Scaling to 150k: The Secrets to More Paid Subscribers with Aakash Gupta (#010)
Jan 29, 2025
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Aakash Gupta, creator of the Product Growth newsletter with over 150k subscribers, shares his secrets to audience expansion. He emphasizes that collaborations aren't optional for growth, offering insights from Twitch creators. Aakash discusses the importance of optimizing for internal shares and reveals his strategies to balance high-quality content with increased publication frequency. He also shares the benefits of launching a podcast simultaneously and how SEO tactics enhance content discoverability. Plus, he guarantees a 10x ROI for his paid newsletter!
Collaborations with other creators are essential for expanding audience reach, as shown by insights from Twitch creators on success.
Optimizing for internal sharing within tech companies can significantly improve subscriber retention and reduce churn rates.
Experimentation with diverse content formats and strategic hiring enhances content quality, engagement, and publication frequency for newsletters.
Deep dives
Strategies for Subscriber Growth
Increasing subscriber count involves a focused approach to collaborations and internal sharing of content. Collaborations with other creators can effectively expand reach to new audiences, particularly in niche areas, as seen with insights from Twitch creators on the importance of collaborative efforts. Additionally, an understanding of the audience's demographics helps in tailoring content, especially if targeting corporate employees, which has proven beneficial for conversion rates and retention. By strategically sharing content internally within tech companies, the creator can access a broader audience that resonates with various roles beyond just product managers.
Impact of Content Quality on Retention
Content retention strategies are critical for subscription-based newsletters, particularly in reducing churn rates. The approach of getting subscribers to use compensation funds from their employers to pay for subscriptions results in a lower cancellation rate compared to those paying out of pocket. Subscribers using corporate credit cards tend to view the subscription as an expectation rather than an expense, increasing the likelihood of long-term retention. By focusing on creating targeted, high-quality content that addresses the needs of product management professionals, subscriber retention can be effectively improved.
The Importance of an Intentional Content Calendar
An intentional approach to content creation is vital for maximizing engagement and effectively managing the publication schedule. Experimentation with different content lengths, topics, and formats can lead to discovering what resonates most with audience preferences. By strategically driving experiments and measuring their outcomes, content creators can refine their editorial calendar to maintain quality while also increasing the frequency of publications. Hiring specialized staff to assist with various aspects of content production allows for sustained high-quality output without sacrificing overall efficiency.
Leveraging Paid Subscriptions for Revenue
Generating revenue from paid subscriptions hinges on showcasing the value of the content to the audience effectively. Creating exclusive content, such as in-depth analyses or interviews, encourages free subscribers to convert to paid subscribers while keeping them engaged. By strategically segmenting free and paid content in newsletters, creators can entice readers to upgrade while ensuring that the free audience still receives significant value. Offering guarantees for ROI on the subscription instills confidence in potential subscribers, making them more likely to commit to a paid plan.
Future Opportunities in Content Monetization
The future of content monetization involves exploring diverse revenue streams and innovative formats, such as self-paced online courses. Expanding into the B2B market is a key opportunity for growth, especially by targeting corporate clients looking to upskill their teams. The podcast, still in its infancy, presents an avenue for developing a loyal following and generating ad revenue while enriching the content ecosystem. As the digital landscape evolves, continuing to experiment with formats, leveraging SEO, and maintaining a strong presence on platforms like LinkedIn will be essential for sustaining growth.
"Collaborations are not optional. They’re the fastest way to grow a newsletter.” — Aakash Gupta, Product Growth
Chenell & Dylan sit down with Aakash Gupta of the Product Growth newsletter in this episode.
When Chenell researched & wrote her GIR Deep Dive on Aakash last year, he had just hit 100k subscribers. He's now grown to over 150k subscribers, publishes multiple times per week—and started a new podcast this past August. Aakash shares how he's grown his newsletter, where he focuses his energy, and how he manages the massive amount of content he's publishing.
