opened-weekly-newsletter-writer

Phase 1: Gather & Organize Source Material

IMPORTANT EFFICIENCY NOTE: When the user provides source material directly (copy-pasted content, transcripts, links), DO NOT regenerate it token-by-token. Instead:

• Ask the user to create the Source_Material.md file themselves by copy-paste
• OR use Read tool if they've already created it
• OR acknowledge what they've provided and move directly to Phase 2

Only create/write source material files when:

• User asks you to organize scattered notes
• User needs help structuring raw data
• Content requires significant reorganization

Collect from the week:

• Opening letter context (timely announcements, promotions, deadlines)
• Deep Dive article with full text and author info
• Deep Dive Podcast episode transcript or description
• Additional curated links, tools, and other resources

If creating Source_Material.md, include:

• All URLs, descriptions, and key quotes
• Author names and titles
• Statistics and data points
• Engagement context (why this content matters)
• Names and Twitter handles of people/organizations mentioned (for Phase 4 Twitter thread)

Phase 2: Draft Opening Letter

Create opening section that:

• Opens with greeting ("Greetings Eddies!" or similar)
• Features the main giveaway/announcement winner/deadline
• Includes light humor (corny joke, relatable observation)
• States what's NOT you (if applicable - "you didn't win")
• Explains the fairness/transparency (e.g., Python script selection)
• Mentions consolation prizes/alternatives
• Ends with clear CTA and links
• Signs off: "– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)"

Opening Letter Example Structure:

1. Greeting + Main announcement
2. Light humor about the "you didn't win" situation
3. Context/transparency about selection process
4. Consolation prizes or alternatives
5. Clear deadline + CTA link
6. Charlie signature

Phase 3: Draft All Remaining Newsletter Sections

Create Weekly_Newsletter_Draft.md with six sections:

DEEP DIVE: [Article Title]

• Feature the week's main article/guide
• 3-4 paragraphs, third-person or narrative style
• Hook with compelling angle (can reference notable figures like Adam Savage)
• Include key data point(s)
• End with link to full article: [Read the full guide on OpenEd](URL)

[PODCAST TITLE]: [Episode Title]

• Brief setup (guest, host, topic)
• One compelling moment or key insight
• 2-3 direct quotes from transcript
• Practical takeaway or hook
• Link to listen: [Listen to the full episode](URL)

Trends We're Following

• 4-6 data-driven trends/stories from the week
• Each with compelling headline and 1-2 sentence description
• Include relevant data/stats that support the trend
• Source attribution in parentheses: ([Source Name](URL))
• Focus on what makes each trend noteworthy, not just what happened

Tools We're Bookmarking

• 6-10 resources, tools, curricula, or recommendations
• NO category grouping (list sequentially)
• Each with: Tool name (hyperlinked) + benefit-first description (1-2 sentences)
• Attribution woven into text naturally (see Phase 5 attribution style)
• Write to earn the click: hint at value without explaining everything
• Use Pirate Wires tone: observational, slightly irreverent
• Reddit posts: MAX ONE per newsletter — pick the best insight, not multiple threads
• If featuring tools from the Deep Dive, consolidate into one summary entry

Ed's Stable

• Social media highlights from the week
• Reference recent Instagram/social posts from OpenEd
• Include quirky brand moments (horse mask, chalkboard, etc.)
• 2-3 specific post examples with themes
• Close with reflection that ties newsletter theme to community/brand energy

Closing:

```

---

That's all for this week!

– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)

P.S. [Link to manage email preferences](#)

```

Phase 4: Create Ed's Roundup Twitter Thread Strategy

NEW PHASE: Create Twitter_Thread_Roundup.md (or Twitter_Thread_Roundup_V2.md if iterating)

This phase creates a multi-tweet thread that recaps the week's key stories and creators featured in the newsletter.

Step 1: Identify All Twitter Handles

• Create a comprehensive list of every person/organization mentioned in the newsletter
• Search Twitter/X for each to find active accounts and verify handles
• Prioritize people who are:

- Featured guests (podcasters, experts)

- Content creators referenced (Austin Scholar, Adam Savage, Henrik Wes, etc.)

- Organizations mentioned (LearningRx, Simply Charlotte Mason, etc.)

• Format as: @handle (Name/Organization) - [brief context]

Step 2: Research Active Accounts

• For each identified person/org, verify:

- Do they have a Twitter account?

- Is it active (posted in last 30 days)?

- Should they be tagged in the thread?

