What 2.3 million emails didn’t teach me

If you’re just tuning in, I’m creating a free email course live with you. Click here to catch up with Lesson 1, Lesson 2 and Lesson 3.

In just the past three months, I’ve clicked send on over 2.3 million emails.

That’s across multiple newsletters and client lists I help run. Different audiences, offers, formats, and funnels.

So I’m no stranger to sending emails.

But here’s the weird part:

None of those emails had my name on them.

And when it is my name in the “from” field?

Totally different story.

I hesitate. Second-guess. Get caught in my own head.

I wonder if anyone will care. Or if I’ll send into a black hole.

That’s not a strategy problem. That’s not a copy problem.

That’s an internal problem.

One that’s caused me to spend far too much time overthinking my emails:

• Is this hook strong enough?

• Should I change the CTA?

• What if I’m just repeating myself?

• How does this fit into the big picture?

I want everything I send to feel like my best work.

But I’ve realized that what holds me back is not that what I have to say isn’t good enough.

It’s fear.

Fear of sending something that flops.

Fear of being ignored.

Fear that someone won’t like the idea.

Or won’t like me.

Here’s the truth, especially early on when your audience is still small:

It’s not that people don’t like the email.

It’s that they don’t even see it.

And while that silence can feel worse than criticism, it’s actually a blessing.

Because you can get the bad ones out while fewer people are paying attention.

This is what’s helping me show up more consistently:

• Realizing I don’t need to write the perfect email. I just need to write an email. The only way to get good is to be bad.

• Recognizing I can say the same thing ten different ways, or a hundred. Most people won’t notice. Even I forget what I wrote last week. Repeating myself is the only way to stand out in a sea of content.

Each email is practice.

Each one helps me say it better next time.

And the only way I get better is by writing and sending.

That’s the real lesson.

It’s not a prompt.

It’s not a tool.

It’s a mental block I had to name, face, and start pushing through.

And maybe you have one too.

So here’s your homework:

Name it. Write it down. Be honest with yourself.

Because AI can help with a lot of things.

It can give you ideas.

It can clean up your writing.

It can even feel like a coach slapping you into action.

But it cannot do the work for you.

It cannot type the words.

It cannot paste them into your platform.

And it definitely cannot click send.

That part is on you.

Once you’ve identified your block, hit reply and share it with me.

I read every message. And if you're open to it, I’ll reply with a few ideas that have helped me get unstuck when I’ve faced the same thing.

Thanks for reading,

Nathan

P.S. If you’ve been using ChatGPT for a while, try this: Ask it what it thinks your biggest block is, based on everything you’ve told it.

I’ve done this myself. It’s uncomfortable. And kind of wild how accurate it can be.

But sometimes a mirror—even a robotic one—is exactly what we need.

When you’re ready, here’s how I can help

I build personalized AI Voice Bots that turn your own words and stories into ready‑to‑send drafts in seconds so you can hit Send on time and on brand.

Book a free 20‑minute Fit Call

I take only a few clients at a time. Even if we’re not a match, you’ll leave the call with some quick wins you can use immediately.