I couldn’t believe that Samuel Thompson turned a boring idea into a multi-million business.

I tracked the 21-day timeline of Sam Thompson, an entrepreneur who turned an internet argument into a five-figure e-commerce case study. His experiment, HummingbirdFood.co, challenges the conventional wisdom of online business. It wasn’t a year-long R&D process; it was a 24-hour sprint born from spite.

Here is the chronological account of how a commodity was repackaged into a brand and the specific mechanics used to build it from scratch.

Someone just spent $236,000,000 on a painting. Here’s why it matters for your wallet.

The WSJ just reported the highest price ever paid for modern art at auction.

While equities, gold, bitcoin hover near highs, the art market is showing signs of early recovery after one of the longest downturns since the 1990s.

Here’s where it gets interesting→

Each investing environment is unique, but after the dot com crash, contemporary and post-war art grew ~24% a year for a decade, and after 2008, it grew ~11% annually for 12 years.*

Overall, the segment has outpaced the S&P by 15 percent with near-zero correlation from 1995 to 2025.

Now, Masterworks lets you invest in shares of artworks featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso. Since 2019, investors have deployed $1.25 billion across 500+ artworks.

Masterworks has sold 25 works with net annualized returns like 14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8%.

Shares can sell quickly, but my subscribers skip the waitlist:

Skip waitlist

_{*Per Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance not indicative of future returns. Important Reg A disclosures: masterworks.com/cd}

Phase 1: The Discovery (Day 0)

The inciting incident was trivial. Thompson received a photo from his mother: a pot of boiling water on a stove. Her caption: “Making hummingbird nectar.”

When pressed, she revealed the recipe was simply 1 part sugar and 4 parts water.

Suspecting a market inefficiency, Thompson investigated Amazon’s “Hummingbird Nectar” category. The data he uncovered was staggering:

• The Product: 64 oz jugs of pre-mixed sugar water.

• The Price: ~$11.00—$18.00 per unit.

• The Volume: Top listings had over 24,000 reviews.

• The Valuation: Applying a standard e-commerce review ratio (assuming 1 review per 50–100 sales), a single listing had likely generated $20 million to $30 million in lifetime revenue.

The Insight: Consumers were paying a 1,000% premium for convenience. They weren’t buying sugar; they were buying a finished chore.

Phase 2: The Catalyst (Day 0, Late Night)

Thompson posted his findings on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the absurdity of the “sugar water empire.”

A detractor—an anonymous account—replied immediately: “It’s not that easy.”

“He put a chip on my shoulder,” Thompson noted. “It sat wrong with me for 12 hours.”

This is a critical validation step often missed by founders. Thompson didn’t wait for a focus group. The polarized reaction to his data (disbelief vs. defense) confirmed that the market gap was real and emotionally charged. He decided to launch the next morning to prove the hater wrong.

Phase 3: The Supply Chain (Day 1, 8:00 AM)

Instead of contacting overseas suppliers, Thompson built a hyper-local, manual supply chain to bypass lead times.

• Sourcing: He drove to Smart & Final (a local bulk grocer) and purchased 50lb bags of white sugar for $39.97.

• Packaging: He sourced generic red pouch bags and a $20 heat sealer from Amazon.

• Manufacturing: The “factory” was his garage. Using a plastic scoop and a bucket, he manually weighed and sealed 2lb portions of sugar.

Cost Analysis (Per Unit):

• Raw Material: ~$1.60

• Packaging: ~$1.40

• Total COGS (Cost of Goods Sold): ~$3.00

Phase 4: The Digital Build (Day 1, 12:00 PM)

With physical inventory secured, Thompson turned to artificial intelligence to build the brand presence in under four hours.

1. Brand Identity: He prompted Midjourney to generate “premium hummingbird food packaging” visuals to guide the aesthetic.

2. Copywriting: ChatGPT wrote the product descriptions, emphasizing “premium nectar mix” over “sugar.”

3. Storefront: He utilized Shopify with the Solo Drop theme.

• Why Solo Drop? This theme is engineered for single-product funnels, removing the distractions of a traditional catalog-style website.

By early afternoon, HummingbirdFood.co was live. It was literally sugar in a bag, but digitally, it looked like a venture-backed CPG brand.

Phase 5: The Economics Pivot (Day 1, 4:00 PM)

As Thompson prepared to launch ads, the unit economics signaled a failure.

• Selling Price: $18.00

• Shipping Cost: ~$12.00 (Due to the weight of sugar)

• COGS: $3.00

• Projected CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost): $15.00+

The Crisis: Every sale would lose money.

The Solution: Thompson created a digital upsell to subsidize the physical costs. He spent 12 minutes prompting ChatGPT to write an eBook titled Hummingbird Attraction 101.

• Offer: A PDF guide on where to hang feeders and how to attract rare birds.

• Price: $14.00.

• Margin: 100%.

This is the “Hybrid E-commerce” model. The physical product is the hook; the digital product is the profit.

Phase 6: The Launch & Results (Days 2–14)

Thompson launched Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads targeting gardening interests and homeowners. He utilized “Advantage+ Placements,” allowing the algorithm to find the buyers.

The Numbers (First 14 Days):

• Total Revenue: ~$5,000

• Digital Attach Rate: 56%

• Significance: More than half of the customers who bought the sugar also bought the $14 eBook. This is nearly 3x the industry average for upsells (typically 10–20%).

• Net Result: The high attach rate of the digital product completely offset the shipping losses, making the campaign viable.

My Takeaway

Thompson’s experiment reveals a flaw in how most entrepreneurs approach business building. They obsess over the invention. Thompson invented nothing.

He identified a Market Demand (Hummingbird Nectar) and simply changed the Vehicle.

• Old Vehicle: Heavy, liquid jugs (expensive to ship, prone to mold).

