Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. A client included my crew in their lunch order last week — a small gesture that stuck with me. Today, I'm thinking about the power of surprise and delight, and why the personal touch is more important than ever. Plus, my recent podcast episode with Eric Ries. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. Surprise and Delight I missed last weekend's...
2 days ago • 3 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. This week, instead of a new article, I’m highlighting a few recent podcast episodes. Each one explores a different angle on influence, relationships, and the way we work. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. Building Community that Drives Business with Joshua Zerkel Joshua Zerkel is a community strategist, former Evernote ambassador turned...
22 days ago • 3 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. The first Snafu Conference worked. We gathered a hundred founders and executives for a day about influence, persuasion, and self-promotion. But the bigger lesson was about product-market fit. In trying to reach a new audience, I learned about the taboo of sales and the challenge of positioning a topic people may need, but don’t want to claim. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. 100 founders, entrepreneurs, and executives gathered at the Oakland Museum of California to explore influence, selling, and AI. Here are a few highlights from the day. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. In early March, 100 founders, entrepreneurs, and executives gathered at the Oakland Museum of California for a day exploring Influence in...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. Growing as an entrepreneur often means facing hard moments for the first time—and realizing you’ll be okay. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. Growing as an Entrepreneur Every so often I sit down with a fellow entrepreneur – somebody a bit ahead or behind me in their business journey. I don’t mean financially ahead or behind. Where...
about 1 month ago • 6 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. What do we actually mean when we say we’re afraid of feeling manipulative? Today's essay explores how respecting boundaries, avoiding force, and clarifying your intentions lets you ask for what you want without feeling sleazy. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. If You’re Afraid of Feeling Manipulative How do very successful people ask...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. And welcome to the 4 new readers who've joined the newsletter in the last week! During a particularly busy season and in a era of rapid change, I’ve been thinking about what kinds of work actually matter. Today's essay is about attention, physical books, and why returning to source material may be one of the most important disciplines for the future. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. And welcome to the 17 new readers who've joined the newsletter in the last week! I got married on Monday, and produced the inaugural Snafu Conference on Thursday. It was a busy week. Instead of my regular weekly article, I thought I'd share something I've been working on for the last few months... If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. I got...
2 months ago • 13 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about influence and persuasion in a chaotic world. Over the last decade of running Responsive Conference, I’ve had to evaluate tools I don’t personally buy. With the Snafu Conference, that’s changed because it’s for founders and operators, and I use these tools every day. Here’s my list of the software I actually rely on. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. My Tech Stack Over the...
2 months ago • 10 min read