How Does Newsletter Mogul Sam Parr Write Viral Articles? Inside His Mind

TL;DR

Sam Parr writes viral articles by thinking clearly, making ideas concrete and visual, promising value at the top, and testing memorable phrases in conversations. He says every word must serve a purpose and repeatedly adjusts wording based on people's reactions. Read on for his approach to colloquial copy, persuasive design, brand inspiration, and repetition.

Transcript

you don't have to think clearly necessarily to be a good speaker but you have to think clearly in order to be a great writer how did you figure out how to write viral articles I was like well hold on a minute let me do this math if I get a million people to subscribe to my newsletter and I email them every day I bet you I could make like $2 million... Read More

Key Insights

• Clear thinking is crucial for writing effectively, as it ensures coherent and engaging content.
• Successful viral articles often start with captivating headlines and strong opening sentences.
• Colloquial copywriting, which mimics natural speech, helps build trust and connect with audiences.
• Repetition in storytelling can make messages more memorable and persuasive.
• Platforms like Reddit can be powerful for distributing content and attracting new subscribers.
• Combining elements from different sources can create unique and compelling narratives.
• Onboarding emails and other 'forgotten texts' are opportunities to reinforce brand voice and engage readers.
• Studying historical writing techniques, such as those in 'The Elements of Eloquence,' can enhance modern copywriting skills.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Sam Parr write viral articles?

Sam Parr recommends clear thinking, concrete and visual ideas, and a promise at the top. He also tests phrases in conversations, watches people's reactions, and changes wording when a phrase does not connect.

Q: What is Sam Parr's newsletter business model?

Parr calculated that if he gained a million newsletter subscribers and emailed them every day, he might make about $2 million a month. He says that realization changed his life.

Q: How does Sam Parr develop website copy?

Parr says phrases aloud during phone or Zoom conversations and observes how people react. If a phrase gets a visible response, he keeps it, while weaker phrasing gets revised or discarded.

Q: What does colloquial copy mean to Sam Parr?

Parr describes colloquial copy as arranging words to make people feel a certain way. He contrasts it with direct marketing copy, which can use thousands of words and established frameworks to lead readers toward a purchase.

Q: How should copy and design work together?

Parr says copy should look good as well as communicate effectively. He calls the combined feel of a landing page its texture and says having both effective copy and design is ideal.

Q: What advertising inspired Sam Parr's writing and branding?

Parr studies full-page Wall Street Journal and New York Times advertisements from the 1970s and 1980s. He also cites old Porsche and Rolex campaigns, especially their mix of sophistication, sport, and memorable phrasing.

Q: How did Sam Parr shape his brand's voice and visual identity?

Parr wanted a voice that felt professional and elite while remaining cheeky and fun. He combined British racing green, associated in the interview with old Jaguars and Triumph Motorcycles, with phrasing influenced by Felix Dennis.

Q: Why does Sam Parr emphasize repetition and memorable phrasing?

Parr says effective leaders repeat the same ideas constantly and refine individual words through repeated telling. He views each social interaction as an opportunity to test a pitch and believes memorable phrasing strengthens that repetition.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Definition: Clear writing requires clear thinking, even though good speaking does not necessarily require it.

• Step 1: Make the idea concrete and visual, then place a promise at the top.

• Step 2: Say candidate phrases during phone or Zoom conversations and watch how people react.

• Step 3: Keep phrases that produce a visible response, then revise wording that does not connect.

• Definition: Colloquial copy uses carefully chosen words to create a particular feeling.

• Compare: Direct marketing copy guides readers toward buying, while Parr's colloquial copy emphasizes how words look and feel.

• Tool: Full-page Wall Street Journal and New York Times ads from the 1970s and 1980s provide writing inspiration.

• Tool: Old Porsche and Rolex campaigns demonstrate the sophisticated yet sporty tone Parr admires.

• Number: Parr imagined emailing a million newsletter subscribers every day and making about $2 million a month.

• Definition: Landing-page texture is the unified way its copy feels, reads, and works with design.

• Step 4: Repeat the same story, adjust individual words, and test the pitch during social interactions.