Newsletter Growth: A Plan To Get 10,000 Subscribers

Summary

In this discussion, strategies for growing a newsletter to 10,000 subscribers are explored. The speaker emphasizes understanding the purpose behind the subscriber goal and tailoring efforts accordingly. Key tactics include targeting the right audience, utilizing paid ads in relevant newsletters, leveraging the SparkLoop partner program, creating niche-specific content, and employing bulk outreach methods. They also stress the importance of patience and potentially using unique, attention-grabbing content to gain broader exposure, rather than relying on generic lead magnets.

Takeaways

• 🤔 It's important to understand why you need a specific number of subscribers and how it aligns with your ultimate goals.
• 💡 Don't get hung up on subscriber numbers; focus on the quality and relevance of your audience.
• 📈 The target audience's size and accessibility are crucial factors in determining your strategy.
• 📰 Advertising in other newsletters is a highly effective way to gain subscribers.
• 📢 The Spark Loop partner program is a valuable tool for paying other newsletters to drive subscribers to yours.
• 💰 If you have a budget, prioritize ads in newsletters and then consider Facebook ads.
• 📱 Focus on creating content on one social media platform, preferably Twitter or LinkedIn.
• 👥 Look for opportunities to do bulk outreach to organizations or groups that can provide many subscribers at once.
• 📰 Create unique, high-value content to get noticed and potentially featured in press or podcasts.
• 🔍 Develop a standout piece of content or strategy that can serve as a hook to attract attention and drive subscriber growth.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker when discussing strategies for growing a newsletter?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'why' behind the goal of reaching a certain number of subscribers and aligning that number with the ultimate objectives, rather than focusing solely on the subscriber count.

Why does the speaker suggest reconsidering the number of subscribers one aims for?

The speaker suggests that people often get hung up on subscriber numbers without considering the actual goals they want to achieve with their newsletter, which might not require as many subscribers as they think.

What is the speaker's view on the necessity of having a large number of subscribers for monetization?

The speaker believes that the assumption of needing a large volume of subscribers for monetization, especially through ads, is often misplaced and that the niche, audience value, and advertiser interests are more critical factors.

How does the speaker approach the strategy of choosing a niche for a newsletter?

The speaker advises picking a niche that is not an 'uphill battle,' meaning it should be a market that is large enough and not overly saturated, to meet the subscriber goal without unnecessary struggle.

What is the speaker's opinion on using paid promotion to grow a newsletter?

The speaker sees paid promotion as an effective strategy, particularly through buying ads on other newsletters that fit the target audience, and mentions the Spark Loop partner program as a cost-effective method for gaining subscribers.

What role does content creation play in the speaker's strategy for growing a newsletter?

Content creation is crucial in the speaker's strategy, with a focus on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn, and the suggestion to create additional content such as blog posts, social media posts, or website content to attract subscribers.

How does the speaker suggest leveraging bulk outreach to grow a newsletter quickly?

The speaker suggests identifying opportunities for bulk outreach, such as partnering with large firms or organizations in the niche to email their employees or members, which can lead to a significant increase in subscribers with minimal effort.

What unique approach does the speaker recommend to stand out and gain attention for a newsletter?

The speaker recommends creating a unique piece of content, tactic, or case study that is interesting and different enough to be noticed within the niche and to be used as a talking point for getting featured on podcasts or in the press.

How does the speaker view the use of lead magnets in attracting newsletter subscribers?

The speaker is not a huge fan of lead magnets because they might attract people who are only interested in the freebie and not the newsletter itself, suggesting that the focus should be on creating valuable content that naturally attracts the right audience.

What is the speaker's advice on patience when trying to grow a newsletter to 10,000 subscribers?

The speaker advises patience, acknowledging that regardless of the strategies used, growing a newsletter to 10,000 subscribers will take time and should not be rushed.

What is the significance of understanding the target audience's characteristics in the speaker's strategy?

Understanding the target audience's characteristics, such as their tech savviness, media usage, and propensity to subscribe to newsletters, is crucial for tailoring the approach and increasing the effectiveness of the growth strategy.