I wanted to send one last reminder about the doors closing to our November Substack Campfire cohort.

The doors close today at 5 PM EST.

Our $500 off coupon expires today at 5 PM EST, too.

Sign up here.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I can’t stress how much I’m going to take care of you on this program. Just check out ‘s post below.

She writes “Tom is right there with you, walking the walk, digging in the weeds and helping you figure out what you need to do. He is not just answering questions in a “end of the class Q&A” session, he is giving personalized and individualized feedback to every single student (who asks for it).

Worth every penny. This is a game changer for Substack writers. If you’ve done the other workshops and trainings and cohorts without much change or success of growth, this one is different.”

I created this cohort to be super 1-1. It’s $500, and you’re basically paying for 10+ hours of direct coaching with me. I will read everything you write, and give you a unique action plan for your blog in 2025. You’ll receive blog post ideas, suggestions on how to position your blog, suggestions on what kinds of Notes to write, and even monetization ideas specifically for you. All from a guy who’s built a following of 800,000+ followers online. I know what I’m talking about.

I pride myself on being THE BEST go-to expert on Notes strategy. Just this week I wrote a viral story Note on my second profile:

At the time of this writing, it has 740 likes. Who knows how many it will have when this email goes out tomorrow. You deserve to learn from a Notes expert who actually writes Notes that aren’t just about Notes, Substack, and writing.

That’s me.

I also just wrote a 2,800 word history of Substack Notes in 2024. I’ve tracked the trends all year, and the reason I can write viral Notes like this one👆is because I know what’s currently working. I already got 60+ subscribers from that one Note alone.

This is an incredible opportunity to basically get 10+ hours of coaching with me (normally $1,500) for $500.

Past Student Success

Our July Campfire drove some incredible results for our students.

During our first challenge, Michael Thompson gained 470 total subscribers, with 311 of them coming from Notes specifically. 👇

Nik gained over 200 subscribers and 450 followers.

Sinem Günel gained over 500 subscribers to her publication, Write • Build • Scale.

Glowing Testimonials

Here’s what our ‘Campers’ have said about how supportive this community is:

“I feel like I can post anything without any worries.”

This is what I have noticed about the Substack Campfire community so far:

• It’s a safe space

• I feel like I can post anything without any worries

• Brilliant minds to learn from

• Diverse lifestyles and cultures to draw inspiration from

• “I am happy to help if I can” mindset

• Good vibes

• Givers not takers

- Ethan Musolini, Executive Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Author

“The campfire has been a real gift to me.”

“This campfire group has been a real gift to me. It is awesome to have a global writing community filled with positive encouraging people here to serve. I feel like the group mirrors the hearts of our founders, Tom Kuegler ⛺🪵🔥 and Michael Simmons 🪵🔥 ⛺, who I have found over years of being their students to have servants’ hearts.”

- Kristin van Tilburg 🔥🪵 ⛺️

“I’ve never felt such a safe space with my writing.”

“I know that when Tom and Michael came up with the name Campfire, they really meant it to be a community sharing all our wisdoms as people do around a campfire. I feel like we are a tribe, warmed by the fire of our commitment to writing. I’ve never felt such a safe space with my writing.”

-Teri Leigh 💜⛺️🪵🔥, Mindfulness Coach

There’s almost too many testimonials to share, here, but here’s a few more.

Here’s what’s included

Again, here’s what you’re getting..

• Live 3-hour storytelling masterclass ($500 value)

• Live 2-hour “Hero Post + Blog Branding” masterclass ($500 value)

• 20+ hours of existing Substack trainings ($1,000 value)

• A brand new hero post ($300 value)

• A new focus for your blog in 2025 ($500 value)

• Private support with me to improve and edit your hero post ($200 value)

• Private support with me to brainstorm your niche for 2025 ($200 value)

• 4 weeks of private Slack channel access ($100 value)

• Feedback from 30+ writers and me as you discover your brand on Substack ($200 value)

That’s over $3,500 in value. Get access to the November program for just $500 until 5 PM EST today.

Join our cohort

30-Day Money Back Guarantee

We’ve all bought products that promise the moon but don’t deliver. We want to take all the risk away, and make this truly a “no-brainer” for you. If you aren’t satisfied with the results you got after 30 days, just let us know, and we will happily give you all your money back.

Sign up before 5 PM EST to join us!

Join our cohort

Every week on Substack there’s a few brilliant writers who publish Notes “threads” where you can share your Notes with a community of dozens of writers.

It’s meant to give your Notes a bit of a boost.

For some, these work! Absolutely.

But for others, these won’t work.

Sure, your likes might improve and you might get a few nice comments..

But if WHAT you’re writing about is unfocused and unplanned, you’re just wasting your time.

You might get 30 likes, but nobody will subscribe. Because we only subscribe to people with a clear and focused blog.

The Fatal Mistake Bloggers Make In The First 10 Minutes Of Their Career

Most writers fail to build a blog online and then think to themselves, “I’m just not a good writer.”

No. That’s wrong.

The actual problem stems from a mistake they make in the first 10 minutes of creating their blog. Most people get an unclear idea for a blog, run with it, write a billion articles, then get confused when nobody reads their work.

Then writing experts swoop in and say “You just need to improve your writing! Here’s how!”

No. Writers need an entire overhaul of their strategy. And that’s not easy!

I’ve been blogging for 8 years and taught 1,000’s of students, and it’s impossible for me to explore, diagnose, and fix a strategic problem someone’s having in 10 minutes.

It takes time. And exploration. And testing. And feedback.

And loads of 1-1 time with an expert.

When workers build a house, they first make sure the foundation is perfect. Without a perfect foundation, well, they’re gonna have problems later on. It’s the same with blogging—getting the foundation right is essential.

And bloggers never think to blame their blog’s foundation for some reason.

Feedback Is Essential To Find Your Blog’s Direction

Another thing bloggers lack is feedback. Ever heard of the Substack void? Yeah, that’s the black hole your writing gets sucked into where nobody can find it. There’s no feedback in the Substack void.

Nobody even knows you exist there!

You never get someone to sit you down and say “Your writing is good, but it’s just a little unfocused.”

Furthermore, most people don’t have the time to sit with a stranger and help them discover a focused niche for their blog. It takes hours and hours of time!

You need feedback—both positive and negative.

The problem is, 99% of the feedback you get online is negative. No likes. No comments. No subscribers. ‘I know this isn’t working, but why not?!’ you think.

I’ve Created A Focus Group For Your Blog

Online courses sell you on the idea that you just need more information to succeed.

But that’s not the case in blogging.

You need feedback, and LOTS of it. It’s hard to get feedback on your own, which is why I’m bringing the feedback to you.

Our next cohort of the Substack Campfire is like a focus group for your blog.

I’m putting 30+ writers into a Slack channel and locking the door for 4 weeks. Inside we’ll:

• Write 10 of the most important stories from our life.

• Get feedback on what our best 3 stories are.

• Choose 1 story to base our blog on.

• Write a new hero post for our publication with that story.

• Clarify our niche and direction for 2025 with the help of our small groups.

We start on October 26th and end on November 22.

Join our cohort

Get Put Into Small Groups With 3 Other Writers

I’ll be breaking everyone into small groups of three, where you’ll share your 10 stories with each other, get + give feedback, and make suggestions on which stories everyone should base their blog around.

Enjoy Feedback From 30+ Writers

Outside the small groups, we’ll share our ten stories with each other as Substack Notes. The additional feedback from the larger community in the form of likes, comments, and even private messages will give us further social proof as to which stories are resonating the most.

Get 1-1 Feedback From Me

After you’ve gotten feedback from your small group and our community, I’ll take a look at all 10 of your stories, and suggest my favorites, too.

With the help of our larger community, small groups, and me, it’s a certainty you’ll have chosen the best story to base your blog around for 2025.

Establish Your Blog With A Hero Post

Next, we’ll write a hero post together, which establishes the whole foundation for your blog. Hero posts get pinned to the top of your publication. Here’s mine:

Hero posts typically accomplish two key goals:

1. They tell the audience who you are and what your blog is about.

2. They help YOU focus your blog.

Most people just slap an “About” page together and call it a day. This leads to an unfocused blog. It’s like building a rocket ship without any schematics. What we’ll do is write a Hero Post together in a structured, purposeful way that helps you get clear on your blog’s direction in 2025. We’ll also use the 1 story you selected above as the foundation of this post.

On Monday, November 11th at 10 AM EST, I’ll teach a 2-hour training on how to write your hero post step-by-step.

Join our cohort

Brainstorm Your Niche, Audience, And Next 20+ Blog Posts With AI

In that same training, we’ll also cover how to define your niche, audience, and topics for your next 20+ blog posts with ChatGPT. I know, I’ve been a staunch opponent to using AI in blogging at all, but this isn’t a training on how to write with AI.

This is a training on how to use AI as a writing assistant.

We’re going to take your core story and use ChatGPT to:

• Define who’s in our niche from a demographic, behavioral, and interest perspective.

• Define our 5 core pillars—or topics—for our blog.

• Create a list of 20+ blog post ideas for 2025.

• Explore niche + topic expansion ideas for our blog in the future.

• Recommend us ideas and strategies we haven’t yet considered.

I’ll also teach you how to use ChatGPT to help you solve future problems that might come up in 2025.

This Will Help You On Medium, LinkedIn, And X, Too

Many of you Substackers also write on Medium, or LinkedIn, or X. And guess what? You might be struggling everywhere, too, right? It makes sense.

Getting your blog’s foundation wrong sabotages your writing everywhere.

Repairing your blog’s foundation will immediately improve your Medium earnings, LinkedIn impressions, and X impressions.

