Learn how to grow and monetize your newsletter! We interview the best newsletter operators, founders, and creators on how they grow their audiences and make money.
Hosted by Matt McGarry and Ryan Carr.
Learn how to grow and monetize your newsletter! We interview the best newsletter operators, founders, and creators on how they grow their audiences and make money.
Hosted by Matt McGarry and Ryan Carr.
Copyright: © 2023 Newsletter Operator
Matt and Ryan cover the benefits of SEO-minded newsletter strategies and the potential of partnering with influencers to start profitable newsletters.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Discussion
06:21 Discussion about Books and Content Consumption
19:19 SEO-Minded Strategies for Newsletter Success
27:27 Partnering with Influencers to Start Profitable Newsletters
37:06 The Value of Newsletters and Prioritizing Education
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Matt and Ryan talk about the growth and success of media companies using negative CAC. AI in advertising, creative marketing strategies, tools, and more.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Plans for the Podcast
02:53 Building a Media Company and Selling Something Else
18:14 Example: Freight Waves and Sonar
24:47 Example: ClickFunnels
33:57 The Motley Fool: Building a Media Empire and Expanding into Asset Management and Venture Capital
39:28 MeatEater: Leveraging Media and Acquisitions in the Outdoor Industry
43:17 Cody Sanchez: From Media and Education to Holding Companies and Investments
46:39 Rezzi Brands: Scaling Trade Services Franchise Business
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Charlie Hoehn is a three-time New York Times bestselling editor and five-time author. He has worked with Tim Ferriss, Ramit Sethi, Codie Sanchez, Tucker Max, David Goggins, and many others.
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Introduced through podcast, impactful book, recession-proof advice.
04:53 Initiated projects, and earned full-time employment success.
06:59 A proactive mindset leads to more opportunities.
11:15 Help businesses by addressing their key concerns.
13:51 Busy people dislike long videos; need efficiency.
18:59 Tim Ferriss leads workshops and gets direct feedback.
22:08 Expand ideas, stories, and transformation in the book.
24:12 Simon Siddig said: Tell stories with points.
28:56 Books are about long-term commitment and impact.
30:42 Book sales don't compare to equity earnings.
35:51 People interested in writing books should focus.
39:09 Target reader, build a personalized distribution list.
40:49 Focus on prescriptive nonfiction for business owners.
46:04 Ghostwriter disrupted author interviews, structure, and chapter content.
49:15 Authors recommend conversational writing for more engaging content.
Links Mentioned
charliehoehn.com
Matt and Ryan talk about effective strategies, formats for newsletter content, the importance of writing a marketing email, and many more
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Lead with valuable content, tie to sale.
05:27 Emphasize specific, actionable value in newsletters.
08:53 Excited about new influencers and marketing strategies.
11:34 Writing effective newsletters require careful strategy.
13:33 Reduce excessive newsletter content and external links.
18:57 Webinars, marketing emails, social posts, newsletters.
20:07 Front-load marketing, send more emails. Missed opportunities.
22:47 Testing email sequences for launches; effective content.
26:43 Biohacking and focused marketing for future reports.
29:18 Test different angles, focusing on specific angles.
32:31 Using Quora for ad copy and success.
39:10 Sam's trends team provided unique, affordable market insights.
41:02 Attracted crowd, learning experience, successful business ventures.
43:58 Steps to grow podcast: review, subscribe, screenshot.
Matt and Ryan talk about the takeaways from the newsletter conference, the B2B industry, the pros and cons of ads or promotions in newsletters, newsletter ideas, and many more.
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 B2B newsletters are confident moneymaking plays.
04:44 Creating podcasts, newsletters, and social media content drives business. Monetizing as a media company with ads/courses/memberships. B2B media is more lucrative than B2C. Sell directly to the audience for business growth.
06:36 Media companies struggle with ads, and B2B creators thrive.
10:17 Focusing on the specialized audience for high value.
