I like your suggestions mate. But they all leave out a potentially big audience of people.
Potential retirees. And the already retired. We'd be more interested in writing fiction. For ourselves.
There are still oodles of baby-boomers about that could need to earn a few dollars since they've had to spend some of their retirement savings housing and maintaining their at children who can't afford to pay rent. Or help them fund home purchases.
Us oldsters are often looking for a retirement activity. Since we've all spent decades at the coalface, we aren't interested in doing anything that looks like work. We want to consider what we do to be more of a hobby. As an example, I'm 81. Im learning to write urban fantasy. I have a friend that writes military thrillers. He's 86.
Plus we none of us know when we might fall off our twig. So dicking around spending 6 months or more giving this or that a try is not high on our to-do list. We oldsters all need to make a choice and then get things done. Real quick.
This is not criticising you, or Cole. I can't do that. I'm a member of Dickie and Cole's Captain's Table so I know how good their teaching is.
I just have a different perspective or point of view from you.
Great post on Cole's writing tips! I've taken Cole and Dickie's writing programs. I am revisiting the courses this weekend. Always learning, and re-learning :-).
Thank you, sir. I'm currently reading his books on writing and learning what I can from him. You have captured the essence of his writing philosophy here (as far as I know) very well.
As someone going all in on writing, I must drill these techniques into my brain. If anyone's on the same boat, I'll share a quick "manifesto" on this piece to copy/paste somewhere easily visible, as I will.
If I'm not allowed to do this sort of thing, I apologize. You can let me know, and I'll delete it:
🧠 Nicolas Cole Writing Manifesto
1️⃣ Believe Writing Can Make You Money
Principle: Writing is a skill that scales — not a hobby.
✅ Treat it like a business.
✅ Give away 99% of your best ideas for free.
✅ Monetize the final 1% (courses, books, coaching, community).
💬 “Give away 99% of your best writing for free. Monetize the last 1%.”
2️⃣ Don’t Pick a Niche — Let It Pick You
Principle: The market tells you what resonates.
✅ Write in 3 categories for 6 months.
✅ Watch what readers share, comment on, or ask about.
✅ Double down on what works.
✅ Ignore what doesn’t.
💬 “There are 2 types of writers: those who use data to inform their writing, and those who fail.”
3️⃣ Master the Skill of Writing Itself
Principle: Writing skill > platform hacks.
✅ Focus on clarity, rhythm, and flow.
✅ Learn how to hold attention on any platform.
✅ Transfer your skills to newsletters, YouTube, ghostwriting, etc.
💬 “Platforms will change, but the rules stay the same.”
4️⃣ Publish a Lot — Consistency Beats Genius
Principle: Volume wins.
✅ Set a daily or weekly publishing cadence.
✅ Use templates and processes to write faster.
✅ Don’t chase perfection — chase data.
✅ Each post is a rep.
💬 “Consistent output is the secret to every growth metric.”
5️⃣ Everyone’s an Expert
Principle: You already have valuable insights — teach the person two steps behind you.
✅ List everything you’ve learned in the last 2 years.
✅ Break it into lessons, mistakes, and mindset shifts.
✅ Turn each into a post that solves a real problem.
💬 We’re not in the Information Age anymore. We’re in the Transformation Age.
Excellent article and thank you for all the tidbits that not many are paying attention. Writing everyday makes it easier to create , format and bring new ideas to life.
Copywriter Frank Kern was writing in short sentences, conversational style with a little bit of a story for his opening then winding slowly to the pitch - long before Nic even started writing. But y'know, copywriters copy other copywriters, of course. it's in their job description after all.
Thanks for sharing.
Always happy to help other writers
Informative & Helpful.
I am constantly working on my formatting. Trying to drill in good practice.
I'm not sure about posting more than once per week though.
Work at your own pace Daniel -
Thank you for not gatekeeping this valuable information.
I like your suggestions mate. But they all leave out a potentially big audience of people.
Potential retirees. And the already retired. We'd be more interested in writing fiction. For ourselves.
There are still oodles of baby-boomers about that could need to earn a few dollars since they've had to spend some of their retirement savings housing and maintaining their at children who can't afford to pay rent. Or help them fund home purchases.
Us oldsters are often looking for a retirement activity. Since we've all spent decades at the coalface, we aren't interested in doing anything that looks like work. We want to consider what we do to be more of a hobby. As an example, I'm 81. Im learning to write urban fantasy. I have a friend that writes military thrillers. He's 86.
Plus we none of us know when we might fall off our twig. So dicking around spending 6 months or more giving this or that a try is not high on our to-do list. We oldsters all need to make a choice and then get things done. Real quick.