It’s 100% a magic bullet.

Your Story Is The Key To Standing Out In An Increasingly AI World

A 2023 Statista Report showed that 10-15% of social media content is AI generated, and that number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.

You might get depressed reading that, but I actually think it’s a huge opportunity for you. Your unique story will allow you to stand out in this mess.

This program will help you get clear on your 10 core stories so you can use them again, and again, and again. I’ve written about my journey from broke recent grad to freelancer to blogger to famous vlogger for the last 6 years on Medium, LinkedIn, X, Youtube, Facebook, and now Substack. It’s my bread and butter, and helped me generate millions of views online.

Your story is your bread and butter, too. If you aren’t utilizing it, prepare to become irrelevant in the next 2-5 years when AI content takes over.

When We Start + What’s Included

We get started this Saturday, October 26th, at 10 AM EST. I’ll teach a LIVE 3-Hour workshop on how to write great stories on Substack Notes.

Then from October 28th - November 8th, we’ll write 10 personal stories together on Notes, and get feedback.

Then on November 11th, I’ll teach a LIVE 2-Hour workshop on how to choose your 1 core story, write your hero post, discover your niche and audience, and use AI as a writing assistant to discover your next 20+ blog posts.

Then from November 11th - November 22nd, we’ll write, edit, get feedback on, and finalize our hero posts and be completely set for 2025 and beyond.

That’s what’s included in this great program.

Join our cohort

Get $500 Off Until Tomorrow At 5 PM EST

There is only 20 $500 off coupon codes in existence, and X of them have already been used! If you want to get $500 off this program before this coupon expires, sign up now!

Use discount code STORY at checkout to get $500 off this program.

Here’s how to input the code. 👆

Again, there’s only 20 STORY discount codes available, so get them while they’re hot.

The discount code also expires this Friday, October 25 at 5 PM EST.

I hope you can join us! Cheers.

Tom Kuegler

“I don’t know what to write about, Tom!”

Wait, what?

What do you mean you don’t know what to write about? Is it:

• You got 100’s of ideas, and don’t know which to focus on?

• You literally have zero ideas?

Either way, there’s a fix.

“Tom, you’re gonna tell us it all starts with our story, right?”

You’re darn right I am.

3 Steps To Finding Writing Ideas

Your problem requires a three step solution.

1. Put all possible writing topics on the table.

2. Highlight the topics you burn to write about most.

3. Test, gather feedback, and choose a niche.

Let’s start with #1.

#1. Define Topics You Can Write About

Our stories are the culmination of everything that has happened to us, right?

For example, you can’t write about mental health issues without having:

• First-hand experience studying it

• First-hand experience experiencing it

It’s impossible. I’m never going to write about basket-weaving because I’ve never been a basket weaver. I can, however, write about travel, social media, freelancing, and being a digital nomad, though!

So to start narrowing down possible writing topics, we have to recount our story. We have to reflect on what’s happened to us in all our years on planet earth.

Our story is ground zero for writing ideas.

I recommend choosing the 10 most important stories from your life, and writing about them one-by-one.

#2. What Do You Burn To Write Most Right Now?

In 2017 I wrote to recent graduates because I was 24 at the time. Now at 31, I’m not so interested in writing to recent graduates anymore.

This is the fun of writing online.

Our interests change as we change.
Our “brand” changes with it.

So you got to pinpoint what you’re burning to write about most RIGHT NOW.

I don’t care if you’ve written financial advice all your life and you want to write about parenting now because you just became one.

Choose the topic you burn to write about most.

I cannot stress how important this is.

#3. Test, Get Feedback, and Choose

How do you find which topic you burn to write about most? Well, you test! You write these 10 most important stories from your life, and you see which one makes your soul sing the most.

It’s a feeling you’re searching for.

Then—and this is the most important part—you get feedback. There’s three types of feedback:

1. Feedback from social media

2. Feedback from your friends

3. Feedback from an expert

#1. Posting your stories on Substack Notes is a great idea to get feedback from social media. I would track the depth of comments you receive. A long comment is normally a sign you really resonated with the audience.

#2. Showing your friends your Notes, one-by-one, is also a good way to get feedback on which of your stories is the most powerful. It’s also a great confidence booster! Friends love helping and cheering us on.

#3. This is hard to do, but showing your Notes to a writing expert to get feedback is possibly the best way to get clear on what your best stories are. An expert will know at first glance what your best 3 stories are, and which have viability for a blog long-term.

Now that you have feedback, you choose.

You choose the story that:

• You loved writing the most

• People loved reading the most

And if you can’t find this perfect overlap, choose the story that got the second or third best reception, and that you loved writing the most, second most, or third most.

This is how you do it.

Feeling and testing.

Want to write your 10 core stories, test them, and find your blog’s direction for 2025 in 4 weeks?

Join us for our November Substack Campfire, where you’ll join me and a group of 30 other writers to test, get feedback, and find your blog’s core story in 1 month.

Join our cohort

How Our Stories Show Us Our Blog’s Niche And Direction

The seeds of our blog’s niche, audience, and direction are embedded in our story.

In 2017, my story was that I graduated college in 2015, became a freelancer, traveled the USA for 4 months on a road trip, learned so many lessons, then came back home a changed man.

So I started a blog called The Post-Grad Survival Guide for people in their 20’s with tips on travel, freelancing, relationships, and even life lessons.

My story naturally defined my audience, focus, and direction.

It’s the same with you.

The problem is, if you do this alone, you might miss something.

You might make mistakes, like:

• Not focusing your blog enough

• Improperly defining your audience

• Choosing the wrong core story with no long-term viability

Furthermore, you might not get the encouragement you need to start your blog in the first place.

Luckily I’ve created a safe space where you can brainstorm your 10 core stories, and get feedback, encouragement, and certainty that your blog’s direction is viable for 2025 and beyond.

It’s called the Substack Campfire, and we get started together on October 26th.

What’s Included In The Substack Campfire

Here’s what’s included.

Test Your 10 Core Stories On Substack Notes

In the first two weeks of this program, we will post 10 Notes together that tell the 10 biggest stories from our lives.

Don’t know what your biggest stories are? Don’t worry!

Before we start posting on Monday, October 28th, I’ll give a live three hour workshop that covers how to find your 10 core stories, and how to write effective stories on Substack Notes. That’s happening on Saturday, October 26th at 10 AM EST.

By the end of our first live workshop, you’ll have:

• Your first Note already written

• Your 10 core stories outlined.

• A bulletproof story formula for writing your next 100+ Notes.

We’ll then spend the next two weeks publishing one story every weekday, sharing them with our intimate group of 30 writers, and tracking which stories:

A. We loved to write
B. Resonated the most with our group AND Substack

Write Your Hero Post + Workshop It With 30+ Writers

On Monday, November 11th, I will teach you how to select one of these 10 stories to become your “Hero’s journey,” and how to write an entire hero post for your publication based on that.

The hero post is basically just an “About” page or “Start Here” page, telling your audience who you are, and what you write about on your blog.

Then over the next two weeks, we will workshop our hero posts, sharing our drafts with each other and giving feedback.

Finally, in the last days of the program, I will personally look at every hero post, suggest any edits, and give my stamp of approval when it’s ready!

Find Your First 20 Blog Post Ideas With AI

We will also give a presentation on how to use AI to augment your future writing.

We will NOT be teaching you how to write with AI.

We’re teaching you how to use AI as a writing assistant.

You’ll learn how to use AI to:

• Get extra clarity on your niche

• Give you 20+ future writing ideas

• Get even more specific on which audience you’re writing to

• Help you explore other stories you can tell in the future

ChatGPT is a great assistant if you’re drawing a blank as a creator. He will teach you how to leverage it to get more clarity on your blog’s direction for 2025 and beyond.

After all this, you will know that your blog is built on a rock solid foundation.

• You will know who you’re writing for.

• You will know what to write about in the future.

• You will know what core messages to harp on over and over again.

And it’s going to be beautiful.

Your perfect blog. Crowdsourced by a group of 30 writers, Substack, and me.

Stop feeling lost as a blogger. Discover your direction on Substack for 2025.

Join our cohort

Pricing + $500 Discount

Since I’ll be giving lots of personal attention to each student, the normal price of this cohort is $1,000. However, I’m giving a $500 discount to the first 20 people who use discount code STORY at checkout.

Here’s how to input the code. 👆

Again, there’s only 20 STORY discount codes available, so get them while they’re hot.

The discount code also expires on Friday, October 25 at 5 PM EST.

Join our cohort

Got questions about the program? Feel free to email me back.

Tom Kuegler

After writing online for 9 years, I finally understand the reason most bloggers fail.

Their writing is too damn complicated.

New writers hop online, with a lot of life experience, and simply do not know how to simplify their writing for readers.

Then they fail, assume they suck at writing, and take courses that teach them how to write better.

“I’m not getting traction because I’m not a writer! I need to get better at writing!”

Sure. That’s a part of it..

But it doesn’t address the root problem.

Writing Skill Isn’t Your Problem—Simplifying It Is

Have you ever said to yourself “My writing is good! I don’t know why it’s not being read more!”

It’s because you’re right! You are a good writer. You just don’t know how to market yourself online.

• Your headlines need work

• Your cover photos are unpleasant

• Your publication is a mess

• You write about a billion different topics

Your writing is GOOD! It might even be phenomenal! But it gets lost in the sea of Substack articles, because your writing isn’t focused.

You just write. You throw spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks.

You might’ve had an initial idea for a blog and you went with it, paying no mind to your reader’s experience. You failed before you began.