13:03 Workweek thesis: Identify niche industries for influence.
17:34 Generate immediate revenue through targeted advertising strategies.
19:52 Text blasts boost webinar registrations, and powerful marketing.
25:12 Influencer marketing: finding underpriced attention is key.
27:28 Smaller newsletters offer better advertising opportunities.
31:37 Consider higher CPA for better long-term value.
34:15 Many subscribers sign up for multiple newsletters.
37:34 Prefer widget installation for faster revenue generation.
40:33 Automated newsletters can be customized for relevance.
44:45 Automated sequence customized for life events.
46:02 Create a newsletter portfolio to build relationships.
49:09 Leverage Facebook, content, and SEO for marketing.
52:31 Publish podcast, send a screenshot for an invite. Live call.
Brad Wolverton is the editorial director at HubSpot Media and The Hustle (2.5M+ subscribers). Brad is also the creator of Newsletter Examples.
Follow Brad on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradwolverton
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Proud to subscribe to newsletter examples on growth.
06:06 Recruit through long-term relationships, adaptability, and resilience.
09:03 Sam identified talent and facilitated her transition smoothly.
11:07 Restructuring Hustle's operations aimed at professionalism.
14:54 Consider audience, reach, and differentiation for success.
18:34 Expand your network to find credible sources.
22:46 New service for non-writing roles, cost-effective talent sourcing.
24:01 Clearing the path for talented employees.
28:45 Create habit-forming, repeatable content for email success.
32:49 Magazines structure: front, feature, fun sections.
35:55 HubSpot sought more diverse, experienced talent quickly.
38:09 HubSpot's marketing funnel reaches customers effectively.
41:37 HubSpot's strategy focuses on audience expansion.
43:54 Leverage hustle for cross promotions with newsletters.
49:37 Consider potential and be conservative in growth expectations.
52:29 Marketing show needed deeper, actionable content.
54:11 "Transition from introductions to tactical content."
Links Mentioned
John Newtson is the founder of Financial Marketing Summit, a marketing conference for financial publishers, trading educators, and media brands.
Connect with John on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnnewtson
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Financial industry's pre-digital growth and transition.
03:14 Early e-letter advertising was profitable and impactful.
07:38 Product sales indicate customer interest and profitability.
10:23 Front end: introductory, back end: advanced products.
14:31 Financial media sources improve niche media buying.
18:52 Online marketing involves funnels, email series, and promos.
20:15 Diversify products for multiple sales and profits.
24:43 Porter Stansbury launched with a unique Amazon promo.
28:38 Understanding markets, focusing on big trends.
29:41 Mainstream story grabs attention but not wallets.
33:24 Copywriter promotes cannabis investment and attracts celebrity investors.
38:49 Affiliates offer new revenue through customer reactivation.
39:50 Buying sprees, competition for talent, sharing promos.
45:35 People falling due to shared worldview in promotions.
46:45 Buffet has strong philosophies on market changes.
50:03 Publisher drives ideas and makes qualitative decisions.
53:56 Publisher's $10 million promo led to less profit.
56:40 Search Matt McGarry on YouTube for an invite.
Links Mentioned
https://financialmarketingsummit.com/
matt@newsletteroperator.com
-> Learn more about Newsletter Operator All Access here.
-> Use code "GROWLETTER" to get $100 off your ticket to The Newsletter Conference.
About this Episode
Ryan Sager and Jesse Watkins are the founders of Who Sponsors Stuff, an advertising intelligence tool that tracks 500+ newsletters, and the hosts of The Newsletter Conference, which will take place on May 3rd.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Matt McGarry discusses newsletter advertising trends in 2024.
04:31 Summary: Discussion on sponsors tracking and email advertising.
06:52 Newsletter advertising remains consistent with 10-20 daily.
12:11 Pricing and value in sponsorship programs.
14:03 Increase multiples for highly engaged audiences.