• Document in the Twitter thread file which handles are taggable

Step 3: Draft Twitter Thread

Opening Tweet (Hook):

• Opens with brand identity: "Ed's Roundup: The most clicked education links from this week"
• Or: "Here's what 10K+ readers of OpenEd Weekly are paying attention to"
• States number of creators: "13 creators. 1 thread."
• Includes emoji (horse/roundup theme): 🪶 or 🐴
• Clear call to action: "(thread)"

Creator Tweets (One per major theme/person):

• Feature person's name: @handle
• Their contribution/insight (1 sentence max)
• Direct quote if available
• Link to their content or OpenEd's content about them
• Use proven tweet structures: Direct Quote, Problem Recognition, Data Point, Contrarian Take, Observation Post

Closing Tweets:

• Wrap-up tweet with CTA to OpenEd Daily/Weekly
• Engagement tweet asking readers to reply with their favorite creators

Format Examples:

Tweet with direct quote:

```

"When we teach science as memorization, we're missing the point."

— @AdamSavage (MythBusters)

That quote started a conversation about why wonder matters more than worksheets.

Full deep dive: https://opened.co/blog/best-homeschool-science-curriculum

```

Tweet with problem/insight:

```

The reason your kid won't listen when you yell?

It's not defiance. It's neurology.

Dr. Amy Moore explains auditory exclusion: https://opened.co/blog/why-your-adhd-kid-wont-listen-its-not-what-you-think

```

Tweet with data:

```

1.5M students are now in microschools.

That's the same as Catholic schools.

Same enrollment. Different satisfaction rates.

@rebeleducator mapped it: [URL]

```

Reference Guide: See references/eds-roundup-example.md for complete real-world example from Nov 14, 2025 newsletter

Phase 5: Integrate Source Attributions

As sections are drafted, embed source attributions directly in the newsletter text. No separate URL_Mappings.md file needed.

Attribution Style:

Mention the source by name EARLY in the blurb with a hyperlink woven naturally into the text. Avoid parenthetical citations at the end.

• Good: "A Reddit mom of five shares her hard-won advice..."
• Good: "[New EdChoice polling](URL) found overwhelming support..."
• Good: "[A Penn Foster survey reported by USA Today](URL) found..."
• Avoid: "...bouncing around opens you to gaps. (Reddit)"
• Avoid: "...found overwhelming support for teaching debate. ([EdChoice](URL))"

The goal is conversational flow, not academic citation style.

Hyperlinking Rules:

When provided a link, always hyperlink it in the body of the text (never at the end). Link the main action or subject using only 2-3 key words max.

Good: "Ken Danford has been [running North Star](URL) since 1996..."

Bad: "[Ken Danford has been running North Star, a physical community center where teens can legally homeschool](URL)"

When multiple sources are provided with body text to reference, hyperlink ALL links where the referenced content is used. Don't let any provided link go unhyperlinked.

Phase 6: QA & Finalization

Quality Checklist:

• [ ] NO EMOJIS in newsletter body text (OK in Twitter thread)
• [ ] All external links include source attribution
• [ ] Deep Dive article is compelling (not just a summary)
• [ ] Podcast highlight is one moment, not overview
• [ ] Trends section is data-driven with sources
• [ ] Tools section leads with benefit, not features
• [ ] Ed's Stable reflects actual brand moments
• [ ] All links are verified and working
• [ ] No duplicate content between sections
• [ ] Pirate Wires tone consistent throughout
• [ ] Opening letter includes all key announcements
• [ ] Twitter thread handles are verified and active

Archive:

```bash

cp [working-folder]/Weekly_Newsletter_DRAFT.md [archive-folder]/[YYYY-MM-DD]-newsletter-final.md

cp [working-folder]/Social_Media.md [archive-folder]/[YYYY-MM-DD]-social-media.md

cp [working-folder]/X_Article_Format.md [archive-folder]/[YYYY-MM-DD]-x-article.md

```

Each section of the newsletter has an example reference file with the actual format, real examples from a published newsletter, and specific instructions for writing that section:

• [Opening Letter Example](references/example-opening-letter.md) - How to write warm, inclusive openings with clear CTAs
• [Deep Dive Example](references/example-deep-dive.md) - Third-person teaser format that makes readers curious
• [Podcast Highlight Example](references/example-podcast-highlight.md) - One compelling moment with quotes
• [Trends We're Following Example](references/example-trends.md) - Data-driven stories with source attribution
• [Tools We're Bookmarking Example](references/example-tools.md) - Benefit-first descriptions with sequential ordering
• [Ed's Stable Example](references/example-eds-stable.md) - Social media highlights and brand moments
• [Ed's Roundup Twitter Thread Example](references/eds-roundup-example.md) - Complete Twitter thread with all creators tagged

Weekly vs Daily:

