NEWSLETTERS SUCK

THE SIMPLE NEWSLETTER - ISSUE # 001

Welcome to the very first edition of The Simple Newsletter! I’m genuinely grateful you’re here. This newsletter has been brewing in my mind for a while now, and I’m excited to finally share it with you. Here’s the plan—I’d like to make your time reading this worthwhile. No strings attached, just honest thoughts and lessons I’ve collected over the years. Sound good?

ADAM'S THOUGHT

Why start another newsletter?

There are so many newsletters out there. Why are people even writing them? That’s something I've been trying to figure out.

Most of the newsletters I’ve subscribed to are because I wanted to support the writer. I knew them in some way, and when they started a newsletter, I signed up. Maybe you’ve done the same.

But here’s where things go sideways. After subscribing, I’d start reading the emails... and honestly, some of them had value. Then, bam!

Suddenly, there’s a pitch—a call to action, some exclusive opportunity, or a product they want me to buy.

And boom, I’d feel kind of gross.

Tell me you haven’t had this happen to you. You start reading, thinking, "Oh, this is interesting," and then—wham!—it's sales mode. It’s confusing, right? You thought they just wanted you to read their newsletter but, it turns out, they wanted more from you.

After a while, you start dreading seeing that newsletter pop up in your inbox. Instead of excitement, it turns into, "Ugh, what are they selling me now?"

WHAT THE SIMPLE NEWSLETTER IS ALL ABOUT

Here’s my promise to you. This newsletter will not do that.

I mean it.

For about a decade now, I’ve been keeping a personal journal—just little thoughts I’ve had and lessons I’ve learned. These are things that have helped me become a better person, a better business owner, father, husband, and overall human. They’ve brought real value to my life, and I think they might bring value to yours too.

Instead of keeping those lessons to myself, I want to share them with you here. No hidden motives. No pitches. No tricks. I truly believe that if you’re taking time to read this, that’s already a huge investment of trust. I respect that—and I’m not going to waste your time trying to sell you something.

If what I share here resonates with you, great. If it helps you become even a little bit better in some area of your life, even better. And if you’re curious about the other things I’m working on, I trust that you’ll reach out and find that on your own.

But for now, this space is just about sharing ideas—freely, openly, and without any agenda.

THOUGHT RECAP

I shared my thoughts earlier about how newsletters seem to have lost their way. Most of them feel more like sales pitches than genuine connections. Instead of making readers feel valued, they create distrust.

Now, here’s the lesson.

ADAM'S LESSON

Stop tricking people.

It’s everywhere—lead magnets, free offerings, and “exclusive” opportunities. We all know what these are, don’t we? They’re just gateways to sell more stuff. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Instead, try this approach. Really give value—true, honest-to-goodness value. If what you offer is worthwhile, people will naturally want to learn more about you. They might even become customers, refer others to you, or simply be grateful for the help you’ve already given. That’s how genuine relationships work.

And honestly, some of you are giving away things you shouldn’t. I see people offering things like free financial plans—a whole financial plan, for no charge! You could be charging for that because the plan itself is inherently valuable. But instead, it’s just used as bait to get someone to move their portfolio over.

Here’s what I’m saying. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Don’t manipulate. People aren’t easily fooled anymore. This isn’t 1997. They see right through it.

When you’re honest, genuine, and upfront, it saves everyone time—including your own. If there’s something you’re offering that comes with a price, own it. Charge for it like the valuable thing it is. And when you offer something free, make sure it’s from a place of real generosity, not as a gimmick to reel someone in.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Thanks for sticking with me through this first issue of The Simple Newsletter. I hope this hit home for you and gave you some fresh perspective—or at least got you thinking.

At the end of the day, it’s about building trust and being human. That’s what I’m aiming for with this newsletter and everything I share.

And one last thing—don’t worry, I’m not about to hit you with some CTA or pitch. Just kidding. Or am I?

Take care,

Adam Thomas Hurd

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