Adam Ryan on why newsletters are a channel, not a business model

Adam Ryan, CEO of Workweek, joined me this week to discuss his recent warning that the newsletter sector is overheated. Some points from the conversation:

• Newsletters are a commodity. The number of newsletters is growing faster than the number of readers. AI tools and cheap platforms like Beehiv have made launching one easy, but most newsletters lack true audience affinity.
• The inbox is not really a direct connection. It’s a platform like any other, subject to change. Apple’s Mail Privacy Protection has broken open rates, AI tools like Superhuman summarize newsletters without opening them, and inboxes are being segmented, reducing visibility.
• Paid growth is a weak foundation. Many newsletters rely on paid acquisition and cross-promotion. The moment that engine turns off, engagement often collapses because there’s no real audience connection.
• Winners are thinking beyond email. The most successful publishers are building businesses around community, events, and services. Morning Brew, Workweek, and Lenny’s Newsletter all extend beyond just newsletters.
• Newsletters are a starting point, not a business. They are an MVP—a way to build an audience—but real success comes from expanding into new distribution and monetization channels.