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My First MillionThe 3-Step Writing Framework That Helped Us Build +$10M Newsletters
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At a glance
WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT
Shaan Puri and Sam Parr's Practical Framework for Writing That Persuades
- The hosts argue writing is persuasion at scale and a tool for clear thinking, since bad writing exposes bad thinking and writing itself generates new ideas.
- Their process starts with the end in mind (the desired emotion, action and single memorable line), then moves through copywork warmups, a fast ugly draft, an incubation break, and heavy editing.
- On the page, they advise leading with the strongest sentence, creating a curiosity gap, writing like you talk, using short sentences, and keeping reading level around fifth to eighth grade.
- For storytelling, Shaan explains that stories need an intention and an obstacle with real emotional stakes, ideally in low-stakes situations, and both hosts illustrate with examples like the Hint Water article, Louis C.K. and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
- They close with resources such as Stephen King's On Writing, comedians and true crime podcasts, plus the advice to write about what you genuinely nerd out on so your content is simply you pushed out.
IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING
5 ideasDecide the reaction, action and one-line takeaway before writing
Shaan learned from Chris Quigley to work backward from an emotion, then pick the action the reader should take and the one sentence they should remember. Sam similarly writes a headline and subheadline instead of an outline.
Bad writing usually signals unclear thinking
Shaan says people who say they're bad writers often haven't clarified their idea, and writing also generates new ideas. Sam adds that long-form writing can't hide bad thinking the way a PowerPoint can, which is why Bezos banned PowerPoint at Amazon.
Separate drafting from editing with an incubation gap
Both hosts bang out a fast, bad draft, step away for anywhere from 90 minutes to days, then edit with fresh eyes. Shaan says he used to over-polish drafts and edit immediately, which left him fatigued and doubtful.
Warm up with copywork and keep a swipe file
Copying writing you love by hand for 10 to 15 minutes primes your style and rhythm, like warming up before a workout. A swipe file of great phrases, headlines, openers and closers gives you material when you're stuck.
Open with the punch and create a curiosity gap
Shaan suggests covering all but the first two sentences and asking whether the reader would need to read the next one. The hosts say the lead must be paid off quickly, so a juicy headline isn't clickbait if it delivers.
WORDS WORTH SAVING
5 quotesBecause people remember sentences, not books, and so you have to think about that.
— Shaan Puri
the drafting step is actually where you're supposed to look stupid.
— Sam Parr
You know where, where you can hide bad thinking? In a PowerPoint.
— Sam Parr
If you would never talk about it, don't write about it.
— Shaan Puri
it ain't bait if I actually deliver on the promise.
— Sam Parr
High quality AI-generated summary created from speaker-labeled transcript.