This is not criticising you, or Cole. I can't do that. I'm a member of Dickie and Cole's Captain's Table so I know how good their teaching is.
I just have a different perspective or point of view from you.
Go for it Jack - enjoy your writing
Very helpful
Great tips! Saving this so I can keep coming back to it.
Great post on Cole's writing tips! I've taken Cole and Dickie's writing programs. I am revisiting the courses this weekend. Always learning, and re-learning :-).
He was pivotal on my journey as well
There’s a whole army of us riding on Cole’s coat tails!
Thank you, sir. I'm currently reading his books on writing and learning what I can from him. You have captured the essence of his writing philosophy here (as far as I know) very well.
As someone going all in on writing, I must drill these techniques into my brain. If anyone's on the same boat, I'll share a quick "manifesto" on this piece to copy/paste somewhere easily visible, as I will.
If I'm not allowed to do this sort of thing, I apologize. You can let me know, and I'll delete it:
🧠 Nicolas Cole Writing Manifesto
1️⃣ Believe Writing Can Make You Money
Principle: Writing is a skill that scales — not a hobby.
✅ Treat it like a business.
✅ Give away 99% of your best ideas for free.
✅ Monetize the final 1% (courses, books, coaching, community).
💬 “Give away 99% of your best writing for free. Monetize the last 1%.”
2️⃣ Don’t Pick a Niche — Let It Pick You
Principle: The market tells you what resonates.
✅ Write in 3 categories for 6 months.
✅ Watch what readers share, comment on, or ask about.
✅ Double down on what works.
✅ Ignore what doesn’t.
💬 “There are 2 types of writers: those who use data to inform their writing, and those who fail.”
3️⃣ Master the Skill of Writing Itself
Principle: Writing skill > platform hacks.
✅ Focus on clarity, rhythm, and flow.
✅ Learn how to hold attention on any platform.
✅ Transfer your skills to newsletters, YouTube, ghostwriting, etc.
💬 “Platforms will change, but the rules stay the same.”
4️⃣ Publish a Lot — Consistency Beats Genius
Principle: Volume wins.
✅ Set a daily or weekly publishing cadence.
✅ Use templates and processes to write faster.
✅ Don’t chase perfection — chase data.
✅ Each post is a rep.
💬 “Consistent output is the secret to every growth metric.”
5️⃣ Everyone’s an Expert
Principle: You already have valuable insights — teach the person two steps behind you.
✅ List everything you’ve learned in the last 2 years.
✅ Break it into lessons, mistakes, and mindset shifts.
✅ Turn each into a post that solves a real problem.
💬 We’re not in the Information Age anymore. We’re in the Transformation Age.
6️⃣ Tell Stories — But Be Useful
Principle: Storytelling + Utility = Viral formula.
✅ Start with a personal story.
✅ Extract a lesson that helps the reader.
✅ Avoid self-indulgence — always tie it back to value.
💬 “Don’t write to impress. Write to help.”
7️⃣ Learn to Grab and Keep Attention
Principle: You can’t teach what no one reads.
✅ Headlines:
- Be clear, not clever
- Make a promise
- Be specific
- Take a stance
- Tease without revealing
✅ Formatting:
- Use Cole’s 1/3/1 Rule (1 short sentence → 3 lines → 1 short sentence)
- Keep paragraphs short
- Delete fluff
✅ End strong — with conviction or insight.
💬 “It’s only clickbait if you fail to keep your promise.”
⚙️ Bonus: The Cole System Loop
1️⃣ Write daily.
2️⃣ Publish weekly.
3️⃣ Collect data.
4️⃣ Refine your niche.
5️⃣ Double down on what resonates.
6️⃣ Monetize the top 1%.
7️⃣ Repeat indefinitely.
~
Hope that's helpful. Thank you.
I’m hosting a live masterclass with Cole on Dec 3rd Albert. Details available soon.
Will definitely be on the lookout for that. Thanks!
All great advice! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Derek, much appreciated!!
Curious and eager to know in point 2, what are the 3 categories you are pointing to, in order to consider ✍.
That was an inspiring 👏 post indeed! Thanks so much!
Excellent article and thank you for all the tidbits that not many are paying attention. Writing everyday makes it easier to create , format and bring new ideas to life.
Copywriter Frank Kern was writing in short sentences, conversational style with a little bit of a story for his opening then winding slowly to the pitch - long before Nic even started writing. But y'know, copywriters copy other copywriters, of course. it's in their job description after all.
https://open.substack.com/pub/ajmalkk/p/the-coming-crisis-automation-inequality?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5k6hlm
https://open.substack.com/pub/ajmalkk/p/the-long-game-why-playing-hardball?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5k6hlm