Issue #4: Big Changes Are Coming Your Way

Today at a Glance

• Major newsletter revamp based on your brutally honest feedback

• Vote on a new logo - from AI-generated options to hand-drawn chaos

• Real estate advisory adventures: Balancing client dreams with financial realities

• Tech toolkit for side hustlers: Domains, emails, and websites on a budget

• Five potential advisory gigs on the horizon, but still no signatures or payments

Welcome to Issue #4 of My New Meta; only four issues are in, and big changes are here, thanks to your candid feedback.

You spoke; we listened. You were super critical…I was a punching bag. Here is some of what I heard... leaving the profanity out.

This time around, we're opening the creative floodgates to you, our beloved readers. That's right, you get to be the backseat driver of this content car crash! No more waiting until after the fact to tell us how spectacularly we've missed the mark. Now, you can influence the train wreck in real-time. Who knows? With your input, we might just upgrade from "dumpster fire" to "controlled burn."

Feedback

For those keeping score at home, here's the feedback on the newsletter from the masses:

• "What’s this TLDR summary, its Fat and not the Phat fat. Throw in some emojis while you're at it!"

• "What's actually happening in Greg's entrepreneurial misadventures? Give us some actual content."

• "Has a single penny been earned, or are we still in the 'investment phase'?"

• "How can this newsletter add value to my life besides entertainment?"

• "Are those illustrations the work of a caffeinated squirrel?"

• "Is this really building in public, or just public embarrassment?"

• "Does Greg ever leave his startup cave, or should we send a search party?"

Thanks again for the feedback; you can do it too; it’s as easy as hitting reply and using ALL CAPS to say that’s terrible.

We will be addressing all of those changes in the coming weeks.

Inclusivity…no, really

Again, I hear you clearly: not everyone plans to escape the matrix of corporate life. For our dear readers who aren't planning a dramatic exit from their 9-to-5, fear not. We've re-tailored our content to be more inclusive than a corporate diversity seminar. Whether you're plotting world dominance from your cubicle or just trying to survive another day of office small talk, there's something here for you.

Our new tagline reflects this inclusivity:

The Creative Change-Up

Now, about that logo... we heard you loud and clear. Apparently, our original design screamed, "I just discovered MS Paint," rather than "cutting-edge startup newsletter." So, we're putting more than our usual 5 minutes of work into it. This is a choose-your-own-adventure situation, folks!

We are updating the logo, and by we, I mean you have a say. Here are five options. For the first 3, I entered the text tagline for the newsletter and let AI suggest the logo. Midjourney created #1, #2 was created by DALLE, and #3 was created by Claude. #4 was designed by yours truly using Canva (yes, I can occasionally use tools other than crayons); option #5 is to keep it the same because, hey, maybe you all secretly love our current "minimalist" approach, and option #6 is to quit this newsletter while your dignity is still intact. Cast your vote in the poll below and help shape the visual future of My New Meta!

Now, back to our regular scheduled programming:

Weekly Update

• Cash Flow: Our reserves are dwindling, but we're not hitting the panic button yet. We have more irons in the fire than a medieval blacksmith during the sword-making season.

• Opportunities: Five potential advisory gigs from three different sources have appeared on our radar. And we haven't even started actively marketing ourselves yet!

• Big Pitch: Launched a massive proposal last week. Once the client decides which direction they want to go, I'll share a redacted version. Names and locations will be changed to protect the innocent (and keep the corporate lawyers off my back).

• Still in limbo proposals. No signatures from potential clients or payments from said clients have materialized. However, my non-compete clause is still hanging around like that last party guest who doesn't realize it's time to leave, so all is well.

• Current Focus: Still grinding away in the Real Estate Advisory realm. Some exciting developments might drop in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for the big reveal!

The Perils of Emotional Investment: A Cautionary Tale for All Dreamers

While knee-deep in my LandLogic advisory duties this week, I found myself wrestling with a classic entrepreneurial dilemma. Picture this: I'm hunched over my desk, surrounded by a fortress of coffee cups, squinting at a proforma that refuses to cooperate. The project in question? An infill development that's set to be my client's first foray into the cutthroat world of real estate.

As I crunched the numbers for the umpteenth time, a sinking feeling settled in my stomach - and it wasn't just from the questionable gas station sushi I'd wolfed down for lunch. The harsh reality was staring me in the face: this project's financial outlook was not promising.

The problem? My client, bless his heart, was more attached to this project than a koala to its favourite eucalyptus tree. He'd already named every square inch of the development, picked out colour schemes that would make Picasso scratch his head, and even planned a grand opening party complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and personalized hard hats.