I do 1-1 coaching with people, and most times they want advice on how to write their articles better. What we actually spend time on, though, is simplifying their writing. Simplifying their direction—their focus.

They don’t need to improve their writing.
They need to simplify their writing.

How Storytelling Can Help You Simplify Your Writing

Look, most people start a blog because they’re an expert in something.

“I’m good at finance!”

Then they write about random financial advice with articles like, “The importance of 401K’s for retirement.”

This is fine, but it’s also unemotional, and boring.

What if we focus on how you became an expert? Were you broke at 30 with a family and decided to get your butt in gear? Write about that!

“I Had $0 In My Bank At 34 And By 55 I Was A Millionaire—Here’s How I Did It”

Which article do you want to read more? 🧐

How does your story focus—or simplify—your writing?

For one, it focuses your writing on an outcome. You’re helping X people do Y.

It’s mind-boggling how many bloggers don’t know what outcome they’re helping their readers achieve! That’s where EVERYTHING starts. Without that, you’re lost. Recounting your story will help you get crystal clear on the outcome you’re helping people achieve—and who you’re speaking to! Spoiler alert: It’s probably just a younger version of you!

Second, your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Let’s stick with the millionaire example. How did this author become one? Maybe there’s 10 actions they took consistently. Great. They should break em all down! Take us through the whole journey from 0 to hero!

Not just in one hero post, but in dozens of other posts in 2025 and beyond! Talk superficially about the 10-step process in the hero post, then go deeper on each step in individual posts for your publication.

This focuses your writing immensely.

When you lose something, what do you do?

You retrace your steps.

When you’re lost writing online, you need to retrace your steps, too.

Reflecting on our story takes us back to the beginning. It helps us understand:

• What we had to do first, then second, then third to find success

• What our biggest problems were

• What worked and what didn’t

• What we were feeling at the time

All of these bullet points👆will give you endless content. This is literally all it is, ladies and gentlemen. I’ve made my writing career focusing on these five elements over and over again! 👇

• What we had to do first, then second, then third to find success: How To Build An Easy $1,000 Per Month Money Stream Online

• What our biggest problems were: I’m 27 And I Have No Idea What I Want To Do Anymore

• What worked and what didn’t: Want To Get Really Good At Something? Avoid These 7 Deadly Mistakes

• What we were feeling at the time: I’ve Lived In Mexico For 2 Years And Here’s My Brutally Honest Opinion About It

The more you harp on all that 👆, the more you’ll resonate with your audience, and the more your writing will make sense to them.

And the more focused your writing will be.

At the end of the day, you’re just writing letters to your younger self. And chances are, there’s millions of “younger you’s” out there who need your guidance.

Basing your blog in your own story is the best way to focus your writing and begin resonating with your audience.

Discover Your Hero’s Journey With 30 Other Writers This November

So, what’s your hero’s journey story?

We’re giving you the chance to discover that with a group of 30 other writers in our upcoming Substack Campfire program. We start on October 28 and go until November 22.

Join our cohort

First Two Weeks - Write 10 Stories Together

In the first two weeks, we will post 10 Notes together that tell the 10 biggest stories from our lives. Before we start posting on Monday, October 28th, I’ll give a live three hour workshop that covers how to find your 10 core stories, and how to write effective stories on Substack Notes.

By the end of our first live workshop, you’ll have:

• Your first Note already written

• Your 10 core stories outlined.

• A bulletproof story formula for writing your next 100+ Notes.

That live workshop will happen on Saturday, October 26th.

We’ll then spend the next two weeks publishing one story every weekday, sharing them with our intimate group of 20 writers, and tracking which stories:

A. We loved to write
B. Resonated the most with our group AND Substack

Then the fun begins!

Last Two Weeks - Write Our Hero Post Together

On Monday, November 11th, I will teach you how to select one of these stories to become your “Hero’s journey,” and how to write an entire hero post for your publication based on that.

Then we will workshop our hero posts, share our drafts with each other, and give feedback. I will also personally look at every hero post, suggest any edits, and give my stamp of approval when it’s ready!

Then you will know that your blog is built on a rock solid foundation. You’ll know:

• Who you’re writing for.

• What to write about in the future.

• What core messages to harp on over and over again.

And it’s going to be beautiful.

Your hero’s journey. Crowdsourced by a group of 30 writers, Substack, and me.

Stop feeling lost as a blogger. Discover your direction on Substack for 2025.

Join our cohort

November Cohort Schedule

Here’s the schedule for our upcoming cohort.

• October 25 - Doors to this cohort close at 5 PM EST

• October 26 - Live training at 10 AM EST: How To Find Your 10 Core Stories And Write Captivating Stories on Notes

• October 28 - November 8 - Post your 10 stories on Notes

• November 11 - Live training at 10 AM EST: How To Select Your Hero’s Journey Story And Write Your Hero Post

• November 11 - November 22 - Create, edit, and finalize your hero post

• November 22 - Publish your new hero post

1-1 Workshopping With Me

In this program, you’ll receive LOADS of 1-1 time with me.

I guarantee that I will:

• Read all 10 of your Notes.

• Give you personalized feedback on how to write Notes better (if necessary).

• Help you select your hero’s journey story.

• Give feedback on your hero post.

• Personally give a “thumbs up” when your hero post is ready.

I will be deeply involved every step of the way with your writing and direction. It will be half-course, half-coaching.

Join our cohort

Community Workshopping

My vision is to divide everyone up into groups of 3 so you can give feedback to each other during the program. Honestly, I need help! I’m not going to be the ultimate judge here of which story you need to center your brand on. I want you to get multiple opinions and make some friends in the process.

This will be a group effort FOR EACH PERSON. The fact that we’ll be crowdsourcing your brand together basically guarantees we’ll find the perfect direction for you in 2025.

Slack Channel

To facilitate our program, we’ll join a shared Slack channel to collaborate, share Notes, and edit together. Some of our shared channels will include:

• #introductions - For introducing yourself to the group

• #share-notes - To share our daily Notes with the community

• #feedback - To get feedback on our hero posts

• #trainings - To get easy access to past recorded trainings

Pricing + $500 Discount

Since I’ll be giving lots of personal attention to each student, the normal price of this cohort is $1,000. However, I’m giving a $500 discount to the first 20 people who use discount code STORY at checkout.

Here’s how to input the code. 👆

Again, there’s only 20 STORY discount codes available, so get them while they’re hot.

The discount code also expires this Friday, October 25 at 5 PM EST.

Join the cohort

Got any questions? Feel free to respond to this email. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Hello friends!

Our next Substack Campfire cohort starts on October 28th, and we’ve improved things drastically.

Our first program had features like:

• Post 20 Notes over 4 weeks

• Learn how to write viral Notes

• Watch 4 interviews with Substack experts

But there were some problems…

• We lacked a tangible goal

• Some Campers didn’t know who they were writing to

• We posted about whatever for 4 weeks, with no clear objective

It’s like we taught people how to shoot, but never setup a target for them to aim at.

That changes in this next cohort.

This November, join an intimate group of 30 writers to:

• Write 10 crucial stories from your life

• Discover your personal “Hero’s journey” story

• Craft a hero post for your Substack publication based off that story

• Use your hero’s journey story to clarify your niche, audience, and message for Substack in 2025

We start on October 28th and end on November 22.

Join our cohort

What’s Included In The November Cohort

Our upcoming Substack Campfire cohort is 4 weeks long.

First Two Weeks - Write 10 Stories Together

In the first two weeks, we will post 10 Notes together that tell the 10 biggest stories from our lives. Before we start posting on Monday, October 28th, I’ll give a live three hour workshop that covers how to find your 10 core stories, and how to write effective stories on Substack Notes.

By the end of our first live workshop, you’ll have:

• Your first Note already written

• Your 10 core stories outlined.

• A bulletproof story formula for writing your next 100+ Notes.

That live workshop will happen on Saturday, October 26th.

We’ll then spend the next two weeks publishing one story every weekday, sharing them with our intimate group of 30 writers, and tracking which stories:

A. We loved to write
B. Resonated the most with our group AND Substack

Then the fun begins!

Last Two Weeks - Write Our Hero Post Together

On Monday, November 11th, I will teach you how to select one of these stories to become your “Hero’s journey,” and how to write an entire hero post for your publication based on that.

Then over the next two weeks, we’ll workshop our hero posts together, sharing our drafts and giving feedback.

Finally, in the last days of the program, I will personally look at every hero post, suggest any edits, and give my stamp of approval when it’s ready!

Then you will know that your blog is built on a rock solid foundation.

• You will know who you’re writing for.

• You will know what to write about in the future.

• You will know what core messages to harp on over and over again.

And it’s going to be beautiful.

Your hero’s journey. Crowdsourced by a group of 30 writers, Substack, and me.

Stop feeling lost as a blogger. Discover your direction on Substack for 2025.

Join our cohort

November Cohort Schedule

• October 25 - Doors to this cohort close at 5 PM EST

• October 26 - Live training at 10 AM EST: How To Find Your 10 Core Stories And Write Captivating Stories on Notes

• October 28 - November 8 - Post your 10 stories on Notes

• November 11 - Live training at 10 AM EST: How To Select Your Hero’s Journey Story And Write Your Hero Post

• November 11 - November 22 - Create, edit, and finalize your hero post

• November 22 - Publish your new hero post

1-1 Workshopping With Me

In this program, you’ll receive LOADS of 1-1 time with me.

I guarantee that I will:

• Read all 10 of your Notes.

• Comment on at least 5 of them.

• Give you personalized feedback on how to write Notes better (if necessary).

• Help you select your hero’s journey story.

• Give feedback on your hero post.

• Personally give a “thumbs up” when your hero post is ready.

