New Media

$1.2M In 70 Minutes: The Playbook Behind A Viral Creator Product Launch

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In today's episode, Matt and Kolby break down Alex Hormozi's three big content bets, his CAA signing and reality-show push, and Jessi Jean's $297 "Yap on Camera Challenge" that reportedly made $1.2M in a single day — pulling out what's working, what's being left on the table, and what every media founder should take notes on.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
02:25 The $1.2M Launch in 72 Minutes
07:34 Why Cohorts Are a Superior Business Model
11:54 Inside the Hybrid Cohort Format
17:15 Public Homework as a Viral Engine
17:57 Do You Even Need a Community?
20:22 Don't Sleep on Instagram
24:43 How Jessie Could Scale to $1M/Month
32:44 Hormozi's Content Bets: Show, Don't Tell
36:14 Bet #2: Netflix-Level Production ("Scale or Fail")
41:00 Bet #3: Live and Interactive Content
43:24 Replicating It Without a Big Budget
46:30 Legacy Media: CAA, Netflix, and Radio
50:07 Distribution Is King

📌 Resources:

Jessi Jean — Yap On Camera Challenge
Alex Hormozi — "Scale or Fail"
Starter Story (acquired by HubSpot)

Enjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

Why Forbes is WRONG about creators, beehiiv VS Kit, magazines are back?

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

This episode is brought to you by Circle — the all-in-one platform to run your community, courses, and memberships in one place. Try it free 👉 https://circle.so/eclipse

In today's episode Matt and Kolby break down Forbes' 2026 Top Creators list, the surprising revival of luxury print media, and Kit's biggest product launch ever—pulling out what's working, what's being left on the table, and what every media founder should take notes on.

Timestamps:

00:00 Forbes Top Creators 2026
01:14 The $1B Milestone & MrBeast's $300M
02:10 Breaking Down the Top 10
05:44 YouTube-to-Hollywood Crossover
06:41 Mark Rober's Subscription Box Playbook
09:42 Cody Sanchez & the Creator Capital Allocator
11:42 Hot Takes: Who Forbes Missed
14:36 Streamers & the Entrepreneurship Score Debate
17:35 Is Print Back? The Mountain Gazette Story
22:41 Why Print Is the Next Vinyl: Firecrown & Colossus
28:05 Building Fandom With Physical Products
30:38 New Media Summit 2027 in Austin
31:25 Kit's Craft + Commerce Launch: SMS & Subscriber Signals
37:29 Beehiiv's July Launch & the "Everything App" Trap
43:02 Circle's Focused Launch & Wrap-Up

Resources:

REACTION: beehiiv's Summer Release: Is This The Future or Just Hype?

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Matt McGarry, Ryan Carr, and Kolby Hatch analyze the recent beehiiv summer release, discussing new features like community, podcast integrations, and ad networks, and sharing insights on how to effectively leverage these tools for business growth.

Why Nobody Cares About Newsletters Anymore

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In today's episode Matt and Kolby break down historic media disruptions—from cable TV's ESPN and CNN to Joe Rogan's $250M Spotify deal—pulling out what's working, what's being left on the table, and who actually has a real thesis on AI today, from The Rundown's $10M+ newsletter to HubSpot's media buying spree.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro: AI Anxiety and Plateauing Founders
03:59 The Framework: How Founders Should Respond to AI
05:14 Is This an AI Bubble? Cable TV's ESPN and CNN Bet
08:35 Web 1.0: Huffington Post's $315M Exit and Motley Fool's Billion-Dollar Run
09:32 Viral Video Era: BuzzFeed's Rise, Barstool's $551M Sale
12:23 Mobile Wave: Industry Dive's $525M Exit
14:12 Axios's Smart Brevity and $525M Sale
17:27 The Athletic's $500M Sale, Joe Rogan's $250M Deal, and Mr. Beast
19:54 The Common Thread: Every Disruptor Needs a Thesis
22:40 Who Has a Real AI Thesis Today?
24:59 The Rundown AI's $10M+ Newsletter and Its PE Deal
29:31 HubSpot's Strategy of Buying Up Media Companies
34:55 Local News, AI-Generated Content, and 6AM City
46:06 Breaking Points, Ground News, and the Rise of Trusted Filters
53:03 Owning a New Category: Latent Space's AI Engineer Events
59:13 Every's Bundled AI Tools and Software-Funded Media

📌 Resources:

Enjoying the show?
Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

How ONE Book Drove $7M in Sales (and Helped Build an $80M Business)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:00:00 -0400

This episode is brought to you by Circle — the all-in-one platform to run your community, courses, and memberships in one place. Try it free 👉 https://circle.so/eclipse