18:23 Ad networks attempt unique, bespoke ad offerings.
20:15 Performance standards, payment for access, risk assumption.
25:32 "Customize ad pitch, avoid commoditization, discussion."
26:17 Understanding brand advertising and messaging for sales.
31:15 Relationship with audience determines product fit.
33:53 Build rapport before selling dedicated content.
37:33 Discount bundling increases sales and requires careful renewal.
42:01 Emphasis on sponsorship, data products, and expansion.
45:29 Events in NYC are expensive and need an audience.
46:31 Traditional publishers struggle with newsletter ad integration.
50:33 Request a screenshot of the podcast and email for an invite.
Links Mentioned
https://allaccess.newsletteroperator.com/
https://thenewsletterconference.com/
https://www.whosponsorsstuff.com/
matt@newsletteroperator.com
Matt and Ryan talk about behind-the-scenes and early-stage plans for building a newsletter in public, how to grow your agency through a newsletter, and more.
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Building newsletter in public, early stages revealed.
05:20 Premium subscription launched early, aiming for revenue.
07:17 Experimenting with batching and weekly delivery. Consider monetizing from day one.
11:48 Challenges with paid marketing and growing channels.
13:36 Outline for landing page: Headline, letter, membership breakdown.
18:40 Public promotion key for organic media company growth.
19:32 Using faceless videos for better content discovery.
22:28 The coaching program requires daily short video filming.
25:52 LinkedIn expert advice: focus on broad content.
28:37 Confident about branding, content, and organic growth.
34:08 System and constraints shape consistent and habitual reading.
36:29 Local newsletters with smart brevity style. Numbered, easy to follow on mobile.
37:57 Alex Garcia's newsletters on influencer partnerships shine.
42:10 Visualizing simple things, and updating data for newsletters.
Matt and Ryan talk about how to sell out a cohort-based course, how to use newsletters to get and keep clients for service-based agencies, and much more.
Support our sponsors:
Refind Ads helps you grow your newsletter on auto-pilot
Get a $25 ad credit when you spend $100 or more.
--
Sponsy streamlines sponsorship operations and reporting so you can save time and keep sponsors happy.
Try Sponsy for free or book a demo here.
--
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Refind ads: easy setup, effective paid acquisition.
06:04 Sales exceeded expectations, and several units sold out.
09:02 Emphasize long-form sales pages in product promotion.
10:32 Two similar announcement broadcasts successfully sold the course.
14:13 Create an email list, and send targeted course promotions.
19:05 Utilize PS in email for important messages.
21:25 Easier to get testimonials for future courses.
23:26 Incentivized survey with $100 prize and bonus.
27:28 Service business provides more freedom and value.
30:22 Promote digital products, showcase expertise, and upsell.
33:34 Targeted newsletter ads create high conversion rates.
37:57 Create niche Twitter ads and share insights.
42:31 Leave a review on Apple/Spotify and subscribe with an email proof.
43:43 Podcast host seeks feedback to reach a wider audience.
Anik Singal is an entrepreneur, author, and expert in scaling education businesses.
Check out Anik's books and podcasts here: AnikSingal.com
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Timestamps
00:00 Choose digital product and sales method carefully.
06:50 Leverage small audiences for higher priced offers.
10:21 Forcing offers without audience interest always fails.
12:12 Answering questions, creating an FAQ, monetizing support.
14:48 Compliance market infatuates despite initial disinterest.
17:39 Streamlined installation process, captured and sold.
23:17 Low ticket pricing strategy for ad spend.
26:32 Quickly create low-ticket products using templates & AI.
30:23 Funnel engagement, low initial webinar attendance.
32:48 Extend funnel, increase sales by 30%.
35:50 Integration: Sendlane, Drip, stealth seminar, zapier.
40:47 Busy schedule, overlapping webinars, managing affiliates.
44:19 Presenting involves tech, passion, and valuable skills.