I will be deeply involved every step of the way with your writing and direction. It will be half-course, half-coaching.

Community Workshopping

My vision is to divide everyone up into groups of 5 so you can give feedback to each other during the program. Honestly, I need help! I’m not going to be the ultimate judge here of which story you need to center your brand on. I want you to get multiple opinions and make some friends in the process.

This will be a group effort FOR EACH PERSON. The fact that we’ll be crowdsourcing your brand together basically guarantees we’ll find the perfect direction for you in 2025.

Slack Channel

To facilitate our program, we’ll join a shared Slack channel to collaborate, share Notes, and edit together. Some of our shared channels will include:

• #introductions - For introducing yourself to the group

• #share-notes - To share our daily Notes with the community

• #feedback - To get feedback on our hero posts

• #trainings - To get easy access to past recorded trainings

Get Access To 20+ Hours Of Training Material

Upon signing up, you’ll get immediate access to 20 hours of Note trainings, storytelling workshops, and interviews with Substack experts.

Here’s the list of interviews you’ll get access to.

Here’s the list of trainings you’ll get access to.

Pricing + $500 Discount

Since I’ll be giving lots of personal attention to each student, the normal price of this cohort is $1,000. However, I’m giving a $500 discount to the first 20 people who use discount code STORY at checkout.

Here’s how to input the code. 👆

Again, there’s only 20 STORY discount codes available, so get them while they’re hot.

The discount code also expires on Friday, October 25 at 5 PM EST.

Join our cohort

Changes from our July Campfire

This November Campfire is different from our first July Campfire.

• Now you pay a flat fee to join our November cohort

• No more annual or monthly subscriptions to join

• Use Slack instead of Substack threads to communicate

• More 1-1 attention from me to create your hero post

It’s a simpler program with a more defined focus

Guarantee

We’ve all bought products that promise the moon but don’t deliver. We want to take all the risk away, and make this truly a “no-brainer” for you. If you aren’t satisfied with the results you got after 30 days, just let us know, and we will happily give you all your money back.

Still Got Questions?

Respond in the comments, send me a DM here, or send me an email at thomaskueglerllc@gmail.com.

So, things are changing a little here at the Substack Campfire in a great way.

I wanted to send an email going over the details.

Write Your Hero Post This November

Our first big announcement is that we’re improving the November Substack Campfire. Many Campers told us that our July cohort lacked a tangible goal. We were just posting for 4 week…

Read more

A focus group for your blog.

Join an intimate group of 20 writers to:

• Write 10 crucial stories from your life

• Discover your personal “Hero’s journey” story

• Craft a hero post for your Substack publication based off that story

• Get feedback on your blog’s niche, audience, and direction.

• Clarify your niche, audience, and message for Substack in 2025

We start on October 28th and end on November 22.

Join the cohort

Most Writers Fail To Build A Following Because Their Writing Is Too Complicated

After writing online for nine years and growing a following of 10,000 people on seven different platforms, I finally understand the reason most bloggers fail.

Their writing is too damn complicated.

New writers hop online, with a bevy of life experience, and simply do not know how to simplify their writing for readers.

Then they fail, assume they suck at writing, and take courses that teach them how to write better.

“I’m not getting traction because I’m not a writer! I need to get better at writing!”

Sure. That’s a part of it..

But it doesn’t address the root problem.

Writing Skill Isn’t Your Problem—Simplifying It Is

Have you ever said to yourself “My writing is good! I don’t know why it’s not being read more!”

It’s because you’re right. You are a good writer. You just don’t know how to market yourself online.

• Your headlines need work

• Your cover photos are ugly

• Your publication is a mess

• You write about a billion different topics

Your writing is GOOD! It might even be phenomenal! But it gets lost in the sea of Substack articles, because your writing isn’t focused.

You just write. You throw spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks.

You might’ve had an initial idea for a blog and you went with it, paying no mind to your reader’s experience. You failed before you began.

I do 1-1 coaching with people, and most times they want advice on how to write their articles better. What we actually spend time on, though, is simplifying their writing. Simplifying their direction—their focus.

They don’t need to improve their writing.
They need to simplify their writing.

How Storytelling Can Help You Simplify Your Writing

Look, most people start a blog because they’re an expert in something.

“I’m good at finance!”

Then they write about random financial advice with articles like, “The importance of 401K’s for retirement.”

This is fine, but it’s also unemotional, and boring.

What if we focus on how you became an expert? Were you broke at 30 with a family and decided to get your butt in gear? Write about that, gosh darn it!

“I Had $0 In My Bank At 34 And By 55 I Was A Millionaire—Here’s How I Did It”

Which article do you want to read more? 🧐

Your story naturally focuses—or simplifies—your writing.

For one, it focuses your writing on an outcome. You’re helping X people do Y.

You know, the outcome you accomplished!

It’s mind-boggling how many bloggers don’t know what outcome they’re helping their readers achieve! That’s where EVERYTHING starts. Without that, you’re lost. Recounting your story will help you get crystal clear on the outcome you’re helping people achieve—and who you’re speaking to! Spoiler alert: It’s probably just a younger version of you!

Second, your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Let’s stick with the millionaire example. How did this author become one? Maybe there’s 10 actions they took consistently. Great. They should break em all down! Take us through the whole gosh darn journey from 0 to hero!

Not just in one hero post, but in dozens of other posts in 2025 and beyond! Talk superficially about the 10-step process in the hero post, then go deeper on each step in individual posts for your publication.

This focuses your writing immensely.

When you lose something, what do you do?

You retrace your steps.

When you’re lost writing online, you need to retrace your steps, too.

Reflecting on our story takes us back to the beginning. It helps us understand:

• What we accomplished

• What we had to do first, then second, then third to find success

• What our biggest problems were

• What worked and what didn’t

• What we were feeling at the time

All of these bullet points👆will give you endless content. This is literally all it is, ladies and gentlemen. I’ve made my writing career focusing on these five elements over and over again!

The more you harp on all that 👆, the more you’ll resonate with your audience, and the more your writing will make sense to them.

And the more focused your writing will be.

At the end of the day, you’re just writing letters to your younger self. And chances are, there’s millions of “younger you’s” out there who need your guidance.

Basing your blog in your own story is the best way to focus your writing and begin resonating with your audience.

I’ve taught thousands of writing students since 2017, and my brightest pupils always told their stories well.

I had a student named Heidi Thompson who made $5,000+ with this story on Medium:

I was in a sex cult for 10 years—here’s my story

I had another student go viral on LinkedIn for telling this story about her Father’s suicide. It got 38,111 likes.

Here’s a story a Substack Camper wrote in July that got over 200 likes:

“But Tom, I don’t have a story as wild as being in a sex cult!”

That’s fine. Neither do I. But I’ve leveraged my story to go viral on Substack all the same.

Your Stories Are The Key To Attracting 100’s Of Readers

Here’s a spoiler alert. Your story is the reason you’re writing online.

You woke up one day and said to yourself “I got something to say to the world!” Why? Because something happened to you that you want people to either experience or avoid.

• You might have discovered the power of mindfulness.

• You might have become a world-class poker player.

• You might have gone through a divorce

And all these things taught you something, right?

• Mindfulness helped you be happier.

• Poker taught you valuable life lessons.

• Divorce taught you how to reinvent yourself.

Our stories teach us things. We then want to share these things with the world. That’s writing in a nutshell. And most bloggers neglect their story and skip right to the teaching.

When you decided to become a writer, it must have been a religious experience, right? You must’ve felt a pang of excitement and inspiration! Like you got struck by lightning! “I got to do this!” you yelled. But why was it so visceral?

Because you know what you’ve been through. You lived through the struggles, and pain, and elation of your life. You’ve experienced divorce, or grief, or miraculous achievement, and it left a deep mark on your soul.

But, you see, the audience needs to experience this, too. If they don’t, they won’t care. And if you don’t tell your story, they won’t feel anything!

People want to care! I know it doesn’t seem that way in this polarized world we live in, but we want to feel understood. A stranger’s story on the internet can make us feel understood. And if you can make a reader feel understood, they’ll become a subscriber and maybe even a super fan of yours. There is no greater tool in a writer’s toolkit than their own story.

Your audience must want the transformation you experienced.

Your audience must experience something new through your story.

Your audience must feel what you felt to give a sh*t about your life.

Story is absolutely essential to making people care about you online.

What’s Included In The November Cohort

I want to help you find and tell your story effectively on Substack.

Our upcoming Substack Campfire cohort is designed to help you do just that.

First Two Weeks - Write 10 Stories Together

In the first two weeks, we will post 10 Notes together that tell the 10 biggest stories from our lives. Before we start posting on Monday, October 28th, I’ll give a live three hour workshop that covers how to find your 10 core stories, and how to write effective stories on Substack Notes.

By the end of our first live workshop, you’ll have:

• Your first Note already written

• Your 10 core stories outlined.

• A bulletproof story formula for writing your next 100+ Notes.

That live workshop will happen on Saturday, October 26th.

We’ll then spend the next two weeks publishing one story every weekday, sharing them with our intimate group of 20 writers, and tracking which stories:

A. We loved to write
B. Resonated the most with our group AND Substack

Then the fun begins!

Last Two Weeks - Write Our Hero Post Together

On Monday, November 11th, I will teach you how to select one of these stories to become your “Hero’s journey,” and how to write an entire hero post for your publication based on that.

Then over the next two weeks, we will workshop our hero posts, share our drafts with each other, and give feedback.

Finally, in the last days of the program, I will personally look at every hero post, suggest any edits, and give my stamp of approval when it’s ready!

Then you will know that your blog is built on a rock solid foundation.