• New Vehicle: Dry powder mix (cheaper, branded, bundled with education).

Status: The business is currently paused as Thompson negotiates with a 3PL (Third Party Logistics) provider to lower shipping costs from $12 to $5. If successful, he projects the “sugar water” operation could scale to seven figures seasonally.

Ben—The Grind & Growth.

We’ve all been there. You spend hours crafting a product, launch it to your email list, and… crickets.

The problem usually isn’t the product. It’s the "Ask-to-Give" ratio.

In the grappling world, we know you can’t submit someone if you haven’t established a dominant position first. You have to pass the guard, stabilize side control, and isolate the limb before you go for the finish.

Content marketing is identical. If you jump straight for the wallet (the submission) without establishing value (the position), you get swept.

Enter the 70/30 Content Rule.

The 70/30 Content Rule: Balancing Value and Sales!

The Framework

The 70/30 Rule is the "Golden Ratio" of content strategy. It dictates the balance between giving and asking.

• 70% Value-Driven Content: Educational, entertaining, or inspiring content that solves a problem without asking for a dime. This is "Deposit" content.

• 30% Sales-Driven Content: Direct offers, product launches, and clear calls to action (CTAs). This is "Withdrawal" content.

Most struggling creators flip this ratio. They treat their audience like an ATM, trying to withdraw cash without ever making a deposit.

The 70/30 Content Rule: Balancing Value and Sales!

Why It Works (The Data)

This isn’t just a "feel-good" theory. The data proves that value-first marketing outperforms the "hard sell" every time.

• Trust converts faster: Content marketing generates 3x more leads than traditional outbound marketing and costs 62% less.​

• Email is king (when used right): Email marketing acquires 40x more customers than Facebook and Twitter combined. But this only works if people open your emails.​

• ROI potential: For every $1 spent on email marketing, the average return is $44 (a 4400% ROI). This return is driven by the trust built during the 70% phase, not the aggression of the 30% phase.​

How to Execute the 70/30 Rule?

You don't need a math degree to apply this. You just need to tag your content before you hit publish.

1. The 70% (The "Deposit"): Your goal here is to build authority and trust. Stop talking about yourself and start talking about their problems.

• How-To Guides: "3 Ways to Fix Your [Common Problem]"

• Stories: "How I failed at X and what I learned."

• Industry Insights: "Why everyone is wrong about Y."

• The "Active Listening" Flip: In sales, the 70/30 rule says you should listen 70% of the time. In content, this means 70% of your words should be about the reader's pain points, not your solution.​

2. The 30% (The "Withdrawal"): When it’s time to sell, don’t be shy. Be direct. You’ve earned the right.

• Direct Offers: "I’m opening 5 spots for my coaching program."

• Urgency: "The price goes up in 24 hours."

• Social Proof: "Here is exactly how Client X got Result Y using my system."

3. The "Bridge"
The magic happens in the transition. You can blend the two by using value as the bridge to the sale.

• Example: "Here is a 5-step guide to fixing your guard retention (70%). If you want the full video library of these drills, click here to get my course (30%)."

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

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Join for free today!

Actionable Takeaway for This Week

Audit your last 10 pieces of content (emails, tweets, or posts).

• How many were pure value?

• How many were pure asks?

If your "Asks" are higher than 3 out of 10, stop selling for one week.

Commit to sending 3 pieces of pure, high-value content with zero pitch attached. Watch what happens to your open rates—and watch what happens to your sales when you finally do ask.

Build the position. Then go for the finish.

Talk soon,

Ben—The Grind & Growth.

Hi,

Did you know 95% of newsletter operators leave money on the table by not understanding how to properly monetize their audience? The other 5%? They’ve mastered SparkLoop—and they’re earning $2-$7 per subscriber while their competitors struggle with inconsistent sponsorship income.

I spent the last three weeks analyzing ADCC competition data (just kidding—but I did spend it researching real SparkLoop earnings data, affiliate structures, and monetization benchmarks).

Here’s what I discovered: Most newsletter creators don’t need a bigger audience. They need the right monetization strategy.

Exactly.

👉 Start Monetizing Your Newsletter in 10 Minutes. If you already have an email list, SparkLoop lets you earn $2–$7 per subscriber through vetted recommendations—on autopilot. Join SparkLoop Now (Free to start. Works with 20+ email platforms.)

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you sign up through them—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I personally use or genuinely believe provide value.

Here’s the Quick Breakdown:

1. The Partner Network Model (40%+ Earnings Growth Year-Over-Year)

The Foundation of Passive Newsletter Income

This is where the real money happens. SparkLoop’s Partner Network connects your newsletter with brands willing to pay $2-$7 per qualified subscriber referral. That’s not a one-time payment—it’s recurring income every time someone subscribes through your recommendations.

Here’s why it works: SparkLoop manually vets every newsletter in the network. Your subscribers get quality recommendations. Publishers get engaged readers. Everyone wins.

The mechanics are simple: enable the Upscribe widget (that recommendation popup after signup), let the platform’s algorithm optimize what to show, and watch the commissions roll in. Users who enable auto-pilot consistently earn 2-5x more than those who manually manage recommendations.

2. The Affiliate Program (30% Recurring Commission for 12 Months)

Secondary Revenue Stream from Promoting SparkLoop Itself

Beyond earning through newsletter recommendations, SparkLoop pays 30% recurring commission for 12 months on anyone you refer who signs up through your link.

Here’s the structure: if a creator you referred spends $2,000 monthly on the Partner Program, you earn $120 monthly for up to 12 months. That’s $1,440 per referred customer—purely passive.

The 90-day cookie window gives you plenty of time for potential users to evaluate whether SparkLoop fits their needs.

