The CHF 50,000 mistake this Swiss entrepreneur was making

Hello Geneva,

A few days ago, I had a fascinating conversation with a Swiss entrepreneur.

Her project is really promising (and so is she, by the way), and we were talking about AI strategy and the digital presence of her business.

Then she asked me this:

"Salim, why do you write this newsletter? Do you think I should have one?"

That surprised me.

But wait, it gets worse...

"Actually, I have about 1,000 emails from prospects and former clients, but I don't know what to do with them."

I nearly choked.

Can you believe it? She is literally sitting on a CHF 50,000 a year gold mine.

Do the math: 1,000 emails × 5% extra conversion thanks to a newsletter × CHF 1,000 per client = CHF 50,000 she's leaving on the table. EVERY YEAR.

To me, it was completely obvious. But I realized I've been immersed in this world for a long time (I've also been running the #1 French-language newsletter on medical AI for 18 months), and what's obvious to me isn't necessarily obvious to everyone.

So let me explain why a newsletter is probably the most underrated tool for growing your business...

Secret #1: The Secret Weapon of Client Relationships

Do you know the difference between selling for CHF 100 and selling for CHF 10,000?

TRUST.

And a newsletter is your trust-building machine on autopilot.

Think about it: you and I have probably never spoken in person. But if you've been reading my emails for a while, I bet you trust me 10x more than any LinkedIn "expert" churning out generic posts.

THAT is the power of a well-made newsletter.

Secret #2: The SEO Hack nobody understands yet

(SEO is how you get your business to show up first when someone searches on Google or asks an AI)

Heads up, this part is fairly new...

Old-school SEO with keywords stuffed everywhere? Over.

Today, the algorithms (Google AND the AIs) have become smart. They understand your expertise. They detect your authority.

And a regular newsletter? It's your ticket to becoming THE go-to reference in your field.

Secret #3: You Truly Own your Audience

Listen to this...

You can have 1 million followers on Instagram.

But how many will actually see your next post?

The algorithms decide for you (in fact, the new algorithms now completely ignore follower count).

With an email list? It's YOUR audience. YOUR rules.

No algorithm filtering you. No pathetic organic reach.

Here's EXACTLY how to get started:

Step 1a: Get emails There are LOTS of ways to collect emails (I won't go into detail here, but if you're interested, reply to this email and I might write a post dedicated to it).

Step 1b: The Foundation Already have emails from clients/prospects? You're sitting on a gold mine. Put it to work NOW.

Step 2: The Platform Personally, I use Beehiiv and I love it. But pick whatever suits you.

Step 3: The Golden Rule NEVER (or almost never) send "buy my product" emails. Instead? Share your BEST advice. The kind that delivers real value. People will come to you naturally.

Step 4: The Subtle CTA Add a short, simple CTA (call to action) if you have a product or service. It would be a shame if the people who'd want it didn't know it exists. But careful: it must NEVER be the topic of the email, just a small note at the end.

Where AI Changes Everything:

Writing a good email used to take me a whole day (spelling and I are not friends…).

Today? 2 hours max.

How?

Use AI to:

Brainstorm ideas
Fix typos
Improve the quality and style of your writing

(But NEVER to write for you: people can tell, and it's terrible for your SEO)

When you're ready, here's how I can help:

Master AI for your Productivity and your Business Want to make better use of the endless AI tools out there to be more productive and more profitable (you or your employees)? I offer coaching tailored to your needs and your daily work.

P.S.: an example of the CTA I mentioned earlier 😉 (I only share advice I actually apply!)

Honestly...

If you don't have a newsletter yet, you're missing a huge opportunity.

The question isn't "Should I?"

The question is "When do I start?"

Talk soon,

Salim, GenevIA

P.S. Start your newsletter this week. In 6 months, you'll thank me.