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- What's a Blogletter? A Blog and Newsletter Business Idea for Beginners
What's a Blogletter? A Blog and Newsletter Business Idea for Beginners
Stay Relevant By Turning What You Know Into Influence and Income (Without Starting Over)
Let me guess—you want to stay relevant.
These days, that means finding ways to share your expertise, build influence, and—let’s be honest—put some extra cash in your pocket.
Here’s a newsletter business idea that’s tailor-made for Gen X professionals who want to stay relevant and build income streams without starting over.
It’s called the Blogletter Strategy—a modern 2-in-1 approach that combines the reach of a blog with the connection of a newsletter. Together, they help you share your expertise, test new tools and trends, and even build a future-proof business—all while you sleep.
It solves two big problems:
Newsletter creators often struggle to get discovered.
Bloggers often struggle to build real relationships.
A blogletter kills both birds with one efficient, time-saving stone.
And the best part?
It’s designed for people with real experience and responsibilities, so you can start without quitting your day job or becoming a viral TikTok star.
Ready to learn how this newsletter business idea works?
Read on…
Let's Start with the Basics
A blog is like your own space on the internet where you write about what you know. Think of it as your personal website where you share your expertise.
A newsletter is when you send those writings directly to people's email inboxes, building a more personal connection with your readers.
A blogletter combines both - it's the smart way to share your knowledge and build relationships without doubling your work.
Why Blogletters Are Perfect for Gen Xers
If you're in your late 40s or 50s, this is your moment. Here's why:
You've got decades of real experience (that's gold)
You've lived through massive workplace changes (giving you perspective others don't have)
You know what actually works (not just theory)
You're old enough to have wisdom, young enough to master new tools
You need future-proof skills (not just another job)
Plus, let's be honest - the job market isn't exactly kind to us Gen Xers. A blogletter lets you bypass the traditional gatekeepers and create your own opportunity.
Why Gen Xers Can't Afford to Think "Traditional" Anymore
Let me tell you a story about the biggest myth in corporate America: job security.
For 17 years, I worked in a cubicle, getting ONE paycheck from ONE company at the mercy of ONE boss. Then one morning, without warning, HR showed up at my desk. Just like that, game over.
I call it the "Kill Shot":
KILL SHOT = losing your ONE job = F#@K!
Remember how your grandparents said "Don't put all your eggs in one basket"? They weren't just talking about investments. They were warning us about depending on a single source of income.
What Saved Me? My Side Projects
While I was still employed, I was building little side projects. Some blogging here, some music-related affiliate marketing projects there. Nothing huge on its own, but together? They became my life raft.
Today, those "little" projects have grown into 10+ income streams. Not only did they help me survive the Kill Shot, but they've also created a much more interesting life than the one I had staring at cubicle walls for 17 years.
Why This Matters for Every Gen Xer Right Now
Here's the hard truth: thinking like an employee is risky.
Thinking like an entrepreneur? That's security.
One income stream can vanish in a morning
Multiple streams mean true stability
Your experience becomes an asset YOU control
You're building something that pays you, not your employer
Technology makes it easier than ever to start something on the side
A blogletter isn't just another side hustle - it's your insurance policy against the Kill Shot. It's about taking control of your future instead of hoping some employer takes care of it.
My Story: From Cubicle to Freedom
Back in 2004, I was stuck in a cubicle as a mechanical draftsman. My redesigns were saving the company thousands, but my reward? A measly $1,000-$3,000 annual raise and the classic corporate "pat on the back."
That's when I started experimenting with blogs. I wrote about fantasy football (total geek stuff) and music - just things I loved. Something crazy happened: Google started sending people to read my stuff.
Soon enough, my fantasy football blog was making $300-$500 a month just from ads. Then I started selling guitar courses through my music blog, having $500+ days. All this while keeping my day job and taking care of three kids and a mortgage.
Flashback: Check out this screenshot of my fantasy football blog WAY back in 2008…
FantasyFootballGoat circa 2008 (via waybackmachine.com)
Why Should You Care?
Because what I stumbled into by accident, you can do deliberately. Today's tools make it easier than ever to:
Share your expertise
Build an audience
Make money from your knowledge
And the best part? You don't need to be some tech wizard or quit your job or go back to school.
You just need:
Experience (which you've got after decades of working)
Stories to share (which you've got plenty of)
The right platform (which I'll show you)
How a Blogletter Works
Picture this simple engine:
You write about what you know
People find your writing through Google and social
They sign up for your newsletter to get more
You build relationships through their inbox
Some of those relationships turn into income
The Three Skills You'll Develop
Running a blogletter helps you master three future-proof skills:
Writing - Don't worry, you don't need to be Shakespeare. People just want to hear your real experiences.
Marketing - Simply learning to share your ideas with people who care (easier than ever with today's tools).
Continuous Learning - Using your natural curiosity to stay ahead (especially with AI tools making everything easier).
Getting Started Is Easier
Today's tools make this so much simpler than when I started. I use Beehiiv ($) - one simple platform that handles everything.