Chandler Bolt (SelfPublishing.com) joins Matt to break down how one niche book generated $7M in 12 months, why "the riches are in the niches," how to turn tactics into ownable frameworks, and the value ladder that grew SelfPublishing.com past $80M.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
02:25 Can a Niche Expert Really Write a Book?
03:59 Why a Book Is the Ultimate Lever
06:36 "I'm Not a Good Writer" — Write Like You Talk
09:06 Is My Idea Too Niche? Strategies vs Tactics
11:05 How "Published" Made $7M in 12 Months
13:37 Turning Tactics Into Frameworks
17:19 Does a Book Have To Be 250 Pages?
19:55 Selling Books Without a Huge Audience
24:13 Book Royalties Explained (20–70%)
25:47 Amazon Discovery + Vertical SEO
28:19 How To Use AI To Write a Book
33:37 Will a Book Cannibalize My Course?
38:09 One-to-One vs One-to-Many: Packaging Expertise
42:12 Are Courses Dying? The Services Pivot
48:03 Where To Find Chandler

📌 Resources:

🔗 Connect with Chandler Bolt:

Best and Worst INCOME STREAMS For Creators In 2026

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Build a community product with nothing but a prompt, try Circle AI free 👉 https://circle.so/eclipse

Kolby and Matt rank 25 creator income streams and reveal the simple consulting-call-to-agency funnel that took Growletter to 7-figures.

Timestamps:

02:28 Is Speaking Worth Your Time?
06:03 One-on-One Coaching's Underrated Upside
10:29 Sponsorships and Brand Deals
14:32 Programmatic Ads and MrBeast's $20M Month
20:00 Affiliate Marketing's Race to the Bottom
24:02 Digital Products in the Age of LLMs
29:02 Vibe Products: AI's New Frontier for Creators
34:50 Subscriptions vs. Memberships
44:34 Live Cohorts vs. Group Coaching
51:41 Why Courses Fell to F Tier
55:48 Done-for-You Services and the Funnel That Built Growletter
1:04:09 Licensing Deals: Feast or Famine
1:08:36 Masterminds and Peer Groups
1:13:53 Should You Write a Book?
1:20:41 Events and the Final Tier List

📌 Resources:

Enjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

This episode is sponsored by Circle.

$1M+ Email Marketing HACKS You’ve Never Heard Of With Daniel Bustamante

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Daniel Bustamante (Velocity, Ship 30 for 30) joins Matt and Kolby to break down the email launch tactics that add 20% to every launch—the mid-launch bonus that kills the dead middle, the $99 product that made $25K in 48 hours, the post-launch downsell, and the feedback email that makes your next launch better.

Timestamps:

00:55 Expiring Mid-Launch Bonuses (Kill the U-Shape)
03:18 What Bonus to Offer & Ideal Launch Length
07:36 The 48-Hour Flash Sale: $25K From a $99 Product
12:24 Hormozi's "Sold Out" Email & Waitlist Flywheel
16:24 Should You Cap Enrollment?
18:46 The Post-Launch Downsell (+15–20% Revenue)
22:15 Downsell Ideas & Checkout Upsells
24:12 When to Offer Payment Plans
28:44 The "Why Didn't You Buy?" Email
30:49 AI Hyper-Personalized Lead Magnets
35:39 Quiz Funnels Done Right
36:45 Why Cohort Courses Work (Ship 30 Lessons)
43:01 One Piece of Advice for Launching a Cohort
44:22 Where to Find Daniel

📌 Resources:

🔗 Connect with Daniel:

Enjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

The Truth About Local Newsletters No One Wants To Admit with Daniel Berk

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Daniel Berk (Moneywise Podcast by Hampton) joins Matt and Kolby to talk about why the local newsletter isn't the business—the audience is, how AI services are the untapped green space for local brick-and-mortars, why the viral Substack tweet got email wrong, and how an X DM with Sam Parr turned into a podcast hosting gig.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
02:00 Palmetto Parents: Three Local Newsletters
06:40 How Local Newsletters Actually Make Money
11:00 "Own The Town" — Arbitraging Your Audience
14:30 Axios, 6AM City & The Big-Metro Model
17:00 Local AI Services: The Untapped Greenspace
23:15 The Nonprofit (501c3) Newsletter Play
26:15 Is Email Dead? The Viral Substack Tweet
33:00 What "Owned Audience" Really Means
37:30 Moneywise & Two Dads In Tech
40:00 How A Twitter DM Became The Moneywise Gig
45:30 Command The Room Like A Nine-Figure Podcast

📌 Resources:

🔗 Connect with Daniel Berk:

Enjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

Monetization Brainstorm with Justin Moore - Events, Paid Challenges, Books, Best Funnels For Creators, and More

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Justin Moore (Creator Wizard) joins Matt and Kolby to talk about how Sponsor Games lost ~$10K in year two but still turned a profit, why 22% of his challenge attendees upgrade to VIP every single time, the great event food debate, and how to find your real ICP with a book funnel.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:26 Sponsor Games Year Two: A $10K Loss and a Reality Show
03:50 How the Mastermind Offer Made It Profitable
04:15 Marketing a Novel Event With No Speakers
05:56 Changing the Date and Venue for Year Three
09:30 Should the Event Go on Tour?
11:50 Pre-Selling 20% of Next Year's Tickets
12:09 Ryan Deiss's 3 Types of Events
16:15 The Halo Effect of Hosting an Event
22:56 The Great Event Food Debate
26:14 Do You Actually Need a VIP Tier?
30:16 Inside the 10K Brand Deal Challenge
36:09 The Partner Challenge That Flopped
42:00 Book Funnels and Finding Your Real ICP
50:07 The Case for Focus Over Shiny Objects
51:42 Where to Find Justin

