Newsletter Operator
by Matt McGarry and Ryan Carr
Learn how to grow and monetize your newsletter! We interview the best newsletter operators, founders, and creators on how they grow their audiences and make money.
Hosted by Matt McGarry and Ryan Carr.
Copyright: © 2024 Newsletter Operator
Episodes
Brad Wolverton - How The Hustle Writes Great Newsletters, How To Recruit and Hire Writers, Habit-Forming Email Content, and More
56m · PublishedBrad Wolverton is the editorial director at HubSpot Media and The Hustle (2.5M+ subscribers). Brad is also the creator of Newsletter Examples.
Follow Brad on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradwolverton
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Proud to subscribe to newsletter examples on growth.
06:06 Recruit through long-term relationships, adaptability, and resilience.
09:03 Sam identified talent and facilitated her transition smoothly.
11:07 Restructuring Hustle's operations aimed at professionalism.
14:54 Consider audience, reach, and differentiation for success.
18:34 Expand your network to find credible sources.
22:46 New service for non-writing roles, cost-effective talent sourcing.
24:01 Clearing the path for talented employees.
28:45 Create habit-forming, repeatable content for email success.
32:49 Magazines structure: front, feature, fun sections.
35:55 HubSpot sought more diverse, experienced talent quickly.
38:09 HubSpot's marketing funnel reaches customers effectively.
41:37 HubSpot's strategy focuses on audience expansion.
43:54 Leverage hustle for cross promotions with newsletters.
49:37 Consider potential and be conservative in growth expectations.
52:29 Marketing show needed deeper, actionable content.
54:11 "Transition from introductions to tactical content."
Links Mentioned
https://newsletterexamples.co/
https://twitter.com/bradwolverton
John Newtson - How Agora, Motley Fool, and MarketWise Make $1B+ From Newsletters
57m · PublishedJohn Newtson is the founder of Financial Marketing Summit, a marketing conference for financial publishers, trading educators, and media brands.
Connect with John on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnnewtson
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Financial industry's pre-digital growth and transition.
03:14 Early e-letter advertising was profitable and impactful.
07:38 Product sales indicate customer interest and profitability.
10:23 Front end: introductory, back end: advanced products.
14:31 Financial media sources improve niche media buying.
18:52 Online marketing involves funnels, email series, and promos.
20:15 Diversify products for multiple sales and profits.
24:43 Porter Stansbury launched with a unique Amazon promo.
28:38 Understanding markets, focusing on big trends.
29:41 Mainstream story grabs attention but not wallets.
33:24 Copywriter promotes cannabis investment and attracts celebrity investors.
38:49 Affiliates offer new revenue through customer reactivation.
39:50 Buying sprees, competition for talent, sharing promos.
45:35 People falling due to shared worldview in promotions.
46:45 Buffet has strong philosophies on market changes.
50:03 Publisher drives ideas and makes qualitative decisions.
53:56 Publisher's $10 million promo led to less profit.
56:40 Search Matt McGarry on YouTube for an invite.
Links Mentioned
https://financialmarketingsummit.com/
The State of Newsletter Advertising In 2024 w/ Ryan Sager & Jesse Watkins
51m · Published-> Learn more about Newsletter Operator All Access here.
-> Use code "GROWLETTER" to get $100 off your ticket to The Newsletter Conference.
About this Episode
Ryan Sager and Jesse Watkins are the founders of Who Sponsors Stuff, an advertising intelligence tool that tracks 500+ newsletters, and the hosts of The Newsletter Conference, which will take place on May 3rd.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Matt McGarry discusses newsletter advertising trends in 2024.
04:31 Summary: Discussion on sponsors tracking and email advertising.
06:52 Newsletter advertising remains consistent with 10-20 daily.
12:11 Pricing and value in sponsorship programs.
14:03 Increase multiples for highly engaged audiences.
18:23 Ad networks attempt unique, bespoke ad offerings.
20:15 Performance standards, payment for access, risk assumption.
25:32 "Customize ad pitch, avoid commoditization, discussion."
26:17 Understanding brand advertising and messaging for sales.
31:15 Relationship with audience determines product fit.
33:53 Build rapport before selling dedicated content.
37:33 Discount bundling increases sales and requires careful renewal.
42:01 Emphasis on sponsorship, data products, and expansion.
45:29 Events in NYC are expensive and need an audience.
46:31 Traditional publishers struggle with newsletter ad integration.
50:33 Request a screenshot of the podcast and email for an invite.
Links Mentioned
https://allaccess.newsletteroperator.com/
https://thenewsletterconference.com/
https://www.whosponsorsstuff.com/
We're Building a Newsletter In Public!
