A great protagonist has three key things:

1. A goal – Something they want more than anything. It could be saving the world, finding love, or just surviving high school.
2. Obstacles – What stands in their way? This could be an external villain or an internal struggle. The bigger the obstacle, the more we root for them.
3. Change – They don’t come out the same person they were at the beginning. Maybe they gain confidence, maybe they realize what matters, maybe they just survive and learn a lesson. The change is the payoff.

Why does your story need a protagonist?

If you’re writing a newsletter, business content, or any kind of story that’s meant to connect with people, think of your protagonist as a bridge.

They’re the ones who’ll take your readers from “okay, what’s this?” to “I need to know what happens next!”

Even if your newsletter is about business tips, marketing advice, or personal growth, having a protagonist helps.

It gives people someone to follow, whether that’s you sharing a struggle you faced, or a relatable example of someone who overcame the same challenges your audience is dealing with.

In other words: if you make your readers care about the protagonist, they’ll care about the story—and, by extension, the message you’re sharing.

Protagonist in Your Context

For you, your protagonist might often be you. Your experiences, your setbacks, your insights.

But it could also be your reader—the person struggling with something you’re helping them solve.

If you think of each piece as a journey with a clear “hero,” it can make even the most practical advice feel personal and engaging.

So, when you’re crafting a story in your newsletter, ask yourself:

• Who’s my protagonist in this story?
• What do they want?
• What’s in their way?
• How will they change?

That’s how you hook people, get them invested, and keep them coming back for more.

Now, go make your readers fall in love with your protagonists… even if that protagonist is you.