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As a high school senior, I would like to start my tech newsletter should I do it?
In 2022, I saw a video on YouTube about a guy who created an app like Fiverr, but just for developers. It was called CoffeeDev, and I really liked the idea. A few months later, I made a Discord server with the same name, thinking I could turn it into something big. But I got too busy with school and other stuff.
In 2023, I decided to try again, but this time I wanted to make CoffeeDev a newsletter for students who are into tech stuff. I tried to get the domain CoffeeDev.net, but it was taken. So, I found CoffeeDev.me and made a simple website for the newsletter. But it didn't work out well because I didn't know much about newsletters and the website was slow.
Now, in 2024, I'm ready to give it another shot. I want to make CoffeeDev a newsletter made by students, for students who love tech. It's going to have tips, tricks, and cool stuff to help us learn and grow together.
"Blank" is the name of our newsletter. It's for developers of all levels, from beginners to pros. Written by students like us, it'll be full of helpful stuff to keep us on top of our game.
"Blank" would be a newsletter that I'll send every Saturday morning. it will include coding tutorials, career advice, project showcases, interviews with industry professionals, or even fun tech-related content.
Comment: Multiple people mention Researching Newsletter Platforms like Substack, Mailchimp, or Revue by Twitter, and advised on the importance of having a website. To kickstart this, I'll secure a .net domain initially, deferring the purchase of the .com domain until I have the necessary funds, considering it's priced at $3000.
As for the newsletter platform, I'll begin with Beehiiv, which offers website-building capabilities. While I develop a custom website for the newsletter, Beehiiv will serve as the temporary platform, primarily for sending out newsletters. Inspired by Ericlamideas YouTube video on building a powerful newsletter (https://youtu.be/0Xvsc3OShzU?si=J4YhWO5qhoGtIC1p),
I plan to integrate multiple APIs to enhance the functionality of the website. These APIs include Next.js for dynamic web applications, Tailwind for streamlined UI development, Sanity for content management, Beehiiv for newsletter management, Sparkloop for audience growth, Stripe for payment processing, Firebase for backend infrastructure, Calendly for scheduling, and Teachable for online courses. This integration will ensure a robust and versatile platform for delivering engaging content and services to subscribers.
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6 answers
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Josue,
Absolutely, you should go for it! Your passion for technology and the desire to create a newsletter for students who share your interests is commendable. "Blank" sounds like a fantastic initiative that has the potential to provide valuable insights, inspiration, and learning opportunities for tech enthusiasts at all levels.
To address the challenges you encountered previously, consider the following steps as you relaunch "Blank":
1. Research Newsletter Platforms: Explore different newsletter platforms that can help you create a seamless and efficient distribution process for "Blank." Platforms like Substack, Mailchimp, or Revue offer user-friendly solutions for creating and sending newsletters.
2. Focus on Content Quality: Prioritize the quality and relevance of the content you feature in "Blank." Engaging, well-researched content is key to attracting and retaining readers.
3. Website Improvement: If you decide to maintain a website for "Blank," invest time in optimizing its performance to ensure a seamless reader experience. Consider seeking assistance from web development resources if needed.
4. Collaborate with Peers: Reach out to peers who share your passion for technology and invite them to contribute to "Blank." Collaborative contributions can enhance the depth and diversity of the newsletter's content.
5. Promote Engagement: Encourage reader interaction by including polls, surveys, or a section for reader-contributed content. Building a sense of community and interactivity can enhance the newsletter's appeal.
6. Seek Feedback: Request feedback from early subscribers and peers to continuously improve "Blank." This input can guide the direction of the newsletter and lead to further enhancements.
By applying these strategies, you can relaunch "Blank" with a strong focus on education, collaboration, and engagement, creating a valuable resource for tech enthusiasts while also gaining valuable experience in content creation and community-building. Good luck with your newsletter journey!
Jennifer
Absolutely, you should go for it! Your passion for technology and the desire to create a newsletter for students who share your interests is commendable. "Blank" sounds like a fantastic initiative that has the potential to provide valuable insights, inspiration, and learning opportunities for tech enthusiasts at all levels.
To address the challenges you encountered previously, consider the following steps as you relaunch "Blank":
1. Research Newsletter Platforms: Explore different newsletter platforms that can help you create a seamless and efficient distribution process for "Blank." Platforms like Substack, Mailchimp, or Revue offer user-friendly solutions for creating and sending newsletters.
2. Focus on Content Quality: Prioritize the quality and relevance of the content you feature in "Blank." Engaging, well-researched content is key to attracting and retaining readers.
3. Website Improvement: If you decide to maintain a website for "Blank," invest time in optimizing its performance to ensure a seamless reader experience. Consider seeking assistance from web development resources if needed.
4. Collaborate with Peers: Reach out to peers who share your passion for technology and invite them to contribute to "Blank." Collaborative contributions can enhance the depth and diversity of the newsletter's content.
5. Promote Engagement: Encourage reader interaction by including polls, surveys, or a section for reader-contributed content. Building a sense of community and interactivity can enhance the newsletter's appeal.
6. Seek Feedback: Request feedback from early subscribers and peers to continuously improve "Blank." This input can guide the direction of the newsletter and lead to further enhancements.
By applying these strategies, you can relaunch "Blank" with a strong focus on education, collaboration, and engagement, creating a valuable resource for tech enthusiasts while also gaining valuable experience in content creation and community-building. Good luck with your newsletter journey!
Jennifer
Thank you for your response, Jennifer. You mentioned exploring Research Newsletter Platforms like Substack, Mailchimp, or Revue by twitter, and advised on the importance of having a website. To kickstart this, I'll secure a .net domain initially, deferring the purchase of the .com domain until I have the necessary funds, considering it's priced at $3000. As for the newsletter platform, I'll begin with Beehiiv since it offers website-building capabilities. While I develop a custom website for the newsletter, Beehiiv will serve as the temporary platform, primarily for sending out newsletters.
Josue
**Continuation:** Inspired by Eric Lam's YouTube video on building a powerful newsletter (https://youtu.be/0Xvsc3OShzU?si=J4YhWO5qhoGtIC1p), I plan to integrate multiple APIs to enhance the functionality of the website. These APIs include Next.js for dynamic web applications, Tailwind for streamlined UI development, Sanity for content management, Beehiiv for newsletter management, Sparkloop for audience growth, Stripe for payment processing, Firebase for backend infrastructure, Calendly for scheduling, and Teachable for online courses. This integration will ensure a robust and versatile platform for delivering engaging content and services to subscribers.
Josue
Eric Liszt
AVP Product Management, Product Development, Customer Support
11
Answers
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Hi Josue,
I'll skip the AI generated responses and instead be brief.
#1 - DO IT. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Even if the entire project fails miserably, you'll learn a ton that you'll be able to apply to things you do in the future... and that's still a big win. Go do it, put everything you can into it, and know that the worst possible outcome is you'll have gained a ton of knowledge and experience you couldn't have gotten otherwise.
#2 - It sounds like you've got a great niche you've identified and that you understand (student tech enthusiasts). Your newsletter is really an attempt to build a community around this group of people, so don't be afraid to ask for help from this group. One of the best mentors in my career would say "The most successful people aren't the ones who are the smartest. They are the ones who are best at getting help". FYI this person was the leader of a $1B business unit before she was 35.
#3 - Have fun with it. I wish you great luck!
Cheers,
Eric
I'll skip the AI generated responses and instead be brief.
#1 - DO IT. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Even if the entire project fails miserably, you'll learn a ton that you'll be able to apply to things you do in the future... and that's still a big win. Go do it, put everything you can into it, and know that the worst possible outcome is you'll have gained a ton of knowledge and experience you couldn't have gotten otherwise.
#2 - It sounds like you've got a great niche you've identified and that you understand (student tech enthusiasts). Your newsletter is really an attempt to build a community around this group of people, so don't be afraid to ask for help from this group. One of the best mentors in my career would say "The most successful people aren't the ones who are the smartest. They are the ones who are best at getting help". FYI this person was the leader of a $1B business unit before she was 35.
#3 - Have fun with it. I wish you great luck!
Cheers,
Eric
Updated
Moataz’s Answer
Creating a tech newsletter as a high school senior can be a brilliant move, especially if you're a tech enthusiast with a clear vision for your newsletter. Here's how you can make "Blank" a hit:
Love for Tech and a Clear Vision: Your love for technology and your clear vision for "Blank" will fuel your motivation and creativity. This will help you curate exciting content for your newsletter.
Learning from the Past: Think about your past experiences with CoffeeDev. What worked? What didn't? Use these insights to better your approach this time, especially when it comes to website speed, content quality, and engaging your audience.
Know Your Readers: Who are you writing for? High school techies, computer science majors in college, or a wider group of tech lovers? Knowing your audience's needs and interests will help you plan your content.
Mix it Up: Include a mix of content in "Blank" to cater to different interests and skill levels. Coding tutorials, industry updates, career tips, project highlights, interviews, and fun tech tidbits will keep your readers hooked.
Be Regular: Stick to a regular publishing schedule, like sending out "Blank" every Saturday morning as you suggested. This will help your readers know when to expect your newsletter and build loyalty.
Quality is Key: Prioritize quality over quantity. Make sure your tutorials are easy to follow, your advice is helpful, and your interviews offer valuable insights.
Engage Your Readers: Invite your readers to interact and share their thoughts. You could include a section for reader questions, suggestions, or contributions to encourage community engagement and collaboration.
Boost Website Speed: Since you've had issues with website speed in the past, work on improving it. Choose lightweight themes, optimize images, use caching, and consider hosting options that offer speed and reliability.
Spread the Word: Promote "Blank" on social media, forums, tech communities, and within your school network to reach your target audience. You could also partner with other student-led tech initiatives for cross-promotion.
Keep Improving: Stay open to feedback and keep improving "Blank" based on what your readers prefer and the latest trends in the tech world. Adjust your content strategy, design, and features to meet your audience's changing needs.
With your love for technology, strategic planning, quality content, audience engagement, and continuous improvement, you can make "Blank" a go-to resource for tech lovers and create a meaningful platform for students in the tech community. Best of luck with your newsletter project!
Love for Tech and a Clear Vision: Your love for technology and your clear vision for "Blank" will fuel your motivation and creativity. This will help you curate exciting content for your newsletter.
Learning from the Past: Think about your past experiences with CoffeeDev. What worked? What didn't? Use these insights to better your approach this time, especially when it comes to website speed, content quality, and engaging your audience.
Know Your Readers: Who are you writing for? High school techies, computer science majors in college, or a wider group of tech lovers? Knowing your audience's needs and interests will help you plan your content.
Mix it Up: Include a mix of content in "Blank" to cater to different interests and skill levels. Coding tutorials, industry updates, career tips, project highlights, interviews, and fun tech tidbits will keep your readers hooked.
Be Regular: Stick to a regular publishing schedule, like sending out "Blank" every Saturday morning as you suggested. This will help your readers know when to expect your newsletter and build loyalty.
Quality is Key: Prioritize quality over quantity. Make sure your tutorials are easy to follow, your advice is helpful, and your interviews offer valuable insights.
Engage Your Readers: Invite your readers to interact and share their thoughts. You could include a section for reader questions, suggestions, or contributions to encourage community engagement and collaboration.
Boost Website Speed: Since you've had issues with website speed in the past, work on improving it. Choose lightweight themes, optimize images, use caching, and consider hosting options that offer speed and reliability.
