Wiser

Beehiiv Newsletter Breakdown

Author

Ricky
December 10, 2024

WATCH PIXELS BREAK IT DOWN
newsletter design services 🐝 

. Wiser .

Newsletter by Michael J. Boorman
Check it out at Wiser Newsletter
Designed by Pixels 👾 
Built with beehiiv

There are countless self-improvement newsletters, but Wiser does things differently—pairing thought-provoking visuals with actionable insights to help you get wiser.

In case you don’t know Michael, he is the founder of Wisdom Made Easy.

Since he was already doing such a great job with his iconic art, we decided to tap into the brand he developed in order to redesign his newsletter.

Let me break it down for you.👇

. Thumbnails .

Tickle their brains:

  1. Each thumbnail has short, punchy text that conveys the main topic of each edition.

  2. Hand-drawn elements like arrows, lightbulbs, and sticky notes add Michael’s unique perception, personality, and charm.

  3. That crumpled paper background?  It's casual, and makes the content pops. It is a unique component of his artwork.

 What I love about it: .

These thumbnails do more than just looking good—they guide the viewer’s attention with clarity and purpose. You know these are visuals created by Michael when you see them in the wild. That is a powerful brand identity that builds equity in people’s minds.

. Top Header Image .

Quick bits:

  1. The onbrand icons bring subtle motions, making it eye-catching, and keeping the beginning of the newsletter a bit dynamic.

  2. The crumpled paper background makes the "WISER" text and moving icons really stand out.

  3. The compass, paper boat, and hot air balloon icons add personality and give a sense of self-exploration.

. What I love about it: .

It’s the perfect balance of fun and focus. The fun GIF keeps things interesting, and the smart design makes the headline pop.

. Today at a glance .

Your “tour” guide:

  1. The animated GIF heading section is a cool way to catch people's eye.

  2. The emojis make the anchor links easy to spot.

  3. The links to each section make navigation easy.

  4. The estimated reading time is clearly shown, so readers know how long the text will take to read.

. What I think about it: .

I’m a fan of anchor links on blogs, especially when they are long-form step-by-step guides. Personally, I’m not a fan of anchor links inside of newsletters, especially if you have sponsors or key offers throughout every edition. Anchor links are a great way for readers to go straight to their favorite sections, which means skipping some important sections.

. Wisdom .

Quotes that matter:

  1. That animated brain is a clever, playful pulse effect to highlight the "wisdom" theme.

  2. Bold the key message that will run throughout the entire email.

  3. Keep it short and sweet for a clear and memorable statement.

. Illustration .

Visuals that add clarity are everything:

  1. Animated icon on the heading to convey section’s main idea.

  2. Show, don’t tell. It's a visual extension of the Wisdom section.

What I love about it: .

This section inspires and simplifies the key concept. The pie chart is easy to understand. Nowadays, people tend to avoid thinking for themselves. Wiser helps you break that negative pattern.

. Saying… .

Words to reflect on:

  1. This is coming from a resource he actually consumed and carefully curated to make sure he is only giving you the most valuable thing.

  2. Provides, based on his own perspective and taste, the most impactful quotes from such resource.

What I love about it: .

Anybody can share BS they have collected from the web, often just for the sake of making a buck (affiliate links to products they have never used). Michael from Wiser is genuine about what he shares. Newsletter design isn’t just about looking good, it is also about how you position yourself and your brand.

. Explanation .

Simplify complex topics:

  1. Use bold text to highlight key points—it makes it pop without being overwhelming.

  2. Instead one big paragraph, spread the text out to make it easier to digest and understand.

  3. Tell them what to do next.

. Reflection .

Think.Journal.Grow:

  1.  Those short, mind-bending questions? He is not trying to push his way of thinking down your throat. He wants you to take charge of your mind.

  2. "Want to journal?" works perfectly; it's subtle, effective, and doesn't interrupt the page's flow.

. Resources .

From Insight to action:

  1. Whether it’s this YouTube video, a PDF, or an affiliate link, make sure it helps readers pick up some wisdom.

  2. This section is all about providing useful resources for better engagement. 

. Before you go… .

Personal touch:

  1. Allow them to give you a piece of their mind. The simpler you keep it, the more readers will engage.

  2. Subtly suggest other stuff, so people want to check it out without feeling pressured.

  3. Not everyone will reply but those who do make him feel closer to the his readers. He does read your message and reply. Engage with the human being on the other side of the screen.

Conclusion .

Wiser Newsletter makes meaningful content look playful. They all work together – to get you to think, move, and to feel like you’re talking with a buddy. This is a newsletter that feels crafted, not just written or curated.

If you liked this breakdown and think it could be helpful for someone you know, share it with them and tell them to subscribe: readpixels.beehiiv.com/p/wiser-newsletter-breakdown

👾 World-class newsletter design services — we’ll transform your newsletter’s design, boost readers’ engagement, and conversions. [See packages & pricing]

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That’s all for now.

This edition was written by Maciej. Designed and edited by Ricky from Pixels.

Want to share this edition of Pixels via text, social media, or email?

See you on the next edition.

Get creative,
Ricky 👨🏻‍💻

🇺🇸 Joe Portsmouth: An absolute magician. His work exceeded my expectations.

🇺🇸 Sam Woods: One of the most talented newsletter designers I’ve seen!

🇺🇸 Michael Galvan: I highly recommend Ricky and his team at Pixels!

🇬🇧 Matt Navarra: Ricky delivered a slick redesign that my audience loves.

🇺🇸 Mike Vernon: The go-to newsletter design expert! 🐐

🇺🇸 Michael Boorman: Ricky designed my newsletter better than I could imagined.

🇺🇸 Justin Swarz: Ricky goes above and beyond. Phenomenal designer!

🇺🇸 Jordan Mix: The best in the game. 

🇺🇸 Morgan Barrett: Ricky is the goat. 

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