Ben Settle - Email Players 1 - 15 · Direct

While each physical newsletter is exclusive to Email Players subscribers , the early catalog focuses on these recurring themes:

This era of Ben's writing focused heavily on dismantling the "buyer's resistance." It provides precise instructions on how to sell to skeptical, cynical, and sophisticated audiences who have "seen it all." 4. How to Apply the Lessons of Email Players 1–15 Today

Issues 5 and 6 detail how to turn mundane daily activities—getting coffee, dealing with an annoying neighbor, or watching a movie—into high-converting email hooks. By sharing personal quirks and flaws, you become a real human being to your audience. The Antagonist

"The educator is someone who teaches and informs their subscribers," Ben explained. "Their emails are often educational and informative, and they're positioning themselves as authorities in their niche. They're building credibility and trust."

In these early issues, Settle dismantles the standard "content marketing" model. He argues that sending long, dry, educational emails actually trains your subscribers not to buy. Instead, Issues 1–15 teach you how to merge high-level entertainment with unapologetic, direct-response selling. Ben Settle - Email Players 1 - 15

The world of email marketing is often split into two camps: those who obsess over open rates and "professional" templates, and those who actually make money.

A central feature of the early issues of Ben Settle's Email Players newsletter is the concept of "Infotainment"

Settle emphasizes that people hate being sold to, but they love stories. Early issues teach how to take mundane daily events—waiting in line, a rude waiter, or a conversation with his children—and tie them directly to a selling point for a product. 2. The "Micro-Riddle" Subject Line

A critical lesson in this phase is "The Bridge." This is the specific paragraph where the writer seamlessly transitions from the entertaining story into the sales pitch. Masterful bridges make the pitch feel like a natural extension of the story rather than an abrupt interruption. Phase 3: Advanced Psychological Levers (Issues 9–12) While each physical newsletter is exclusive to Email

The central theme in these initial issues is to stop being a "nice guy" who sends bland, boring emails. Instead, Settle encourages adopting a "villain" persona:

The first 15 issues of the Email Players Newsletter represent a masterclass in direct-response email marketing. They teach you how to write emails that people actually want to read, how to build a loyal following, and how to sell products without being a "nice guy" salesman.

Early issues codified several "Success Maxims" that Settle still teaches today:

While the newsletter has run for well over a decade, the first 15 issues represent a foundational masterclass. These early issues established the core framework that allows solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and businesses to generate massive sales using short, daily, personality-driven emails. The Antagonist "The educator is someone who teaches

Issues 10 and 11 act as a masterclass on taking a completely unrelated topic (e.g., watching a horror movie or eating a bad sandwich) and bridging it seamlessly into a pitch for your software, coaching program, or e-book. 4. Advanced Monetization and List Hygiene (Issues 12–15)

In the world of direct-response marketing, few names evoke as much strong reaction—or as much profit—as Ben Settle. Widely regarded as a modern master of email copywriting, Settle pioneered an aggressive, high-frequency, entertainment-focused style of email marketing that flipped traditional corporate communication on its head.

Settle introduces the concept of creating a "common enemy" for your niche. Whether it is "corporate gurus," "fad diets," or "lazy competitors," rallying your list against a shared antagonist builds fierce brand loyalty.

The first 15 issues are packed with actionable, almost counter-intuitive advice. Here are the core pillars covered during this period: 1. The Power of Storytelling