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My last startup drove tens of thousands in revenue via our newsletter
But most founders don't realize the potential of newsletters for their startup
Here's how to use a niche newsletter as a growth strategy:
But most founders don't realize the potential of newsletters for their startup
Here's how to use a niche newsletter as a growth strategy:
Building an email list is high leverage for startups.
Unlike social media, an email list means you own the relationship with your potential users — even before they try your product.
And building an email list is the best way to take multiple shots on goal if you need to pivot.
Unlike social media, an email list means you own the relationship with your potential users — even before they try your product.
And building an email list is the best way to take multiple shots on goal if you need to pivot.
Here's how to set up a niche newsletter:
→ Topic: What do your specific users want to read?
→ Structure: News? Entertainment? Advice?
→ Cadence: How often will you send emails?
→ Tools: Keep it simple
I'll dive into each of these 👇
→ Topic: What do your specific users want to read?
→ Structure: News? Entertainment? Advice?
→ Cadence: How often will you send emails?
→ Tools: Keep it simple
I'll dive into each of these 👇
Topic:
You may think your startup is too niche to build a newsletter around. It's not.
If your market can support a startup, it can support a newsletter.
If there's no dominant newsletter, this is an opportunity for you.
You may think your startup is too niche to build a newsletter around. It's not.
If your market can support a startup, it can support a newsletter.
If there's no dominant newsletter, this is an opportunity for you.
https://twitter.com/gregisenberg/status/1633477079130939397
Structure:
Readers only want a few things from newsletters.
Pick one and infuse it with your brand's unique personality.
Your goal is to establish credibility with your audience so they trust that your product is worth checking out.
Readers only want a few things from newsletters.
Pick one and infuse it with your brand's unique personality.
Your goal is to establish credibility with your audience so they trust that your product is worth checking out.
https://twitter.com/lennysan/status/1281287945035452417
Cadence:
Chances are that you won’t have time to write a daily newsletter while also getting your startup off the ground.
Weekly is a smart choice for founders (if you're writing it yourself, like I do). Setting the expectation with readers matters.
Chances are that you won’t have time to write a daily newsletter while also getting your startup off the ground.
Weekly is a smart choice for founders (if you're writing it yourself, like I do). Setting the expectation with readers matters.
Tools:
Don't get distracted by fancy tools right away.
Start by simply building the habit of writing and setting up your team's processes to getting it out the door.
If you need to generate revenue from the newsletter, explore Sparkloop's Upscribe and similar tools.
Don't get distracted by fancy tools right away.
Start by simply building the habit of writing and setting up your team's processes to getting it out the door.
If you need to generate revenue from the newsletter, explore Sparkloop's Upscribe and similar tools.
Once your newsletter is set up, you need to grow.
Growing a newsletter isn’t a mystery. There’s a proven playbook that almost all big newsletters have followed.
Growing a newsletter isn’t a mystery. There’s a proven playbook that almost all big newsletters have followed.
https://twitter.com/JMatthewMcGarry/status/1618649753377714181
Content:
Find the platforms, communities, and spaces where your superniche spends time online.
Pick the one where they are most active and put out useful content.
Iterate based on their early feedback since these tend to be the most engaged subscribers.
Find the platforms, communities, and spaces where your superniche spends time online.
Pick the one where they are most active and put out useful content.
Iterate based on their early feedback since these tend to be the most engaged subscribers.
Swaps:
Once you have a bit of an audience, find a few other newsletters that are a similar size and build relationships with them.
You can swap recommendations, or feature each other’s newsletters in place of running ads in your newsletter.
Once you have a bit of an audience, find a few other newsletters that are a similar size and build relationships with them.
You can swap recommendations, or feature each other’s newsletters in place of running ads in your newsletter.
Referrals:
Don’t overcomplicate a referral program.
As a founder, you don’t want to be spending time fulfilling swag orders.
Keep it simple and offer a lead magnet for anyone who refers 1 person.
Plug this in your welcome email so everyone will see it at least once.
Don’t overcomplicate a referral program.
As a founder, you don’t want to be spending time fulfilling swag orders.
Keep it simple and offer a lead magnet for anyone who refers 1 person.
Plug this in your welcome email so everyone will see it at least once.
Paid Ads:
The secret of newsletters is that every major newsletter relies on paid ads.
Startups with capital and a clear target persona can and should start running ads as they feel confident the newsletter will be a part of their longterm strategy.
newsletteroperator.com/p/paid-acquisi…
The secret of newsletters is that every major newsletter relies on paid ads.
Startups with capital and a clear target persona can and should start running ads as they feel confident the newsletter will be a part of their longterm strategy.
newsletteroperator.com/p/paid-acquisi…
Growing the newsletter is great, but you need to convert your readers into users of your product.
Here are some non-invasive ideas on how to do that 👇
Here are some non-invasive ideas on how to do that 👇
Welcome Email:
Let your readers know about your startup right away.
Mention it in your welcome email.
Have a link in the welcome email that takes them to a landing page for your startup that is geared specifically towards readers of your newsletter.
Let your readers know about your startup right away.
Mention it in your welcome email.
Have a link in the welcome email that takes them to a landing page for your startup that is geared specifically towards readers of your newsletter.
Footer:
The readers who reach your footer in your newsletter are your biggest fans and most likely to be a good fit for your product.
Mention your product and see if it resonates like Nathan Baugh’s did.
The readers who reach your footer in your newsletter are your biggest fans and most likely to be a good fit for your product.
Mention your product and see if it resonates like Nathan Baugh’s did.
https://twitter.com/nathanbaugh27/status/1622998713168801804
Email Blasts:
You can send one-off emails to your newsletter email list about your startup launching, or new features.
Just don’t do this often — you’ll quickly lose your subscribers’ trust.
You can send one-off emails to your newsletter email list about your startup launching, or new features.
Just don’t do this often — you’ll quickly lose your subscribers’ trust.
Bonuses:
Lastly, incentive newsletter readers to try your app with discounts or early access to new features.
Lastly, incentive newsletter readers to try your app with discounts or early access to new features.
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https://twitter.com/callmehouck/status/1654825852620742658
How to use a niche newsletter to grow your startup:
1. Set it up simply
2. Focus on growth
3. Add non-invasive ways for readers to get exposed to your product
1. Set it up simply
2. Focus on growth
3. Add non-invasive ways for readers to get exposed to your product
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