47:35 FTC investigation felt worse than a colonoscopy.
50:25 Learning, writing, and turning challenges into success.
51:39 New suite, certification, compliance marketing, book, audit.
54:43 Testimonial usage, disclosure, and court impact.
Eric Siu is the CEO of Single Grain and host of two successful podcasts: Marketing School and Leveling Up. These podcasts receive over 1 million downloads per month.
Follow Eric on Twitter: @ericosiu
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Early podcasting success fueled by validation and education.
05:59 Content strategy should align with expertise and budget.
08:48 Daily marketing podcast successful with 2700 episodes.
11:28 Ads to the newsletter to value, not ads.
14:23 Starting an agency is challenging but rewarding.
16:31 Start side hustle, secure financial cushion first.
21:06 Strategic hiring in the US, referral recruiting.
24:46 Productized agencies offer clear and predictable services.
26:28 Maintaining quality and demand for creators is important.
31:29 Webinar on real-life AI use cases.
35:53 Monthly marketing content with unlimited options available.
36:45 Finding sponsors for your newsletter through titles.
42:18 Financial subscriptions, conferences, and high returns.
44:48 Powerful email sales strategy: ask for a reply.
46:25 Creating communities for learning and networking.
50:00 Stay focused, avoid distractions and reach success.
Links Mentioned
Matt Paulson is the founder and CEO of MarketBeat. Matt’s media company and newsletter has over 4.3M subscribers and is on pace to do $40M in revenue this year.
Follow Matt Paulson on Twitter: @MattPaulsonSD
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 About MarketBeat and Matt’s media company
05:14 Ad spend across Google, Bing, Facebook, and other channels
09:09 Working with agencies
11:46 Managing advertising through agencies, offers, and automation.
13:42 Hot stock trends drive high newsletter engagement.
17:28 Two big companies and smaller affiliates
20:56 The Financial publishing industry and the CPA model.
25:06 Investor relations, financial newsletters, CPA deals.
29:16 Dynamic offer rotation maximizes email campaign performance.
32:42 Multi-channel marketing maximizes message delivery effectiveness.
36:17 Email success depends on optimizing for sales.
36:59 Rising newsletter ads face potential sustainability issues.
40:44 Consider audience demographics, interests, then find affiliate program.
45:53 Marketbeat’s plans
47:23 Pioneering data-driven financial content creation
50:21 Where to find Matt online
Links Mentioned
MarketBeat.com
Twitter.com/MattPaulsonSD
Matt and Ryan talk about 5 newsletter business ideas. Plus, how to grow and monetize them.
Episode topics & Timestamps
00:00 Newsletter targeting Fortune 500 executives for news.
04:34 Create hyper relevant content for niche market.
06:57 High CPMs for well-defined executive audience.
12:53 Research-intensive content, provide templates, charge for value.
16:14 Curated finance memes drive engagement on Instagram.
19:19 Charter newsletter uses visuals and witty copy.
22:42 AI writing tool boosts creativity for writers.
23:34 Weekly summary of design and pricing trends.
27:23 Newsletter format: short, snippets, automate, historical lessons.
32:07 Sponsors and newsletter offer monetization challenges.
35:42 Podcast reviews books about influential people. Crazy network.
37:39 Building email list crucial for long-term success.
40:39 Opt for positive, non-crime local news.
43:14 Local writing can lead to access and recognition.
46:26 Increased interest in local business advertising benefits.
49:33 Seeking feedback and updates on shared ideas.
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Adam Ryan is the co-founder and CEO of WorkWeek, a B2B media company with 10+ newsletter publications and communities across various industries like healthcare, marketing, sales, HR, e-commerce, and fintech.
Episode topics & Timestamps
00:00 How WorkWeek started
05:04 Audience indicators and your ideal customer profile (ICP)
07:32 Slow, strategic growth trumps rushing into big projects.
