how to build systematic growth, boring. brutal. better.

hey Builder,

Welcome to day 4 of “Write Your Newsletter. Grow Your Brand. It’s That Simple. Here’s How.”

Each day builds on the last, so if you missed Day 1, 2, or 3, definitely go back and read them. Or if you’re more of a visual learner, good news: there’s a video version of today’s lesson too.

Yesterday, I told you if no one sees your content, it doesn’t matter.

And it’s true.

But you know what’s also true… You don’t need a MASSIVE 1,000,000 person audience to succeed. More realistically, you need about 1,000.

Today, I’m going to show you the exact framework I’ve used to scale businesses to 8 figures (all while being relatively unknown).

It’s the same strategy that worked in 2011 and it’s the same strategy that works today. It’s an evergreen strategy that just works and will save you from chasing trends that don’t matter.

Alright, let’s rewind to 2011 to when I started online and all I had was a blog and a newsletter.

What I realized then is that I would have some blog posts that would do well and some that wouldn’t. The ones that did well were the giant guides.

The massive blog posts that really helped people with a problem. Also, these guides would get me the most leads and customers because it established me as an authority on a topic.

I wanted to get more eyeballs on these blog posts, so I would run ads just to a blog post and I’d have some calls to action to join my email list sprinkled throughout.

After someone joined the email list I would make an immediate low dollar offer to a product that could help them further based on the blog post that were consuming.

I’d then follow-up with them via email, provide value, help them where I could and then eventually pitch them a higher value offer and ascend them through my value ladder.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Here’s the simple version:

I’d run ads to a blog post (that post was also my newsletter)
That post had a CTA to join my list
After they subscribed, I’d offer something small but valuable
Then I’d follow up and build the relationship

That was it.

No shady tactics. No fake urgency.
Just value → trust → offer.

And it worked.
Over and over again.

Well, I just gave you the entire framework, so let’s break it down.

Step 1 - Create something awesome.

Step 2 - Get followers by getting as many eyeballs to it as possible, either organically or through simple paid ads. Today, that would be a boost on instagram or you can promote on YouTube. The thing about these ads is that you aren’t selling anything. You are simply trying to get awesome content in front of more people.

Step 3 - Funnel!

Let’s clear something up right now:

Funnels aren’t evil.
They’re just misunderstood.
A funnel is a path, a structured way to turn strangers into customers.

And if you’re great at what you do (which you are)…
You owe it to people to make that path clear.

Now here’s what matters:

You don’t need a fancy funnel.
You don’t need 12 pages or a 98-step nurture sequence.

You just need a next step for people who are ready.
That’s it.

✅ Like an email opt-in to your newsletter.

Step 4 - Follow-up.

Here’s the play:

Deliver value every week (even when you’re tired)
Tell stories that resonate
Share lessons in real time
Make offers when they’re ready
Keep showing up

This isn’t just about email marketing.
It’s about building something that lasts.

A brand.
A voice.
A business that works without you grinding 24/7.

And that’s it!!

This framework is something I stumbled on in 2011 and that I have refined over the last 10+ years.

The only thing that has changed is the medium. Blogs posts, to podcasts, to short-from video content, the long form youtube.

The strategy has stood the test of time, so long as I adapt to how to market is consuming its information.

So stop chasing the trends.

Follow my framework.

Scale your business.

Which I will be talking about tomorrow! How you can easily turn some of your best written content into a video version.

Until then, try harder.

, JM
P.S. My email marketing course, BETTER/LIST, is open for enrollment for the next few days. See if its what you have been looking for here.