As I sat there, trying to perform Excel wizardry that would make even Harry Potter raise an eyebrow, I recalled something a wise billionaire once told me over caviar-topped hot dogs at a charity gala. "Never fall in love with your projects," he said, wiping Beluga roe from his lower lip.

Now, faced with the unenviable task of bursting my client's bubble, those words hit me like a sledgehammer wrapped in velvet. I realized I needed to channel my inner Simon Cowell and deliver some hard truths, hopefully without crushing dreams or inciting a real estate revolt.

The challenge wasn't just in the numbers - it was in finding a way to help my client see the forest for the trees, or in this case, the profit for the property. How do you tell someone their 'baby' is ugly without ending up covered in metaphorical baby food?

As I prepared for what promised to be an interesting client meeting, I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony. Here I was, the supposed expert, feeling like I was about to star in my own version of "How to Lose a Client in 10 Days." But hey, if this entrepreneurial journey has taught me anything, it's that sometimes the most valuable service you can provide is a healthy dose of reality - even if it comes with a side of heartburn.

Tech Tools For Your Side Hustle

Alright, let's dive into the wild world of domain management and email setup. Buckle up because we're about to turn this tech talk into a comedy routine!

I've noticed a few side hustles out there using Gmail accounts and domains that sound like they were created by a toddler mashing a speak-and-spell. Nothing says "I'm a serious business," quite like emailing from [email protected] or having a website at www.definitelynotascam.notion.site, am I right? Let's fix this faster than you can say "404 Error Not Found."

Step #1: Secure that domain; first stop, Namecheap.com. It's time to claim your little corner of the internet. Follow the guidelines in this Hubspot article, which is about as exciting as watching paint dry, but hey, we're building an empire here! Use the code "COUPONFCNC" for a one-time 80% discount. That's right, you're basically stealing this domain. (Legally, of course. We're not running a digital Ocean's Eleven here.)

When choosing your domain, remember that www.MyBusinessIsLegitISwear.com might not inspire confidence. Aim for something short, snappy, and preferably without numbers replacing letters. Sorry, "L33tBusiness.com" is out.

Step #1a: Remember, if you are going to register your business to protect your working name as a Sole Proprietor or protect yourself completely as a corporation, use OWNR. Whether you're formalizing your side hustle or launching the next unicorn startup, OWNR makes the boring but necessary parts of business formation almost fun. (I said almost – let's not get carried away.)

Step #2: Set Up Professional Email Next, we're heading to NEO Email. Sign up for the $1.86 per month starter plan. Pay annually for the best deal because nothing says "I'm in this for the long haul" like committing to a whole month of email.

Now, you might be thinking, "But Greg, I love my [email protected] address!" Trust me, [email protected] will serve you better in the long run. Unless, of course, you're starting a cat-sitting business. In which case, carry on.

Step #3: Create Your Landing Page. Time to give your business a home on the web. Head over to Carrd.co and sign up for their $19 per year plan. It's like renting a studio apartment in the digital world but without noisy neighbours and questionable plumbing.

When you publish your landing page or website, use the domain you snagged in Step #1. Trust me, www.YourBusinessName.com looks a lot more legit than www.please-dont-be-a-scam.carrd.co.

Now, let's get technical (but make it fun):

1. Log into your Namecheap account. Navigate to the domain management page.

2. Find the DNS settings. This stands for "Domain Name System," not "Do Not Scream," though you might feel like doing just that.

3. You'll need to add some DNS records. Think of these as the internet's version of a treasure map, guiding lost web surfers to your digital island.

4. Add an A Record pointing to Carrd's IP address. It's like telling the internet, "If anyone's looking for my awesome business, send them this way!"

5. Wait for propagation. This can take up to 48 hours. It's like watching grass grow but less exciting.

Remember, changing DNS settings is like performing surgery on the internet. If you're not comfortable with this, find a tech-savvy friend. Bribe them with pizza if necessary.

Congratulations! You've just levelled up your side hustle's online presence. Your total investment? Less than $50 for the first year. That's cheaper than that latte habit you swear you're going to quit. Now go forth and conquer the internet, you savvy side hustler, you!

That's it for Issue #4. Have a great weekend.

Before you go, we would love some feedback:

Stay curious and keep hustling

Greg "Leveling Up One Fumble at a Time" Mills

P.S. If this email sparked your inner entrepreneur, forward it faster than office gossip. If it made you question my sanity, send it to that coworker who colour-codes their spreadsheets. Either way, you're helping me reach my weekly quota of "mildly amused readers."