3. Real Earnings Data (What Newsletter Operators Actually Make)

No Bullshit Numbers—Just Real Results

Morning Brew pays $3 per engaged, quality subscriber through SparkLoop. One Reddit user reported $130 in expected revenue within two days with just 392 subscribers. Matt Navarra earned $25,000+ through Beehiiv Boosts (SparkLoop’s main competitor).

These aren’t outliers—they’re benchmarks:

• 1,000 subscribers: $100-$1,000 monthly potential

• 10,000 subscribers: $2,000-$5,000 monthly from recommendations alone

• 50,000+ subscribers: $5,000-$15,000 monthly (combined with sponsorships + affiliates)

The highest earners combine multiple streams: paid recommendations + direct sponsorships + affiliate marketing + paid subscriptions. SparkLoop provides the foundation—the consistent baseline income.

Ready to Turn These Numbers Into Your Numbers? SparkLoop is how newsletters monetize before sponsorships—without selling out their audience. Activate SparkLoop & Start Earning → Click Here! Most creators see their first earnings within the first 30 days.

4. Understanding Your Audience Quality (The Hidden Factor)

Why List Size Matters Less Than Engagement

A 5,000-subscriber newsletter with 50% open rates and strong engagement out-earns a 20,000-subscriber list with 20% opens every single time.

SparkLoop’s quality filters ensure only engaged subscribers generate revenue. If someone signs up and immediately unsubscribes, they don’t pay. This protects you from fraud and keeps your earnings legitimate.

Focus on these metrics:

• Open rate: 40%+ is considered strong

• Click rate: 2-5% signals genuine engagement

• List quality: B2B audiences in specialized niches earn the highest payouts

B2B newsletters targeting decision-makers command $50-$150 per subscriber through direct sponsorships. Tech newsletters: $40-$100 CPM. This matters when choosing your niche.

5. The 28-Day Quality Control Period (Your Safety Net)

How SparkLoop Protects Both Sides

Here’s why SparkLoop’s system works better than traditional affiliate networks: all new subscriber referrals go through a 28-day verification period. During this time, the referred subscriber must meet your quality standards—email opens, engagement, legitimate interaction.

If they fail to engage, you pay nothing. Zero. No risk.

This removes the incentive for gaming the system and ensures you’re only paying for high-quality, genuinely interested subscribers.

6. The Setup Process (Literally Takes 10 Minutes)

Step-by-Step: From Zero to Earning

1. Create a SparkLoop account and connect your email platform (20+ platforms supported: ConvertKit, Mailchimp, Beehiiv, HubSpot, ActiveCampaign)

2. Set up your Publication Profile so other newsletters can discover and recommend you

3. Enable the Upscribe Widget (customize it to match your brand)

4. Enable Auto-Pilot—let the algorithm optimize recommendations automatically

5. Manually add pre-approved newsletters that fit your audience’s interests

6. Start earning from day one

That’s it. The entire setup takes less time than writing a newsletter.

7. Advanced Strategies (For Creators Ready to Scale)

Dynamic Segmentation: Show Different Recommendations to Different Subscribers

Email platforms like ConvertKit and HubSpot allow conditional content. Show technique-focused newsletter recommendations to subscribers who engage with technical content. Show business-focused recommendations to those reading your business content.

This personalization increases conversion rates significantly.

Recommendation Content Strategy: Position as Curation, Not Ads

Create a regular “Newsletters I’m Reading” section. Frame it editorially. “I discovered this newsletter last month while researching [topic]. Their framework saved me three weeks of work. Here’s why I recommend it.”

Authentic recommendations convert 3-5x better than transactional promotions.

Seasonal Optimization: Adjust Mix Based on Time-Sensitive Factors

Business newsletters see increased engagement in Q4 as companies finalize budgets. Finance newsletters spike around tax season. Adjust your manual recommendation selections to align with these patterns.

8. Common Pitfalls (What Kills Earnings)

Mistake #1: Recommending Poor-Fit Newsletters

Subscribers stop trusting your judgment if recommendations don’t fit. One bad recommendation damages weeks of credibility. Stay selective.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Audience Quality in Favor of Growth

A disengaged 10,000-subscriber list generates less revenue than an engaged 3,000-subscriber list. Quality beats size every time.

Mistake #3: Disabling Auto-Pilot Prematurely

Manual optimization feels smart. It’s not. Data shows auto-pilot users earn significantly more. Give the algorithm 2-3 weeks with 1,000+ new subscribers before evaluating results.

Mistake #4: Over-Promoting Recommendations

Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% pure value (your core content), 20% monetization. Subscribers tolerate monetization when they receive more value than they give attention.

9. FTC Compliance (The Legal Part)

Clear Disclosure Is Required

Federal Trade Commission rules mandate clear, conspicuous disclosure that you’re compensated for recommendations. Plain language works best:

“I earn a commission when you subscribe through this link.”

Position the disclosure immediately adjacent to the recommendation—not in a general disclaimer elsewhere.

Compliant disclosures build trust and keep you legally protected.

10. Measuring Success (Track These Metrics)

Earnings Per Subscriber (EPS): Total SparkLoop revenue ÷ subscriber count. Your benchmark: $0.50-$1.00 annually from passive recommendations.

Recommendation Conversion Rate: What percentage of new subscribers click through to recommended newsletters. 10-20% conversion indicates strong performance.

SparkLoop as Percentage of Total Revenue: Aim for 15-30% of total newsletter income. Diversification protects against platform risk.

Subscriber Lifetime Value (LTV): Total revenue generated per subscriber across all monetization channels. If LTV exceeds $10-$20, paid subscriber acquisition becomes profitable.

11. Who Should Focus on SparkLoop

✓ Beginners with 500-2000 Subscribers

Start with SparkLoop immediately. You’ll earn money while growing. No minimum subscriber requirement exists for the Partner Network.

