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I accidentally learned this method to make my audience reach out to me
After nearly 2 years of writing, I learned that the stories that felt too vulnerable... were the ones people needed most.
Justin Chia
June 18, 2025
Hey friend,
My baby is now 1.5 years old.
Yes, I’m talking about this newsletter, haha.
And for the longest time, I haven’t been getting email replies.
When I first started, I’d send out roundups of 3 things I learned about tech or AI that week.
I’d curate tips, links, tutorials—things I genuinely thought were helpful.
But still… crickets.
Until I made one simple change.
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The day I finally got a reply
I remember the first time I shared a vulnerable story.
It wasn’t polished or impressive.
It was just… honest.
I talked about how burned out I felt.
How I left my business to return to a full-time job.
How I was dealing with anxiety behind the scenes.
And then something surprising happened:
People replied.
They shared their own stories.
Some were struggling in silence.
Some just wanted to say, “Hey, me too.”
It was then that I realized:
The stories I was most afraid to share… were the moments that built the most trust.
My audience was waiting to hear the REAL stories behind me.
Not just my success.
Hit 20k followers
Became a LinkedIn Top Voice
Have a thriving newsletter
Instead, they want to know your backstory of HOW you got here.
Why vulnerable stories work (even with AI in the picture)
I started analyzing what was happening.
Why did those stories resonate more than my best tutorials?
Here’s what I found:
1. Vulnerable stories are authentic
AI can summarize blogs.
It can draft content.
But it can’t replicate your lived experience.
Your story—the real, messy, human parts—is your biggest moat.
When I shared about my experience with my failing SEO businesses, many replies poured in. (You guys know who you are!) 😀
2. Audience-building is leadership
And leadership requires trust.
When you share honestly, especially the hard parts, you build a bridge of connection between you and your audience.
People don’t just learn from you—they trust you.
3. You attract the right people
When you share the real stuff, you polarize.
You split your audience into two.
Yes, some of them will leave.
But the ones who stay?
They’ll stay for the long haul (they’re your tribe! 🙌🏻)
They’ll feel like they know you.
And eventually… they’ll buy from you, support you, or tell others about your work.
If you’ve ever felt stuck on what to share—start here:
The story of your burnout
The time you pivoted careers
A personal loss that changed your worldview
How you built something from rock bottom
The more raw you can make it, the better.
The parts you once wanted to hide might be the very things that help someone else feel seen.
Today, you have an obligation to make your audience feel heard and belong.
Write your personal story today.
P.S. → 90% of this post was written by my AI system.
It’s my system that shows you how to use AI like ChatGPT to create story-driven content at scale—without losing your voice.
Click below to get the free blueprint to make your own:
These weekly newsletters are like therapy to me!
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