learning about some of the things that were never in my purview before.)
5. There aren't enough hours in the day.
And there never will be.
You just have to figure out what's important to you and how to achieve it.
There will always be another tweet to send or picture to post. Are they helping you achieve your goals?
And there never will be.
You just have to figure out what's important to you and how to achieve it.
There will always be another tweet to send or picture to post. Are they helping you achieve your goals?
Is @MidwayMinute a success yet?
Not by a long shot.
There are so many more things I want to do and put in place.
Not by a long shot.
There are so many more things I want to do and put in place.
But I feel like I'm out of the blocks with a great start.
I have a loyal base of readers who advocate for my work, a rewards program in place to thank them for it and some brand recognition in the Chicago marketplace.
I have a loyal base of readers who advocate for my work, a rewards program in place to thank them for it and some brand recognition in the Chicago marketplace.
Most importantly, Chicago sports are coming back, which means that more people might need a Chicago sports newsletter now than they did in, say, April.
If you're one of those people, you know where to find me.
http://www.midwayminute.win
If you're one of those people, you know where to find me.
http://www.midwayminute.win
Thanks for reading.
--30--
--30--
That I wrote this thread, hit send and then saw the Juan Soto news doesn’t make me feel that great.