✓ Creators Stuck in the Growth-No-Revenue Trap

If you’ve grown to 10,000+ subscribers but aren’t monetizing effectively, SparkLoop provides immediate passive income while you pursue sponsorships and products.

✓ Newsletter Operators in Valuable Niches

B2B, finance, tech, and specialized audiences see the highest payouts. If your niche naturally commands premium sponsorship rates, SparkLoop earnings scale accordingly.

✓ Anyone Seeking Sustainable Long-Term Newsletter Income

SparkLoop pairs perfectly with sponsorships, digital products, and paid subscriptions. Build diversified revenue—not dependence on a single stream.

12. Realistic Income Projections (6-Month Timeline)

Month 1-2: Setup and initial optimization - Expected earnings: $50-$200 (small list, algorithm still learning) - Focus: Perfect the technical implementation

Month 3-4: Algorithm optimization kicks in - Expected earnings: $300-$1,000 - Focus: Expand manual recommendations that complement auto-pilot

Month 5-6: Predictable passive income - Expected earnings: $800-$3,000 (varies widely by niche and engagement) - Focus: Create content that drives list growth—earnings scale proportionally

These projections assume 2,000-5,000 engaged subscribers. Larger lists and higher-engagement audiences see accelerated growth.

13. Multi-Stream Revenue Architecture (The Long Game)

Don’t Depend Solely on SparkLoop

Successful newsletter operators combine:

1. Paid recommendations (SparkLoop) → Consistent passive income

2. Direct sponsorships (brands paying for featured placements) → Higher per-placement rates

3. Affiliate marketing (promoting products you genuinely use) → Commission-based income

4. Paid subscriptions (premium content tiers) → Recurring revenue

5. Digital products (guides, templates, courses) → High-margin one-time sales

6. Consulting/coaching (leverage authority) → Premium service income

At 10,000 engaged subscribers with diversified monetization, realistic targets hit $5,000-$15,000 monthly. At 50,000 subscribers, $20,000-$50,000+ monthly becomes achievable.

14. Why SparkLoop Beats Other Platforms

SparkLoop vs. Beehiiv Boosts:

Beehiiv Boosts takes 0% commission (vs. SparkLoop’s 20% + 3.5%). If you’re on Beehiiv, Boosts should be your first choice. But SparkLoop works across 20+ platforms, giving cross-platform creators access to more publishers.

Combine both if possible—Boosts inside Beehiiv, SparkLoop for external network access.

SparkLoop vs. Traditional Ad Networks:

Ad networks demand larger lists (50K+) and active management. SparkLoop works immediately with small lists and runs largely on autopilot. The trade-off: slightly lower per-impression rates. The benefit: passive income from day one.

Here’s My Honest Take

If you have a newsletter with 500+ engaged subscribers—even if it’s not profitable yet—enable SparkLoop’s Upscribe widget within the next 7 days.

You’ll earn money while you sleep. Not life-changing amounts initially, but real money from day one. That psychological shift—from “my newsletter makes $0” to “my newsletter makes $50+ monthly”—changes how you think about the business.

From there, the path becomes clear:

• Months 1-2: Master SparkLoop implementation and watch passive income grow

• Months 3-6: Add direct sponsorships and affiliate partnerships

• Month 6+: Build digital products, paid subscriptions, or coaching offerings

This staircase approach lets you earn at each level while building toward bigger revenue goals.

Your 2026 Revenue Action Plan

• This week: Set up SparkLoop (10 minutes), enable auto-pilot, customize the Upscribe widget

• Next 2 weeks: Identify 10 newsletters that fit your audience and manually add them to recommendations

• Month 1: Monitor earnings dashboard daily, track metrics, refine manual selections based on performance

• Month 2+: Create content that grows your subscriber base (paid recommendations scale with list size)

• Ongoing: Document your journey, build authority, create additional revenue streams

Talk soon,

Ben's Grind & Growth

P.S. Newsletter monetization is the bottleneck of content business success. Most people avoid it because it feels complicated. But the creators who master it early? They build sustainable income while their competitors are still figuring out sponsorship rates. Don’t be average. Start today.

If someone had told me years ago that an unfulfilling job would change how I live, think, and handle life… I would’ve laughed.

But here’s the truth: My job broke me — and that’s when life actually began.

Image created by the author using Leonardo AI and Canva

I grew up in a small countryside village, far from city lights and big dreams. In that world, farming wasn’t just common — it was the only path anyone talked about. No one cared about following dreams, passion, or purpose. The only thing that matters to them is working the land so you can survive.

So, it’s no surprise that as a kid, I couldn’t imagine anything beyond that farming life. My environment quietly sabotaged my dreams before they ever had a chance to form.

But something shifted when I started studying and left my village. I saw new places. I met people with bigger visions. That’s when I started dreaming too — of a better life, a stable family, and financial freedom.

Fueled by those dreams, I locked in a plan: study hard. Get a diploma. Land a high-paying job. Live happily ever after.

My escape plan looked perfect, and I did the thing. I worked hard. Got the degree. Became a physics teacher. That’s awesome, isn’t it!

However, the reality struck from an unexpected angle — the job’s salary was poor. Worse, the teaching activities drained me. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I started watching my dreams fade right in front of me without being able to react.

Every day, I felt more stuck. Always drained and sore. My anxiety and stress were at an all-time high. I was living in a cycle of survival and self-doubt. I had followed the plan perfectly… and still ended up burned out and lost.

Then something inside me shifted when I stopped blaming the system, the village, and the job. I wanted to change myself and my life so badly. So, I started asking, what can I control? Is it my daily schedule, my job’s activities, my diet, or my bad habits?

It wasn’t easy at all. I had to face my fatigue and lazy self, question my beliefs, let go of old habits, and start showing up for myself.

But slowly, things began to change.

