Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

138 - How to Quickly Grow Your Newsletter Without Ads with Derek Kolstad

Mar 26, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Derek Kolstad, a newsletter expert with over 600,000 subscribers, shares his secrets for organic growth without paid ads. He breaks down effective strategies for crafting compelling content and building user engagement. Derek discusses diverse monetization methods, including ads and affiliate marketing, and addresses challenges unique to personal newsletters. With actionable tips and insights, he inspires ambition in growing subscriber bases, including the goal of hitting 10,000 in just 60 days. Perfect for aspiring newsletter creators!

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Organic Growth in Newsletter Creation

01:30 • 7min

Navigating the Challenges of Personal Newsletters

08:55 • 3min

Maximizing Newsletter Success

11:49 • 6min

Navigating Newsletter Monetization and Promotion Strategies

17:27 • 2min

Strategies for Cost-Effective Newsletter Growth

19:13 • 2min

Strategizing for Newsletter Growth: A Practical Workshop

20:48 • 2min

Strategies for Growing a Local Business Newsletter

23:05 • 13min

Identifying Customer Needs and Effective Monetization Strategies

35:41 • 4min

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨

Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Derek (https://x.com/derkolstad). In this insightful episode, I dive deep with Derek, a newsletter guru who has amassed over 600,000 subscribers across his platforms – including the impressive Daily UI – all without spending a single dollar on ads!

I'm on a mission to hit 10,000 subscribers for my own newsletter in just 60 days, and Derek shares his incredible journey and actionable strategies. We discuss everything from crafting the perfect message and building a distribution system to the power of lead magnets and the nuances of newsletter monetization, including ads, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products.

Is my ambitious goal even possible? Derek weighs in with his expert advice.

Questions This Episode Answers:
Is reaching 10,000 subscribers in 60 days crazy?
What's the difference between a top-down and a bottom-up newsletter growth strategy?
How do you grow a massive email list without paid advertising?
What are the different ways to monetize a newsletter for ongoing cash flow?
When is the right time to start monetizing your email list?

Enjoy the conversation!
__________________________

Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.

Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.

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MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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This week we covered:

00:00 Building a Subscriber Base: The Journey Begins

03:06 Monetization Strategies for Newsletters

06:01 Understanding Newsletter Metrics and Performance

08:57 Defining Your Audience and Value Proposition

11:52 Creating Engaging Content and Community

14:46 Growth Strategies: Trojan Horse Tactics

18:07 The Importance of Early Monetization

21:00 Final Thoughts and Actionable Steps