Jas Singh, the founder of a thriving local newsletter in Winnipeg, shares his remarkable journey of gaining 50,000 subscribers in just six months. He discusses the shift from an AI-focused newsletter to curating local content, emphasizing community over crime and politics. Singh reveals how he utilizes AI, like ChatGPT, for content creation while maintaining a personal touch. Strategies for organic growth, effective ad pricing, and the importance of community engagement are also key highlights, offering valuable insights for aspiring newsletter creators.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Switching to Local Newsletter
Jas Singh switched from an AI-focused newsletter to a local Winnipeg newsletter after noticing a lack of such a service there.
He was inspired by Ryan Snell, who popularized the local newsletter concept and grew a 20,000 subscriber base in a 50,000 city.
insights INSIGHT
Newsletter Audience Ownership
Newsletters gain popularity because they let creators own the audience relationship, bypassing social media algorithms.
This ownership avoids sudden reach loss from platform changes, preserving audience access over time.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Define Local Geography Clearly
Keep your newsletter coverage within a geography manageable for your audience; in Winnipeg's case, covering the entire city works.
Avoid overly broad regions where travel distance reduces relevance to subscribers.
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Join me Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik) as I sit down with Jas Singh (https://x.com/CreatingJas), to discuss his journey intolocal newsletters and how he grew his to 50,000 subscribers in just six months. Jas shares how he transitioned from an AI newsletter to a local newsletter focused on the city of Winnipeg, and how he leveraged his past experience in building a following of 35,000 followers to create a thriving community-based platform. He also explains why he chose to focus on local news, events and community initiatives instead of crime and politics.
In this episode, we explore the reasons why newsletters are becoming increasingly popular, focusing on how they allow creators to own the relationship with their audience, bypassing the limitations of social media algorithms. Jas also shares his strategies for content curation, using AI tools like ChatGPT to tailor his writing style, and his approach to ad sales, including how he prices ads for local businesses, and how he has scaled his business to 50,000 subscribers in 6 months.
Questions this Episode Answers:
Why did Jas decide to switch from an AI-focused newsletter to a local newsletter?
How did Jas grow his local newsletter audience to 50,000 subscribers in just 6 months?
How does Jas use AI in his newsletter creation process, and what aspects of the newsletter are curated manually?
What are the most effective strategies for acquiring subscribers, and how does Jas approach paid advertising on Facebook?
How does Jas monetize his newsletter, and what are some of the key selling points for advertisers?
What are the key elements of a local newsletter that make it a viable side hustle?
Enjoy the conversation! __________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________
00:00 Introduction 00:45 Newsletter Journey and Growth 02:53 Understanding the Value of Newsletters 03:40 Local vs. Traditional Newsletters 04:40 Content and Structure of the Newsletter 06:14 Choosing the Right Newsletter Focus 10:03 Frequency and Content Management 14:55 Using AI and Manual Processes 20:01 Growing the Subscriber Base 22:52 Subscriber Acquisition Costs 23:56 Effective Ad Strategies 24:58 Subscriber Retention Insights 25:34 Exploring Acquisition Channels 30:23 Monetization Strategies 39:35 Revenue and Costs Breakdown 41:17 The Side Hustle Potential 42:54 Final Thoughts and Contact Info
Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business 