Learn how Packy McCormick turned his witty and informative newsletter into a $40 million venture fund, emphasizing style, expertise, and value. Explore the art of crafting engaging online content and the evolution of writing processes. Discover insights on sponsored content, AI-generated images, and diverse views on the identity of Jesus. Reflect on endless possibilities in a world filled with unique insights waiting to be discovered.
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Quick takeaways
Developing a distinct and memorable style is crucial for attracting and retaining subscribers to your content.
Sharing domain expertise can help make complex topics accessible and engaging for a broader audience.
Adding value to readers by changing the way they think and creating long-lasting, quality content sets apart from disposable entertainment.
The synergy between writing and investing can deepen insights and provide a unique perspective on companies featured in sponsored posts.
Attracting individuals with profound insights and repelling those who may not contribute meaningfully is essential for fostering a community of serious writers and thinkers.
Deep dives
Writing Style and Process Insights
The speaker discusses their writing process and the importance of a good title, thumbnail, and first sentence in capturing readers' attention and setting the tone for the rest of the piece. They emphasize the importance of conveying excitement and genuine interest in the topic to engage readers.
Balancing AI Tools in Writing
The use of AI tools like GPT for generating content and assisting in the writing process is explored. The speaker discusses using AI for explanations, rephrasing, and providing alternate suggestions for words or phrases, highlighting the benefits and limitations of such tools.
Sponsored Content Strategy
The strategy behind sponsored content is detailed, focusing on the creation of unique sponsored deep dives that offer valuable insights and perspectives on companies. The speaker describes the selection process for companies to feature in sponsored posts, aiming to tell their stories in an engaging and informative way.
Intersection of Writing and Investing
The speaker reflects on the synergy between writing and investing, emphasizing how writing about companies deepens their understanding and insights as an investor. They highlight the value of storytelling and research in writing sponsored posts about companies, providing behind-the-scenes perspectives that resonate with founders.
Internet as a Platform for Expert Ideas
The discussion revolves around the transformative power of the internet in amplifying expert voices and ideas. The speaker stresses the importance of attracting individuals with profound insights and repelling those who may not contribute meaningfully, creating a platform for sharing and refining unique and deeply understood concepts.
Community Building Through Writing
The importance of community-building through writing is underscored, focusing on attracting individuals with core ideas to express while simultaneously repelling those who may not align with the community's goals. Building a community of serious writers and thinkers is seen as a key aspect of fostering meaningful engagement and collaboration.
Value of Attracting Deep-Thinking Writers
The intrinsic value of attracting writers with deep insights and ideas that they are passionate about is emphasized. The speaker discusses the impact of uncovering hidden gems of knowledge and unique perspectives, highlighting the rewarding experience of working with individuals who deeply understand and express their ideas.
Role of Digital Platforms in Amplifying Insights
Exploring how digital platforms have revolutionized the sharing of expert insights and ideas, the speaker delves into the power of online spaces to attract individuals with significant expertise and unique viewpoints. The discussion centers on the ability of digital platforms to amplify and showcase valuable contributions from knowledgeable writers.
Discovering Writing Process and Original Ideas
The podcast delves into the process of finding unique ideas and developing a writing style that reflects personal experiences and convictions rather than focusing solely on technical writing skills. It emphasizes the importance of authenticity and individuality in writing, highlighting the significance of having a sense of conviction and unique life experiences to create compelling content. The discussion revolves around how writers can attract audiences by offering unconventional perspectives and ideas.
Exploring Reading, Inspiration, and Self-Discovery in Writing
The episode explores the value of reading widely, including various genres like fiction, non-fiction, and sci-fi, to fuel inspiration and creativity in writing. It touches on the concept of enhancing writing by immersing oneself in different writing styles and ideas. Furthermore, it discusses the process of self-discovery through writing, where the act of consistently expressing personal fascinations and curiosities leads to a deeper understanding of oneself and the importance of aligning writing with one's true interests and convictions.
Packy McCormick is proof that writing online can attract real-world opportunities you never dreamed of. He went from 20 Substack subscribers to a $40 million venture fund — and he’s still growing. In this episode, we dive into the three main “how’s” of Packy’s growth.
First, he has a distinct, unforgettable style. His business-meets-memes newsletter, Not Boring, has amassed 220,000+ subscribers because his “funny finance guy” flair gives him an edge. Not to mention, it all started when he took the first-ever cohort of Write of Passage. (I may be biased, but seriously, that’s when it started.)
Next, Packy shares his domain expertise. He sees writing and investing as the perfect one-two punch. His goal? Share what he knows, and make a behind-the-scenes world accessible to the average audience.
And finally, Packy adds value to his readers. Relentlessly. Not by telling them what to think, but by trying to change the way they think. In a world filled with Beta content — cheap entertainment that disappears in 24 hours — Packy creates Alpha content — quality work that has long-term relevance.
Style. Expertise. Value. This is just a sneak-peek into our conversation. If you want to find your distinctiveness in a modern digital world, this episode is for you.
