How I Write Sam Parr: How To Make $2 Million A Month By Writing
Sam Parr, a master copywriter and the brains behind The Hustle and My First Million podcast, shares his journey of turning writing into a lucrative business. He reveals how he leveraged viral content and innovative strategies to grow his newsletter from 150,000 to 1.7 million subscribers. Sam discusses the art of compelling copywriting, the importance of catchy headlines, and building trust with audiences. He also dives into the significance of storytelling techniques and nurturing a unique writing community for success.
01:11:17
Headline Advice
- Make headlines concrete, visual, and attention-grabbing.
- Include a clear promise to keep readers engaged.
Newsjacking
- Find opportunities by identifying poorly framed news articles.
- Rewrite the headline to highlight the most interesting aspect.
Email vs. Blogs
- Email newsletters are a better platform for content than blogs.
- Email ensures consistent reach, unlike blogs which require daily visits.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
The Art of Copywriting and Storytelling
03:29 • 12min
Crafting Compelling Newsletters and Growth Strategies
15:36 • 20min
Exploring Rhetorical Devices in Language
35:08 • 2min
Writing, Imperfection, and Engagement
37:23 • 8min
Building a Unique Writing Community
44:55 • 19min
The Importance of Strong Brand Identity and Audience Alignment
01:04:24 • 1min
The Power of Writing: Shaping Ideas and Norms
01:05:51 • 5min
How to Get Rich
Felix Dennis
In 'How to Get Rich,' Felix Dennis shares his insights and experiences on building wealth. The book is distinct from other self-help or get-rich-quick guides as it emphasizes the importance of hard work, calculated risks, and ownership. Dennis discusses the necessity of execution over great ideas, the role of luck, and the need to overcome fear and embarrassment of failure. He also highlights the importance of maintaining control over one's business and the sacrifices required to achieve significant wealth. The book is known for its blunt and practical advice, reflecting Dennis's own journey from a college dropout to a multi-millionaire[2][4][5].
The elements of eloquence
Mark Forsyth
Elements of Eloquence is a witty and insightful guide to the art of rhetoric, exploring the secrets of crafting perfect phrases and sentences. Mark Forsyth examines various rhetorical devices and figures of speech, demonstrating their power and effectiveness in communication. The book is structured around different types of rhetorical figures, providing examples from literature and everyday language. Forsyth's engaging writing style makes complex linguistic concepts accessible to a wide audience. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in improving their writing and speaking skills.
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from Pencey Prep, as he spends three days wandering around New York City. The novel explores Holden's disillusionment with the world around him, his feelings of loneliness and disconnection, and his struggle to find genuine relationships. Despite his cynicism and criticism of others as 'phonies,' Holden reveals a deep emotional sensitivity, particularly in his interactions with his younger sister Phoebe. The book delves into themes of adolescent angst, the loss of innocence, and the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly superficial world[2][4][5].
Titan
The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Ron Chernow
This biography by Ron Chernow provides an in-depth look at John D. Rockefeller, Sr., the founder of Standard Oil and one of the most influential figures in American history. Drawing on unprecedented access to Rockefeller’s private papers, Chernow reconstructs Rockefeller’s troubled origins, his single-minded pursuit of wealth, and his profound religiosity. The book also delves into Rockefeller’s philanthropic efforts, including his generous donations to the Rockefeller Foundation, the University of Chicago, and Rockefeller University. Chernow’s narrative synthesizes Rockefeller’s public and private lives, revealing a complex and multifaceted individual who was both a ruthless businessman and a devoted philanthropist. The book captures a pivotal moment in American history, documenting the post-Civil War shift from small businesses to giant corporations and featuring cameos by notable figures such as Ida Tarbell, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan.
