Ep. 23: Zero to 820k newsletter subscribers in 3 years ft. Sean Devlin of Nice News
Aug 15, 2024
auto_awesome
Sean Devlin, a media entrepreneur and founder of Nice News, shares his inspiring journey from zero to 820k newsletter subscribers in just three years. He reveals the biggest mistakes in newsletter design and why positive content is essential in today’s media landscape. Sean discusses strategies to engage subscribers effectively and the role of social media in audience growth. He also dives into monetization tactics and emphasizes the importance of unique, uplifting stories. A must-listen for aspiring newsletter creators!
Sean Devlin attributes the rapid growth of Nice News to a collaborative team strategy focused on delivering positive content to subscribers.
The design of the newsletter plays a crucial role in user engagement, allowing for an intuitive and enjoyable reading experience.
Nice News generates over 90% of its revenue through partnerships and sponsorships, emphasizing sustainable growth while maintaining content quality.
Deep dives
Growth of Nice News
Nice News has experienced significant growth since its launch in early 2021, now boasting over 820,000 subscribers. This success is attributed to a lean team that emphasizes collaboration and a clear strategy for personal connections through positive news. The focus on forming partnerships and scaling content has allowed Nice News to maintain consistent engagement while also exploring other initiatives like social media strategies and potential merchandise. The recent onboarding of a director of partnerships adds to the team's capacity to further drive subscriber growth and refine their overall strategy.
The Evolution of Content
The format of Nice News has evolved smoothly over time, adapting to the audience's interests while retaining the core structure of the daily email. Each weekday, subscribers receive positive news stories segmented into various categories, with special features on Fridays and Sundays. The weekend issues include curated content and highlights of the week’s top stories, making it easier for subscribers to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. As the newsletter adapts, it maintains its original sections, such as the quote of the day, which reinforces its brand identity.
Emphasis on Design and User Experience
Design is a critical component of Nice News, enhancing user engagement and making it easier for subscribers to consume content. The team emphasizes creating a user-friendly experience by testing different design elements to ensure a seamless interaction with the newsletter. This approach aligns with the idea that an effective newsletter should allow for easy navigation and skimming without overwhelming the reader. As such, the design choices, from font size to layout, significantly impact how readers engage with the content.
Curatorial Approach to News Stories
Nice News employs a unique curatorial strategy, leveraging freelance curators based in different time zones to source content from various outlets. This initial filtering helps the editorial team streamline the process of selecting stories that align with their mission of delivering uplifting news. The criteria for selection include the story’s potential to foster a sense of optimism, connection, and inspiration among readers. This framework has proven effective in ensuring the stories resonate well with the audience's preferences and values.
Monetization Strategy and Future Aspirations
Nice News primarily generates revenue through email partnerships and sponsorships, with over 90% of its income coming from these sources. The team became profitable in November of the previous year and is focused on maintaining sustainable revenue growth without compromising content quality. Future aspirations include expanding into original reporting and exploring new avenues for collaboration with brands that align with its positive narrative. By carefully balancing revenue generation with audience satisfaction, Nice News aims to continue capturing a wider audience seeking uplifting content.
Today’s guest is Sean Devlin, a media entrepreneur whose Nice News newsletter has, in less than three years, gone from 0 to 820k subscribers. The company currently has a team of seven full-time employees, plus at least four freelancers — and it’s been profitable for just under one year.
00:00 Building a 800k subscriber newsletter
08:53 The biggest mistakes when designing a newsletter
12:26 Why it’s important to have nice news
19:20 How to find positive content online
22:32 Who subscribes to nice news?
30:51 Building a following of 800,000
39:00 How to monteize your newsletter audience
44:30 What not to do when building a newsletter
47:00 Is it too late to start a newsletter?
Intro music produced by J. and Doug Organ.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode