You don't need another vision board.

And you definitely don't need another article telling you to "find your why."

You’re 50 (or close to it). You know your "why." It’s called paying the mortgage and not dying of boredom in a cubicle.

You need a wrench. You need the tools to actually build something.

I didn't choose this tool because I love software. I chose it because I’m 53 and I’m tired of working harder than I have to.

I realized that if I built my audience on social media, I was building a house on rented land. If the algorithm changed, my business would disappear.

I needed to own the asset.

But I also wanted leverage. I wanted a tool where I could write one piece of content and have it automatically act as a newsletter for my subscribers AND a blog post for Google search.

I didn't want to mess with WordPress plugins. I just wanted to write once and get paid twice.

I finally found the sweet spot.

Here is the exact "Tech Stack" I use to run this business, and the cheat sheet to get it launched this weekend.

📦 The "Too Long; Won’t Read" Summary

If you want to skip the lecture and start building, here is the gear I use:

Note: I dumped WordPress for this. Best decision I made in the past 5 years.

Why Most "Side Hustles" Are a Trap

If you’re like me, you’ve searched for "how to make money online" and immediately wanted to throw your laptop out the window.

The results are usually a nightmare for our generation:

  • Drive for Uber? Trade your car's transmission for pennies.

  • Start a TikTok Channel? Requires constant energy and "performance." No thanks.

  • Dropshipping? I don't have time to answer emails about lost packages at 2 AM.

We don't want a second job. We're tired. We want an asset.

I spent 17 years as a mechanical draftsman. I think in terms of leverage. We need something that uses our brain and years of experience, not our backs.

The answer is the Newsletter Business Model.

You write about what you know. People subscribe. You get paid. Simple.

The Tool: Why I Switched to Beehiiv

Back in the day, circa 2010ish, if you wanted a newsletter, you had to MacGyver five different tools together using duct tape and a prayer.

You needed WordPress for the site, Mailchimp for the emails, and Paypal for the cash.

It was a mess.

Today, I use Beehiiv.

Think of Beehiiv like the luxury SUV of the newsletter world. It comes fully loaded with everything you need right off the lot. No assembly required.

Why it beats the competition:

  • Vs. Substack: Substack takes a 10% cut of your income forever. Beehiiv takes 0%. You keep what you earn. (Math is hard, but that’s an easy one).

  • Vs. WordPress: No plugins to update. No hosting crashes. It just works.

  • It Pays You: They have an "Ad Network" that connects you with sponsors (like Netflix or HubSpot) so you don't have to cold-call people.

"But Corey, I'm Not a Writer..."

I hear this all the time: "I have the experience, but I'm not a writer."

You don't need to be Shakespeare. You just need to be helpful.

This is where the "AI" part saves your bacon. You don't need to stare at a blank page. You can use tools (like ChatGPT or Claude) to:

  • Brainstorm 50 topic ideas while you drink your coffee.

  • Take your rough, chaotic notes and structure them into a clean outline.

  • Proofread your drafts so you sound like a pro.

You are the Editor-in-Chief; AI is just your junior draftsman doing the grunt work.

How to Launch This Weekend (Stop Overthinking)

I know how we operate.

We want the perfect logo before we launch. We want the perfect domain name.

Stop it.

I stripped away all the fluff. Forget branding workshops and complex tech setups. I only included the steps you need to get your first subscriber.

Step 1: Get the Software

Start your trial with Beehiiv. You don't need the paid plan to start, but the trial lets you play with the "growth" toys.

Start Beehiiv Trial (Affiliate Link)

Step 2: Download the Blueprint

I created a free AI Newsletter Fast Track Launch Checklist. It covers:

  • How to pick a niche (using the skills you've been building for 20 years).

  • The exact settings to toggle for SEO.

  • A "Fill-in-the-Blanks" template for your first post.

    [Link: Download the Checklist] (Lead Magnet Link)

Step 3: Automate It

Once you have the checklist, you’ll see an option to join my WorXshop. That’s where I show you how to set up the automation sequences that turn casual readers into buyers—automatically.

Don't Let Your Experience Retire With You

The internet is full of "content creators" who have never actually done anything. You have decades of real-world experience.

That experience is inventory.

Package it up, put it in a newsletter, and build the security that a corporate job can never give you.

Ready to build?

You have two choices: Keep researching until you talk yourself out of it, or launch the thing this weekend.

1. Get the Tool Start the 30-day trial. You don't even need a credit card to look around.

2. Get the Plan Don't stare at a blank screen. Grab my checklist and fill in the blanks

Well, hell, if I can do it, you can too.

Let's do this.

Keep Reading

No posts found