a bad communicator should not be in the company at all, here is why:

projects go bust because of your failure in communication...

…when you don’t communicate at all (lack of communication)
...when you don’t communicate clearly (lack of clear communication)
...when you choose the wrong tool to communicate (knowing when to use what)

(unless you really really want to)

that is the sole purpose of meetings

when you stopped scrolling through your newsfeed and then, just a millisecond before you closed the browser, did you see THAT headline that caught your attention BUT you weren’t fast enough, will you open your browser again?

when you cannot get work done effortlessly without a daily sync with the team, then you don’t know how to work remotely (asynchronously)

and when you cannot work asynchronously successfully, then your company is at jeopardy because you lost one of your biggest levers → scale (work ROI detached from time investment)

And...

• Transform your life from boring to interesting
• Become the man everyone is talking about
• Remove the big 'L' from your forehead
• Get the woman of your dreams
• Become a superstar!

The secret is humor.

A fun man opens a woman’s heart – it works!

I am using my go-to email newsletter tool (Buttondown) as a micro-blog content-management system (CMS)

Starting today.

These micro-thoughts or micro-farts will not be sent as an email but land directly in my archive that you can find on log.naii.io.

Note that some brain farts can be longer while others may be ultra-short, think the word count of an OG tweet (140 characters), an SMS (160 characters), or a toot (280 characters).

Ever had one of those early morning encounters that just sticks in your brain?

This morning was a perfect example. I greeted a worker with a cheery, "Good morning," and got a "Mahlzeit!" in return.

I paused, puzzled. It was only 8 AM. ’Mahlzeit’ is typically a midday greeting in Germany. Turns out, he’d been at it since 4 AM. By his clock, it was time for lunch!

Ever dipped your toes into the SEO ocean?

I usually don’t bother.

For me, it’s all about those emails and DMs popping and bank balance hopping.

But just for kicks, I ran a Site Audit on Ahrefs. Boom—eye-opener!

Introducing....

Content DJ - Curating Digital Narratives!

That was me now.

Right next to a lady holding her baby. Scary, huh?

Imagine a world where everything was out in the open. No secrets. No surprises.

In this transparent world, someone else might have been hauling something even wilder, like a nuclear weapon. Or chemical warfare gadgets. All out in the open.

Sure, everything was crystal clear. You saw everything, warts and all. But guess what? It was also as dull as watching paint dry. No riddles. No puzzles. No mysteries to solve.

Should the days have seemed fraught with despair and the nights teeming with sorrow, know this: if peace had not yet graced you, then the end was not upon us.

Though life had been filled with tribulations,
though you traversed a path beset with hardships,
though the choices you faced may have rent your soul,
though the vast expanse of possibilities may have threatened to engulf you,
though the paralysis of endless contemplation may have bound you,
though your own tumultuous thoughts may have anchored you in place,
though it seemed the world around you surged forward whilst you remained still,
though the weight of existence bore heavily upon your spirit,

there lay an end to all things, and therein, solace could be found.

Take heart, for...

It was such a dirty word.

Intuitively, you thought newsletters had to be about the "new", right?

That’s why calling them "newsletters" tripped up a lot of marketers. It pressured them to constantly chase what’s new instead of what’s relevant.

But here was a secret... your audience didn’t always need "new." They craved what interested them - whether it was fresh off the press or old jams (gems).

You felt trapped by indecision. I totally got that. But there was a quirky trick I used to cut through the noise:

• Push my body to its limits OR
• Lie on the couch. No food, no water, just pure, unadulterated thinking.

Sounded extreme, right? But here was the clincher: after this intense mind-and-body marathon, I just went with my gut. Impulsively. Intuitively.

Why? Because sometimes, your first instinct was the rawest, most honest response you got. And, oh boy, did it work!

Hey Coffee Lovers,

I’ve made the official switch from “naii.io’s private list” to “Please leave..., the only hand-written letter on the internet.” I think you noticed that, and I’m here to spill the beans on why...

In copywriting, there’s a technique I call "Pre-Filtering." It’s a latte easier than you think. I recently saw it in lesson 27 of the CopyHour course where Derek Johanson brewed up some wisdom about the "Learn UI Design" ¹ sales copy in the lead:

I recently crafted some slick AI tool tutorials for a company. Production quality? Top-notch. But turns out, they’re shelving my videos. Not a fit for them, they said.

