Growth In Reverse (Newsletter Growth & Email Marketing)

Newsletter subscriptions may be too easy, leading to disengaged subscribers. Adding friction in the signup process can actually attract committed readers and enhance engagement. The hosts explore the dangers of a low-friction mindset and the effectiveness of strategies like double opt-in and creative engagement tactics. They also discuss the importance of quality over quantity, personalized interactions, and innovative methods to maintain a healthy email list. Unsubscribe options must remain transparent, ensuring only the most interested subscribers stay.

Dive into the invaluable insights from a recent creator conference in Boise! Discover how in-person connections outshine online interactions. The hosts discuss the fine line between authenticity and AI in content creation. Learn why quality trumps quantity and how to craft engaging self-introductions. Explore the importance of community support and serendipitous moments in building relationships. Plus, get tips on mastering public speaking and newsletter strategies for more effective engagement!

Join Jesse J. Anderson, known as ADHD Jesse, as he shares his journey from a full-time job to creating the Extra Focus newsletter with 70,000 subscribers. He reveals the real side of building a brand around ADHD with humor and honesty. Discover how he stumbled into virality, the importance of authenticity over expertise, and what it's like juggling family life while growing an engaged community. Jesse also discusses key lessons from managing paid newsletters and the challenges of content creation, all while prioritizing connection.

The hosts reflect on their six-month journey of podcasting, revealing successes and challenges along the way. They discuss the minimal impact on newsletter growth but emphasize the deep relationships fostered through audio engagement. Insights into audience metrics highlight effective content strategies, while lessons learned provide tips for aspiring podcasters. The importance of authentic promotion and integration with newsletters is explored, encouraging creators to start small and build trust with their audience.

Creators are flocking to Substack, but is it the right choice? The discussion delves into the platform's shift from a simple newsletter tool to a robust creator ecosystem, highlighting its appealing features and potential pitfalls. With insights on financial incentives like the Creator Fund and Substack's revenue model, the hosts explore the balance between benefits and risks. They address concerns about data control, subscriber quality, and platform dependency, making it essential for creators to weigh their options carefully.

Chenell Basilio shares her whirlwind experience of launching a 30-day pop-up newsletter aimed at boosting subscriber growth. Discover how she deftly coordinated with 30 creators and handled daily challenges while fostering engagement. Learn about innovative giveaway strategies that significantly expanded her reach and the surprising effectiveness of a private podcast feed as a reward. Insights into what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned from this intense growth initiative provide valuable takeaways for aspiring newsletter creators.

Olly Richards, founder of Storylearning.com, transformed from a broke jazz musician into a multi-million dollar mentor, amassing over 18,000 subscribers via a viral Google Doc. He shares how he converted simple documents into powerful revenue streams, leveraging innovative email marketing and authentic content. Olly discusses the balance between meaningful engagement and virality, the transformative role of personal branding in an AI-driven world, and effective strategies for monetizing audience growth.

The hosts roast a newsletter about podcast discovery, calling out its design flaws and lack of engagement. They emphasize the importance of humanizing brands and personalizing content to connect better with audiences. Insights on audience segmentation reveal how to boost engagement and ad relevance. Discussions on navigating cluttered newsletters and optimizing design for user experience are packed with actionable strategies. Plus, tips on leveraging surveys for better content and fostering unique subscriber relationships make this a must-listen.

Get an insider's look at a thrilling initiative that drove over 2,600 newsletter signups! Discover how a lucrative $8,000 giveaway fuels engagement and shares insights on combating LinkedIn slump. Delve into the creativity behind structuring prizes to attract a diverse audience and the innovative strategies for boosting referrals. Hear real-time experiments and tactics aimed at enhancing content on Substack and building community connections. Join a vibrant discussion on optimizing welcome emails and maintaining momentum for maximum growth!

Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >>In this episode, we’re unpacking five high-performing newsletter growth levers that creators are using right now to grow smarter—not harder.Each tactic comes straight from Chenell's 30 Days of Growth series, where creators shared the exact strategies that helped them attract thousands of new subscribers, improve engagement, and build more loyal audiences. From a clever “four-hour follow-up email” to a Google Doc that helped generate over $1.2 million in revenue, we’re dissecting what made these plays work—and how you can apply them to your own newsletter strategy today. If you're looking for real-world examples, simple execution, and no-fluff tactics that get results, this one’s for you.→ Take your newsletter to the next level with GIR Pro >>KEY TAKEAWAYSWhat 30 Days of Growth is and WHY Chenell launched it as a daily pop-up newsletter and podcastJason Resnick’s “4-hour email” strategy that boosted his engaged subscriber rate by 40%Eddie Shleyner's social proof avalanche: how powerful testimonials alone drove conversionsThe comment-to-growth hack that helped Tom Orbach gain over 650 subscribers from one postThe $1.2M Google Doc: How Olly Richards turned a free resource into a massive growth and revenue machineAmy Nelson’s “speaking circuit strategy” and how she gained 1,000+ subscribers from a single virtual eventGROWTH LEVERS & LINKS MENTIONEDGet 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >>Jason Resnick's 30 Days of Growth LeverTom Orbach's 30 Days of Growth LeverOlly Richards' 30 Days of Growth LeverAmy Nelson's 30 Days of Growth Lever'Antisocial' Newsletter Growth Course waitlistWant your newsletter roasted? Submit it here. Growth In Reverse PRO CommunityCheck out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIALChenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | BlueskyDylan: LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERSgrowthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review:If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast!Thanks to Tim Forkin for editing these episodes.