If you run a newsletter, reader interviews are insanely valuable.
No survey can beat 15 minutes face-to-face with a real person -- especially for paid newsletters.
We use 'em all the time at @TheHustle & Trends.
BUT you have to ask good questions.
Here are my 3 favorites...👇
No survey can beat 15 minutes face-to-face with a real person -- especially for paid newsletters.
We use 'em all the time at @TheHustle & Trends.
BUT you have to ask good questions.
Here are my 3 favorites...👇
1️⃣ "Tell me the story of the day you decided to pay for Trends."
Technically not a question 😂 But super powerful.
When people tell you a story, they'll recall more vivid details than if they're just answering a question.
Much better than "Why did you join?"
Technically not a question 😂 But super powerful.
When people tell you a story, they'll recall more vivid details than if they're just answering a question.
Much better than "Why did you join?"
2️⃣ "Since joining, what has surprised you most about Trends (good and bad)?"
Good surprises = Things you should be marketing but aren't.
Bad surprises = Opportunities to improve your product.
Much better than "What are we doing right/wrong?"
Good surprises = Things you should be marketing but aren't.
Bad surprises = Opportunities to improve your product.
Much better than "What are we doing right/wrong?"
3️⃣ "What challenges do OTHER founders in your industry face?"
Adapt this to your audience.
The big idea: It's often easier for people to project their challenges onto faceless "others" than to admit them themselves.
To learn what problems need solving, take the pressure off.
Adapt this to your audience.
The big idea: It's often easier for people to project their challenges onto faceless "others" than to admit them themselves.
To learn what problems need solving, take the pressure off.
There's another huge benefit to reader interviews:
They make people feel seen.
You may talk to 15 readers this week, but you're likely the only publisher they'll talk to this year. Your call matters.
It's a huge deal and no one does it...
They make people feel seen.
You may talk to 15 readers this week, but you're likely the only publisher they'll talk to this year. Your call matters.
It's a huge deal and no one does it...
Interviewing your readers is also a ton of fun.
Nothing will reaffirm your passion for the newsletter business like getting to know the people who support your work.
If you're having a shitty day, get on the phone with one of your readers. Trust me.
Nothing will reaffirm your passion for the newsletter business like getting to know the people who support your work.
If you're having a shitty day, get on the phone with one of your readers. Trust me.
TL;DR
My favorite reader interview questions are:
1️⃣ Tell me the story of the day you decided to pay for Trends.
2️⃣ Since joining, what has surprised you most about Trends (good and bad)?
3️⃣ What challenges do other founders in your industry face?
My favorite reader interview questions are:
1️⃣ Tell me the story of the day you decided to pay for Trends.
2️⃣ Since joining, what has surprised you most about Trends (good and bad)?
3️⃣ What challenges do other founders in your industry face?
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