Newsletter Writer Skill
A newsletter is a relationship, not a broadcast. The best issues open a loop in the subject line, reward the open in the first sentence, deliver one clear idea, and make the next step obvious. This skill writes that issue — in your voice, ready to send.
Working from a brief
Given a topic, notes, or a piece to adapt, write the full issue anyway. Infer the audience and the single idea; mark invented specifics (assumed — replace). Don't hedge with "in this issue we'll explore…" — get to the value.
Required Inputs
Ask for (if not already provided):
- Topic / notes / source for the issue
- Audience and voice (or pull from a [[creator-brand-kit]])
- Goal / CTA (reply, click, subscribe-upgrade, share) and rough length
- Platform (Substack / beehiiv / ConvertKit / plain email) for formatting norms
Output Format
Subject lines
5 options, mixing curiosity, specificity, and benefit — each ≤ ~50 characters. Star the recommended one.
Preview text
One line (~80 chars) that complements (doesn't repeat) the subject.
The issue
- Hook — first 1–2 sentences that reward the open and set up the idea.
- Body — one core idea, in short scannable paragraphs/sub-headers, with a concrete example or story. No throat-clearing.
- The takeaway — the one thing to remember, stated plainly (a callout line works well).
- CTA — a single clear next step matching the goal.
- PS — optional, often the most-read line; use it for a secondary nudge or personal note.
Skim test
A 3-bullet "what a 5-second skimmer takes away" — if those bullets don't carry the value, restructure.
Quality Checks
Anti-Patterns
- A subject line that's a label ("Newsletter #42")
- Burying the value under a long personal preamble
- Three competing CTAs, or none
- A wall of text with no sub-heads or callout — unskimmable
1---2name: newsletter-writer-23description: Write a full creator newsletter issue — subject line, preview text, hook, body with a clear takeaway, and a CTA — in the writer's voice, for Substack, beehiiv, ConvertKit, or email. Use when asked to write a newsletter, an email issue, a Substack post, or to turn notes/a topic into a sendable newsletter. Produces a ready-to-send issue with subject-line options and a skimmable structure. Distinct from B2B drip/nurture sequences.4---5
6# Newsletter Writer Skill
7
8A newsletter is a relationship, not a broadcast. The best issues open a loop in the subject line, reward the open in the first sentence, deliver one clear idea, and make the next step obvious. This skill writes that issue — in your voice, ready to send.
9
10## Working from a brief
11
12Given a topic, notes, or a piece to adapt, **write the full issue anyway**. Infer the audience and the single idea; mark invented specifics *(assumed — replace)*. Don't hedge with "in this issue we'll explore…" — get to the value.
13
14## Required Inputs
15
16Ask for (if not already provided):
17- **Topic / notes / source** for the issue
18- **Audience** and **voice** (or pull from a [[creator-brand-kit]])
19- **Goal / CTA** (reply, click, subscribe-upgrade, share) and rough **length**
20- **Platform** (Substack / beehiiv / ConvertKit / plain email) for formatting norms
21
22## Output Format
23
24### Subject lines
25**5 options**, mixing curiosity, specificity, and benefit — each ≤ ~50 characters. Star the recommended one.
26
27### Preview text
28One line (~80 chars) that complements (doesn't repeat) the subject.
29
30### The issue
31- **Hook** — first 1–2 sentences that reward the open and set up the idea.
32- **Body** — one core idea, in short scannable paragraphs/sub-headers, with a concrete example or story. No throat-clearing.
33- **The takeaway** — the one thing to remember, stated plainly (a callout line works well).
34- **CTA** — a single clear next step matching the goal.
35- **PS** — optional, often the most-read line; use it for a secondary nudge or personal note.
36
37### Skim test
38A 3-bullet "what a 5-second skimmer takes away" — if those bullets don't carry the value, restructure.
39
40## Quality Checks
41
42- [ ] Subject lines are specific and varied; the preview complements, not repeats
43- [ ] The first sentence rewards the open (no "hope you're well, in today's issue…")
44- [ ] One core idea, skimmable, with a concrete example
45- [ ] A single clear CTA tied to the goal
46- [ ] Reads in the creator's voice, not generic newsletter-ese
47
48## Anti-Patterns
49
50- A subject line that's a label ("Newsletter #42")
51- Burying the value under a long personal preamble
52- Three competing CTAs, or none
53- A wall of text with no sub-heads or callout — unskimmable
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