10:19 Different business growth approaches have varying scalability and repeatability. Lifestyle businesses may benefit from an agency model, but for larger, scalable ventures, ongoing growth and compounding the business are crucial.
14:40 Approach to product development, growth metrics
17:32 Thoughts on newsletter recommendation networks
22:13 The email inbox is more sensitive
24:46 Paid ads
26:47 Maximizing existing audience potential
31:17 Acquiring newsletter subscribers and the potential trade-offs involved.
35:05 Focus on quality over quantity for newsletter subscribers.
36:34 Organic growth and subscriber engagement
40:14 Traditional media
43:35 Higher ad revenue, lower churn, better LTV
47:45 Prioritize audience, seek feedback, and consider time constraints.
50:24 How B2B lead generation works
Links Mentioned
WorkWeek.com
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Matt and Ryan talk about newsletter monetization, how to create and sell a front-end offer, webinars, polls, courses, and more.
Episode topics & Timestamps
00:00 Aligning monetization strategies enables sustainable and scalable growth.
06:21 Creating post subscription funnel to boost sales.
09:03 Curate and repurpose newsletter content for subscribers.
11:22 Identify problems, consumer needs, and create products.
16:26 Promoting course through webinars and email marketing.
18:50 Live course allows immediate Q&A interaction.
22:31 Testing successful outreach to high-ticket service businesses.
25:24 Share audience poll in outbound strategy for agencies.
28:28 Postponing deliverability discussion, Google policy updates, future episode.
Links Mentioned
Newsletter Growth System
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Wouter Teunissen is co-founder of OpenRates -- A tool that helps you find and convert newsletter sponsorships in your niche. Previously Wouter was the first salesperson at Milk Road.
Episode topics & Timestamps
(13:20) Cornerstone Resources for Marketing and Copywriting
(13:40) Importance of Authority in Newsletter Niche
(14:00) Creating a Personal Toolkit for Sales Success
(32:40) Automating the Sales Cycle with Databases
(32:52) Identifying the Right Contacts for Sponsorship Outreach
(40:40) Incentivizing Audiences with Surveys
(41:00) The Pillars of Effective Marketing and Sales Messages
(41:20) How to Follow Wouter Teunissen's Work
(41:34) How to Support the Newsletter Operator Podcast
Links Mentioned
https://www.openrates.co/
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Tim Huelscamp is the co-founder & CEO of 1440 Media. In this podcast, Tim shares his strategies for scaling and monetizing newsletters, how 1440 reached over 3 million subscribers by delivering comprehensive, unbiased news, and much more.
Episode topics & Timestamps
(00:15) Guest Introduction
(00:42) 1440 in the media landscape, aimed at busy professionals desiring a comprehensive yet unbiased news source.
(01:49) 1440's foundation story, starting from frustration with existing news media, testing minimum viable product concepts, and the emphasis on high open rates and organic growth as evidence of product-market fit.
(04:33) 1440’s Audience & Demographics
(06:12) Retention and Engagement
(07:28) Creative Strategy & Growth Levers, discussion on the significance of high-quality, compelling creative work in driving subscriber growth
(20:25) Monetization Strategies
(39:42) Potential for Newsletter Market Saturation and the necessity for delivering high-quality content as the key differentiator for long-term success.
(44:41) Future of 1440
(52:51) Tim’s offer to assist rising newsletter creators by way of connecting and reflecting on the supportive nature of the newsletter community.
Links Mentioned:
Join1440.com
Reach out to Tim directly: tim@join1440.com
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Matt and Ryan interview Brett Perlmutter, co-founder of BulletPitch, a startup newsletter turned media company. They discuss the company's origin, mission, and audience engagement metrics. Brett shares growth strategies and revenue models.