Spread the Word: Promote "Blank" on social media, forums, tech communities, and within your school network to reach your target audience. You could also partner with other student-led tech initiatives for cross-promotion.
Keep Improving: Stay open to feedback and keep improving "Blank" based on what your readers prefer and the latest trends in the tech world. Adjust your content strategy, design, and features to meet your audience's changing needs.
With your love for technology, strategic planning, quality content, audience engagement, and continuous improvement, you can make "Blank" a go-to resource for tech lovers and create a meaningful platform for students in the tech community. Best of luck with your newsletter project!
Thank you for the advice, Moataz.
tochukwu
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
4578
Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Josue,
Creating a Developer Newsletter: A Comprehensive Guide
Starting a newsletter for developers, regardless of their skill level, can be an exciting and rewarding venture. It provides a platform to share knowledge, insights, and resources within the developer community. Here’s a detailed guide on how to create and manage a successful developer newsletter:
1. Define Your Newsletter’s Purpose and Audience Before diving into the technical aspects of setting up your newsletter, it’s crucial to define its purpose and target audience. Determine what value you aim to provide through the newsletter and who your target readers are – beginners, intermediate developers, or seasoned professionals.
2. Choosing a Name and Frequency Selecting an engaging and relevant name for your newsletter is essential as it represents your brand and content. Ensure that the name resonates with your target audience. Additionally, decide on the frequency of sending out newsletters – in this case, every Saturday morning.
3. Content Strategy Develop a content strategy that aligns with your audience’s interests and needs. Consider including coding tutorials, career advice, project showcases, interviews with industry professionals, and fun tech-related content to keep your readers engaged.
4. Selecting a Newsletter Platform Research various newsletter platforms like Substack, Mailchimp, or Revue by Twitter to find one that best suits your needs. These platforms offer features for designing newsletters, managing subscribers, and tracking performance metrics.
5. Building a Website Having a dedicated website for your newsletter is crucial for establishing credibility and providing additional information to your audience. Consider securing a domain name (.net initially) and creating a website using platforms like Beehiiv with website-building capabilities.
6. Leveraging Video Content Inspired by resources like Ericlamideas’ YouTube video on building powerful newsletters, consider incorporating video content into your newsletter strategy. Videos can enhance engagement and provide visual demonstrations of coding tutorials or interviews.
7. Monetization Strategies Explore potential monetization strategies for your newsletter in the future once you have established a loyal subscriber base. This could include sponsored content, premium subscriptions for exclusive content, or affiliate marketing partnerships.
By following these steps diligently and consistently delivering valuable content to your subscribers, you can build a successful developer newsletter that resonates with developers of all levels.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Substack: Substack is a popular platform for launching subscription-based newsletters with features tailored for writers looking to monetize their content.
Mailchimp: Mailchimp is an email marketing service provider that offers tools for designing newsletters, managing subscriber lists, and tracking campaign performance.
Revue by Twitter: Revue is an email newsletter platform acquired by Twitter that enables users to curate content from across the web into engaging newsletters.
These sources were instrumental in providing insights into selecting newsletter platforms and optimizing content delivery strategies for maximum impact within the developer community.
God Bless You,
JC.
Creating a Developer Newsletter: A Comprehensive Guide
Starting a newsletter for developers, regardless of their skill level, can be an exciting and rewarding venture. It provides a platform to share knowledge, insights, and resources within the developer community. Here’s a detailed guide on how to create and manage a successful developer newsletter:
1. Define Your Newsletter’s Purpose and Audience Before diving into the technical aspects of setting up your newsletter, it’s crucial to define its purpose and target audience. Determine what value you aim to provide through the newsletter and who your target readers are – beginners, intermediate developers, or seasoned professionals.
2. Choosing a Name and Frequency Selecting an engaging and relevant name for your newsletter is essential as it represents your brand and content. Ensure that the name resonates with your target audience. Additionally, decide on the frequency of sending out newsletters – in this case, every Saturday morning.