The best decision I ever made was to stop waiting for someone — or something — to save me… and start saving myself.

This is the story of how it all happened. I’ll reveal it all.

It all began with a plan I truly believed in… But as you’ll see in the following chapters, sometimes the plan that looks perfect on paper is the one that sets you up for disappointment.

Loved this? Sign up for my newsletter to be notified when I publish a new chapter. Thanks!

I’ve always believed that I’ve got something valuable to share through my writing. But just keeping my work in Google Docs or letting it sit on a blog wasn’t enough anymore.

So I took the leap. I started my own newsletter.

Please scratch that. Actually, I started two. Yep — one on Substack and the other on Beehiiv.

Crazy? Maybe.

Worth it? 1000% yes.

Image created by the author using Leonardo AI and Canva

Why Two Newsletters, Though?

Let me explain.

Both Substack and Beehiiv are robust platforms for launching a newsletter, but they each have unique features.

• Substack is super simple to use and makes it easy to build a reader-supported community. It feels like blogging, but cooler.

Screenshot of jiujitsu-news’s substack created by the author

Beehiiv is a beast when it comes to growth tools — built-in referrals, clean design, and decent monetization opportunities.

Screenshot of Ben-Abdelhafid’s Beehiiv newsletter created by the author

So instead of picking one, I tried both.

• One for my Jiu-Jitsu fans.

• One for my writing and growth crew.

And yes, I wear multiple hats.

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own little newsletter corner — whether to teach, inspire, build a brand, or just share your thoughts — this post is totally for you.

Let me walk you through what I’ve learned about building a newsletter so far.

Image created by the author using Leonardo AI and Canva

Pick Your Niche Like You Mean It.

Here’s the truth: content is everything.

If your writing doesn’t help, inspire, entertain, or teach something useful — people won’t stick around. But that doesn’t mean it has to be super complicated either.

You don’t have to be a genius or have life-changing advice every time. Sometimes, curating useful info or sharing your own thoughts in a clear, helpful way is exactly what people need.

Ask yourself, what do I love talking about that could also help someone else?

That’s your starting point. For me, it was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the creative grind of writing online. So I leaned into those two.

Choose the Right Platform (It Matters More Than You Think)

Let’s be honest — building a newsletter isn’t something that blows up overnight. It takes time, effort, and more than a few moments of “Why am I doing this again?”

That’s why hosting your newsletter on the right platform from the beginning matters a lot.

Believe me, you don’t want to wake up one day and realize the tool you chose:

• Is too expensive

• Has awful analytics

• Or worse… makes writing a chore

Here’s what I found:

• Substack = Simple, community-focused, great if you want to charge subscribers later on.

• Beehiiv = Sleek, scalable, built-in tools to help you grow faster and smarter.

Neither one is perfect, but both are publication-oriented and solid choices, especially if you’re just starting out.

Don’t Try to Be Perfect — Just Hit Send!

This part’s important.

When I sent my first email, I read it over like 10 times. I tweaked the headline, double-checked the punctuation, second-guessed my opening line…

But eventually, I realized: done is better than perfect.

You’re going to learn way more by sending your first 10 emails than you will by obsessing over your first draft for 10 days.

So please — write, edit a little, and just hit send. You’ll get better as you go.

Final Thoughts: Newsletters Are Your Personal Power Tool.

Starting a newsletter is more than just sending emails. It’s about creating your own little world. A space where your voice matters and your ideas live on your terms.

Whether you’re trying to grow a brand, build a business, or just become a better writer, a newsletter is one of the best tools out there.

And guess what? You can totally do this.

If you’re ready to start, check out Substack or Beehiiv (Get a 30-day Beehiiv trial + 20% OFF for 3 months; click this affiliate link). Pick the one that fits you best. Or do what I did and test both!

Whatever you choose, remember this:

• You don’t need to be perfect.

• You just need to start.

Your people are out there. They just haven’t read your first issue yet.

Do you plan to build a newsletter?

• Yes.

• Nope.

Drop a reply or comment—I’d love to hear it!

Read Next!

I Tried Posting More Videos on YouTube—Here’s What Happened!

Discover the harsh reality of daily YouTube content creation: my experiment revealed surprising insights about growing a channel and the true path to online success.

ben-abdelhafid.com/p/i-tried-posting-more-videos-on-youtube-here-s-what-happened

Let’s be real—we all dream of writing something valuable, helping people, and making money doing what we love. Right?

Image created by the author using Leonardo AI and Canva

But the harsh truth that no one likes is that writing a good piece isn’t enough.

But If you choose the wrong platform, all your hard work could be wasted.

The Harsh Truth about Monetizing Your Words.

I sit down in my favorite café for more than 3 hours to finish my article. It was about an unseen mistake that sabotaged my YouTube channel growth for months.

After some revision, I finally hit “publish.” I gathered months of data and insights into this story; surely it’ll be a massive value to my readers. Spoiler: I was wrong!

My story got no engagement, and above all, it got little views.

Then, I discovered that monetizing my writing involves more than just putting my all into it, editing relentlessly, and providing value.

All your efforts are in vain without a solid marketing strategy and a supportive platform. And that is the only thing that you shouldn’t let happen!

Why Your Platform Matters (A Lot)

Look, if you’re serious about turning your words into income, you’ve got to think beyond just the writing.

You need:

• A platform that matches your goals (blog? newsletter? social?)

• A strategy that brings in readers consistently

• A clear setup to monetize your work.

What’s your biggest struggle monetizing your writing? Drop a reply—I’d love to hear it!

Newsletter idea? Beehiiv makes it easy to launch and grow. 👉 [Get a 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months (An affiliate link)]

Read Next:

Momentum by Sam Silverstein: The Secret to Taking Action and Never Getting Stuck Again

Discover how to break free from being stuck and create powerful momentum by shifting from a "me" to a "we" mindset, transforming personal challenges into meaningful action.

ben-abdelhafid.com/p/momentum-by-sam-silverstein-the-secret-to-taking-action-and-never-getting-stuck-again

If you’re obsessed like me, you’re always looking for ways to be productive and make money online — YouTube included.

