Reflecting on her journey to 40,000 subscribers, Chenell shares what she'd do differently if starting from scratch. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and passion in content creation. Strategic social media engagement, especially on Twitter, played a key role in her growth. Avoiding burnout and pacing oneself is crucial. She discusses the complexities of monetization, her experience with sponsorships, and the potential benefits of hiring help earlier to scale efficiently. Relationships proved vital for long-term success.
Emphasizing high-quality content creation can boost marketing efficacy and foster organic growth through audience engagement.
Building and maintaining relationships within the newsletter community is essential for long-term growth and collaborative opportunities.
Deep dives
The Importance of Content Quality
Creating high-quality content is crucial for sustaining growth in a newsletter. Allocating a significant portion of time, like 80%, to crafting exceptional content can make a substantial difference in making marketing efforts easier. When the content resonates well with the audience, it encourages sharing and organic growth. Conversely, if insufficient effort is put into content creation, it becomes challenging to engage readers and achieve desirable visibility.
Engaging on Social Media
Utilizing social media effectively can significantly enhance a newsletter's visibility and subscriber count. By engaging with others through comments and thoughtful interactions, a newsletter creator can increase their chance of being noticed by influential figures and potential subscribers. Sharing insights and participating in discussions can lead to organic growth, as relationships with other content creators often result in mutual promotion. Guidelines like setting a timer for regular engagement can help maintain consistency without overwhelming the creator.
Exploring Monetization Strategies
Monetizing a newsletter can be approached through several channels, including paid subscriptions and sponsorships. Starting a paid newsletter could create a steady income stream that alleviates the pressure of seeking sponsorships for every issue. Additionally, offering coaching or consulting services about the newsletter's subject matter can capitalize on the expertise developed during the writing process. Exploring these options early on can lead to a more sustainable business model.
Building Lasting Relationships
Fostering relationships within the newsletter community plays a crucial role in long-term growth and success. Maintaining connections with peers and industry influencers can create opportunities for collaborative projects and shared visibility. A proactive approach to relationship-building can lead to more significant opportunities for mutual support and promotions. After reflecting on the journey, it's apparent that the community aspect of newsletter growth is as important as content creation and marketing efforts.
In this episode of the Growth In Reverse podcast: after hitting 40,000 subscribers in 2 years of publishing her Growth In Reverse newsletter, Chenell reflects on how she operated, grew, and monetized her newsletter—and what she would do differently if starting from scratch.