Welcome to another issue of the no-BS newsletter dedicated to demystifying the world of passive income, where we share practical, reliable strategies to build and sustain income streams that work for you.

If you want to help someone else make money while they sleep, forward this email to them.

In today's issue:

Did you know that stand-up comedians and email marketers have something in common?

No, it’s not the fear of being ignored (though let’s be honest, we both deal with that).

It’s the power of tension.

Comedians use it to make you laugh.
Marketers use it to make you buy.

I realized this when I first read a book on stand-up comedy. The author broke down the core principles of crafting a joke, and I had a ding-ding-ding moment—60% of those rules were the same ones I already used in email marketing.

Then, Steve Martin’s MasterClass on Comedy took it even further. He explained that being funny isn’t about being naturally witty—it’s about building tension and releasing it.

Take his joke:

"I love giving my cat a bath. The only downside is… all the fur in my mouth afterward."

Not exactly a knee-slapper, right? But it works because it sets up an expectation (a normal cat bath) and twists it unexpectedly (wait… what did he just say?).

And guess what?

Your emails should do the exact same thing.

Think of a great email like a great joke.

You start by grabbing attention (a disruptive subject line).
You build tension by stirring up a problem, a frustration, or a fear.
Then, you release that tension—by offering a solution (a.k.a. whatever you’re selling).

That’s why emails that make people uncomfortable work so well. They rattle the reader’s cage and force them to pay attention.

For example, years ago, I wrote an email with this subject line:

 "Me, my best friend, my wife, and my bedroom."

Sounds juicy, right?

Inside, I shared a story about how every time my best friend visited, we’d get sucked into playing FIFA for hours… and my wife would storm off to the bedroom, pissed off.

Eventually, I found a way to keep him busy—by introducing him to a method for making money online.

The result? The tension got resolved, and my readers got curious about that opportunity.

Comedians don’t just wing it—they use structured brainstorming techniques to find great material.

Before they write a joke, they ask themselves:

What pisses me off?

What confuses me?

What am I afraid of?

What’s mildly annoying?

What’s embarrassing?

What do I hate about myself?

Apply these same questions to your emails, and you’ll never run out of engaging content.

So next time you sit down to write an email, don’t think like a marketer.

Think like a comedian.

Just swap out the punchline… for a call to action that makes you money.

As our way of saying thanks for subscribing to the newsletter, we’d like to ship you a free copy of the Amazon best-seller List Building Lifestyle: Confessions of an Email Millionaire. This book shows how to build a scalable passive income online even if you’ve got no previous experience.

Claim your no cost copy by texting the word BOOK to +1 (917) 979-4483

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TEXT 'BOOK' TO CLAIM YOUR FREE COPY

This book costs $20 on Amazon, but if you text the word BOOK to +1 (917) 979-4483, you’ll receive a special link allowing you to get a free copy of the book plus $3,251.88 in bonuses (just chip in on S&H).

Most people think sales is about getting people to say "yes."

They believe the more "yeses" you get, the closer you are to closing the deal.

Wrong.

In fact, "yes" is the worst thing you can chase.

Why?

Because people don’t like saying "yes." It feels like a commitment. It triggers resistance. It makes them want to run for the hills.

What they do feel comfortable saying… is "no."

See, "no" makes people feel safe.

Hostage negotiators know this. The best salespeople know this. But 99% of marketers are still out there desperately chasing the almighty "yes," wondering why they get ghosted.

Instead of trying to corner your prospect into a "yes," do this:

When they hesitate, say: "Sounds like this isn't for you."

Their natural reaction? “No, wait… that’s not what I meant.”

Boom. Now you have them re-engaging.

Ask, "Why would you ever want to change what you’re doing now?"

This flips the script. Instead of defending why they should stay the same, they’ll start defending the idea of change.

Frame your offer as avoiding loss, not just gaining something.

People will do more to avoid losing $100 than to gain $1,000.

Show them what they’re missing out on if they don’t act.

Ever heard someone say, "I just want what's fair"?

That’s the F-word of negotiation.

There’s no such thing as "fair." What’s "fair" to you might not be "fair" to them. It’s an illusion that makes people feel like victims.

Instead, focus on what works.

Trump does this all the time (like him or not, the guy gets attention). He calls everything he doesn’t like "very unfair"—because he knows people respond emotionally to that word.

In the same way, your prospect’s idea of "fair" doesn’t matter. What matters is what gets them to take action.

Stop chasing approval. Stop trying to make people "like" your offer.

Instead, lean into resistance and use it to guide the conversation.

Don’t push for "yes"—create space for "no."

Don’t just pitch benefits—expose what they’re afraid of losing.

Don’t worry about being "fair"—focus on being effective.

Sales, persuasion, and influence all boil down to human psychology. Master that, and you’ll never struggle to close a deal again.

Want to stand out online but drowning in a sea of content? 

Molly Mahoney reveals how AI helps you discover your true identity and communicate authentically. 

We explore how AI can help you find your unique voice in content chaos, connect with your audience on a deeper level, and unleash your creativity while maintaining authenticity. 

Molly's insights reveal AI's role in shaping the future of content and provide practical strategies for leveraging this powerful technology. 

If you're ready to break free from content creation constraints and embrace the AI revolution, this episode is your gateway to unlocking unlimited potential in your digital endeavors. 

Tune in now to supercharge your content strategy!

Want to write emails that grab attention, hook readers, and sell like crazy?Then you need to learn storytelling.

And not just any storytelling—storytelling that gets people to take action.

That’s where How to Tell a Story by Gary Provost and Peter Rubie comes in.

This book isn’t just about writing better stories—it’s about making people feel something. Because when people feel something, they buy.

Here’s why this book is a must-read for any marketer:

 It breaks storytelling into a science—so you can craft compelling narratives every time.
It teaches you how to create tension and keep readers hooked (remember, tension = $$$).
It gives you simple frameworks that you can apply to emails, sales pages, and even social media posts.
It helps you turn boring facts into engaging stories that sell.

Even if you think you’re “not a storyteller,” this book will change that. Fast.

So if you want to write emails that capture attention, build trust, and drive sales, grab a copy of How to Tell a Story today.

Your business (and your bank account) will thank you.

I remember every visitor, 

but we’ve never met. 

I send emails on schedule, 

so you don’t break a sweat. 

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