Here’s the kicker: They bailed on our meeting and when I called it like I saw it, they weren’t thrilled. They preferred a raincheck mentality but hey, I’m a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ kind of guy.

So, we parted ways. And that’s alright because it cleared up something important for me – and maybe for you, too.

If you love clear, no-beat-around-the-bush talk, I’m your guy. I believe in hitting the mark, no fluff or dance.

Ever felt drowned in a sea of your own content? Yeah, Akna was there—swimming in video clips without a lifejacket.

Her Big Oops:

Akna Márquez, a kick-ass architect and eco-designer, got stuck. She had a truckload of video for her Skillshare class but zero zip on making them pop on social media.

What We Did:

You caught "Les Moutons" (the sheep), right?

It was this wacky show where actors went full sheep mode—no jokes, just pure sheep life. They’ve toted this act to 30 countries—from icy stretches near the Arctic to bustling malls. WILD?!

Here’s why you cared:

1. Be Boldly Bizarre: Much like "Les Moutons," adding a spice of the unexpected snagged attention. You therefore slipped in some surprises in your next emails.

2. Think Worldwide: This sheep act was a global hit. You took cues and crafted emails that resonated far and wide (within your niche).

3. Engage ‘Em: These actors adapted with the audience. A quick poll in your emails did wonders and kept things lively.

4. Stay True: They splashed in real sheep milk. Talking about being genuine and authentic—it’s magnetic.

5. Stir Emotions: It was laughs and tears with this crew. Your emails reached deep, pushing for action.

6. Get Curious: They posed questions without words. Why didn’t you stir your reader’s minds a bit? You didn’t have to bleat... though part of you enjoyed it, I know. Your humor was so sheep. 😉

Subject: I love what you’re doing, would love to team up!

Hey [First Name],

I adore what you’re doing at [Company Name], especially your mission to [Insert Mission]. It’s super cool, seriously.

I’m in the trenches daily, honing my [specific skill] expertise, and have successfully driven projects for brands such as [similar companies]. I believe I could bring some serious energy and value to your already outstanding team.

Job boards like Indeed or join(.)com rang a bell, right?

That was your chance. Companies were screaming for what you offered.

Here was a cheeky plan:

First, you picked a company. Dove deep. Learned their product, their industry, their vibe.

Ever heard of Chuando Tan? You googled him and I waited.

Back? Crazy, right?

Singaporean model.

Pop singer.

Was it $15 an hour? $50? Or did it shoot up to $1,000?

You pictured this - in Germany 2024, you bagged $1,200 a month for an entry-level gig, part-time. That was $15/hour.

Jumping into the freelance game, and $50 an hour wasn’t just a dream.

But here’s where it got juicy - you clocked $1,000 an hour!

Guess what? I’ve had it with client work. Yep, really!

All that fuss about delivering supreme quality and bending over backward. Nah, I‘m done.

But don’t get me wrong - I’m not planning to laze around. Here’s the scoop:

I’m eyeing a sweet 20-hour, part-time gig. Why? It’s simple. It’s about having my cake and eating it too:

Ever wonder how a genius like Neil Gaiman keeps churning out hits? I just plugged into a killer podcast with him and Tim Ferriss, and man, it’s loaded with gems.

Here’s the scoop - quick and dirty:

1. Change of Scenery: Gaiman writes away from home. Why? Keeps work fresh. Similar to what Maya Angelou did!

2. Sit Down Rule: He writes or does zip. This rule? It’s his golden ticket to focus.

3. Old-School Drafts: Fountain pens and colorful inks. Sounds fun, right? That’s how he rolls with first drafts.

4. Edit Smart: Moving from paper to screen is when he trims the fat. Makes his stories tight.

5. No Pressure: Sometimes, he writes just for kicks, no deadlines. Keeps his writing fire alive.

6. Routine Works: Repetitive daily tasks when novel-writing help him stay productive without the brain drain.

7. Keep It Light: Overthinking writing? A no-go. He plays it down to keep the vibe easy.

8. Learning Non-Stop: Gaiman picks brains from other pros. Always tweaking his style.

9. Heartfelt Stories: From writing “Coraline” for his kids to other personal tales, he’s got stories that stick.

10. Stay Fluid: His methods evolve because staying static? Not an option for Gaiman.

Feels like the old ways still got some magic in them. Sometimes restrictions and a bit of boredom spark the best creativity.