Add in AI tools like ChatGPT, and it's like having a 24/7 assistant helping you write better and work faster.
From Zero to Income
You can make money through:
Ads on your blog
Sponsored content
Affiliate marketing (recommending products you trust)
Your own digital products
Consulting opportunities
Premium subscriptions
Remember my story? I went from making $40K a year as a draftsman to pulling in $10K-$18K monthly using these exact same principles.
Why Start Now?
Look, I get it. Starting something new in your 50s might sound crazy. But here's the truth: our generation is perfectly positioned for this.
We're:
Too young to retire
Too tired of the 9-5 rat race
Too experienced for entry-level jobs
Too vulnerable to workplace age bias
Too smart to keep depending on one employer
Too valuable to let gatekeepers decide our worth
Plus, with AI tools making everything easier, there's never been a better time for Gen Xers to start building their own thing.
Why Start With a Blogletter (Instead of Video or Podcasting)?
"But Corey, shouldn't I be on YouTube or start a podcast instead?"
Yep, you could do that. And its natural to think that because video and podcasting are huge right now. BUT here's why a blogletter is the smartest place to start in my humble opinion:
Everything Starts With Writing
Want to make videos? You need a script. Want to podcast? You need show notes. Want to sell anything? You need copy.
Writing is the foundation of all content.
Clarify Your Thinking
Writing forces you to organize your thoughts and refine your message. Trust me, you want to figure this out before you're staring at a camera or microphone.
Lower Barrier to Entry
No expensive equipment needed
No complex editing software to learn
No awkward camera presence required
Just you, your keyboard, and your experience
Build Your Base First
A blogletter helps you:
Build a subscriber base (perfect for launching other media later)
Test what resonates with your audience
Create a "living resume" of your expertise
Develop your voice and message
Get comfortable sharing in public
Plus, you can always add video or podcasting later - and when you do, you'll have proven content to create with and an audience ready to watch or listen.
Ready to Build Your Own Blogletter?
Getting started is simpler than you might think. Here's how:
Step 1: Start Building
Use Beehiiv ($) to create your home base - it handles both your blog and newsletter in one place. No technical headaches, no jacking around with multiple platforms. Use my link and get 20% off your first 3 months of Beehiiv ($) - a sweet deal for RedefiningRetirement readers.
Step 2: Find Your Sweet Spot
Grab a free ChatGPT account (chat.openai.com) and use my handy pathfinder prompt to discover your perfect topic - one that combines your experience with what people actually want to read about.
Copy this into ChatGPT:
"I am a [YOUR AGE] individual with [YOUR EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE ARE and/or PASSION FOR X HOBBY]. I want to start a blog and newsletter business that aligns with my life experiences, passions, and what the world needs while being financially sustainable. Please suggest 5 in-demand topics that:
1. Leverage my unique skills, knowledge, or life experiences.
2. Address intrinsic, extrinsic, and systemic values to ensure relevance, fulfillment, and impact.
3. Fall into the monetizable categories of health, wealth, relationships, or hobbies.
4. Meet the principles of Ikigai, ensuring they align with what I love, what I’m good at, what the world needs, and what I can be paid for.
5. Appeal to a defined target audience that I can connect with easily, fostering community and engagement.
6. Allow for scalability into additional revenue streams like courses, books, or consulting.
7. Include a unique angle or differentiation to stand out in the market.
8. Suggest ways to use AI tools for content creation, audience analysis, or automation.
9. Are practical to implement considering my level of technical expertise, time, and budget.
10. Address emerging trends to ensure the topics remain relevant in the next 5–10 years.
11. Have potential for cross-platform expansion into podcasts, video content, or social media."
Additionally, for each topic, include specific monetization strategies and examples of successful blogs or newsletters in that area as inspiration.
Step 3: Grow Your Asset
Share what you're learning about AI, your industry expertise, or that hobby you love. Each post builds your platform - think of it as your insurance policy against depending on one employer.
The best part? You can start small. Remember, I built my first successful blog while working full-time with three kids and a mortgage. You don't need to be some 24-year-old YouTube influencer or quit your day job.
Ready to turn your experience into your advantage?
Blogletter Bonus: let me know if you are using my affiliate link. I’ve likely discovered some AI shortcuts to help you personalize and speed up the implementation process. Whether it's notes, prompts, or custom tweaks, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned to help you get results faster.
Click here after you purchase to let me know and claim your bonus resources.
Do you want me to build it for you?
I can help you get up and running quickly. I’ll build it; you take care of the writing.
You’ll save tons of time, build your audience faster, and start earning.
Let’s do this,
Corey
P.S. My Personal Guarantee: Sign up through my link, and if you don't see the value within 30 days, email me. I'll personally help you get the most out of it.
Quick heads up: Links marked ($) or (sponsored) earn me a small commission if you buy at no extra cost to you - THANK YOU! I also use AI to help edit and curate content, while keeping it real with insights from my journey and others who inspire me. Rock on! -Corey
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