220: How to grow a newsletter, build a paid community, and stay human online (with Chenell Basilio)

Season 2, episode 20 is here!

In this conversation, Chenell Basilio shares how she went from a solo deep-dive experiment to building a newsletter followed by tens of thousands and her own successful community. We get into what drives real growth, how to stay visible without burning out, and why keeping things human is still the most underrated advantage online.

What we covered:

- How Growth in Reverse started with a 60-hour research obsession and four subscribers

- The simple moment that got Jay Clouse to become one of Chenell’s first readers and how that early support changed everything

- Why human connection and 1:1 outreach still outperform any automation or tactic

- How Chenell approaches branding without overthinking it and the little design details that actually matter

- What makes a sponsorship worth taking and how to grow trust without ever calling yourself an expert

- The tool Chenell’s most excited about right now and why it exists

- Why creators should worry less about followers and more about retention, relationships, and staying in the game long enough to get great

👉 Make sure to subscribe to Growth in Reverse before you go.

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