Building a newsletter from scratch to a thriving community of 10000 subscribers isn’t just about hitting a number—it’s about cultivating a loyal audience that truly values your content.

Think of it like planting a garden.

You don’t just sprinkle seeds and expect a bountiful harvest.

You nurture the soil water and weed ensuring a healthy vibrant ecosystem.

Your newsletter is your garden and your subscribers are your precious flowers.

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The Value of a Strong Newsletter

The allure of a successful newsletter lies in its ability to connect with people on a deeper level.

It’s about building trust offering valuable insights and creating a space where your audience feels heard and valued.

Imagine a newsletter like Morning Brew which reportedly sold for $75 million or The Hustle acquired by HubSpot for $27 million.

These platforms exemplify the power of a well-established newsletter.

They built loyal communities that resonated with their content paving the way for remarkable financial success.

While not every newsletter will become a million-dollar acquisition the potential is undeniable.

A well-maintained newsletter can serve as a powerful tool for growing your audience promoting your brand and even generating revenue.

Avoiding the “Bad” Newsletter Syndrome

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of growing your subscriber base let’s address the elephant in the room: avoiding the pitfalls that create a low-quality newsletter experience.

The Link Dump Nightmare

You know those newsletters that are just a bunch of links thrown together? Yeah those.

They lack personality value and any semblance of curation.

They’re the equivalent of a spammy restaurant menu with a random assortment of dishes leaving you wondering if you should even try anything at all.

The Spam Trap

Spamming people with unsolicited content is a recipe for disaster.

Remember your newsletter is a privilege not a right.

Think of it like a friend who constantly bombards you with irrelevant messages.

That’s not a relationship you want to nurture.

The Power of Quality Content

The beauty of a well-crafted newsletter is its versatility.

You can curate the best content in your niche offer insightful commentary on industry trends or even create engaging interactive courses.

Think of it like a curated library overflowing with valuable resources a beacon of knowledge for your audience.

The Importance of Value

Remember your goal is to provide real value to your readers.

Whether it’s helping them save time make money or simply feel more informed your content should leave a positive impact.

It’s about giving your audience something they can’t get anywhere else.

Choosing the Right Tool for the Job: Email Service Providers (ESPs)

Now that we understand the importance of building a quality newsletter let’s talk tools.

Choosing the right ESP is crucial for your success.

It’s like selecting the perfect paintbrush—it can make all the difference in the final outcome.

Campaign Monitor: The Powerhouse

Campaign Monitor is our go-to ESP at Stacked Marketer and for good reason.

It offers granular user permissions a robust templating language and powerful integrations that allow us to create a truly customized experience for our subscribers.

Think of it as a professional-grade toolset designed to handle any task with precision and finesse.

The downside? It can be pricier than some other options.

But if you’re serious about building a high-quality newsletter the investment is worth it.

Beehiiv: The Rising Star

Beehiiv is an excellent option for those who are just starting out.

It offers an impressive suite of features at an affordable price.

Think of it as a well-equipped entry-level artist’s studio perfect for those learning the ropes.

While Beehiiv is quickly improving it lacks some of the advanced integrations and API capabilities found in Campaign Monitor.

It’s also important to note that I’ve had some negative experiences with their customer support but they’ve made significant strides in addressing those concerns.

ConvertKit: The Competitive Challenger

ConvertKit is often seen as a direct rival to Beehiiv and for good reason.

It’s a popular choice among newsletter creators known for its user-friendly interface and robust features.

It’s like a versatile art supply store offering a wide range of tools to suit different needs.

My personal experience with ConvertKit is limited to a few months of testing but I found the editor templating options and analytics lacking compared to other platforms.

However they’ve been working hard to improve in those areas.

Substack: The Free-to-Use Option

Substack is popular because it’s free.

But you get what you pay for.

If you’re looking for a robust platform with advanced features Substack isn’t the right choice.

It’s like using free paintbrushes—you might get the job done but you won’t get the same level of quality or control.

Starting Your Newsletter: Building a Foundation

Now comes the exciting part: building your newsletter from scratch.

Remember the first 1000 subscribers are crucial.

