Building a newsletter from scratch to 10000 subscribers might seem like an insurmountable challenge but it’s definitely achievable with the right strategy and a sprinkle of hustle.
I’ve been there done that and it’s a journey worth taking.
You get to connect directly with an audience build trust and potentially create a sustainable business out of it.
🔥 Want to build a loyal audience, grow your brand, and potentially turn your passion into profit? Get started building your newsletter today! 🤯 You’ll be amazed by what you can achieve!
The Power of a Strong Newsletter
🔥 Want to build a loyal audience, grow your brand, and potentially turn your passion into profit? Get started building your newsletter today! 🤯 You’ll be amazed by what you can achieve!
Newsletters are like those reliable friends you can always count on.
They provide value build trust and can even be a source of income.
Remember Morning Brew? The news giant Insider bought them for a whopping $75 million because they understood the value of that loyal engaged audience.
It’s not just about the numbers it’s about the quality of the connection you build.
Avoiding Common Newsletter Pitfalls
Before into the strategies let’s talk about what NOT to do.
I’ve seen my fair share of bad newsletters and they fall into two main categories:
1. Link Dumps: The Content Graveyard
Imagine a newsletter that’s just a list of links to other people’s content no context no personality.
This is like showing up to a party and just throwing a bunch of random things on the table without saying a word.
It’s not engaging and it’s not providing any real value.
2. Spam: The Unwelcome Guest
Sending unsolicited emails to people who haven’t opted in is like barging into someone’s home uninvited.
It’s annoying disrespectful and a surefire way to lose your reputation.
The Key Takeaway: Building a successful newsletter is about providing value. Curate content offer insights share stories and build a community around your expertise.
Choosing the Right Email Service Provider (ESP)
Let’s face it your ESP is your newsletter’s foundation.
You want something reliable scalable and feature-rich.
Here’s my take on some popular options:
1. Mailchimp: The Old Faithful
This is the ESP I started with and it’s been my go-to for years.
It’s got all the basics you need plus some advanced features but it comes with a price tag.
It’s great for those who are comfortable with a slightly steeper learning curve.
2. beehiiv: The Rising Star
Beehiiv is a great choice for those who are starting out and want a user-friendly platform with a strong set of features.
It’s constantly evolving and it’s quickly becoming a favorite among newsletter creators.
3. ConvertKit: The Competitor
ConvertKit and beehiiv are neck and neck in the competition.
I’ve experimented with ConvertKit and while it has its fans I found the editor and templating system a bit lacking.
They’ve made strides in addressing these issues but it’s worth exploring both platforms to see which one suits your needs better.
4. Substack: The Freebie
Substack is popular because it’s free.
But you get what you pay for.
Limited features customization and analytics make it a poor choice for serious newsletter businesses.
Building Your First 1000 Subscribers: The Foundation
Your first 1000 subscribers are your early adopters your evangelists.
They’re the ones who will shape your newsletter and provide valuable feedback.
Here’s how I built my initial audience:
1. The Private Beta: Gathering Early Feedback
Start with a small trusted group of friends and colleagues.
Send them a “private beta” version of your newsletter gather their feedback and make adjustments based on their insights.
2. Launching to a Small Audience: Testing the Waters
Once you’re confident in your newsletter’s format and content launch it to your existing social media networks and any relevant marketing communities you’re part of.
3. Cross-Promotions and Sponsorships: Expanding Your Reach
Reach out to other bloggers and influencers in your niche.
You can offer free cross-promotions or paid sponsorships to get your newsletter in front of their audience.
Important Note: Don’t buy subscribers. Those are just empty numbers. Focus on building a genuine audience through organic growth.
Keeping Your List Clean and Engaged: The Maintenance
Once you have a decent subscriber base you need to make sure your list is clean and engaged.
Here’s how:
1. Segmenting Your Audience: Targeting Your Messages
Create segments based on how frequently subscribers interact with your newsletter.
For example you could have a segment for “active subscribers” “engaged subscribers” and “inactive subscribers.” This allows you to send more targeted and relevant messages to each group.
2. Re-engagement Emails: Bringing Back the Lost
Send re-engagement emails to inactive subscribers.
If they don’t respond remove them from your list after 24 hours.
3. Watch Out for Bots: Identifying Fake Engagement
Pay attention to machine clicks which are often generated by firewalls and spam filters.
You can use a good ESP to filter out this data or manually identify patterns.
Scaling to 10000+ Subscribers: The Growth Phase
Now that you have a solid foundation it’s time to scale.
1. Leveraging Paid Advertising: Reaching a Wider Audience
Invest in paid advertising on platforms like Facebook Instagram Twitter or LinkedIn.
Target your ads to your ideal audience and use strong calls to action.
2. Organic Content Promotion: Harnessing Social Media
Share snippets of your newsletter on social media.
Use catchy headlines engaging images and relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
3. Collaborating with Influencers: Building Trust
Partner with influencers in your niche to promote your newsletter to their followers.
Monetizing Your Newsletter: Turning Passion into Profit
Once you hit 10000+ subscribers you can start exploring monetization strategies.
1. Sponsored Posts: Partnering with Brands
Offer sponsored posts to brands relevant to your audience.
Ensure the content aligns with your newsletter’s values and interests.
2. Promoting Products and Services: Affiliate Marketing
Promote products and services related to your niche through affiliate marketing.
3. Creating Paid Memberships: Offering Exclusive Content
Consider creating a paid membership with access to exclusive content workshops or community features.
The Road Ahead: Beyond 10000 Subscribers
Hitting 10000 subscribers is a significant milestone but it’s just the beginning.
As your newsletter grows consider these options:
1. Selling Your Newsletter: Building a Legacy
If you’re looking to exit your business you can sell your newsletter to another company or individual.
2. Expanding Your Reach: Building a Brand
Use your newsletter as a springboard to launch other ventures such as podcasts online courses or events.
3. Building a Community: Connecting with Your Audience
Foster a sense of community by creating a space for your subscribers to engage with each other and share their experiences.
Remember growing a newsletter is a marathon not a sprint.
It takes time effort and consistency to build a truly valuable audience.
But with the right strategies dedication and a little bit of luck you can turn your passion for a topic into a thriving business.
🔥 Want to build a loyal audience, grow your brand, and potentially turn your passion into profit? Get started building your newsletter today! 🤯 You’ll be amazed by what you can achieve!