(YOUR WEEKLY NOTE FROM ANGELINE)

🕗 Reading time: 4 minutes

Hello Reader,

This was me a year ago. Weekend morning. Laptop, coffee, couch. Ready to write my newsletter.

I picked an idea from my idea bank—something about CliftonStrengths and networking for introverts. Important and personal topic. I created a blank page on my Notion app and started typing.

One paragraph in, my fingers stopped tapping on the keys. I stared out the window, eyes unfocused.

What was I actually trying to say? Was this about energy management? Mindset? Reframing extroverted networking advice? I hesitated. Scrapped it. Picked another idea. By the third attempt, I felt like that old cartoon character (or Jimmy Fallon)—crumpling paper in exasperation, tossing it into the waste bin. 😭

As I look back, I realized my problem wasn't the ideas. The ideas were fine.

The problem was I didn't know if they were ready to be written.

Here’s what I learned:

Not all ideas that you capture are ready to be turned into a newsletter or a LinkedIn post. Sometimes ideas need time to ripen.

And here's what most advice misses: people will tell you to separate ideation from writing, but nobody talks about how to actually select an idea from your idea bank.

You need a filter. A way to tell if an idea is ready or if it needs more time.

I use two frameworks to test my ideas before I start writing. Both consist of short questions, and if I can answer them clearly, the idea is ripe for writing!

Framework 1: For Who/So That (from Ship30For30)

At the top of your page, answer these three questions:

1. Topic: What's the idea from your idea bank?
2. For Who: Who are you writing this for?
3. So That: What do you want them to be able to do after reading?

Here's an example:

1. Topic: Q1 Goal setting using CliftonStrengths
2. For Who: Job seekers in the service industry
3. So That: They can stop following one-size-fits-all job search advice and create an approach aligned to their strengths.

Framework 2: Think Before Ink (from Ann Handley's Book: Everybody Writes)

Answer these three questions:

1. Why am I creating this? What is my objective?
2. What is my key take on the subject or issue? What's my point of view?
3. So what? Why does it matter to the people I am trying to reach?

For example (this is what I wrote at the top of the page before writing this newsletter):

1. Why am I creating this? Not all ideas are ready to be turned into content. You need a way to tell if an idea is ready.
2. What's my point of view? It's important to know the ONE central message you want to get across. If you don't know what that ONE message is, then the idea isn't ready yet.
3. So what? This is a necessary step that most advice misses. People agree on separating ideation from writing, but nobody talks about how to select an idea from the idea bank.

How I use this:

In my Notion app (where I capture my ideas), I add the Ship30 and Think Before Ink questions at the very top of each idea page. When I review my ideas, I attempt to answer the questions.

If my answers are clear, I'm ready to write.

If my answers are vague or I'm struggling to articulate them? The idea goes back in the bank to ripen—like green mangoes 🥭 we'd nestle in uncooked rice back home. (Try this to ripen them fast.)

If you're a coach or speaker writing your newsletters or social media posts, think about:

1. Creating an idea bank where you capture topics you want to write about
2. Adding these framework questions to your idea template
3. Testing each idea before you start writing. Can you answer the questions clearly?
4. If yes, write. If no, let it sit and revisit later.
5. Use this filter to decide what goes into your newsletter or LinkedIn posts

This simple step saves you from sitting down to write, getting stuck two sentences in, and questioning whether you have anything valuable to say.

You do. You just need to know when the idea is ready.

❓Reply and let me know if you give this a try! As with all creative processes... adapt and make it your own!

Let's talk newsletters for a minute

If you're ready to have a dedicated space to share your ideas with your audience, a newsletter is a great way to do that. If you've been thinking about starting a newsletter but keep putting it off because the tech feels overwhelming, I have something for you.

I'm running my Build Your First Newsletter workshop on Tuesday February 17 and Thursday February 19 (two 60-minute sessions). It's designed for coaches and speakers who want to stay connected with their audience without the stress of figuring it all out alone.

Here's what we'll cover:

• Setting up your email platform (Kit)
• Creating your first newsletter template
• Writing your first welcome email
• Building a system that runs on autopilot

One of my past participants said this:

That's exactly what this workshop does. It removes the friction so you can focus on what matters—connecting with your audience.

Enrollment opens in the next few days. Join the waitlist now for the best price. Limited to 6 spots.

Join the waitlist here → https://amplifysoon.kit.com/2026workshoplist​

​

Speaking of taking action on your ideas—can you please answer this poll below👇🏼

I hope you're having a fantastic January so far!

​

P.S. Thinking about starting a newsletter but not sure if the workshop is right for you? Book a 30-minute chat with me. I'll tell you honestly if it's a fit—and share helpful resources either way.
→ Book a zoom call with me

​