44m · PublishedMatt and Ryan talk about behind-the-scenes and early-stage plans for building a newsletter in public, how to grow your agency through a newsletter, and more.
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Building newsletter in public, early stages revealed.
05:20 Premium subscription launched early, aiming for revenue.
07:17 Experimenting with batching and weekly delivery. Consider monetizing from day one.
11:48 Challenges with paid marketing and growing channels.
13:36 Outline for landing page: Headline, letter, membership breakdown.
18:40 Public promotion key for organic media company growth.
19:32 Using faceless videos for better content discovery.
22:28 The coaching program requires daily short video filming.
25:52 LinkedIn expert advice: focus on broad content.
28:37 Confident about branding, content, and organic growth.
34:08 System and constraints shape consistent and habitual reading.
36:29 Local newsletters with smart brevity style. Numbered, easy to follow on mobile.
37:57 Alex Garcia's newsletters on influencer partnerships shine.
42:10 Visualizing simple things, and updating data for newsletters.
How My Course Generated $105,000 In 4 Days, Growing Your Agency With a Newsletter, and More
44m · PublishedMatt and Ryan talk about how to sell out a cohort-based course, how to use newsletters to get and keep clients for service-based agencies, and much more.
Support our sponsors:
Refind Ads helps you grow your newsletter on auto-pilot
Get a $25 ad credit when you spend $100 or more.
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Sponsystreamlines sponsorship operations and reporting so you can save time and keep sponsors happy.
Try Sponsy for free or book a demo here.
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Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Refind ads: easy setup, effective paid acquisition.
06:04 Sales exceeded expectations, and several units sold out.
09:02 Emphasize long-form sales pages in product promotion.
10:32 Two similar announcement broadcasts successfully sold the course.
14:13 Create an email list, and send targeted course promotions.
19:05 Utilize PS in email for important messages.
21:25 Easier to get testimonials for future courses.
23:26 Incentivized survey with $100 prize and bonus.
27:28 Service business provides more freedom and value.
30:22 Promote digital products, showcase expertise, and upsell.
33:34 Targeted newsletter ads create high conversion rates.
37:57 Create niche Twitter ads and share insights.
42:31 Leave a review on Apple/Spotify and subscribe with an email proof.
43:43 Podcast host seeks feedback to reach a wider audience.
Anik Singal - How To Sell Your First Information Product, Webinar Marketing Secrets, How To Avoid Getting Sued By The FTC, and More
57m · PublishedAnik Singal is an entrepreneur, author, and expert in scaling education businesses.
Check out Anik's books and podcasts here: AnikSingal.com
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Timestamps
00:00 Choose digital product and sales method carefully.
06:50 Leverage small audiences for higher priced offers.
10:21 Forcing offers without audience interest always fails.
12:12 Answering questions, creating an FAQ, monetizing support.
14:48 Compliance market infatuates despite initial disinterest.
17:39 Streamlined installation process, captured and sold.
23:17 Low ticket pricing strategy for ad spend.
26:32 Quickly create low-ticket products using templates & AI.
30:23 Funnel engagement, low initial webinar attendance.
32:48 Extend funnel, increase sales by 30%.
35:50 Integration: Sendlane, Drip, stealth seminar, zapier.
40:47 Busy schedule, overlapping webinars, managing affiliates.
44:19 Presenting involves tech, passion, and valuable skills.
47:35 FTC investigation felt worse than a colonoscopy.
50:25 Learning, writing, and turning challenges into success.
51:39 New suite, certification, compliance marketing, book, audit.
54:43 Testimonial usage, disclosure, and court impact.
Eric Siu - How To Grow a Podcast To 1M+ Downloads Per Month, Building an Audience and Network From Scratch, Advice For Agency Owners, and More
51m · PublishedEric Siu is the CEO of Single Grain and host of two successful podcasts: Marketing School and Leveling Up. These podcasts receive over 1 million downloads per month.
Follow Eric on Twitter: @ericosiu
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Early podcasting success fueled by validation and education.
05:59 Content strategy should align with expertise and budget.
08:48 Daily marketing podcast successful with 2700 episodes.
11:28 Ads to the newsletter to value, not ads.
14:23 Starting an agency is challenging but rewarding.
16:31 Start side hustle, secure financial cushion first.
21:06 Strategic hiring in the US, referral recruiting.
24:46 Productized agencies offer clear and predictable services.
26:28 Maintaining quality and demand for creators is important.
31:29 Webinar on real-life AI use cases.
35:53 Monthly marketing content with unlimited options available.
