Howdy.

Writing to you from the melting arctic tundra of Memphis! This is Jonah Baer with The Baer Necessities, where I share the coolest things I'm learning every week on work, life, & the journey along the way.

I wrote in last week's email that Memphis was expecting 8-12 inches of snow, and it did not disappoint with the largest snow storm in the 901 since 1968 (10 cumulative inches). After years of not seeing snow while living in Florida and New Orleans, it reminded me how much I missed it and how sad I am to watch it melt away. Maybe it's time for a ski trip?

We obviously weren't the only city to get winter storms. My heart and prayers go out to everyone suffering in the Texas blackouts. If you're looking for ways to help, check out this master Google Doc of resources.

Anyways, just a couple things from me this week:

• The Why Behind My Newsletter: I've honestly been struggling with the ~why~ behind my newsletter lately. This mini essay is my answer to the question: "How can I make this email as high signal and low noise as possible?" It's a big question and something I want to continue thinking about every week.
• Crypto Payroll: I wrote a blog for Gilded on why should you consider paying your employees in crypto. I got to dig deep into the research on why you should consider this, especially if you have global employees or clients. As one friend put it to me recently, it's like we're already living in the future. Check out my brief blog.

That's all from me! Here are the Necessities:

• 🎥 Naval, Joe Rogan, and Lex Friedman on Clubhouse
• 📈 Trends via The Hustle* (track up-and-coming startup trends & learn how to pounce on them)
• 🎧. Li Jin: Creating the Creator Economy
• 🐦 Favorite Twitter Threads

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🎥 Naval, Joe Rogan, and Lex Friedman on Clubhouse [HIGHLY RECOMMEND]

If you haven't heard of it yet, Clubhouse is a new social media app that is strictly live audio conversations. This recorded Clubhouse conversation is between people at the top of their game including Joe Rogan's first time on the app, Naval Ravikant (AngelList founder), Paul Davison (founder of Clubhouse), and a host of other high-profile characters. You get to hear Rogan's candid take on the app as it's his first time using it, Naval's high praise, and Paul Davison vision for the future (plus how you could potentially monetize on it). The link I provided is a YouTube link but you just need to listen to the audio to get the full effect.

To give you a taste of the conversations, here is one of my favorite quotes from Naval:

“There’s something powerful to live content and people want to consume it live. That’s mostly in politics and news and sports. Or to form new connections. On Twitter, maybe you can meet new people but you can’t get to know them. Clubhouse is the only social app I’ve seen where you can meet new people and get to know them. It’s like a cocktail party."

Watch / listen to the full conversation: Naval, Joe Rogan, and Paul Davidson on Clubhouse

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📈 Trends from The Hustle*

This was the best investment I made last year (I gifted it to myself for my 24th birthday). I subscribe to a TON of newsletters and this is the one I look forward to most every week.

It's is a twice-weekly newsletter focused on sharing startup ideas, business trends, and advice for entrepreneurs / side-hustlers. There's also a vibrant community of entrepreneurs in a closed Facebook group, exclusive podcasts, and live webinar opportunities.

If you're looking for a way to stay up to date on the latest business trends or find your next startup idea, there's no better place than Trends. I've seen trends covered like co-living for creators, podcast tips and tricks, laundry detergent side hustles, indoor plant industry, and SOOOO much more. It can even become overwhelming how many ideas and action items they give you.

Sign up with my link to get $100 off (I'll receive $100 in return). Those who have read my newsletter know I've never included an affiliate link in here, but if I do, you know I love the product.

If you want to check out the newsletter before subscribing, just reply to this email, and I'll forward you one of their recent emails to see for yourself!

Subscribe to Trends!

* = affiliate link

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🎧 Li Jin: Creating the Creator Economy

This episode of Li Jin on the North Star Podcast with David Perell was so enlightening for me on the creator economy from a high level and Li's background as a venture capitalist. Li is a former partner at Andreesen Horowitz and recently launched a new venture capital firm called Atelier. She's also a phenomenal writer, and I've found myself loving her popular essays like The Passion Economy and 100 True Fans. Here is an abbreviated quote from Li on an artist vs. a creator in this episode:

"An artist drives joy from doing something for themselves. They would be happy if no one ever purchased or saw your work. The word creator suggests you’re not just making it for yourself, you’re making it for an audience. You're trying to serve other people. That adds additional pressure."

Listen to the full episode: Li Jin: Creating the Creator Economy

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🐦 3 Threads Worth Reading

• A long (but worth it if you’re just scrolling anyway) thread on what you need to know about the current state of NFTs. (@masonnystrom)
• A Twitter bull thesis (@ballmatthew)
• 10 simple questions that CHANGED my life (@gregisenberg)

Most-clicked link last week: Nightcap

And here is the correct link to learn about Decision Journals from Farnam Street. Sorry I included a bad link last week.

🤔 Questions I'm Pondering

How might I write an email that's high signal & low noise?

Lastly, I'd love to learn what you think of the newsletter so I can improve and double down on what you like! Feel free to respond to this email or fill out my open survey here.

That's all I got for you today! Unfortunately, Sendfox wouldn't let me include the picture of the week because it was too large. If you want it, feel free to reply to this email or DM me on Twitter.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have an awesome week ahead of you!

Until next week,

Jonah

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