Image created by the author on Canva

Maybe you have multiple YouTube channels but never really take them seriously. You dream about getting more views, going viral, and making money.

But let’s be honest… you’re just dreaming, aren’t you?

I was too. But unlike before, this time, I actually took action. I decided to go all in and post more videos.

I won’t lie to you — I pushed myself to upload a video every single day.

In my head, the formula was simple: more videos = more views = more watch time = monetization in just a few weeks.

Sounds great, right?

Well, guess what? It didn’t work. Instead of success, I got burnout. My views tanked. And at one point, I was this close to quitting YouTube entirely.

Here’s what I learned from my painful experiment — so you don’t make the same mistake.

Building a Successful Youtube Channel (My Experience)

Last year, I launched my MMA-JiuJitsu YouTube channel, hoping to create another income stream.

At first, it worked. Views were growing. I uploaded a 5+ minute video every three days, and my engagement skyrocketed.

But then, life happened. Some technical issues forced me to stop posting.

And yet… my stats kept climbing.

Screenshot of MMA-JiuJitsu YouTube channel’s lifetime stats

My videos were getting 8,000+ views on average, even without posting anything new (Phase 1)

Then I made a decision — I had to start creating again.

When I returned to posting (Phase 2), I took a different approach:
Instead of posting every three days, I started pumping out as many videos as possible.

Bad move.

Instead of growing, my views dropped — from an average of 8,000 to under 2,000 per video.

8,000 to 2,000. Ouch.

Sure, I still met YouTube’s first monetization requirements (500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours). But let’s be real — getting monetized with no views isn’t exactly exciting.

So, what did I do? I blamed the algorithm.

Maybe YouTube was punishing my channel for being inactive before? Maybe my niche was too competitive?

Nope! My mistake had nothing to do with the algorithm. It was all on me!

The One Mistake That Destroyed My Youtube Channel Growth!

Screenshot of MMA-JiuJitsu YouTube channel’s last 90 days stats

Building a successful YouTube channel isn’t some quick two-hour task. It’s a huge project — often more than a one-person job. That’s because creating great videos takes multiple skills:

• An Idea — Finding content people actually want to watch.

• A Script — Structuring thoughts so they make sense.

• Video Editing — Making it visually engaging.

• Thumbnail & Packaging — Creating that “must-click” look.

• Optimization — Ensuring YouTube’s algorithm picks it up.

At first, I struggled HARD with this entire process. But then, I found vidIQ (affiliate link) — a game changer that helped me:

• Find top-ranked video ideas.

• Optimize titles, descriptions, and tags.

• Spot trending topics before they blow up.

With the right tools, scaling your channel becomes 10x easier.

But none of that mattered… because I kept making the same mistake.

What is it?

I got pumped. I started cranking out video after video, obsessed with views. Then I made things worse — I started tweaking everything every 5 minutes. Changing titles. Messing with thumbnails. Rewriting descriptions.

YouTube saw all this frantic activity and flagged my channel as unhelpful.

My views? Smashed.

At first, I had no clue what was wrong. I was working harder than ever. I was posting like crazy. I was learning, improving, and putting in the effort.

But what I didn’t realize was that constant changes reset YouTube’s algorithm learning process. The platform had no idea what my videos were about anymore.

And when YouTube doesn’t know where to place your content? It stops showing your videos to people.

How I Fixed My YouTube Mistakes?

Screenshot of MMA-JiuJitsu YouTube channel’s last 90 days stats

After nearly burning myself out, I had to step back and rethink everything.

Here’s what I did differently:

• Prioritized quality over quantity — One high-quality video beats five rushed ones.

• Stopped tweaking everything — Let my videos perform before making changes.

• Gave each upload time to breathe — Instead of changing the thumbnail five times in an hour.

• Created a realistic schedule — No more daily uploads. I focused on a consistent and sustainable posting plan (No more! I published multiple times more than one video in less than 2 hours when views are not increasing).

The result? My channel finally started recovering.

Final Thoughts: Posting daily videos isn’t the right approach!

If you think posting more will automatically bring more success…

You’re wrong!

YouTube rewards engagement and watch time, not how many videos you pump out. And if you’re sacrificing quality just to upload more? You’re destroying your channel.

I acquired this knowledge through difficult experiences. But you don’t have to. So here’s my advice:

Slow down. Focus on quality. Work smarter, not harder.

Thinking of scaling your YouTube channel? Learn from my mistakes.

What’s your biggest YouTube struggle? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear it!

Read Next:

The Smartest Strategies for Growing Your YouTube Channel (Without Burning Out!)

Ever wondered why some YouTubers accumulate thousands of views while others fight to be noticed? Building a successful YouTube channel is the dream of millions of people. Yeah, it’s possible to make money on YouTube but not easy. Four years ago, I was like most new creators on YouTube—excited but lost. I worked hard and […]

ben-abdelhafid.com/p/the-smartest-strategies-for-growing-your-youtube-channel-without-burning-out

Ever feel stuck? Maybe there’s a project you keep putting off, a goal that feels out of reach, or a challenge that seems impossible. You’re not alone.

But here’s the thing: getting unstuck isn’t about sheer willpower.

It’s about momentum. And according to Sam Silverstein, momentum isn’t just about taking action—it’s about aligning your mindset, purpose, and service to create lasting progress.

This book isn’t just about personal success. It’s about moving forward in a way that serves both yourself and others—because when you shift from a “me” mindset to a “we” mindset, you create powerful, meaningful action that lasts.

