Letters by Burk #148: Newsletter Formatting

Also, newsletter issues, Alzheimer's, Bookworms, and more

Oct 15, 2024

A laptop computer sitting on top of a white desk — Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash

Hi friends,

I firmly believe a newsletter issue should be well formatted. That is a good thing for readers.

Sure, it might make content more skimmable which means it could be read faster or skipped over more easily, but that’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make.

But what’s good formatting?

I am sure that differs from person to person, from writer to writer, and from reader to reader. It’s also platform-dependent in some sense. Some tools offer great formatting options, others not so much.

Substack is good. Not the best by any means, but the most important formatting options are here. So, let’s take a deeper look at some crucial Substack formatting tips in today’s main story.

But before, here’s one of my all-time favorite quotes:

#1 Main Story:

The BEST Substack Formatting Tips 2025

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent way too much time staring at your newsletter draft, wondering how to make it look great and feel structured and organized.

Well, let’s talk about exactly that today!

Formatting

Let’s start with the basics — text formatting. It might seem simple, but trust me, it is pretty important.

Use ’em But Don’t Abuse ’em

Read the rest

#2 Off Topic:

Treatment For Alzheimer’s On the Horizon

Very recent developments in Alzheimer’s research have unveiled exciting new insights into the disease’s mechanisms, offering fresh hope for potential treatments.

Let’s take a look at these findings, and explore their implications for our understanding of Alzheimer’s and future therapeutic approaches.

A Metabolic Perspective

Traditionally viewed primarily as a cognitive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease is slowly being recognized as a complex metabolic condition affecting the entire brain.

So, it’s not an isolated brain issue, it’s the result of a multi-layered metabolic health breakdown.

Read the rest

#3 Not So Fun Facts

Here are 5 lesser-known facts about Alzheimer's disease:

Olfactory dysfunction: Loss of smell is often an early symptom of Alzheimer's, occurring before memory problems become apparent. This can happen years before other symptoms manifest.
Higher risk at high altitudes: Some research suggests that living at high altitudes may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, possibly due to lower oxygen levels affecting brain function over time.
Circadian rhythm disruption: Alzheimer's can significantly disrupt the body's internal clock, leading to a phenomenon called "sundowning," where confusion and agitation worsen in the late afternoon and evening.
Potential link to gum disease: Some studies have found a possible connection between chronic gum disease (periodontitis) and an increased risk of Alzheimer's, though more research is needed to confirm this link.
Artistic abilities may be preserved: In some cases, people with Alzheimer's retain or even develop new artistic abilities, despite cognitive decline in other areas. This phenomenon is not fully understood but has been observed in multiple patients.

#4 Bookworm 50% Off

Get my Notion template, Bookworm, 50% off today. It’s the perfect template to track what you read. And it looks cool as well 😉

Become a Bookworm

Something to think about

Best,

Now ↓

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