3. Content Strategy Develop a content strategy that aligns with your audience’s interests and needs. Consider including coding tutorials, career advice, project showcases, interviews with industry professionals, and fun tech-related content to keep your readers engaged.
4. Selecting a Newsletter Platform Research various newsletter platforms like Substack, Mailchimp, or Revue by Twitter to find one that best suits your needs. These platforms offer features for designing newsletters, managing subscribers, and tracking performance metrics.
5. Building a Website Having a dedicated website for your newsletter is crucial for establishing credibility and providing additional information to your audience. Consider securing a domain name (.net initially) and creating a website using platforms like Beehiiv with website-building capabilities.
6. Leveraging Video Content Inspired by resources like Ericlamideas’ YouTube video on building powerful newsletters, consider incorporating video content into your newsletter strategy. Videos can enhance engagement and provide visual demonstrations of coding tutorials or interviews.
7. Monetization Strategies Explore potential monetization strategies for your newsletter in the future once you have established a loyal subscriber base. This could include sponsored content, premium subscriptions for exclusive content, or affiliate marketing partnerships.
By following these steps diligently and consistently delivering valuable content to your subscribers, you can build a successful developer newsletter that resonates with developers of all levels.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Substack: Substack is a popular platform for launching subscription-based newsletters with features tailored for writers looking to monetize their content.
Mailchimp: Mailchimp is an email marketing service provider that offers tools for designing newsletters, managing subscriber lists, and tracking campaign performance.
Revue by Twitter: Revue is an email newsletter platform acquired by Twitter that enables users to curate content from across the web into engaging newsletters.
These sources were instrumental in providing insights into selecting newsletter platforms and optimizing content delivery strategies for maximum impact within the developer community.
God Bless You,
JC.
Francis Ashkar
information and computer science student
20
Answers
Updated
Francis’s Answer
Hey Josue! 👋🚀 I absolutely love your enthusiasm and determination to make CoffeeDev a success! A tech newsletter created by students, for students is such an awesome idea. 🙌
You've clearly put a lot of thought and effort into this project over the years, and it's inspiring to see your commitment to making it happen, despite the challenges you've faced along the way. That kind of perseverance and passion is what the tech world is all about! 💪
I think you're on the right track with your plans for the newsletter. Starting with a platform like Beehiiv to handle the newsletter side of things while you work on building a custom website is a smart move. And your vision of integrating various APIs to create a powerful, dynamic platform is really impressive. 🤖
By involving students from all levels and featuring coding tutorials, career advice, project showcases, and insights from industry professionals, you're creating something truly valuable for the tech community. It's a space where everyone can learn, collaborate, and stay inspired. 🌟
My advice? Go for it, Josue! 🔥 You've got a solid plan in place, and with your drive and creativity, there's no doubt in my mind that you can turn CoffeeDev into something incredible. Just remember to stay focused, keep learning, and don't be afraid to ask for help or feedback along the way.
The tech world needs more passionate, innovative thinkers like you, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes you. Wishing you all the best, my friend! You've got this! 🚀
You've clearly put a lot of thought and effort into this project over the years, and it's inspiring to see your commitment to making it happen, despite the challenges you've faced along the way. That kind of perseverance and passion is what the tech world is all about! 💪
I think you're on the right track with your plans for the newsletter. Starting with a platform like Beehiiv to handle the newsletter side of things while you work on building a custom website is a smart move. And your vision of integrating various APIs to create a powerful, dynamic platform is really impressive. 🤖
By involving students from all levels and featuring coding tutorials, career advice, project showcases, and insights from industry professionals, you're creating something truly valuable for the tech community. It's a space where everyone can learn, collaborate, and stay inspired. 🌟
My advice? Go for it, Josue! 🔥 You've got a solid plan in place, and with your drive and creativity, there's no doubt in my mind that you can turn CoffeeDev into something incredible. Just remember to stay focused, keep learning, and don't be afraid to ask for help or feedback along the way.