Remember Yemi, the shot-put champ turned all-round superstar?

Yemi loved her sport but found her true value beyond the field. Injury led her to discover hidden talents - singing, dancing, and just being with loved ones reminded her:

“I’m loved for who I am, not just what I do.”

As creatives, it’s easy to fuse our identity with our work. But here’s the truth - your value isn’t tied to your output.

Ever heard of Yemisi Ogunleye? Let me tell you, her story is downright inspiring. Born back in '98 in German Bellheim, this powerhouse has taken the shot put world* by storm!

Imagine this: two major knee surgeries, no sports for ages, and she still comes back to not just participate but dominate by flipping her technique completely in 2020. Crazy, right?

And just last year, she didn’t just break the 19-meter mark; she obliterated it with a personal best of 19.44m during the World Champs qualifiers in Budapest. Talk about setting the bar high!

I was at my local cafe, latte* in hand, hammering away on my laptop. Normal day, right? Well, not exactly...

I took a quick dip to grab a napkin and boom—some dude in a trench coat and sunglasses was all over my laptop when I got back.

"Hey, what ya think ya doin?," I managed, trying to stay chill.

He barely glanced up. "Just giving your biz a boost," he mumbled.

Just snacked Chris Orzechowski’s latest “Make it Rain Monthly” – this dude’s onto something with his Asynchronous Business Plan. Here’s the scoop:

• Clock in WHEN you want. Max your 'juice' without twiddling thumbs for others.
• Zoom in on what jazzes you up. If it rings the cash register – you’re on track.
• A crammed calendar’s your enemy. Scrap it to fix your biz vibe.
• About those meetings – ax ‘em IF they don’t at least pay for themselves. Imagine you earn $20K part-time:
  • You got 920 work hours a year, costing about $21.74 each.
  • Two chums in a half-hour meeting? Better be pulling at least $21.74 out of that hat!
• Quick check before calls – the 3M killer Q’s:
  • More customers on the horizon?
  • Will they splurge more?
  • Repeat buyers?
  • (3M = Make More Money, btw)

A tip? Sell through emails, not calls. Why? You’re a maker. And makers need making time - not meeting time.

Bonus from Paul Graham on this – peep his Maker’s guide below.

Ever felt like your job was just one endless CAPS LOCK moment? Yep, been there. Here’s a quick story.

Got kicked out of the keyboard factory recently. My crime? Not enough shifts. Talk about a "shift" in my career, right? 😆 (Gonna tell you about in it the upcoming {Sunday Truth 179}, btw)

And guess what, they had the QWERTY to do it just before lunch. I mean, I did munch on an Apple. But who hasn’t?

Left that place feeling like I hit ESC on a bad keyboard layout. Tip for you: If your job’s always on the fritz, SPACE out. Me? I’m off to the nearest bar to sort through these "Alt" life options.

The stage is set, and guess what? It’s calling my name because...

The comedy stage is mine
It’s only a matter a time
Until you’ll pay a dime

(or two)
For our rendez-vous

You on your seat
And me standing
Like a goofball handling
All the stares that meet

Let’s fix that.

Todd Hartley just threw down some serious knowledge on becoming a niche rockstar:

"Become the Rockstar of Your Niche! From No-Name to Notoriety"

Here are nuggets that stuck:

Let’s talk about suspension.

Ever watched a TV show that cut off right at the juicy part? That’s a cliffhanger for ya. It leaves you craving what’s next like a fresh hot pizza sitting just out of reach.

Why do we binge shows or can’t put down a good book? Cliffhangers, my friend. They jack up your emotions and make you need to know what happens next. Smart writers use them to keep us hanging on, episode after episode.

And guess what? Marketers use this trick, too. Ever seen an ad or an email that teased something big but kept the details secret until “next time”? Yup, that’s them dangling that carrot.

Guilty as charged?

Donald Trump sure is, as the big news shook the states yesterday.

The former (and next?) US President found himself on the hot seat and, oh boy, did sparks fly.

After a whopping seven weeks, a New York jury nailed it down...Guilty on ALL counts. Can you believe it? Thirty-four charges, no less. Bam!

Just polished off a doc about Eddie Murphy. What a journey, right? From standup in the 80s to Hollywood’s hot list in the 90s.

Eddie was the king of the screen - making everyone crack up with his iconic laughter and hypnotic presence.

