Ep. 47: Making the internet a better place ft. Matt Brown
Feb 27, 2025
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In this discussion, Matt Brown, an independent sports journalist and creator of the newsletter Extra Points, dives into the importance of high-quality content and audience engagement. He shares his unique journey of acquiring and reacquiring his publication during the pandemic. Matt emphasizes making the internet a better place through integrity in journalism and understanding community needs. He also explores the balance between creativity and business in the creator economy, revealing how diverse audiences impact college sports coverage.
Quality content is essential for engaging readers, emphasizing authenticity to build community and foster deeper connections in journalism.
Balancing creativity and business is crucial for newsletter success, requiring operators to find the right audience willing to pay for valuable insights.
Independent journalism allows for diverse voices and unique perspectives, emphasizing the importance of integrity while navigating unconventional narratives and topics.
Deep dives
The Roles of a Newsletter Operator
The job of a newsletter operator encompasses three primary roles: writing, growing, and selling. These functions highlight the multifaceted nature of running a successful newsletter business, where writing quality content is paramount to engaging an audience. Operators need to prioritize delivering genuine, valuable insights rather than relying on superficial metrics like open rates or click-through rates. Ultimately, the aim is to produce content that resonates with readers, ensuring that the written work is both informative and enjoyable.
The Importance of Quality Content
Quality content is critical for capturing audience interest and driving subscriber engagement. Operators are cautioned against producing mediocre newsletters that lack a distinct voice or perspective, as this dilutes the value of independent journalism. Sharing authentic opinions and wearing one's heart on their sleeve allows for deeper connections with readers, fostering a sense of community around the newsletter. This authenticity is integral to the messaging, ensuring that the readers feel a personal connection with the operator.
Navigating Subscription Models and Pricing
Successful newsletters often rely not just on subscriber numbers, but on having the right target audience with the willingness to pay. Operators are encouraged to set their subscription pricing confidently, learning from the experience that small adjustments can lead to sustained revenue growth. A newsletter's viability hinges on its ability to provide consistently valuable content while maintaining an honest dialogue with subscribers about its purpose and associated costs. Furthermore, balancing the pricing strategy by offering different tiers could help cater to diverse subscriber needs while optimizing revenue.
Building a Strong Audience Connection
Fostering a strong connection with the audience is crucial for the sustainability of a newsletter. Engaging with subscribers through various channels, including email feedback and social media interaction, allows operators to better understand their audience's needs and preferences. This two-way communication not only enhances the reader experience but also creates a loyal subscriber base that feels invested in the publication. By openly discussing the process and challenges of running a newsletter, operators can demystify journalism and cultivate a community focused on shared values.
The Shift to Independent Journalism
The shift from traditional media to independent journalism is facilitated by individuals seeking to provide more personalized and authentic narratives. This landscape allows creators to insert their unique perspectives, utilizing personal experiences to shape the stories they pursue. As independent operators gain traction, they also face the responsibility of maintaining journalistic integrity while exploring unconventional topics and communities. Ultimately, this evolution highlights the potential benefits of independent media, creating a diverse range of voices that cater to niche audiences and promote rigorous storytelling.
This week Francis is joined by Matt Brown of Extra Points. With a laser focus on writing high quality content, Matt is an independent sports journalist covering the world of college sports in America.