36:45 Finding sponsors for your newsletter through titles.
42:18 Financial subscriptions, conferences, and high returns.
44:48 Powerful email sales strategy: ask for a reply.
46:25 Creating communities for learning and networking.
50:00 Stay focused, avoid distractions and reach success.
Links Mentioned
Leveling Up Newsletter
Single Grain
Matt Paulson: Bootstrapping MarketBeat To $40M/Year and 4.3M Newsletter Subscribers
50m · PublishedMatt Paulson is the founder and CEO of MarketBeat. Matt’s media company and newsletter has over 4.3M subscribers and is on pace to do $40M in revenue this year.
Follow Matt Paulson on Twitter: @MattPaulsonSD
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Episode Topics & Timestamps
00:00 About MarketBeat and Matt’s media company
05:14 Ad spend across Google, Bing, Facebook, and other channels
09:09 Working with agencies
11:46 Managing advertising through agencies, offers, and automation.
13:42 Hot stock trends drive high newsletter engagement.
17:28 Two big companies and smaller affiliates
20:56 The Financial publishing industry and the CPA model.
25:06 Investor relations, financial newsletters, CPA deals.
29:16 Dynamic offer rotation maximizes email campaign performance.
32:42 Multi-channel marketing maximizes message delivery effectiveness.
36:17 Email success depends on optimizing for sales.
36:59 Rising newsletter ads face potential sustainability issues.
40:44 Consider audience demographics, interests, then find affiliate program.
45:53 Marketbeat’s plans
47:23 Pioneering data-driven financial content creation
50:21 Where to find Matt online
Links Mentioned
MarketBeat.com
Twitter.com/MattPaulsonSD
5 Newsletter Ideas You Can Start This Weekend, How To Build a 6-Figure Local Newsletter, and More
50m · PublishedMatt and Ryan talk about 5 newsletter business ideas. Plus, how to grow and monetize them.
Episode topics & Timestamps
00:00 Newsletter targeting Fortune 500 executives for news.
04:34 Create hyper relevant content for niche market.
06:57 High CPMs for well-defined executive audience.
12:53 Research-intensive content, provide templates, charge for value.
16:14 Curated finance memes drive engagement on Instagram.
19:19 Charter newsletter uses visuals and witty copy.
22:42 AI writing tool boosts creativity for writers.
23:34 Weekly summary of design and pricing trends.
27:23 Newsletter format: short, snippets, automate, historical lessons.
32:07 Sponsors and newsletter offer monetization challenges.
35:42 Podcast reviews books about influential people. Crazy network.
37:39 Building email list crucial for long-term success.
40:39 Opt for positive, non-crime local news.
43:14 Local writing can lead to access and recognition.
46:26 Increased interest in local business advertising benefits.
49:33 Seeking feedback and updates on shared ideas.
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
How Adam Ryan Grew WorkWeek To $1M+ Per Month and 500k+ Subscribers, Are Newsletter Recommendations a Ponzi Scheme? B2B vs. B2C Newsletters, How To Sell Ads If You Have a Small Audience, Paid Subscriber Acquisition, B2B Lead Gen, and More
52m · PublishedAdam Ryan is the co-founder and CEO of WorkWeek, a B2B media company with 10+ newsletter publications and communities across various industries like healthcare, marketing, sales, HR, e-commerce, and fintech.
Episode topics & Timestamps
00:00 How WorkWeek started
05:04 Audience indicators and your ideal customer profile (ICP)
07:32 Slow, strategic growth trumps rushing into big projects.
10:19 Different business growth approaches have varying scalability and repeatability. Lifestyle businesses may benefit from an agency model, but for larger, scalable ventures, ongoing growth and compounding the business are crucial.
14:40 Approach to product development, growth metrics
17:32 Thoughts on newsletter recommendation networks
22:13 The email inbox is more sensitive
24:46 Paid ads
26:47 Maximizing existing audience potential
31:17 Acquiring newsletter subscribers and the potential trade-offs involved.
35:05 Focus on quality over quantity for newsletter subscribers.
36:34 Organic growth and subscriber engagement
40:14 Traditional media
43:35 Higher ad revenue, lower churn, better LTV
47:45 Prioritize audience, seek feedback, and consider time constraints.
50:24 How B2B lead generation works
Links Mentioned
WorkWeek.com
Want more content like this?
Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com
- Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind
- Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter
Follow Matt McGarry @JMatthewMcGarry and Ryan Carr @ryan_boat on Twitter.
Newsletter Operator has 29 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 22:36:20. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on August 6th 2023. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on May 4th, 2024 17:14.