Key Lessons from Momentum

1. Momentum Starts with Purpose

To move forward, you need clarity—a strong reason behind what you do.

Silverstein introduces “The Big Three”:

 Purpose—Your why (What drives you?) Mission—Your what (How do you put your purpose into action?) Values—Your how (What principles guide you?)

When you align your actions with these three, you create a clear sense of direction that keeps you moving—even when things get tough.

 Lesson? Without a strong “why,” it’s easy to lose motivation. But when your goals align with your deeper purpose, momentum becomes effortless.

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2. Shift from “Me” to “We”

Momentum isn’t just about personal ambition—it’s about impact.

Silverstein argues that when your work helps others, you’ll push through challenges more easily because:

 Setbacks feel like part of the journey, not roadblocks. Helping others fuels motivation and creates a ripple effect of positive momentum.

 Lesson? When you shift your mindset to how your actions benefit others, you’ll naturally feel more inspired to keep going.

3. Reframe Challenges as Opportunities

Obstacles are inevitable. But how you see them changes everything.

Instead of viewing setbacks as reasons to stop, use them as learning opportunities.

Example: Silverstein’s daughter, a pediatrician, wasn’t trained for emergency trauma. But when she saw a motorcycle accident, she didn’t freeze—she took action.

That’s momentum in motion: acting on what you know you must do, even when the situation isn’t perfect.

 Lesson? Every challenge is a chance to grow. See obstacles as stepping stones, not roadblocks.

4. Use the SNAP Method to Break Through Procrastination

Feeling stuck? Try the SNAP framework:

• Significant— Is this important to my goals?

• Necessary—Does this actually need to be done?

• Achievable— Can I take one small step right now?

• Priority—Is this urgent?

Then, snap your fingers and just start.

This simple physical action tricks your brain into moving. Once you take the first step, momentum takes over.

 Lesson? Motion beats motivation. Don’t wait to feel ready—just start.

5. Consistency is Everything

Momentum isn’t about starting—it’s about staying in motion.

Small, daily actions create massive results over time. The longer you stop, the harder it is to start again—so don’t let breaks drag on.

Celebrate every win—even the small ones—because progress thrives on positive reinforcement.

 Lesson? Success isn’t about one big effort—it’s about showing up every day.

Final Takeaway: Momentum is a Choice

You don’t need more motivation. You need motion.

When you align your actions with your values, serve others, and celebrate progress, momentum builds naturally.

Key Takeaways:

 Shift your mindset from “me” to “we.” Find purpose before taking action. Reframe obstacles as part of the journey. Use the SNAP method to break through procrastination. Stay consistent—momentum thrives on repetition.

At the end of the day, momentum isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create.

What’s Your Experience with Momentum? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 Read Next

I Tried Posting More Videos on YouTube—Here’s What Happened!

Discover the harsh reality of daily YouTube content creation: my experiment revealed surprising insights about growing a channel and the true path to online success.

ben-abdelhafid.com/p/i-tried-posting-more-videos-on-youtube-here-s-what-happened

Building a successful YouTube channel is the dream of millions of people. Yeah, it’s possible to make money on YouTube but not easy.

Four years ago, I was like most new creators on YouTube—excited but lost. I worked hard and uploaded videos, only to get no views. It was frustrating and irritating.

But I never stopped and kept trying. Then I discovered the harsh truth: working smarter wins over working harder, which revolutionized my thinking.

After extensive trials and errors, I’ve finally improved a solid system to build successful YouTube channels.

During the past 28 days, my channel attracted 189,194 views;

And since the beginning, I have gotten more than 2,805,600 views.

So you might do the same; let me demonstrate just how I did it.

1. Choosing the Right Video Topics (Without Guesswork!)

I was too excited to start on YouTube years ago. Honestly, I was blinded by this shiny object and the great money-making possibility it offers.

But, instead of creating videos, I was too obsessed with “finding the most profitable niche.” I spent several hours comparing niche CPM and earning potential.

Big mistake! This only led to unnecessary frustration and made me quit a few times.

Over time, I started refining my goals: I stopped focusing on earnings and started focusing on learning. And once I improved my video quality and doubled down on the most performing topics, views followed.

But success was far from close because of inconsistency.

2. Overcoming the Consistency Struggle.

We all know that consistency is crucial for YouTube success. But let’s be honest—staying consistent is HARD. Yeah, I know that, but why wasn’t I consistent?

Whenever I get excited, it doesn’t last long since after creating a few videos, I see myself far from making that passive income, so I switch to other things.

But something surprising happened! Even when I wasn’t consistent, my old videos kept bringing in views. That was proof that my content had potential.

The mental shift: instead of chasing quick results, I committed to the long term. And when I finally stayed consistent, my channel began to grow quickly.

3. Finding the Winning Patterns & Doubling Down.

Here’s a secret: Not all videos perform the same!

I’m a day job worker and find time to do different things; maybe difficult sometimes. So I needed to get the best of my little available time. To do so, I needed to find and prioritize working on winning patterns.

I know that some topics went viral, while others failed to gain traction. Instead of guessing, I began analyzing my data to determine what worked.

• What type of content received the most views? (video styles, length, etc)

• Which videos received the highest click-through rate (CTR)?

• Which thumbnail template performs the best?

• What format did my audience enjoy? (More views, or comments, or likes)

Once I discovered the patterns, I doubled down on them. That’s how I got my channel to five-digit views (and beyond!).

4. Optimizing & Scaling Video Creation.

Finding good patterns and giving your channel a unique theme helps expand your audience, leading to more subscribers and views. Now with all the existing stats, working on quality video and optimizing them well is more important than quantity.

Here’s what I prioritized in this stage.

• Focus on high-traffic topics when creating videos.

• Improve titles and thumbnails (CTR is more important than you think!)

• Optimize SEO to rank higher in search and recommendations.