• You will know who you’re writing for.

• You will know what to write about in the future.

• You will know what core messages to harp on over and over again.

And it’s going to be beautiful.

Your hero’s journey. Crowdsourced by a group of 20 writers, Substack, and me.

Stop feeling lost as a blogger. Discover your direction on Substack for 2025.

Join our cohort

November Cohort Schedule

• October 25 - Doors to this cohort close at 5 PM EST

• October 26 - Live training at 10 AM EST: How To Find Your 10 Core Stories And Write Captivating Stories on Notes

• October 28 - November 8 - Post your 10 stories on Notes

• November 11 - Live training at 10 AM EST: How To Select Your Hero’s Journey Story And Write Your Hero Post

• November 11 - November 22 - Create, edit, and finalize your hero post

• November 22 - Publish your new hero post

1-1 Workshopping With Me

In this program, you’ll receive LOADS of 1-1 time with me.

I guarantee that I will:

• Read all 10 of your Notes.

• Comment on at least 5 of them.

• Give you personalized feedback on how to write Notes better (if necessary).

• Help you select your hero’s journey story.

• Give feedback on your hero post.

• Personally give a “thumbs up” when your hero post is ready.

I will be deeply involved every step of the way with your writing and direction. It will be half-course, half-coaching.

Join our cohort

Community Workshopping

My vision is to divide everyone up into groups of 5 so you can give feedback to each other during the program. Honestly, I need help! I’m not going to be the ultimate judge here of which story you need to center your brand on. I want you to get multiple opinions and make some friends in the process.

This will be a group effort FOR EACH PERSON. The fact that we’ll be crowdsourcing your brand together basically guarantees we’ll find the perfect direction for you in 2025.

Slack Channel

To facilitate our program, we’ll join a shared Slack channel to collaborate, share Notes, and edit together. Some of our shared channels will include:

• #introductions - For introducing yourself to the group

• #share-notes - To share our daily Notes with the community

• #feedback - To get feedback on our hero posts

• #trainings - To get easy access to past recorded trainings

Grow Your Following With Notes

The truth is, though, that this November program is still heavily focused on publishing Notes. You won’t only publish and share 10 notes with our group of 20 writers, but you’ll learn how to write stories that go viral on Notes, too.

Our July Campfire drove some incredible results for our students.

During our first challenge, gained 470 total subscribers, with 311 of them coming from Notes specifically. 👇

Nik gained over 200 subscribers and 450 followers.

Sinem Günel gained over 500 subscribers to her publication, Write • Build • Scale.

Join our cohort

Get The Love And Support You’ve Always Wanted Online

There is one feature we baked into the last Campfire that we very much want to continue with this one..

We want you to feel loved, supported, and safe.

• Posting on social media can feel like shouting into the void.

• It feels particularly lonely to spill your guts and then get zero likes publicly.

• We all know the pain of sharing something and then having a pit in our stomach for hours wondering whether we just overshared.

We call it the Substack Campfire because this is a safe space to share our stories with a community of awesome people.

Here’s what our ‘Campers’ have said about how supportive this community is:

“I feel like I can post anything without any worries.”

This is what I have noticed about the Substack Campfire community so far:

• It’s a safe space

• I feel like I can post anything without any worries

• Brilliant minds to learn from

• Diverse lifestyles and cultures to draw inspiration from

• “I am happy to help if I can” mindset

• Good vibes

• Givers not takers

- Ethan Musolini, Executive Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Author

“The campfire has been a real gift to me.”

“This campfire group has been a real gift to me. It is awesome to have a global writing community filled with positive encouraging people here to serve. I feel like the group mirrors the hearts of our founders, Tom Kuegler ⛺🪵🔥 and Michael Simmons 🪵🔥 ⛺, who I have found over years of being their students to have servants’ hearts.”

- Kristin van Tilburg 🔥🪵 ⛺️

“I’ve never felt such a safe space with my writing.”

“I know that when Tom and Michael came up with the name Campfire, they really meant it to be a community sharing all our wisdoms as people do around a campfire. I feel like we are a tribe, warmed by the fire of our commitment to writing. I’ve never felt such a safe space with my writing.”

-Teri Leigh 💜⛺️🪵🔥, Mindfulness Coach

Sharing in a community guarantees that your story will be received and give you the fodder of what resonates. 

Teri talked about how this community—and Substack as a whole—has been the best experience of her writing career. 👇

Join our cohort

Get Access To 20+ Hours Of Training Material

Upon signing up, you’ll get immediate access to 20 hours of Note trainings, storytelling workshops, and interviews with Substack experts. Here’s the full library:

Interviews

Trainings

Pricing + $500 Discount

Since I’ll be giving lots of personal attention to each student, the normal price of this cohort is $1,000. However, I’m giving a $500 discount to the first 20 people who use discount code STORY at checkout.

Here’s how to input the code. 👆

Again, there’s only 20 STORY discount codes available, so get them while they’re hot.

The discount code also expires on Friday, October 25 at 5 PM EST.

Join the cohort

Testimonials From Past Campers

Here are a few testimonials past campers wrote for us:

Changes from our July Campfire

This November Campfire is different from our first July Campfire.

Our first program had features like:

• Post 20 Notes over 4 weeks

• Learn how to write viral Notes

• Watch 4 interviews with Substack experts

Now the goal is to define your hero’s journey using Notes as a tool for feedback.

We’re also changing how it’s facilitated.

• Now you pay a flat fee to join our November cohort

• No more annual or monthly subscriptions to join

• Use Slack instead of Substack threads to communicate

• More 1-1 attention from me to create your hero post

It’s a simpler program with a more defined focus.

Guarantee

We’ve all bought products that promise the moon but don’t deliver. We want to take all the risk away, and make this truly a “no-brainer” for you. If you aren’t satisfied with the results you got after 30 days, just let us know, and we will happily give you all your money back.

Still Got Questions?

Respond in the comments, send me a DM here, or send me an email at thomaskueglerllc@gmail.com.

The new format was a success. During the call, we spent most of the time workshopping Michael’s core ideas into mini memoirs that campers had written.

Below is a version of the transcript edited by AI.

To watch the full recording and participate in our monthly mini-courses, become a paid subscriber:

Subscribe now

I. Introduction

Michael Thompson, a renowned storyteller and writing coach, shares his profound insights and techniques for crafting captivating stories in this comprehensive masterclass. Thompson delves into the art of noticing compelling moments, structuring engaging introductions, and imbuing stories with emotional depth and universal resonance. Through a combination of practical advice, illustrative examples, and interactive exercises, Thompson guides aspiring writers on a journey to unlock their storytelling potential and create narratives that leave a lasting impact on readers.

The main themes covered in this masterclass include:

1. Developing a keen eye for noticing story-worthy moments in everyday life

2. Structuring introductions using techniques like conversation, introspection, and action

3. Creating emotional resonance through relatable experiences and universal themes

4. Crafting memorable lines and endings that stick with readers

Thompson emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, authenticity, and tapping into the poetic memory of life's beautiful moments. He provides a framework for collecting and cataloging these experiences, which serve as the raw material for crafting powerful stories.

The insights shared in this masterclass have far-reaching implications beyond the realm of writing. By learning to notice and articulate the profundity in small moments, individuals can cultivate a deeper appreciation for life, foster empathy, and forge stronger connections with others. The storytelling techniques taught by Thompson have the potential to enhance communication skills, leadership abilities, and personal growth.

II. Key Terminology and Concepts

• Poetic memory

• CIA framework

• Tiny, beautiful human things

• Stickiness factor

1. "Poetic memory": Thompson introduces the concept of the brain's "poetic memory," which "records everything that charms or touches us, that makes our lives beautiful." This idea serves as the foundation for noticing and collecting story-worthy moments. "The brain appears to possess a special area which we might call poetic memory and which records everything that charms or touches us, that makes our lives beautiful." Thompson suggests that tapping into our poetic memory is essential for crafting authentic, emotionally resonant stories. By training ourselves to recognize and record these moments, we build a rich repository of material to draw from in our writing.

2. "CIA" framework for article introductions: Thompson presents the "CIA" framework as a memorable acronym for structuring engaging story introductions:

   • Conversation: Begin with dialogue that piques curiosity and draws readers in

   • Introspection: Reveal the protagonist's internal thoughts, fears, or doubts to create relatability

   • Action: Start with a compelling event or scene that immediately captures attention

   "90% of them start one of three ways and they spell CIA, just because it's memorable for me. So it's either a conversation, introspection so this is your, uh, your self-talk, um, being scared, fear, doubt, uh, insecurity is super relatable. And then the typical one that you see all the time is action." By employing one of these three techniques, writers can effectively hook readers from the very first lines of their stories.

3. "Tiny, beautiful human things": Thompson emphasizes the importance of noticing and celebrating the small, poignant moments that make us human. He encourages writers to "train your eye to cut through the noise" and "make a point to spot just one speck of human beauty." "Making a point to spot just one speck of human beauty will always be a solid way to go about your day." By focusing on these "tiny, beautiful human things," writers can infuse their stories with authenticity, relatability, and emotional depth. These moments serve as the foundation for crafting narratives that resonate with readers on a profound level.

4. "Stickiness factor": Thompson discusses the concept of creating memorable, "sticky" lines and endings that leave a lasting impact on readers. He suggests using physical details and sensory associations to make abstract lessons more concrete and memorable. "This is really important in terms of stickiness factor and getting your messages lodged into people's heads is making it a physical thing." By tying emotional lessons to tangible objects or experiences (like associating forgiveness with french fries), writers can create endings that stick with readers long after they finish the story.