They’re your early adopters your loyal fans and your invaluable feedback source.

My Personal Journey: 0 to 1000 Subscribers

Here’s a breakdown of my journey to reaching the first 1000 subscribers:

Private Beta Testing: I reached out to industry friends and started a small “private beta” version of my newsletter. This gave me valuable feedback and allowed me to refine my format before going public.
Gathering Feedback: I spent a week gathering feedback from my beta testers and implemented their suggestions as quickly as possible.
Gauging Interest: I asked my beta testers if they would recommend my newsletter to others. This helped me gauge the initial reception and see if there was real interest.
Public Launch: Once I had enough positive responses I launched publicly on my social media channels and within relevant marketing communities.
Cross-Promotions: I reached out to bloggers with existing audiences in the marketing space offering them sponsorships or free recommendations to promote my newsletter.

This approach allowed me to build a loyal audience of “superfans” who were invested in the newsletter’s success and willing to provide valuable feedback.

Remember quality over quantity is key at this stage.

Scaling Up: From 1000 to 10000+ Subscribers

Once you’ve established a solid foundation with your first 1000 subscribers it’s time to scale up.

Maintaining a Clean and Engaged List

To ensure your newsletter remains healthy and thriving it’s important to maintain a clean and engaged list.

Segmentation: Divide your subscribers into segments based on their engagement levels. For example create segments for those who haven’t opened an email in the last 3 6 or 9 newsletters sent.
Re-Engagement Emails: Send re-engagement emails to those in the lower engagement segments. If they don’t engage remove them from your list after 24 hours.
Identifying Machine Clicks: Be mindful of machine clicks generated by firewalls and spam filters. These clicks can skew your engagement data. If your ESP doesn’t have a way to filter this data you’ll need to identify it manually.

Expanding Your Reach

Now let’s talk about reaching that magical 10000+ subscriber milestone.

Leveraging Existing Channels: Continue using the strategies you’ve already implemented like social media promotion and cross-promotions.
Paid Advertising: Invest in paid advertising on platforms like Facebook Instagram and LinkedIn. Target your ads specifically to your ideal audience to maximize your return on investment.
Viral Content: Create content that has the potential to go viral capturing the attention of a wider audience. Think about what content resonates with your target market and explore creative strategies to maximize its reach.
Email Marketing: Leverage email marketing to promote your newsletter to your existing audience enticing them to subscribe.

Monetizing Your Newsletter: Turning Your Passion into Profit

Once you’ve reached 10000+ subscribers you’re in a prime position to monetize your newsletter.

Revenue Generation Strategies

Sponsored Posts: Partner with brands that align with your audience and niche offering sponsored posts to generate revenue.
Product/Service Promotion: Promote products and services that align with your content earning commissions on sales.
Affiliate Marketing: Become an affiliate for products and services you believe in and earn a percentage of sales generated through your recommendations.
Paid Memberships: Create exclusive content and benefits for paid members offering a premium experience to those who are willing to pay for your insights.
Selling Your Newsletter: If you’re looking to exit the newsletter business you can consider selling it to a buyer who can leverage your existing audience and content.

The Next Chapter: Building Your Newsletter Empire

Reaching 10000+ subscribers is a significant achievement but it’s just the beginning of your journey as a newsletter operator.

The opportunities are endless.

Continued Growth and Success

Community Building: Focus on building a strong community around your newsletter fostering engagement and interaction among your subscribers.
Content Innovation: Experiment with different content formats explore new avenues for value creation and stay ahead of the curve by continuously adapting to your audience’s evolving needs.
Strategic Partnerships: Seek strategic partnerships with other creators and influencers in your niche to reach a wider audience.
Expanding Your Brand: Leverage your newsletter to launch other products and services extending your reach and impact.

Your newsletter is a powerful tool for building your brand connecting with your audience and generating revenue.

With a clear vision strategic planning and a genuine commitment to providing value you can achieve your goals and transform your passion into a thriving business.

Remember the key is to focus on building a genuine connection with your audience providing valuable content and continuously evolving to meet their needs.

Start growing your newsletter today and watch your dreams blossom into reality.

How To Grow A Newsletter To 10,000 Subscribers