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25,000 Subscribers Later… Here’s What I’ve Learned About Email Newsletters
Amir Syed
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July 12, 2026
Last week, I hosted a webinar on building an email newsletter.
Nearly a thousand people attended.
Many said it was the most tactical, yet simple, tutorial they’d seen.
This week, this newsletter (the one you’re reading right now) crossed 25,000 subscribers (thank you).
That milestone got me thinking about where this all started.
Ironically, it wasn’t with email.
It started with Craigslist.
When I was 16 or 17, I helped my parents write Craigslist ads for their vacant apartment units.
My dad would always say those ads dramatically increased showings and signed leases.
I leaned heavily on exclusivity, scarcity, and simplicity—paired with strong photos of the units.
Looking back, it was my first real lesson in copywriting.
I learned that words matter.
The right words don’t just communicate.
They persuade.
Fast forward a few years into my mortgage career.
Every Monday, I’d sit down with a long list of Realtors to call—but I had a problem.
I had nothing valuable to offer.
Sure, I could ask how business was going.
Or if they had any buyers.
But I knew that sounded like every other Loan Officer.
So I asked myself a simple question:
“What if I could deliver value before I ever picked up the phone?”
A way to pre-suade before I had to persuade.
This was long before AI.
Back then, the only AI I had was Amir Intelligence ;)
Every weekend, I’d read articles from sites like The Close and Inman News, then write a short email with the best takeaways.
Then I’d read it out loud and ask:
“Would I actually read this if someone sent it to me?”
If the answer was yes, I’d write a subject line, BCC about 50 Realtors, and hit send early Monday morning.
I had no idea if it would work.
I was just tired of going into calls empty-handed.
Then something unexpected happened.
My answer rate nearly doubled.
My referrals doubled.
Even better…
Agents started forwarding my emails to others in their brokerage.
Before long, I had 1,000 Realtors on the list.
That’s when it clicked.
I wasn’t just making calls anymore.
I was building trust before the conversation even started.
Today, people call it content marketing.
Back then, I just called it being helpful.
And that lesson has stayed with me ever since.
Here’s what I believe today.
Social media is rented land.
Your email list is owned land.
Short-form content helps people discover you.
Long-form content helps people trust you.
That’s why one thoughtful email each week can outperform dozens of social posts.
If you’re thinking about starting a newsletter, here’s the framework I recommend.
- Tell readers what you’re going to share.
- Explain why it matters to them.
- Show why most people get it wrong.
- Teach one powerful idea.
- End with clear, actionable takeaways.
Simple.
Useful.
Consistent.
And feel free to use Claude, ChatGPT, or whichever AI platform you enjoy—but please, for the love of the Sales Gods, do NOT copy and paste the whole thing.
People can spot AI slop a mile away—like a toupee in a windstorm.
Before every email goes out, I focus on three things:
- The subject line.
- The read time.
- The delivery time.
If people don’t open it, nothing else matters.
One final thought.
Carve out one or two focused hours each week.
Write something that helps someone solve a problem.
Don’t try to impress people.
Serve them.
Twenty-five thousand subscribers didn’t come from one great newsletter.
They came from hundreds of helpful ones.
Because in the game of online writing…
The long game almost always wins.
And in the game of offline selling…
The short game is being seen by thousands before being known, liked, and trusted by hundreds.
Start with one, and commit to sending it out consistently at the same time.
Side note: I don’t know what but I can't stop laughing at this
Whenever you’re ready, here’s how I can help you!
- Book a call to speak with one of our advisors about joining the Growth Only Community.
- Join our Facebook group for Top Producing Modern Loan Officers.
- Connect with me on social.