These key concepts form the backbone of Thompson's storytelling philosophy. By developing a poetic memory, employing the CIA framework for introductions, celebrating tiny human moments, and crafting sticky endings, writers can create stories that captivate, inspire, and transform readers.

III. Rhetorical Analysis

A. Logical structure:

Thompson's masterclass follows a clear, logical progression from high-level concepts to specific techniques and practical applications. He begins by introducing the foundational idea of "poetic memory" and the importance of noticing story-worthy moments. From there, he delves into specific frameworks (like the "CIA" acronym) for structuring engaging introductions. Thompson then provides concrete examples and interactive exercises to help participants apply these concepts in their own writing.

This logical flow allows participants to gradually build a comprehensive understanding of Thompson's storytelling philosophy. By starting with the bigger picture and then zooming in on specific techniques, Thompson ensures that each lesson builds upon the previous ones, creating a cohesive learning experience.

B. Emotional appeals:

Throughout the masterclass, Thompson skillfully employs emotional appeals to engage participants and illustrate the power of storytelling. He shares personal anecdotes, like the story of his son's first Barcelona football game, to evoke feelings of nostalgia, joy, and human connection. These emotional examples serve to underscore the importance of tapping into universal human experiences when crafting stories.

Thompson also uses emotional language to convey the profound impact that storytelling can have on both writers and readers. Phrases like "train your eye to cut through the noise" and "writing is self-awareness, it's thinking, it's all of that stuff" speak to the transformative power of the written word.

By weaving emotional appeals throughout the masterclass, Thompson not only maintains participants' engagement but also demonstrates the very techniques he is teaching. He shows, rather than simply tells, how emotional resonance can elevate a story from forgettable to unforgettable.

C. Narrative techniques:

Thompson employs several effective narrative techniques to illustrate his points and keep participants engaged. One notable example is his use of metaphor and figurative language. When discussing the concept of "stickiness," Thompson likens memorable lines to a "fly on a honey biscuit." This vivid image helps participants grasp the idea of creating lines that linger in readers' minds.

Another narrative technique Thompson uses is the power of three. When introducing the "CIA" framework, he presents three distinct options for structuring introductions: conversation, introspection, and action. This triadic structure makes the concepts easier to remember and apply.

Thompson also employs the technique of "show, don't tell" throughout the masterclass. Rather than simply lecturing about storytelling principles, he demonstrates them through examples and interactive exercises. This hands-on approach allows participants to experience the power of these techniques firsthand, deepening their understanding and retention of the material.

D. Persuasive techniques:

One of Thompson's most effective persuasive techniques is his use of social proof. Throughout the masterclass, he references successful writers and storytellers who have employed the techniques he teaches. By invoking names like Ryan Holiday and his examples from real life, Thompson lends credibility to his ideas and reassures participants that these principles have been tested and proven effective.

Thompson also uses the persuasive technique of repetition to reinforce key concepts. He frequently reiterates the importance of noticing small moments, being vulnerable in one's writing, and crafting memorable lines. This repetition helps participants internalize these ideas and recognize their centrality to Thompson's storytelling philosophy.

Finally, Thompson employs the persuasive power of personal anecdotes to illustrate his points. By sharing stories from his own life, he not only demonstrates the practical application of his techniques but also establishes a sense of authenticity and relatability. Participants are more likely to be persuaded by ideas that are grounded in real, lived experiences.

E. Positioning:

Throughout the masterclass, Thompson positions his storytelling philosophy as an alternative to more formulaic or superficial approaches to writing. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and depth over gimmicks or tricks.

For example, when discussing the use of quotes in writing, Thompson suggests using personal anecdotes and quoting real people in one's life, rather than relying on famous quotes from well-known figures. He positions this approach as more authentic and impactful, as it draws from the writer's own experiences and connections.

Thompson also positions his ideas as a way to stand out in a crowded and noisy world. By focusing on the tiny, beautiful moments that others might overlook, writers can create stories that cut through the noise and forge genuine connections with readers.

Overall, Thompson's rhetorical strategies serve to engage, persuade, and inspire participants. By using emotional appeals, narrative techniques, persuasive devices, and strategic positioning, he effectively conveys the power and potential of his storytelling philosophy.

F. Potential effectiveness for different audiences:

The rhetorical strategies employed by Thompson are likely to be effective for a wide range of audiences, particularly those with an interest in writing, storytelling, or personal development.

For aspiring writers, Thompson's techniques offer a roadmap for crafting compelling stories that resonate with readers. His emphasis on authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional depth is likely to appeal to writers who want to create meaningful, impactful work.

For individuals interested in personal development, Thompson's ideas about noticing and celebrating small moments of beauty can be a powerful tool for cultivating gratitude, empathy, and self-awareness. His stories and examples illustrate how paying attention to these moments can enrich one's life and relationships.

Even for those not directly involved in writing or personal development, Thompson's masterclass offers valuable insights into effective communication and storytelling. His techniques for structuring engaging introductions, creating memorable lines, and evoking emotional resonance can be applied in a variety of contexts, from public speaking to marketing to interpersonal interactions.

However, it's worth noting that Thompson's emphasis on vulnerability and depth may not resonate with all audiences. Some individuals may prefer a more straightforward, less emotionally involved approach to storytelling or communication. Additionally, those looking for a quick-fix or formulaic approach to writing may not find Thompson's philosophy as appealing, as it requires a willingness to engage in self-reflection and a commitment to authenticity.

Despite these potential limitations, the overall effectiveness of Thompson's rhetorical strategies lies in their ability to inspire, engage, and challenge participants to approach storytelling with greater intentionality and depth. By providing a framework for noticing and articulating the profound in the everyday, Thompson empowers individuals to create stories that have the power to transform both writer and reader.

IV. Key Insights & Practical Applications

A. The power of noticing and capturing small moments:

One of the key insights from Thompson's masterclass is the importance of developing a keen eye for noticing and capturing story-worthy moments in everyday life. He encourages writers to tap into their "poetic memory," which "records everything that charms or touches us, that makes our lives beautiful." By training ourselves to recognize and record these small moments of beauty, humor, or poignancy, we build a rich repository of material to draw from in our writing.

Practical application: Carry a notebook or use a note-taking app on your phone to jot down observations, overheard conversations, or fleeting thoughts throughout your day. Regularly review these notes and look for patterns, themes, or moments that spark your curiosity or evoke an emotional response. Use these captured moments as prompts for freewriting or as starting points for crafting fuller stories.

As Thompson notes, this practice of noticing and recording can also enrich our lives beyond writing:

"It changes how you view the world and also how you view other people. I started writing for me, but as you continue doing it, you kind of start to see like you're becoming all of other people also, their quirks, their nuances. I like human beings again, so it's kind of interesting because I'm comfortable in me."

B. Crafting engaging introductions using the "CIA" framework:

Another key insight from the masterclass is the importance of crafting strong, engaging introductions that hook readers from the very first lines. Thompson presents the "CIA" framework as a memorable acronym for structuring compelling openings:

• Conversation: Begin with dialogue that piques curiosity and draws readers in

• Introspection: Reveal the protagonist's internal thoughts, fears, or doubts to create relatability

• Action: Start with a compelling event or scene that immediately captures attention

Practical application: When drafting a story or essay, experiment with different opening lines and paragraphs that employ one of these three techniques. For example:

• Conversation: "'I can't believe you just said that,' she whispered, her eyes widening in disbelief."

• Introspection: "As I stood at the edge of the cliff, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was about to make a terrible mistake."

• Action: "The car screeched to a halt, its headlights illuminating the dark, deserted street."

Try out multiple versions of your introduction, each employing a different "CIA" technique, and see which one most effectively grabs your reader's attention and sets the tone for your story.

C. Using storytelling techniques to create emotional resonance:

A third key insight from Thompson's masterclass is the power of storytelling techniques to create emotional resonance and forge lasting connections with readers. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, authenticity, and tapping into universal human experiences to create stories that linger in readers' minds and hearts.

Practical application: When developing a story idea, ask yourself: What is the emotional core of this narrative? What universal human experiences or emotions does it tap into (e.g., love, loss, fear, joy, belonging)? How can I infuse my characters and their arcs with authenticity and vulnerability?

As you draft your story, look for opportunities to layer in specific, sensory details that make the emotions feel vivid and tangible. Use figurative language (like metaphors and analogies) to help readers connect abstract feelings to concrete images and experiences.

For example, in describing a character's grief, you might write:

"The weight of her sorrow pressed down on her chest like a boulder, making each breath a struggle. The once vibrant colors of her life had faded to a dull, lifeless gray, as though a part of her had been ripped away, leaving behind a ragged, gaping hole."

By focusing on the emotional truth of your story and using evocative language to bring that truth to life, you can create narratives that resonate deeply with readers and linger in their hearts long after they've finished reading

RECORDING RESOURCES (PAID SUBSCRIBERS ONLY)

• Presentation slides

• Resources shared

• AI timestamps

• AI chapter summaries

• Chat transcript

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What Makes The Session Special

We asked campers what they liked the most about our past sessions, and the answer was loud and clear:

“More workshopping. Less theory.”

We listened, and this mini-course is all about workshopping.

During the session, you will:

• Write a Substack note based on principles and techniques taught in the session.

• Get feedback from Michael, Tom, and/or I on that note.

• Have your note featured in an email that goes out to all 1,000+ subscribers of this newsletter.