To facilitate these tasks, there is no better tool than vidIQ (click this affiliate link to try it yourself). It facilitates:

• Finding top-ranked video ideas.

• Optimizing titles, descriptions, and tags.

• Identifying trending topics early.

With the right tools, scaling your channel becomes ten times easier.

Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling to grow on YouTube, don’t give up. I was there, too. However, with the right strategy, your channel can explode—just as mine did.

• Find the appropriate topics. (Stop guessing!)

• Maintain consistency (even when growth is slow)!

• Focus on what works (patterns are everything!)

• Optimize your videos (SEO and trends matter!)

Don’t underestimate the potential of YouTube as a lucrative online platform. Start putting these tips into practice right now and witness the transformation.

What’s your experience with building YouTube channels? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear from you!

Read Next

I Tried Posting More Videos on YouTube—Here’s What Happened!

Discover the harsh reality of daily YouTube content creation: my experiment revealed surprising insights about growing a channel and the true path to online success.

ben-abdelhafid.com/p/i-tried-posting-more-videos-on-youtube-here-s-what-happened

Ever feel stuck staring at a blank page, wondering if your creativity packed up and left? Do you want to maintain your writing momentum no matter what?

Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash

Trust me, you’re not alone.

Yesterday, I sat in my favorite café, ready to write a new story. Coffee? Check. Notebook? Check. Ideas? … Nothing. My brain was blank. I felt lost, distracted, and worst of all—clueless about what to write.

Sound familiar?

The truth is, every writer, regardless of their skill level, encounters this obstacle. The key isn’t avoiding it. The key is knowing how to break through it—fast.

Momentum is what keeps you going when motivation disappears. It turns writing into an effortless habit, like riding a bike downhill.

The crucial point is that momentum doesn't rely on talent or even discipline. It’s about mindset.

So, how do you develop unstoppable momentum? Let’s break it down.

1. Define Your “Why” (But Don’t Overthink It!)

Your “why” is the fuel behind your words. It’s what keeps you writing when doubt creeps in or inspiration runs dry.

Why does this matter?

• It keeps you focused. Without a clear purpose, it’s easy to feel lost.

• It builds resilience. Writing isn’t always easy, but a strong reason keeps you going.

• It connects you to your readers. People feel your passion when it’s real.

Ask yourself:

• Why am I writing? To teach? Inspire? Entertain?

• Who am I writing for? Bloggers? Teachers? Fitness trainers?

• What impact do I want my words to have?

• How will writing improve my life?

Don’t overthink it. Just get clear on your purpose, and your writing will flow with more energy and direction.

2. Just Write—No Judgment!

Perfectionism kills momentum. Get the words down first. Fix them later.

One of the biggest writing blocks? Overthinking. You want your piece to be amazing. You want thousands of views. But chasing perfection stops you from even starting.

Here’s the truth: Waiting for the perfect idea? You’ll write nothing. Trying to be perfect? You’ll quit before you begin. Editing while writing? You’ll never finish.

So, lower the pressure. Forget brilliance. Just aim for words.

Think of writing like warming up a car in winter—slow at first, but once it’s running, it flows effortlessly.

 The trick? Just start. Even if it’s nonsense. Even if you’re not “ready.” Momentum will catch up.

3. Make Writing Easy & Kill Distractions

Momentum dies when writing feels like a huge task. The trick? Make it effortless to start.

Simple hacks to keep the words flowing:

 Set a timer. Write for 10 minutes. Once you start, you’ll likely keep going. Use a go-to prompt. Stuck? Ask, “What happened today?” Boom—no more blank page. Write before checking your phone. Scrolling kills focus. Write first, scroll later. Leave breadcrumbs. Stop mid-sentence, so you know exactly where to pick up next.

Once you’re in the zone? Protect it. No distractions. No over-editing. No self-doubt.

Just write.

4. Listen to Your Readers’ Feedback

Feedback fuels growth. Use it to keep your momentum alive!

I once got a comment that said:

Ouch.

But honestly? That was the best advice I ever got. It motivated me to streamline my writing, steer clear of unnecessary details, and ensure the clarity of my words.

Why is feedback powerful? Fresh perspective. Others catch things you miss. Faster growth. Honest feedback sharpens your writing. Accountability. Knowing people expect your work keeps you moving.

Writing isn’t just about you. It’s about connection. So embrace feedback—it’s your secret weapon.

5. Celebrate Every Writing Win

Momentum isn’t about discipline—it’s about celebration.

Most writers only celebrate big wins—finishing a draft, getting published, going viral. But momentum is built on small victories.

Here’s what’s worth celebrating:

• Outlining a story? That’s progress.

• Writing one sentence? That’s one more than yesterday.

• Editing a rough paragraph? Editing is writing.

• Writing on a bad day? That’s real commitment.

• Reaching a word count? Even 100 words count!

Writing is a lengthy process. Celebrate every step, and momentum will take care of itself.

Final Thoughts: Keep the Words Flowing & Stay Unstoppable

Momentum isn’t about waiting for motivation—it’s about creating it.

Remember:

• Your “why” fuels you. Find it and keep it close.

• Perfection kills progress. Just write—fix it later.

• Make writing easy. Remove distractions & set yourself up for success.

• Feedback makes you better. Don’t fear it—embrace it.

• Celebrate every step. The journey matters just as much as the final product.

Now, what’s your experience with building writing momentum? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear from you!

 Read Next:

Momentum by Sam Silverstein: The Secret to Taking Action and Never Getting Stuck Again

Discover how to break free from being stuck and create powerful momentum by shifting from a "me" to a "we" mindset, transforming personal challenges into meaningful action.

ben-abdelhafid.com/p/momentum-by-sam-silverstein-the-secret-to-taking-action-and-never-getting-stuck-again