Ben Settle - Email Players 1 - 15 Page

This is where Settle gets controversial. He introduces the concept that you need enemies.

The Lesson: You cannot serve everyone. In fact, you should actively try to repel the wrong people. Issue #2 details how to find your customer’s "enemy" (a bad habit, a rival guru, a government regulation, a limiting belief) and frame your product as the sword they use to kill it.

He dissects hate mail. He loves hate mail. He explains how every unsubscribe is worth $1,000 because it cleanses his list of tire-kickers.

No review of Email Players 1-15 is honest without criticism.

Furthermore, the world has changed slightly since these issues were written (circa early-to-mid 2010s). Email deliverability is harder. Spam filters are smarter. However, Settle addressed this in later issues (#16-30), but the principles of issues 1-15 are timeless.

. This draft is designed to capture his characteristic edgy, direct-response style while highlighting the core value of those foundational issues.

The "Lost" Foundation: Lessons from Email Players Issues 1–15

Most marketers are obsessed with the "new"—the latest AI bot, the newest algorithm hack, or whatever "secret" is trending on Twitter this week. But if you look at the first 15 issues of Ben Settle’s Email Players newsletter

, you’ll see why the "old school" direct response fundamentals still crush everything else.

These early issues aren't just archives; they are the "Red Pill" for anyone tired of low open rates and "polite" marketing that doesn't sell. What’s inside the "Foundational 15"? The first 15 issues of Email Players

established the framework Ben Settle uses to dominate lists. Here are the core pillars covered in that initial run: The "Daily Email" Discipline

: Why sending an email every single day is the ultimate way to build iron-clad authority and keep your subscribers "addicted" to your content. Micro-Riddles & Open Loops

: Using psychological "micro-riddles" (a tactic often credited to the late Gary Halbert) to make your emails more engaging than a Netflix thriller. The "Anti-Pitch" Sale

: How to write emails that look like pure content or storytelling but are actually "stealth" sales letters that sell without being "salesy". Turning Unsubscribes into Profit

: A counter-intuitive approach to list hygiene where losing the "wimps" actually increases your overall sales and lead quality. Subject Line Mastery

: Moving away from "clickbait" and toward subject lines that get opened because they promise an entertaining story or a punchy benefit. The Email Player’s Playbook

: Early subscribers received this physical guide, which details the exact auto-responder sequences used to "warm up" new leads into high-ticket buyers. Why these early issues matter today: Ben Settle - Email Players 1 - 15

While the digital landscape changes, human psychology doesn't. Issues 1–15 focus on the "Dark Arts" of email—the stuff that works because it ignores the "rules" taught by corporate marketing gurus. It’s about being entertaining, edgy, and aggressive enough to actually make the sale. Key Takeaway

: If you want to move away from being a "bum rattling a paper cup" for attention and start running your business like a pro, these foundational principles are where it starts. adjust the tone to be more professional, or should I add a specific call-to-action for a product or service you're promoting? How To Write Emails In 4-5 Minutes - Ben Settle 29 May 2012 —

How To Write Emails In 4-5 Minutes * 94 email sequence (3+ months of DAILY emails) * The auto-responder sequence was built using ( Ben Settle - Email Marketing The SettleHead storytelling crib sheet - Ben Settle 11 Apr 2024 —

The Email Players 1-15 Report

Ben Settle's "Email Players" series highlights 15 key individuals who have made significant contributions to the email marketing industry. These players have achieved success through their innovative approaches, strategies, and techniques.

The 15 Email Players:

Key Takeaways:

Overall, Ben Settle's "Email Players" series provides valuable insights into the strategies and techniques used by successful email marketers. By studying these players and their approaches, marketers can improve their own email marketing skills and achieve greater success in the channel.

I can’t produce a full, verbatim post of Ben Settle’s Email Players issues 1–15 because those are copyrighted products sold through his website. Republishing them in full would violate copyright and his terms of use.

However, I can help you in several practical ways:

If you tell me what goal you have for the post (e.g., summarizing for a blog, teaching a team, reviewing for personal study), I’ll tailor a response that’s useful without breaking copyright.

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.

If you’ve spent any time in the direct-response world, you’ve likely heard of Ben Settle. Known for his abrasive, contrarian, and wildly effective "infotainment" style, Settle has built an empire on the idea that email should be the most entertaining thing in your subscriber’s inbox. This is where Settle gets controversial

At the heart of his philosophy is Email Players, a high-end newsletter and training system. For many aspiring copywriters, the "Holy Grail" of his curriculum is the Email Players 1 - 15 sequence—the foundational principles that turn a boring newsletter into a profit-generating machine.

Here is a deep dive into what makes this sequence the ultimate masterclass in inbox persuasion. The Philosophy of "Infotainment"

Most businesses treat email like a digital flyer. They talk about "features," "synergy," and "quarterly sales." Ben Settle argues that this is the fastest way to get deleted.