Bottom line: You will walk away from tomorrow’s mini-course with:

• Michael Thompon’s most important storytelling lessons

• A finished note

• Traffic to your note

Quick Deets

• Date: Thursday, September 26

• Time: 11:00am-1:30pm EST

• Guest: Michael Thompson

• Co-Hosts: Michael & Tom

• Who gets access:

  • Free Subscribers: Access the first 30 minutes of the course

  • Paid Subscribers: Access the live course and full recording

About Michael Thompson

• Storytelling coach extraordinaire

• Writing featured in Fast Co. and Forbes

• 80,000+ followers on Medium

• Writing has been read by 10M+ people

• Author of Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out

How To Join Call

If you’re not an official paid Substack Campfire camper, click on the button below to join us. After you subscribe, you can come back to this page and scroll below, and you will see the Zoom link to join the call.

Subscribe now

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• Connoisseuring a great storytelling note

• Writing your own note based on what you learned

• Getting feedback on your note

• Posting the note on Substack Notes

In other words, the courses are focused on workshopping your stories, not learning abstract principles!

About The Monthly Storytelling Courses

The purpose of the monthly storytelling courses is to help you:

• Mine your life for stories worth sharing

• Rewrite your narrative

• Find your authentic voice that helps you standout

• Craft your anchor stories that you share on Notes, your About page, and in your articles.

The first course is with Tom and I’s dear friend, Michael Thompson.

Who Gets Access

• Free Subscribers: Access a 30-minute preview of the course via the recording

• Paid Subscribers:

  • Access all 9 monthly courses (live and on-demand)

  • Access three annual note writing challenges

Subscribe now

Quick Details

• Date: Thursday, September 26

• Time: 11:00am-1:30pm EST

• Guest: Michael Thompson

• Co-Hosts: Michael & Tom

About Michael Thompson

Source: Kristina God

• Storytelling coach extraordinaire

• Writing featured in Fast Co. and Forbes

• Writing has been read by 10M+ people

• Author of Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out

What We’ll Cover In Class

• Michael’s quick life story

• Michael’s top lessons on storytelling

• Michael deconstructs a note he wrote line-by-line

• You write and post a note using the principles and template you learned in class

• You get feedback on your note and comment on other’s notes

Examples Of Michael’s Viral Storytelling Notes On Substack

The early bird offer for Substack Campfire 2.0 ends tomorrow (Friday). If you sign up before then, you get:

• $200 off

• A free 30-minute coaching call with Tom or I ($250 value) to talk strategy or workshop one of your notes.

This will be the least expensive Substack Campfire ever is.

So, if you’ve been thinking about joining, now is the time!

Get Early Bird Offer Now

Substack Campfire 2.0 Details

Yesterday, wrote a great post about how Mini Memoirs can help you succeed on Substack. His post encapsulates our #1 lesson learned from Substack Campfire 1.0 in July:

Substack Campfire 1.0 Lesson Learned:
1. Notes are an incredible vehicle to grow on Substack.
2. Sharing your authentic personal story is the #1 way to grow on Notes.

Because of this lesson and our mutual passion for storytelling, Tom and I decided to turn Substack Campfire 2.0 into a Substack Notes Personal Storytelling Incubator.

You can scroll to the bottom of this post to get a summary of the offer, but before that I wanted share a story about why I personally am so excited about storytelling…

Yesterday was a long day.

Work. Kids. Pickleball.

Each dead tired, my wife and I plopped down on the couch around 9:30pm.

One thing led to another. The TV turned on.

She doesn’t like zombie movies much, but I took a chance and floated World War Z. It’s a top-tier zombie movie, I told her. Trust me.

She nodded affirmatively, but wasn’t happy about it.

I'd seen it before. Five times. Maybe more. But it was good to see it new. To see it through her eyes.

My wife and I weren’t alone.

Last night, a significant percent of the human population sat down to watch a movie, read a story, or share a story. Then, they went to bed and spent hours dreaming more stories.

We're a busy bunch, us humans. Serious too.

Yet, we spend probably a quarter of our life immersed in story. 20 years! 20 years of people’s stories on Reddit, This American Life, Chicken Soup for The Soul, or in a religious text. Twenty years of vampires loving humans, while fighting the urge to kill them. Twenty years of Liam Neeson going back to violence to make things right.

We need stories like we need air. No matter how tired. No matter how busy. We find time.

They've done studies on stories. But those twenty years tell me everything I need to know.

When the movie ended, she looked at me. "It wasn't so bad," she said.

I nodded. It wasn't. Not with her there.

This brings me back to Substack Notes

Here’s what I now believe.

People desperately want to share their authentic stories with each other.

But, sharing on other social media platforms is brutal:

• You don’t know who will read your writing.

• Therefore, it’s hard to tell if you’re over-sharing.

• The number of likes is posted right next to your story.

• So, if you get too few likes, the vulnerability inside is deadly.

So, most people play it safe. They share decontextualized hot takes and life hacks based on templates that worked in the past and that anyone else could’ve written.

Many writers don’t like creating the stuff, so they get AI or a ghostwriter to do it. And many readers don’t actually like scrolling social media, but their addicted.

It’s like a gamble pulling a dopamine slot machine lever, knowing it's rigged but unable to stop.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Enter Substack and Substack Campfire.

Substack broadly is filled with creators who appreciate authentic stories of people’s lives more than the same-old hacks. And with the Substack Campfire community, writing stories becomes safe and enjoyable as we develop our skills and find our voice together in community.

Collectively, we have an opportunity to create a more authentic, personal version of social media.

Yes, it sounds pollyanish. But, we truly believe it.

There are two other reasons I love storytelling…

#1. Personal storytelling is how to succeed in an AI era

The first reason is practical.

Over the last year, I’ve spent 1,000+ hours studying, using, and writing about AI. I now believe that AI will get better at collecting, synthesizing, and sharing ideas than almost all humans in the next few years. This will undoubtedly and fundamentally transform the creator economy.

But, and this is a big but, AI will never have its own story.

No matter how good AI is at writing like Hemingway and sharing ideas like Gladwell, there won’t be a human behind the words for readers to connect to. This is important because people love to connect with other people. Take chess for example. AI could beat the best chess players in the world 20 years ago, but human-to-human chess has never been more popular.

In my humble opinion, we creators succeed in the future by fully owning our humanity while collaborating with AI to augment our abilities.

#2. Personal storytelling leads to growth

The second reason is personal.

When we craft our stories, we craft ourselves. When we change how we see ourselves, we change the trajectory of our lives. For example, when we take new perspectives on our life’s stories, our history can become a source of gratitude and resourcefulness rather than a source of victimhood, insecurity, or disappointment.

The most important story we will ever tell is our own.

The most important reader we will ever have is ourselves.

With that said…

Our vision for Substack Campfire 2.0 is to…

Be a storytelling incubator to help you practice the skill of sharing your story on Substack Notes with the support of community and expert feedback.

Our incubator will help you:

• Grow on Notes so you can attract followers and paid subscribers.

• Improve at storytelling so you can use the skill forever in every area of your professional life (speeches, bio, writing, interviews, courses, about page, etc).

• Build up a collection of stories you can anthologize, repurpose, or build upon.

What Substack Campfire 2.0 Includes

#1. Training (monthly mini-courses)

• Interview 10+ great storytellers on Substack

• Create 9 mini-courses with these writers focused on workshopping, not on theory

• Deliver 50+ hours of training about how to write better stories online

#2. Supportive Space To Practice
(3 month-long challenges + yearlong community

• Weekly threads to share your notes with the Substack Campfire community

• Comments and feedback from , , and I

• 3x annual intensive 30-Day Note challenges (daily threads)

Save $200 By Signing Up Now

To summarize what you get…

• Three Note-Writing challenges in 12 months ($1,500 value)

• Dozens of trainings, interviews, and monthly mini courses ($2,500 value)

• Ongoing year-long support from the community ($1,000 value)

That’s a $5,000 value.

Normally the price for an annual membership is $995 per year.

But until this Friday, August 30, you can sign up for $795 per year.

Get $200 off an annual subscription right here…

Get Early Bird Offer

Or, if you just want access to our library of trainings, weekly threads, and community for one month, sign up on our monthly plan for $195.

To learn about the full offer, visit the What’s Included page.

One month ago, Michael and I wrapped up the first Notes Challenge at the Substack Campfire.

On the last day, we received a flood of incredible testimonials.

• Jari grew his publication to 400+ subscribers.

• Nik grew by 450 followers.

• April wrote “I can’t recommend Substack Campfire program enough!! The community is so supportive and the teachers are doing exactly what they’re meant to be doing.”

• Ishita writes “My writing has a heartbeat now. It's alive, kicking, and more intentional. I've discovered themes I want to explore further and a voice that feels authentically mine.”

We received 16 thoughtful, long, beautiful testimonials from Campers. You can check them out here if you want to.

To be completely transparent, even Michael and I weren’t expecting this level of impact with the program.

It seemed like

• Growing on Substack and

• Writing better Notes

wasn’t even the most impactful part of this challenge!

Campers enjoyed the:

• Support

• Community

• Space to find their voice

• Accomplishment of posting consistently

the most!

Here’s what our ‘Campers’ have said about how supportive this community is:

“I feel like I can post anything without any worries.”

This is what I have noticed about the Substack Campfire community so far:

• It’s a safe space

• I feel like I can post anything without any worries

• Brilliant minds to learn from

• Diverse lifestyles and cultures to draw inspiration from

• “I am happy to help if I can” mindset

• Good vibes

• Givers not takers

-Ethan Musolini

Executive Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Author

“The campfire has been a real gift to me.”

“This campfire group has been a real gift to me. It is awesome to have a global writing community filled with positive encouraging people here to serve. I feel like the group mirrors the hearts of our founders, Tom Kuegler ⛺🪵🔥 and Michael Simmons 🪵🔥 ⛺, who I have found over years of being their students to have servants’ hearts.”