But let’s be real: everyone hits a bump. Eddie’s films tanked, and the laughter quieted down. What did he do? He stuck to his guns.

Fast forward, and boom - “The Nutty Professor” explodes with $100 Million at the box office. Eddie wasn’t making a comeback; he never left. He hammered home two points:

Let’s not dance around it—some emails suck. Yours don’t have to.

Feeling like your emails vanish into the void, never sparking sales? You might be missing that secret spice.

Options? Continue crossing your fingers...or let the big agencies drain your wallet. Fun, right?

Here’s a better way: Meet naii.io’s Email Wizardry. It’s your secret weapon tailored just for the hustle of small shop owners like you.

I’ve got a knack for sending sales emails that sound just like you would write them.

Curious?

Let me share a quick win.

.

Say it’s bad.

Sebastian did this in his Indeed job ad.

Check my email from yesterday so you know which ad I’m talking about. (hint: it was about second-hand goods)

Here’s a breakdown of his clever job ad:

Ever seen a bad job ad on Indeed? This one is a masterclass in copywriting.

Don’t worry about it being German, I’ll explain it to you:

Here’s the job ad in English:

Odd question, huh?

When you skip sending your juicy daily emails, folks start wondering where you vanished. That’s a good sign, actually. Means they love your stuff.

Boring emails? A big NO. They’d rather jump off a cliff than snooze through another dull sales pitch.

Here’s a simple hack to keep ’em hooked:

Is what creative writer Shashank Pitkar wrote in response to the following words that I posted on LinkedIn six days ago:

===

Expecting employees to perform at their peak every single day? Relax.

Ever seen Pulp Fiction (1994)? It’s a masterclass in jumping right into the action. Let me show you how it nails the concept of skipping the backstory.

Immediate Tension

The movie kicks off with Pumpkin and Honey Bunny chatting in a diner. Sounds boring, right? But then, boom—they’re talking robbery! No intro, no fluff. Just straight to the point.

Sudden Action

“Forget it. It’s too risky. I’m through doing that shit.”

That’s how Pulp Fiction (1994) throws you right into the action in the opening scene. No fluff, just BAM—you’re in it.

Forget the “coffee talk.” Get straight to the point. It’s like a mini jolt to the system.

You start with action, throw them into the fire, and hook them before explaining anything. It’s pure power.

The short answer: Opinion.

The longer answer is inspired by Tim Grahl, the CEO of Story Grid.

===

Flat sentences are your enemy.

Ever have one of those days where everything feels off? I sure did.

My nose was like Niagara Falls. Tears were racing down my cheeks. Sitting on a park bench, headphones in, trying to block out the world with some Savage Garden.

But here’s the thing—through my headache and the soggy tissues, I noticed something. It’s about storytelling.

You’ve heard "show, don’t tell" a thousand times, right? But how do you actually do it? Let me show you.

You don’t need tools to write, but they sure make it easier.

For the last three weeks, I’ve gone old-school. Hand-copying ads with pen and paper in a killer copywriting course. Going full retro. (more on that later)

But guess what? Pen and paper are tools too, right?

Let’s agree: tools are lifesavers (and they make you look cool).

Two hours ago, I spoke to a beauty clinic owner in Berlin. They’re using Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to bring in customers. But when I asked about email marketing?

“We have our clients’ email addresses, but we don’t want to bother them,” she said.

Really? Here’s the deal:

1. You can’t worry about “bothering” people. They opted in. They want to hear from you!

2. Email isn’t just talking AT them. It’s providing value and making lives better.

3. They’re missing out on up-sells and getting existing customers to buy more.

What happens when two email pros collide?

Chris Orzechowski and Jimmy Kim had a chat about email marketing. And it was epic.

They dropped tons of wisdom on selling without discounts. Crafting messages that connect and convert.

Missed it? No sweat.

Notice something missing in most emails you get?

Two things: humor and daily consistency.

Both are tough, but man, are they worth it.

Why Humor Matters:

Hi there –

One long post for you, about the B&H Photo Video ad I analyzed and dissected to the bones:

https://naii.io/voiceover-blog/voiceover-ad-of-the-week-1-why-b-and-h-s-customer-story-ad-is-a-joke/

My goal was to break down what made the ad work and teach you the strategies and best practices that you can use to make your own voiceover ads better and become famous in your niche.