The Founders
The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley
Jimmy Soni
In 'The Founders', Jimmy Soni delves into the turbulent early days of PayPal, a company that would become one of the world's foremost payment platforms. With hundreds of interviews and unprecedented access to internal material, Soni chronicles the challenges faced by the founders, including bruising competition, internal strife, online fraud, and the dot-com bust of the 2000s. The book highlights how this group of entrepreneurs, often referred to as the 'PayPal mafia', went on to form, fund, and advise leading companies such as Tesla, Facebook, YouTube, SpaceX, and LinkedIn. It is a story of iteration, inventiveness, and the profound impact these individuals had on modern technology and entrepreneurship.
On human nature
Edward Osborne Wilson
In 'On Human Nature', Edward O. Wilson presents a naturalistic view of human nature, arguing that human behavior, including instincts, social behavior, and morality, has a biological basis grounded in thousands of millennia of evolution. Wilson challenges traditional views from religion and behaviorism, proposing that genetics and evolutionary theory can explain human behavior. He discusses topics such as aggression, altruism, and the role of religion and social structures as evolutionary outgrowths of the human brain. The book emphasizes the importance of sociobiology in understanding human nature and its complexities, including the interplay between individual and group selection forces that shape human behavior[2][4][5].
Shantaram
Gregory David Roberts
Shantaram is a novel based on the life of the author, Gregory David Roberts. The story follows Lindsay 'Lin' Ford, an Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escapes from prison and flees to India. In Bombay, Lin immerses himself in the city's underworld, befriending a local guide named Prabaker and becoming involved in various activities including setting up a free health clinic in the slums, working with the mafia, and experiencing the diverse and vibrant culture of India. The novel is a rich tapestry of emotions, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and the human condition, and is known for its vivid portrayal of life in Bombay in the 1980s.
American Kingpin
The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road
Nick Bilton
American Kingpin tells the story of Ross Ulbricht, a libertarian-leaning programmer who built the Silk Road, an online marketplace for drugs and other illicit goods on the dark web. The book details Ulbricht's transformation from a college dropout to the mastermind behind a billion-dollar drug empire, and his eventual capture by law enforcement. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, including the involvement of crooked FBI agents, murder-for-hire plots, and the complex interplay between technology, libertarian ideology, and law enforcement.
The passage of power
Robert A. Caro
The Passage of Power is the fourth volume in Robert A. Caro's monumental biography of Lyndon B. Johnson. It chronicles Johnson's most frustrating and triumphant years, from his powerful position as Senate Majority Leader to his powerless role as Vice President, and finally to his ascension to the presidency following JFK's assassination. The book provides a detailed account of Johnson's political genius and his transformative impact on American history during his early presidency.
Hellbound
JL Rothstein
Hellbound is a fantasy novel filled with supernatural battles between angels and demons, featuring a romantic storyline. It follows Deb as she navigates her feelings and the disappearance of Marcus, who is revealed to be in Hell.
Sam is a master copywriter and business builder. If there was ever somebody who knows how to turn online writing into cash, Sam is it.
In this episode, Sam shows how you can sell at scale and where to find the opportunities in the business of writing. We’ll teach you how to think through headlines, find content for your own writing, and torch the internet with your ideas.
Sam started in the early days of email newsletters and he was a master of writing viral content. He tells the story about plagiarizing his way onto Amazon’s bestseller list by looking at the intersection of romantic comedies, werewolves, and the Twilight Series. He combined many stories, self published his own book, sued by a publisher for plagiarizing, and ended up exploding on the self-publishing Reddit forum — all of which led to 1000s of new subscribers for his newsletter.
Since then, his success continues to multiply. First, by selling “The Hustle” for eight-figures to HubSpot. Then, by growing “My First Million” into one of the top ten business podcasts in the world. And now, he recently launched a company called Hampton.
One thing that stands out with Sam is how good he is at colloquial copywriting. His writing sells because it sounds like how people actually talk. First he builds trust with people. Then they open up their wallets. He gets people to open up their wallets by building trust with them very fast through writing. In this episode, he shows exactly how to do that.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesamparr
Website: https://www.Joinhampton.com
Podcast: https://www.mfmpod.com
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Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/
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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
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