On Chai, Marketing, and Other things
A reminder, mostly to myself, about why I'm writing this newsletter - the CMO journal
A couple of days ago, I wrote a rather felt little piece in my personal newsletter, about missing chai.
Here’s a passage from it:
I remember this one monsoon morning when a couple of my best friends had moved into my flat for a short while, having been driven out of theirs. I woke up very early, as I’m used to, and found Ashwin up. We started talking. We talked for a long time, about products, marketing, life and cricket. First we talked at home, and then got on my motorcycle and zoomed around Pune’s streets. We downed 5 cups of chai at (at least) 3 different tapris. We talked and talked and talked. I don’t remember any part of our conversation, but I remember the chill in the air, how the morning felt, and all that flavour.
I was describing an early morning on what was probably a Sunday. But isn’t chai an integral part of our workdays too, an excuse for the head-clearing breaks we desperately need? I would be overwhelmed if I tried to remember all the conversations, advice, career decisions (and mistakes) that have happened standing at tea shops.
There’s a reason this newsletter is called Chai, Marketing, and Other things. That it abbreviates to the CMO Journal is just a plus.
And that really is the spirit I want to hold on to in all that I write here - that of conversations that are casual and accessible, like those over chai, and which are yet useful and actionable.
And from the response I’ve received since I started writing this, it may be working.
As of today, there are close to 200 subscribers here. At least 5 VCs, at least 10 CEOs, and a horde of senior marketers and salespeople - all think that The CMO Journal is an important part of their workweek. I’m so very thankful, and at the same time more aware of my responsibilities as a marketer and as a writer.
Thank you for being here.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming in the next couple of weeks on the CMO journal:
A little essay on my three rules of copywriting.
The SaaS marketer’s guide to content distribution (this is a larger, important topic, and so might take more time than the others)
A behind-the-scenes of a big marketing project at Interview Mocha, with both strategic and tactical plays.
A series on storytelling in the Indian SaaS space I’m very excited about.
Two stealth projects I want to announce only when I’m really sure of them. Wish me luck!
I hope you enjoy them, and that you find a lot of value in them on your marketing journey.
PS - If you think this newsletter is useful to you, and might be useful to someone else you know, please take a minute to tell them, or post about it on your LinkedIn. Will take a minute or two at the most, but will help me get the word out to more people. Go ahead!