The #1 Newsletter Metric You Need To Pay More Attention To
Newsletter & Email Growth: Growth In Reverse
Gamification: Buttons, Guesses, and Prize Pools
Dylan explains Toby Howell's game mechanics for engagement that used guesses, clicks, and prize pools to motivate participation.
The Growth Vault is LIVE: Chenell's brand-new offer for newsletter creators is here—filled with newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace.
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“I sent this short email—and got over 200 replies—when I usually get maybe 8 to 15. It was wild." — Chenell
In this episode, we're digging into the art (and science) of getting more replies to your newsletter.
Why replies?
Because we believe (and we're not alone) that replies should be the #1 metric most newsletter creators should be focusing on—even more than open or click rates.
We unpack why replies are a powerful signal for deliverability, engagement—even creator mental health—and we share practical strategies for getting more of them. Everything from welcome email tweaks to pattern-interrupt campaigns.
And we even highlight our own examples—plus some examples from major newsletter experts like Mario Gabriele’s “Puzzler,” Toby Howell’s gamified email, and Katelyn Bourgoin’s Fri-Yay edition (part of her Why We Buy newsletter).
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Why replies are the ultimate engagement metric (and why open/click rates can mislead you)
- How replies directly impact email deliverability
- The underrated mental health boost creators get from reader replies
- Why your welcome email is the #1 place to prioritize a reply CTA
- Simple frameworks to write reply-worthy content (like Shaan Puri’s 7 emotions)
- How pattern interrupt emails can spark hundreds of responses overnight
- The surprising downsides: why Chenell’s 200-reply email also had record unsubscribes
- Real-world examples: Mario Gabriele’s “Puzzler,” Toby Howell’s “Button Game,” and Katelyn Bourgoin’s Fri-Yay interactive polls
- How replies can reveal new content ideas, products, or even potential clients
- Why even a short personal story in your newsletter can trigger authentic responses
LINKS MENTIONED
- Shaan Puri's 7 Key Emotions (+ AI Prompt Elicitor)
- Mario Gabriele ('The Puzzler') GIR Deep Dive
- Toby Howell's 'The Game' newsletter
- Katelyn Bourgoin on GIR Podcast
- Katelyn's Why We Buy (+ Fri-Yay) newsletter
- Get Chenell's brand-new offering for newsletter creators: The Growth Vault — newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace.
- Want your newsletter roasted? Submit it here.
- Ask us a question or submit a podcast topic idea: growthinreverse.com/questions
- Check out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/
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