The core of the first 15 lessons in Email Players focuses on Infotainment. This is the marriage of information (teaching something valuable) and entertainment (telling a story, being provocative, or sharing an opinion). The goal isn't to be liked; it's to be read. Settle teaches that if you aren't polarizing some people, you aren't interesting enough to sell to anyone. Key Pillars Found in Email Players 1 - 15 1. The "Daily Email" Habit

Settle is the godfather of the daily email. Lessons 1 through 15 hammer home the psychological benefits of showing up every day. It builds trust, stays top-of-mind, and—most importantly—gives you more "at-bats" to make a sale. 2. The Power of "Edutainment" Stories

Instead of dry tutorials, Settle teaches you how to pull lessons from everyday life. Whether it’s a grumpy clerk at the grocery store or a scene from an 80s action movie, these lessons show you how to bridge a mundane story into a pitch for your product. 3. Writing for the "Inner Circle"

A recurring theme in these early lessons is the "Anti-Follower" strategy. Settle encourages you to write in a way that repels "looky-loos" and attracts high-quality buyers. By being your authentic (and sometimes cranky) self, you build a cult-like following that buys everything you put out. 4. The "Seinfeld" Sequence (Refined)

While popularized by others, Settle’s take on the "show about nothing" style of emailing is masterfully covered in the 1-15 sequence. He demonstrates how to keep readers hooked on your personality so that the "sell" feels like a natural part of the conversation rather than an intrusion. Why the 1 - 15 Sequence is a Game Changer

For many marketers, the first 15 issues of Email Players represent a "reset." They strip away the need for complex funnels, expensive automation software, and perfect grammar. The takeaways are simple but profound:

Subject Lines: Stop trying to trick people. Use "blind curiosity" or "blunt honesty" to get the click.

The Transition: How to move seamlessly from a story about your dog to a $500 offer.

Confidence: The "Email Players" mindset is about owning your space in the inbox and not apologizing for selling. Is It Right For You?

Ben Settle’s style isn't for the faint of heart. If you work for a corporate brand that requires HR-approved language, this isn't for you. But if you are a freelancer, a coach, or a small business owner who wants to see an immediate lift in sales through the power of words, Email Players 1 - 15 is essentially the "Blueprints to the Kingdom." Final Verdict

The "Email Players 1 - 15" curriculum isn't just about writing emails; it's about understanding human psychology. It teaches you that people don't buy products; they buy into leaders, personalities, and perspectives. By the time you finish the 15th lesson, you’ll never look at your "Compose" button the same way again.

Ben Settle's Email Players is a high-ticket, offline (print) newsletter that typically costs $97 per month

. While the specific "1-15" sequence often refers to the core training and first 15 issues, Ben frequently offers the first issue as a to new subscribers on BenSettle.com Core Content of Early Issues Furthermore, the world has changed slightly since these

The first 15 issues focus on establishing a "daily email" habit and specific monetization strategies: The "Opt-in" Issue (Issue 1) : This is the standard "free drive" issue. It reveals 24 different ways to make more money with email marketing. Initial Auto-responder Strategy

: Teaches exactly what to write in your first message to bond new subscribers to you instantly and build "unbreakable trust". The Product Plug : Instructions on how to plug products or services in every single email without sounding obnoxious or turning people off. The "Email Players Playbook"

: A core gift for new subscribers that outlines a 94-email daily sequence (3+ months of content). List Building (Issue 2 & Beyond)

: Early issues include deep dives into list building, such as a "referral method" that focuses on attracting high-quality leads rather than just high volume. Ben Settle - Email Key Principles Taught in Issues 1-15 Daily Consistency

: Sending daily emails to stay "top of mind" without burning out the list. Polarization

: Using a "no coming back" policy and a polarizing tone to repel bad leads and attract loyal "hyper-buyers". Content as Sales

: Treating even "pitch" emails as valuable content that subscribers look forward to reading. Psychological Triggers

: Using curiosity and "dopamine drips" to keep subscribers addicted to opening your messages. Related Training Materials List Swell

: A separate training (often bundled or sold as a back-issue guide) covering 16+ ways to grow a list independently of a website. The Skhema Book

: A newer physical compilation that includes "Email Players" content adapted for business-boosting strategies. or a specific list-building technique mentioned in these early issues? Learning from Ben Settle's newsletters

You cannot read Issues 1–15 without immediately bumping into three recurring dogmas that define everything Settle does.

Before dissecting the first 15 issues, you need to understand the man.

Ben Settle is a convicted felon (a story he does not hide, using it as a badge of honor). He is an anti-guru. He famously refuses to "grow" his business beyond a certain size because he values his time and sanity over chasing an extra zero in his bank account. His clients range from supplement sellers to B2B consultants to adult entertainment moguls.

The "Email Players" newsletter is his flagship product. Unlike typical marketing newsletters that teach "10 tips for open rates," Settle’s newsletter reads like a private journal from a cynical, hilarious, highly successful mercenary.

The first 15 issues are particularly raw. They were written before he became the "established" figure he is today. In these issues, he is still fighting, still testing, and still furious at the "polite marketers" who lie to their audiences.

Settle addresses the elephant in the room: Do you talk about politics in business email?

The Lesson: Hell yes, if you want to. He argues that neutrality is a lie. By trying not to offend anyone, you excite no one. He details how to use controversial topics (pro-gun, pro-choice, left, right—doesn't matter) as a "filter" to find your tribe. He warns: Do not do this unless you have thick skin.