Get UNSTUCK by Pat Flynn
Starting and growing a business can be hard, and sometimes you might feel stuck. Our weekly newsletter, Unstuck, gets delivered to over 100,000 people each week to help them get unstuck. We'd love to help you, too.
The Viral Content Trap (and how to avoid it)
Issue #157 | August 26th, 2025 Hi, it's Pat! What if chasing viral content is actually killing your business? I know that sounds backwards. We all want our content to blow up, get millions of views, and make us internet famous for 15 minutes. But here's what I've learned after generating over 4 billion views in the last year: The wrong kind of viral content can destroy everything you're trying to build. Let me explain what I mean, and more importantly, show you a better way to think about...
How to stay focused when the world wants you distracted
Issue # 153 | August 19th, 2025 Hey there, Yesterday, I opened my phone to check the time and somehow ended up watching a 10-minute video about a guy who builds tiny houses for squirrels. Squirrel houses. For actual squirrels. Don't get me wrong — it was fascinating. The craftsmanship was incredible, and the squirrels seemed genuinely appreciative. But here's the thing: I had zero interest in squirrel architecture before I picked up my phone, and I have zero plans to build squirrel houses in...
The human experience revolution (and why your next event should be in a coffee shop)
Issue #155 | August 12th, 2025 Hey there, Back in June, I spent $0 on marketing for an event that drew over 5,000 people to Tampa, Florida. Zero dollars. No ads, no influencer partnerships, no fancy marketing campaigns. Just word of mouth from people who were desperate to be in the same room together, sharing their passion for something they love. The event was Card Party — a gathering for Pokémon collectors, fans, and creators. And the fact that it sold out without any paid promotion tells...
Why asking for money feels like physical pain (it literally is)
Issue #154 | August 5th, 2025 Hey there, In last week's email about making your first sale, I challenged you to make one simple ask: Reach out to someone in your network and offer to solve a problem for them. Based on the responses I received, I can tell exactly where most of you got stuck. It wasn't identifying the problem. It wasn't creating the solution. It wasn't even knowing who to contact. It was the ask itself. "I know exactly who I should reach out to," one reader wrote, "but every...
Eight months, zero dollars, perfect logo
Issue #153 | July 29th, 2025 Presented by Admired Leadership Hey there, Last week, I spoke with someone who's been "working on their business" for eight months. They showed me a beautiful logo, perfectly branded social media accounts, and a stunning website with custom photography. When I asked about revenue, they got quiet. "Well, I haven't actually started selling anything yet. I'm still figuring out my brand voice and want to make sure everything is perfect before I launch." Eight months....
Why I stopped fearing AI and started using it
Issue #152 | July 22nd, 2025 Presented by Poppy AI Hey there, Last week, I was preparing for a podcast interview with a guest I'd never spoken to before. In the old days, this would have meant hours of work: researching their background, diving into their recent projects, reading their latest articles, and trying to craft thoughtful questions that would create real value for my audience. Instead, I spent 15 minutes with AI getting comprehensive background research, key talking points, and...
The $15,000 lesson about keeping secrets
Issue #151 | July 15th, 2025 Hi, it’s Pat! In 2010, I had what I thought was a brilliant idea for a software plugin. I was so convinced it would be a game-changer that I kept it completely secret. I didn’t want anyone stealing it. For six months, I worked with a developer, spending $15,000 of my own money to build this "revolutionary" tool. When we finally finished building it, I excitedly showed it to a few trusted people, expecting them to be blown away. Instead, they immediately pointed...
The lead magnet that actually gets used
Issue #150 | July 8th, 2025 Presented by ScoreApp Hi, it’s Pat! Last week, I watched a friend spend three hours crafting the "perfect" lead magnet to grow her email list; it was a 47-page PDF guide packed with beautiful graphics, actionable tips, and everything her audience needed to solve their biggest problem. She launched it with excitement, and within the first week, 188 people had downloaded it. It was a below-average result. But here's the kicker: Her email analytics showed that only 28...
The Monday morning ritual that made me feel like garbage
Issue #149 | July 1st, 2025 Presented by Taplio Hi, it’s Pat! When I first started my online business, I had a Monday morning ritual that was slowly destroying my confidence. I'd open my laptop feeling pretty good about my weekend progress, check my business metrics, then make the fatal mistake of browsing social media. Within minutes, I'd see someone celebrating a massive product launch, another person sharing their "best month ever," and someone else casually mentioning their seven-figure...
The art of asking: Why great questions beat great content
Issue #148 | June 24th, 2025 Presented by ScoreApp Hi, it’s Pat! I used to think that the best content creators were the ones with the most original ideas — the visionaries who could pull brilliant insights out of thin air and package them into compelling stories. Then I discovered something that changed everything: Some of the most valuable content doesn't come from having all the answers — it comes from asking the right questions. The best podcasters, journalists, and content creators...
Starting and growing a business can be hard, and sometimes you might feel stuck. Our weekly newsletter, Unstuck, gets delivered to over 100,000 people each week to help them get unstuck. We'd love to help you, too.