• Daily: 500-800 words, 1 each Trend/Tool, shorter sections
• Weekly: 1,500-2,500 words, 4-6 Trends, 10-15 Tools, deeper analysis

Newsletter Structure:

• Opening Letter
• Deep Dive Article (Wed article)
• Podcast Highlight (Thu episode - one moment) — OPTIONAL: skip if no episode that week
• Trends We're Following (data-driven stories, 4-5 items)
• Tools We're Bookmarking (resources, curricula, 6-10 items, max 1 Reddit)
• Ed's Stable (brand moments, social highlights, engagement ask)

Social Media Outputs (Phase 4):

• Social_Media.md (handles table, X thread, single posts)
• X_Article_Format.md (long-form article for X)

What's Removed:

• "Listen for the Listeners" (too redundant with Trends)
• "Reddit Corner" (content integrated into other sections as relevant)
• "Parting Thought" (function now served by Ed's Stable closing)

❌ NO EMOJIS in newsletter body

❌ Don't skip Phase 1 (source material gathering)

❌ Deep Dive = Wed article ONLY (not podcast)

❌ Trends must have data

❌ No duplicate content between sections

❌ Twitter handles must be verified before tagging (never guess)

❌ No parenthetical attributions — weave source names early with hyperlinks

❌ Max ONE Reddit post in Tools section

✅ 1,500-2,500 words for newsletter

✅ Humanize stats with context

✅ Benefit-first approach for tools

✅ Create Social_Media.md with handles table, thread, single posts

✅ Create X_Article_Format.md for long-form posting

✅ Archive newsletter, social media, AND X article files

Create Social_Media.md with the following sections:

4.1 Verified Handles Table

Search and verify X/Twitter handles for all people and organizations mentioned in the newsletter. Document in a table:

| Person/Org | Handle | Context | Tag in thread? |

|------------|--------|---------|----------------|

| [Name] | @handle | [Role/quote] | ✅ or ❌ |

Note which are Instagram-only or Substack-only (no Twitter).

4.2 X Thread (8-12 tweets)

Structure:

1. Hook tweet — List the main topics, end with "Thread 👇"
2. Feature tweets — One per key person/insight, tag them directly
3. CTA tweet — Links to newsletter, deep dive, subscribe

Tweet formats that work:

• Direct quote + attribution + link
• Contrarian observation + source
• Data point + implication
• "Meanwhile, @handle shared this..."

4.3 Single-Post Options (2-3 standalone posts)

Create 2-3 self-contained posts that can go out independently:

• Best for viral potential (contrarian takes, surprising data)
• Don't require the full thread context
• Can be scheduled throughout the weekend

4.4 X Article Format

Create X_Article_Format.md — the full newsletter reformatted for X's long-form Articles feature:

• Remove markdown formatting that doesn't render
• Add @ mentions inline where people are quoted
• Keep section headers
• Ensure all links are full URLs

Expected Output Files:

```

[working-folder]/

├── Weekly_Newsletter_DRAFT.md

├── Social_Media.md # Handles + thread + single posts

└── X_Article_Format.md # Long-form X Article version

```

Success Metrics:

• All mentioned creators identified with verified handles
• Thread tags real, active accounts (not guessed)
• Single posts have standalone viral potential
• X Article is copy-paste ready

---

• hook-and-headline-writing - For generating newsletter subject lines
• social-content-creation - For repurposing newsletter sections into individual posts
• video-caption-creation - For creating captions for clips featured in newsletter

---

• v2.1 (2026-01-09): Social & Attribution Update

- Attribution style changed: Source name early with hyperlink woven into text (not parenthetical at end)

- Phase 4 expanded: Now includes X Article format, single-post options, handles verification table

- Output files: Now creates Social_Media.md AND X_Article_Format.md

- Tools section: Max ONE Reddit post per newsletter; 6-10 tools (down from 10-15)

- Podcast section: Now optional (skip if no episode that week)

• v2.0 (2025-11-14): MAJOR UPDATE

- Simplified from 8 sections to 6 newsletter sections

- Headers updated: "Trends We're Following" (not "What's Moving")

- Headers updated: "Ed's Stable" (not "Parting Thought")

- Removed: "Listen for the Listeners" and "Reddit Corner" (redundant)

- ADDED: Phase 4 Twitter Thread Strategy ("Ed's Roundup")

- Added comprehensive Twitter handle verification process

- Added tweet structure examples and reference guide

• v1.0 (Previous): Original 8-section structure with separate Podcast Corner and Reddit Corner

---

For detailed examples of the current structure, see the reference files folder and the Nov 14, 2025 newsletter implementation.