-Kristin van Tilburg 🔥🪵 ⛺️

“I’ve never felt such a safe space with my writing.”

“I know that when Tom and Michael came up with the name Campfire, they really meant it to be a community sharing all our wisdoms as people do around a campfire. I feel like we are a tribe, warmed by the fire of our commitment to writing. I’ve never felt such a safe space with my writing.”

-Teri Leigh 💜⛺️🪵🔥

Mindfulness Coach

It’s almost like the value of this program wasn’t growth—it was the triumph of NOT shouting into the void. Of being seen. Of finding an actual audience.

expressed similar sentiments here. 👇

Mini Memoir Writing

Michael and I were also surprised with the kinds of Notes Campers were publishing.

We called them “mini memoirs,” because, well, they were mini memoirs!

Here’s one from Substack camper Laurie Morin that made me cry...

Go ahead. Read it. How did it make you feel? Were you nourished reading that? We were, too.

You know what the internet needs?

More posts like THAT. Raw, authentic, and highly personal.

Just someone bearing their soul to the world, and telling us a story that makes us reflect on what it means to be human.

Why can’t we build a home on the internet for stuff like that?

Well, that’s exactly what we’ve decided is the north star for the Substack Campfire. We’re trying to create the internet we want to see in the world.

Here’s another heart-wrenching story from Teri Leigh 💜⛺️🪵🔥 about her best friend.

Mini Memoirs Perform Better

Our ‘Campers’ also noticed that personal stories performed better than Notes without stories in them, as Christopher Landriau ⛺ 🪵🔥 expresses below 👇

To prove that point, here’s another Mini Memoir that performed well for a member of our community, Michael Thompson.

During our first challenge, Michael gained 470 total subscribers, with 311 of them coming from Notes specifically. 👇

Nik gained over 200 subscribers and 450 followers.

Sinem Günel gained over 500 subscribers to her publication, Write • Build • Scale.

“Wait, Tom, so you’re telling me that personal stories not only “un-gunk” the internet but also perform better on Substack?”

Yes. That’s what we’re finding.

Personal stories:

• Are more fun to write

• Perform better on Substack

• Are the key to monetization

Michael Simmons made the connection between monetizing and being yourself in a recent live training:

And we see this over and over again on Substack all the time. My friend Kelton writes a publication called Shangrilogs, which has hundreds of paid subscribers. All she does is post one deeply personal free article per week, and one paid article per week. It’s worked well for her so far, and many people pay her to read her work.

The fact is, you have to make your audience feel something if you want a snowball’s chance in hell of them paying you.

Without feeling something, they will never support you.

And stories cut through the unemotional red tape of the internet and get right to the good stuff. They make connections.

Right, Michelangelo?

Right.

Why exactly do mini memoirs perform so well? Well,

• They’re innately emotional, which resonate with audiences

• The details are interesting because they’re unique

• They’re relatable

It’s a slam dunk.

Guess what? Emotion, unique details, and relatability are the foundation of great writing. By learning storytelling, you’re learning how to be a better writer.

But we’ve also found that mini memoirs are easier to write, since it’s your story. That ease of writing gives initial confidence to our students.

Write Your Full Memoir Eventually

And look, how many of you have always wanted to write a memoir?

*SEES ALL THE HANDS GO UP*

Okay, great! The first step towards writing a memoir is to start diving into your best stories one by one. Something about writing a 50,000+ word manuscript feels a little, what’s the right word? DAUNTING, doesn’t it? Yeah, it does.

Enter mini memoirs! A perfect proving ground to write short stories about your life and see what resonates most with your audience on Notes.

And you know what else? Writing short stories on Substack Notes will make you an overall better storyteller. The best writers use less words to convey more.

It just makes sense to start with bite-sized Notes before you write a 50,000-word memoir. I mean, I’m not going to climb Mount Everest on my second day as a hiker.

Create A Better Internet

But forget all of that for a second.

Don’t you want to read good shortform posts? You know, stuff that doesn’t talk about all the millions of dollars someone made online last month that makes you want to gouge your eyes out?

Gosh, I do, too.

Don’t you want to be part of a better internet?

Our student, Svetlana, summed up the difference between the genuine nature of Substack Notes and the disingenuous mess of platforms like LinkedIn perfectly:

Mini Memoir writing IS the ticket to a more genuine, heartfelt, and connective internet.

And we hope you can join us as we try to revolutionize shortform writing on Substack.

Join Our Story Incubator

Over the next 12 months, Michael and I will:

• Interview 10+ great storytellers on Substack

• Create monthly mini-courses with these writers

• Deliver 50+ hours of training about how to write better stories online

We will also give you the space to write these mini stories with our community via:

• Weekly threads

• 3x annual intensive Note challenges

You’re not just getting the instruction. You’re getting the whole state-of-the-art Practice Facility to create your stories and get support!

Sharing in a community guarantees that your story will be received and give you the fodder of what resonates. 

Teri talked about how this community—and Substack as a whole—has been the best experience of her writing career. 👇

The proof is in the pudding. Here’s a list of incredible stories that were published in our community recently.

Monthly Mini Courses (NEW)

On July 1st, I did a free Notes Training where I taught 90+ live participants how to write a Note line-by-line. People absolutely loved it.

Students received:

• 1 Note to post

• Insight into my writing process

• Principles for writing future Notes

It was active learning in the purest sense.

I’ve done a few more of them since July 1st.

told me she rearranges her schedule to attend these trainings!

Michael and I had the idea to start doing similar Note workshops with other Substack writers. We’re happy to announce that we’ll be featuring in our first monthly mini course in September.

Michael has:

• 83,000 followers on Medium

• A recently published book called Shy By Design

He’s also, personally, the best writer I know, and one of the best storytellers on the internet.

Here’s a viral Note of his that I really enjoyed:

These monthly mini courses include:

1. 30 minute interview

2. 60 minute write-with-me session (Note template)

3. 30 minutes of live editing with Michael

These mini courses are a great opportunity to:

• Witness the process of professional writers

• Ask them questions

• Gather “tricks” to use in future Notes

• Become a better storyteller

Our focus for these mini courses will always be on storytelling, and we’ll ask each guest to show how to write a Note with a story inside it.

So, that’s a fun addition we’ve put in!

Our Next 4-Week Notes Challenge

We’re happy to announce that our next Notes challenge runs from October 28 - November 22.

We’ll end just before Thanksgiving.

Here’s a tentative schedule of our four 90-minute live sessions for our November Challenge. Every call will take place at 11 AM EST.

1. Monday, October 28: The State of Notes in November 2024

2. Monday, November 4: Live group call with the community (Q/A included)

3. Monday, November 11: Viral Note Template + Workshop with Tom

4. Monday, November 18: Live group call with the community (Q/A included)

All classes are recorded.

PSA: State of Notes in November 2024 will be about the best current strategies on Notes, along with examples, mini-templates, and guiding principles for success.

PSA: Viral Note Template + Workshop is a 90-minute workshop where you learn how to write a viral Note line-by-line with Tom.

Early Bird Offer

Michael and I are running a super early bird offer to join our annual community.

To summarize what you get…

• Three Note-Writing challenges in 12 months ($1,500 value)

• Dozens of trainings, interviews, and monthly mini courses ($2,500 value)

• Ongoing year-long support from the community ($1,000 value)

That’s a $5,000 value.

Normally the price for an annual membership is $995 per year.

But until this Friday, August 30, you can sign up for $795 per year.

Get $200 off an annual subscription right here.

You can get three challenges, dozens of trainings, and ongoing year-long support for just $795 annually.

If you just want access to our library of trainings, weekly threads, and community for one month, sign up on our monthly plan for $195.

Cheers everyone!

Hello Camper!

Michael and I wanted to provide you with some Orientation videos explaining how the Substack Campfire works. Down below there’s 20 or so minutes of material that will explain literally everything.

To save yourself some time, click the three dots in the bottom right corner of these videos, select “playback speed,” and set it to anything above 1x speed.

Throw a comment down below if any questions come up for you.

What’s Included In The Substack Campfire

Your Ideal Daily Routine During The Note Challenge

How To Share Your Notes In The Daily + Weekly Threads

How To Get Links To Upcoming Events

How To Find Links To Recorded Trainings And Interviews

Again, if you have any questions, please send these in to us down below in the comments.

Russell has:

• 800+ paid subscribers on Substack

• Is a USA Today bestselling author

• Has sold 1+ million copies of his dozens of fiction and nonfiction books

• Deeply understands how to monetize Substack newsletters with sponsorship, courses, consulting, speaking, and Kickstarter

But, even more than his accomplishments, I appreciate who Russell is:

• He is a polymath. He has a deep understanding of how to marry the best of the business world and the best of the art world. This means he understands how to monetize being an authentic, joyful creator.
  

• He is a hardcore experimenter. Most creators have just one newsletter, one way of monetizing, and are in one niche. Russell has 5+ newsletters, 5+ monetization methods, and plays in 5+ niches. This means he has way more experience to pull from that can be customized to work for you. And rather than repeating all of his experiments, you can shortcut the process and just copy the winning approaches.
  

• He is a deep thinker. He knows amazing hacks that work, but he has also collected many extremely helpful frameworks.
  

• He is generous. He has very generously and openly shared his lessons learned with me and many others. And even more than his lessons, he is extremely open about his metrics so you can see the exact results of his experiments. This is rare.

Bottom line:

Russell is one of the most unique and special creators that I’ve met on Substack so far. You’ll love tomorrow’s session.

Free subscribers get access to the first 30 minutes of the recording.

Paid subscribers get access to the live interview and the full recording.

Zoom Link For Live Session
(paid subscribers only)

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