This is my first newsletter in English for many years - and I'm quite happy the moment I write to you.
I love the English language. ❤️ It was my favourite subject at school and I spend 90% of my reading time on English books. I also write in English whenever I get the chance.
You might be thinking: Why are you starting to write newsletters in English now, when Danish is your native language?
Since I published my second book Build Your Audience in 2020, I've wanted to write a weekly newsletter in English.
But I put too high expectations on myself and lost the spark - also because I was trying to do too many things at once.
Now the desire has returned. I've got the spark again. And when I need to find my reason to do something, I always make a tagline for myself.
I read it over and over again and adjust it until it feels right. And it does now. That's why I'm writing this first newsletter to you after many years.
My tagline is:
I teach you how to craft compelling words, engage your audience, and turn your writing into sales.
For me, writing is about expressing yourself, getting your message across and writing something that brings joy and helps other people - your readers - who can later become your customers.
Writing gives me an outlet for my creative ideas and thoughts. And I think that's true for anyone who writes - whether it's short or long and wherever it's published.
I love writing newsletters (my favourite medium), but also books, blog posts, short posts and much more.
I actually got the idea for this newsletter when I read a post on LinkedIn by Steven Bartlett, where he wrote about Ikigai - a Japanese term meaning ‘a reason for being’. It asks four questions:
- What do you love?
- What are you good at?
- What can you get paid for?
- What does the world need?
If something answers all four, you've found your Ikigai - your reason for being.
Here are my answers to the four questions. Maybe they can inspire you.
What do you love?
I love writing and expressing myself - through storytelling, copywriting, writing with AI, books and much more.
For me, it's not about what I write, but how I can entertain and help the reader. It has to make sense - both for me and for the reader.
I've dreamed of writing since I was a kid in the school library and borrowed my first real book - written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the man behind Sherlock Holmes. This is where my dream of being a writer was born.
What are you good at?
I think I'm a good writer - and luckily, many clients have paid me for my copywriting skills. I've written emails, newsletters, landing pages and much more for them.
All the experience I've gained - and my interest in AI - I want to pass on to you. Especially through this newsletter.
What can you get paid for?
In addition to copywriting, I've spent the last three years teaching people how to write with AI - without losing the personality and quality of their text.
Right now, there is far too much content written by a chatbot and published without personality. I want to help you and many others avoid that.
What does the world need?
I think the world needs people who communicate with people - and deliver content on a human level.
It might be a bit abstract, but as Steven Bartlett wrote in his post:
You don't build a business, you build people. And people build the business.
I completely agree with him. In an age of screen time, AI-generated texts, images and videos at record pace, the most important thing is that we humans can feel each other - and be something to each other. Anything else doesn't make sense.
And the best part is: You can make a living and do something meaningful at the same time.
Where are we heading?
I'll ask a fifth question myself, because it's important to know where we're going - and why.
I know because my tagline says it clearly:
I teach you how to craft compelling words, engage your audience, and turn your writing into sales.
And the first step is this newsletter. I'll write to you every week and hope to give you something you can use - both in your life and your business.
If you like, please reply to this email with your answers to the four questions:
- What do you love?
- What are you good at?
- What can you get paid for?
- What does the world need?
P.S.
Do you know someone who might want to read this? Send them the newsletter - or have a chat with them about the questions. It can be a meaningful conversation in these digital times.
Kind regards,
René Hjetting
Your friend with the sharp pen 🖊️
I’ll teach you how to craft compelling words, engage your audience, and turn your writing into sales. Sign up for my newsletter, The Sharp Pen, and get weekly inspiration straight to your inbox.