Episode topics & Timestamps
(00:25) Introduction and brief overview of BulletPitch, motivation behind starting BulletPitch
(02:25) the rapid growth of BulletPitch and the audience size
(05:25) how BulletPitch measures audience engagement through polls and investor introductions
(08:49) the ratio of growth from Twitter ads, organic sharing, referrals, and word of mouth
(12:18) Discussion on the strategy of Twitter ads and what makes a good ad
(23:15) The Business model of Bulletpitch
(27:00) Launching BulletPitch Plus
(35:48) Insights on newsletter saturation
(41:49) Monetization challenges faced by newsletters
(45:09) Brett shares his experience with hosting events and the value of in-person interactions for newsletter subscribers
Links mentioned:
https://twitter.com/BrettPerlmutter
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Justin Moore is a sponsorship coach and the founder of Creator Wizard, a school and community that teaches you how to find and negotiate your dream brand deals.
Join Justin's newsletter for sponsorship opportunities.
Episode topics & Timestamps
(00:40) Justin’s journey and experience with sponsorships, introduction and background
(03:00) overview of the media side of the business
(09:00) Growth sources and strategies for building an audience for the newsletter.
(16:00) Monetization strategies, including sponsorships, courses, and coaching.
(25:00) Transitioning to evergreen course offerings and the impact on revenue.
(30:00) Tips for standing out and securing sponsors in a crowded market.
(45:00) Offering different sponsorship packages and being flexible based on sponsors' goals.
(48:00) Generating demand and pitching sponsors effectively.
Links Mentioned
https://www.creatorwizard.com/join
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
In this podcast, Matt and Ryan provide valuable insights into various topics related to effectively running newsletters, membership programs, and courses. They discuss the challenges of monetizing your newsletter and explore various marketing channels while giving actionable strategies aimed at helping you succeed in the newsletter industry.
Episode topics & Timestamps
(1:22) Selling memberships and courses as monetization strategies and success stories of membership models
(02:12) Insights on growth for Trend.co and using free newsletter lists to convert into memberships/courses
(03:09) Tactics in converting newsletter subscriptions to paid memberships and he process of subscriber acquisition and conversion
(4:30) Utilizing gated website content for subscriber engagement
(05:31) The importance of targeted messaging in newsletters
(6:23) Diving into email marketing tactics and Free newsletter strategies for driving revenue
(09:54) Using various marketing channels for selling Trend.co subscriptions
(10:54) Comparing YouTube and Instagram influencer marketing effectiveness
(11:40) Discussing the best channels for membership growth and strategies for selecting influencers based on CPM and demographics
(15:52) Industry benchmarks for influencer marketing CPMs and the potential of underpriced attention in marketing
(20:49) Organizing newsletter sponsorships as an emerging service
(21:38) The ease of using Beehive's ad marketplace for newsletter ads
(23:26) Exploring alternative social networks and newsletters like Rumble and Passionfruit
(25:31) Organic growth advantages of Substack's recommendation engine
(27:12) Concerns about Substack's long-term viability
(30:46) Predicting the future challenges Substack might face
(31:37) Discussing the limitations of Substack as a platform for newsletter growth
Links Mentioned:
https://tailwindstudio.co/
https://www.newsletteroperator.com/
Episode Description:
In this episode, Matt and Ryan discuss the growing shift towards newsletters in the media landscape. They delve into the challenges faced by traditional media companies, emphasizing how newsletters offer an owned audience and help drive revenue and encourage engagement. They also explore the potential of newsletters for creators, including entertainment-based creators and e-commerce brands. Additionally, they touch on topics such as nurturing email lists, unlocking revenue streams, and the need for valuable content.
