Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic selling in a chaotic world.

A few months ago, I started collecting Snafu articles into categories and was surprised by how many taught the tactics of doing something very specific. These experiments began with the same phrase — “This might work” — which is the title of my new book.

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Introducing This Might Work

A few months ago, I started collecting Snafu articles into categories, and was surprised by how many taught the tactics of doing something very specific: fasting, buying a used car, raising a puppy, or buying a house.

None of these experiments was a sure thing. In fact, nearly all of them began with the same phrase: “This might work.”

That phrase is the title of my new book. It’s an invitation.

We’re living in a dichotomous era – of unprecedented change and uncertainty. Of leaders promising guaranteed outcomes and “ten steps to anything.”

This Might Work is a record of experiments – of trying things without knowing how they’ll turn out, and what I’ve learned along the way.

Each essay began as an attempt to figure something out: how to tell a great story, how to curate a conference, how to change someone you love.

The through line isn’t expertise – it’s curiosity.

If there’s one thing I've learned from them, it’s that progress begins when we stop waiting for certainty. This Might Work is my attempt to compile those lessons in one place – and to invite you to try your own. Because the only way to know if something will work is to start.

3 Things I’ve Loved This Week

Book I’m loving:

​A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by Timothy Egan

When I feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, I’ve begun turning to history. I find it helps to remember that humans have been through – if not this, then something like it – before.

My latest “escapism” history book is A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan.

I was shocked to learn about the rapid growth of the KKK through the 1920s, and the book helped me understand the rise of white nationalism in the U.S. today.

Video I’m revisiting:

​BJ Fogg’s TEDx talk​

I just shared BJ Fogg’s TEDx talk with my How to Sell Yourself cohort.

His talk is a great introduction to how to change behavior. (Hint: make it tiny, then celebrate yourself.) It’s also a great example of being unapologetically yourself.

Article I’m reading twice:

​Everything is Television by Derek Thompson

I’ve mentioned Derek Thompson before because his book Abundance with Ezra Klein is excellent. This article is, too!

I discovered the article through Tim Ferriss’ 5-Bullet Friday newsletter yesterday, and what Tim wrote had me immediately click in to read Derek’s article:

Having studied the Industrial Revolution through writing Responsive, I share Tim’s skepticism that AI will make society more abundant. I just debated my friend Miki on the Snafu Podcast about this exact thing!

Read this article. You’ll be more thoughtful about your consumption of short-form video.

Want more?

​Snafu Conference 2026​

The Snafu Conference is an immersive 1-day experience about authentic selling in a chaotic world. The summit will take place on March 5, 2026 at the Oakland Museum of California. Ticket prices go up on October 31, so get yours now!

​How to Sell Yourself workshop​

The next How to Sell Yourself workshop series just kicked off this week with 12 people from all over the world. I'll be hosting another cohort beginning January 2026. This is a new approach to selling for people who aren't quite comfortable selling themselves - yet!

​Responsive Conference 2026​

Responsive Conference is coming back in 2026! Our theme is "the attention economy & work." We'll be looking at how our attention shapes our work, and our lives. Ticket prices go up October 31, so don't wait!

Until next week,
Robin