The tech world needs more passionate, innovative thinkers like you, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes you. Wishing you all the best, my friend! You've got this! 🚀
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hi Josue,
Starting a tech newsletter sounds like a fantastic idea, especially if you're passionate about technology and want to share that enthusiasm with others. It's clear you've already put thought and effort into the concept, even trying different approaches in the past. Here are some things to consider as you move forward:
1. **Passion and Commitment:** Make sure you're truly passionate about this project and willing to dedicate time and effort to it consistently, especially amidst your other responsibilities as a high school senior.
2. **Learn from Past Attempts:** Reflect on what worked and what didn't with your previous endeavors. Use those lessons to improve your approach this time around.
3. **Define Your Audience:** Clearly define who your target audience is. Since you're aiming for students interested in tech, consider what kind of content would be most valuable and engaging for them.
4. **Quality Content:** Focus on delivering high-quality, valuable content that resonates with your audience. This could include coding tutorials, career advice, project showcases, interviews, and fun tech-related content.
5. **Consistency:** Consistency is key for building and retaining an audience. Commit to a regular publishing schedule, such as sending out your newsletter every Saturday morning, and stick to it.
6. **Engagement:** Encourage interaction and feedback from your readers. This could involve including discussion questions, inviting reader submissions, or hosting Q&A sessions with industry professionals.
7. **Promotion:** Don't forget to promote your newsletter to attract subscribers. Utilize social media, online communities, and word-of-mouth to spread the word about "Blank."
8. **Technical Considerations:** Ensure your website and newsletter delivery system are optimized for speed and reliability. Consider using email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to streamline the process.
9. **Collaboration:** Consider collaborating with other students who share your passion for tech. This could help lighten the workload and bring diverse perspectives to your newsletter.
10. **Stay Open to Adaptation:** Remain flexible and open to evolving your newsletter based on feedback and changing interests within the tech community.
Overall, starting "Blank" sounds like a promising venture, and with your determination and enthusiasm, you're well-positioned to make it a success. Good luck!
Starting a tech newsletter sounds like a fantastic idea, especially if you're passionate about technology and want to share that enthusiasm with others. It's clear you've already put thought and effort into the concept, even trying different approaches in the past. Here are some things to consider as you move forward:
1. **Passion and Commitment:** Make sure you're truly passionate about this project and willing to dedicate time and effort to it consistently, especially amidst your other responsibilities as a high school senior.
2. **Learn from Past Attempts:** Reflect on what worked and what didn't with your previous endeavors. Use those lessons to improve your approach this time around.
3. **Define Your Audience:** Clearly define who your target audience is. Since you're aiming for students interested in tech, consider what kind of content would be most valuable and engaging for them.
4. **Quality Content:** Focus on delivering high-quality, valuable content that resonates with your audience. This could include coding tutorials, career advice, project showcases, interviews, and fun tech-related content.
5. **Consistency:** Consistency is key for building and retaining an audience. Commit to a regular publishing schedule, such as sending out your newsletter every Saturday morning, and stick to it.
6. **Engagement:** Encourage interaction and feedback from your readers. This could involve including discussion questions, inviting reader submissions, or hosting Q&A sessions with industry professionals.
7. **Promotion:** Don't forget to promote your newsletter to attract subscribers. Utilize social media, online communities, and word-of-mouth to spread the word about "Blank."
8. **Technical Considerations:** Ensure your website and newsletter delivery system are optimized for speed and reliability. Consider using email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to streamline the process.
9. **Collaboration:** Consider collaborating with other students who share your passion for tech. This could help lighten the workload and bring diverse perspectives to your newsletter.
10. **Stay Open to Adaptation:** Remain flexible and open to evolving your newsletter based on feedback and changing interests within the tech community.
Overall, starting "Blank" sounds like a promising venture, and with your determination and enthusiasm, you're well-positioned to make it a success. Good luck!
Thank you so much, Aisha!
Josue