Key Topics Covered:
Episode topics & Timestamps:
(00:26) Introduction and Overview
(2:21) Challenges for Big Media Companies
(3:01) Decline in Social Media Traffic
(11:09) Media Companies And Newsletter Strategy
(11:40) Newsletter First Approach
(12:38) Importance of having an owned audience
(18:40) Strategies for Entertainment Creators
(28:00) Tailwind Newsletter Services
(30:00) Upcoming Discussion Topics
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Description:
In this episode, Matt and Ryan discuss the current state of newsletters and delve into the debate of whether there is a newsletter bubble. They address the concerns about the saturation of newsletters and the need to stand out in a competitive market. The discussion also focuses on the changing landscape of newsletter monetization, particularly the shift from CPM-based pricing to a cost-per-click model. They emphasize the importance of building an engaged and valuable audience and explore the potential for acquiring newsletters as a growth strategy.
Episode key topics and timestamps:
Introduction and Podcast Overview
(00:26) Purpose of the podcast, discussing newsletter building, growth, and monetization
Discussion on the Newsletter Bubble
(00:43 - 00:06:26) Debate on the existence of a newsletter bubble and address common concerns
(06:27 - 00:17:40) Analysis of the monetization challenges and evolving advertising models
Acquisition and Transfer of Newsletters
(19:00 - 00:25:00) Importance of acquiring and merging newsletters to expand audience and grow lists
(25:01 - 00:28:11) Process and strategies for successfully transferring subscribers and maintaining engagement
Newsletters as a Growth Strategy
(28:12 - 30:14) Highlighting the value of newsletters as marketing funnels and effective communication channels
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
In this episode of the Newsletter Operator Podcast, Jon Elder, the founder of Black Label Advisor, shares his journey from commercial construction to building a successful consultancy in the Amazon space. He started a side gig by launching his first brand on Amazon, which eventually led to the creation of the newsletter "Amazon Insiders." The newsletter focuses on the niche community of Amazon sellers and has seen rapid growth to over 15,000 subscribers.
Key Topics Covered:
Episode topics & Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to Newsletter Operator Podcast
(00:30) Introduction of Jon Elder, founder of Black Label Advisor
(01:00) Jon's Background and Entrepreneurial Journey
(2:00) Launching Amazon Insiders Newsletter
(3:00) Defining Micro Niche
(5:00) Choosing a Newsletter Topic
(6:00) Growth Strategies and Subscriber Acquisition
(7:00) The Role of SparkLoop in Subscriber Growth
(11:00)Additional Growth Channels such as Twitter
(16:00) The Use of a Mastermind Group for Engagement
(19:00) Monetization through Newsletter Sponsorships
(28:00) Approach to Identifying and Reaching Out to Sponsors
(33:00) Pricing and Packaging of Newsletter Ads
(33:00)Strategies for Achieving Growth Goals
(41:00) Advice for those Starting a Niche B2B Newsletter
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Kieran Drew is a writer and entrepreneur who shares writing strategies to help grow your online business.
Follow Kieran Drew on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Join Kieran's free newsletter "Digital Freedom" here.
---
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Jay Clouse is the founder of Creator Science, a media company that helps people succeed as professional content creators.
Follow Jay on Twitter and LinkedIn and join his free newsletter.
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Over 80,000 founders read Houck's Newsletter to learn how to build, grow, and raise capital for their startups.
Follow Michael Houck on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Join the Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Emanuel Cinca is the founder of StackedMarketer, a marketing newsletter with over 50,000 subscribers.
Follow Emanuel on Twitter: @emanuelcinca
Join the Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Ryan Sneddon is the founder of Naptown Scoop, a local newsletter covering Annapolis, Maryland.
Follow Ryan Sneddon on Twitter: @lifeof_scoop
Join the Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Ethan Brooks leads community and content for Hampton and was previously a senior writer at The Hustle and Trends.co
Follow Ethan on Twitter: @damn_ethan
Join the Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator(dot)com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Marketing Max is the founder of GrowthDaily, a marketing newsletter read by over 60,000 founders, CEOs, and marketers.
Follow Max on Twitter @MarketingMax
Join the Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Chenell Basilio is the founder of Growth In Reverse. Each week she reverse engineers how top creators get to 50k+ subscribers, so you can replicate their growth.
Join the Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.