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4 min read

Monday Memo

Jerry Seinfeld's 3 rules of writing...stop aspiring and start writing...opportunities created by the 'Zillow Effect'
Monday Memo

A Byte of Knowledge

Jerry Seinfeld is a billionaire for a reason.

So when he gives advice on how to write, you should listen.

He has three cardinal rules.

First, set a timer for one hour.

The only thing you’re allowed to do in that hour is write.

When the timer goes off, you stop. Period.

No excuses. No "five more minutes."

This keeps you from feeling overwhelmed and forces you to just do the work.

Second, he never gets feedback on the same day he writes.

Why? Because a new idea is fragile.

Your confidence is fragile.

Getting feedback too soon is like asking a stranger if your newborn is ugly.

It can crush your spirit before you’ve even had a chance to believe in what you’ve made.

His final rule is the most powerful.

When you write, treat yourself like a baby.

Be gentle. Forgiving. Just get the words on the page.

But when you edit? Be a ruthless killer. No mercy. Only the absolute best stuff gets to live.

The real secret is keeping these two people separate.

Let the creator have the room.

Then, maybe the next day, let the killer in to clean house.

Just never at the same time.

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Something to Ponder

We Asked – AI Answered

Our Question: 

"@gaulicsmith on X shared a fascinating phenomenon he calls the 'Zillow Effect.'

This is when seamless online transactions increase demand while supply stays the same. And the end result is products service that used to be cheap – but never will be again. Applies to housing, job applications, college applications, used items, concert tickets, and more.

What traditional 'inefficient' markets are still untouched by the 'Zillow Effect', and how could you digitize them before competitors do?"

AI's Answer:

First, Let’s Define the “Zillow Effect” (So We’re All Playing the Same Game)

The Zillow Effect is what happens when:

  1. Friction is eliminated from an inefficient market (housing, tickets, job apps).
  2. Access expands—suddenly everyone can apply, click, book, or buy.
  3. Supply stays fixed (or lags)—but demand explodes.
  4. Prices rise permanently, and the old “cheap days” never come back.

It’s not just digital convenience—it’s the permanent repricing of reality due to zero-friction access.

Think:

  • Buying a house? Zillow made it easy → Bidding wars exploded.
  • Applying to college? Common App + digital SATs → Record applications, record rejections.
  • Scoring concert tickets? Bots + apps → Face value tickets became folklore.
  • Dating? Tinder digitized it → Top 10% of men hoard all attention.

Now, the goldmine question:

“What’s Left?” What Markets Are Still Untouched by the Zillow Effect?

We're hunting for:

  • High-value, analog experiences
  • Still gatekept by friction, inefficiency, or local knowledge
  • Where demand could explode if streamlined
  • But supply is limited and can’t scale fast

Here are prime markets ripe for disruption, and exactly how you’d digitize them:

💡 Estate Sales & High-End Auctions

Why it's inefficient now:

  • Most estate sales still advertised via tiny classified ads or word-of-mouth
  • Buyers must physically show up at 7am on a Saturday in random neighborhoods
  • No centralized inventory system - you literally don't know what's available until you're there
  • Auction houses like local furniture/antique dealers operate on pure relationships

The Zillow opportunity:

  • Build "EstateRadar" - aggregate every estate sale nationally with detailed photos, virtual tours
  • Enable remote bidding, proxies, and shipping logistics
  • Add authentication services and condition reports

The permanent repricing: That $500 mid-century credenza at a suburban estate sale? Once tech-savvy collectors from NYC and LA can bid remotely, it's $5,000 forever. The information asymmetry that kept prices low disappears permanently.

💡 Cemetery Plots & Burial Rights

Why it's inefficient now:

  • Most transactions happen through funeral directors or directly with cemetery offices
  • No price transparency - same plot might sell for $2,000 or $20,000 depending on buyer knowledge
  • Families often desperate-sell inherited plots for pennies on the dollar
  • Zero secondary market visibility

The Zillow opportunity:

  • Create the "StubHub for cemetery plots" with transparent pricing
  • Show comparable sales, neighborhood demographics, maintenance ratings
  • Enable easy transfers and documentation

The permanent repricing: Prime locations near cities will 10x overnight. Manhattan's Woodlawn Cemetery plots selling for $15,000? Try $150,000 once global buyers enter the market. Death is the ultimate supply constraint.

💡 Skilled Trade Labor Time Blocks

Why it's inefficient now:

  • Good electricians/plumbers booked via phone tag
  • No upfront pricing for specific time slots
  • Emergency calls create random availability
  • Geographic inefficiency (driving across town for 1-hour jobs)

The Zillow opportunity:

  • "TradeTime" - buy specific time blocks from verified pros
  • Surge pricing for same-day service
  • Route optimization to stack jobs
  • Subscription models for priority access

The permanent repricing: That $150/hour master electrician? Once wealthy homeowners can guarantee same-day service, the surge price hits $1,000/hour. Blue collar labor gets Silicon Valley pricing.

Thanks for reading the Monday Memo.

Until next time!

The AI Marketers

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