📌 Resources:

🔗 Connect with Justin:

This Guy Makes $1,500,000 PER MONTH From Texting

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Matt Paulson (MarketBeat) joins Matt and Kolby to talk about the SMS playbook that's now 25% of MarketBeat's revenue, why he pays Twilio $400K a month to make it work, and the case for treating digital media as a depreciating asset he'll shut down at 65 rather than sell.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
03:30 SMS Is The New Email
06:00 SMS Is Now 25% Of MarketBeat's Revenue ($1.5M+/Month)
10:00 Promoting Advertiser Offers Over Your Own
13:30 $100 Paid Webinars That Sell $2,500/Month Coaching
14:30 SMS Sunsetting, Short Codes, And Deliverability
17:00 Confirming Phone Numbers To Avoid TCPA Lawsuits
19:00 SMS Tech Stack And Twilio's $400K/Month Bills
23:00 Why Newsletters Are Still Worth It (Gmail's March 20 Change)
28:00 Multi-Channel: Spending $500K/Month On Meta Ads
33:00 The Co-Reg Wars: IMS vs AfterOffers
35:00 Every Tech Company Will Eventually Buy A Media Company
38:00 Why MarketBeat Won't Be Sold Or Acquired
41:00 Beehiiv, Substack, And ESP Feature Bloat
46:00 Marketers Matt Watches: Hormozi, Sanchez, Deiss
50:00 Where to Find Matt Paulson

📌 Resources:

🔗 Connect with Matt Paulson:

Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

HubSpot Spent $100M on Creators — Here's Why (With Jonathan Hunt VP of HubSpot Media & Head of The Hustle)

Wed, 27 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Jonathan Hunt (VP of HubSpot Media) joins Matt and Kolby to talk about how HubSpot built a 50M-reach owned-media network, the four-part test they run on every acquisition (Hustle, Mindstream, Starter Story, Futurepedia), and why they killed every audio-only podcast on the network.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
03:33 Why HubSpot Buys Media Companies
04:45 What HubSpot Media Actually Is (65 People, 3 Pillars)
07:15 The Editorial Thesis Behind Every Acquisition
12:26 The HubSpot Acquisition Test: 4 Criteria
14:53 Inside HubSpot's 150-Creator Program
22:24 Co-Creating Brands With Creators
25:06 Why HubSpot Went YouTube First
30:41 The Ad Fatigue Problem (And How They Solved It)
33:01 Scott Galloway and the Native Lead Magnet Play
36:15 How HubSpot Reinvests Profits Into Growth
39:46 Minority Report-Level Attribution
42:00 Why HubSpot Killed Audio-Only Podcasts
43:12 Reactions: Puck, TBPN, Sherwood, A16Z
51:31 Why HubSpot Won't Launch a Net-New Live Show
53:47 Where to Find Jonathan

📌 Resources:

🔗 Connect with Jonathan:

Enjoying the show?
Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

The Secret Behind $100M+ Personal Brands

Wed, 20 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Katelyn Bourgoin (founder of Unignorable) joins Matt and Kolby to break down the 6 types of ownable ideas, the 5-question framework she uses to engineer one, why courses are losing value to AI-enabled "brainware" agencies, and a live audit of Matt's ownable idea.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:39 The Why We Buy → Unignorable Rebrand
04:16 Ownable Ideas: Test Round (Sinek, Welsh, Sanchez)
09:30 What an Ownable Idea Actually Is
12:22 The 6 Types of Ownable Ideas
16:26 How to Create Your Own (and Why It's Hard)
18:55 The 5-Question Framework 22:10 Brené Brown Broken Down by the Framework
24:16 Lightning vs. Engineered Ideas
27:06 Live Audit: Matt's Overlap Effect Framework
39:58 Brainware: The AI-Enabled Agency Thesis
43:32 Productized Services as the New Course
50:37 Accountability as a Service
52:36 Sunsetting What No Longer Fits
54:38 Where to Find Katelyn

📌 Resources Mentioned:

🔗 Connect with Katelyn Bourgoin:

Enjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

$100M Course Seller: Info Products Are Dead Forever (Here’s What’s NEXT)

Wed, 13 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Ryan Deiss (DigitalMarketer, Scalable.co) joins Matt to talk about why he killed an eight-figure course business, the 80% sales drop that forced the pivot, why AI is replacing courses faster than anyone wants to admit, and how to actually monetize expertise in a post-course world.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:28 Why Ryan "Retired" From DigitalMarketer
03:32 The Real Reason Course Sales Collapsed
06:37 Why AI Beats Courses Every Time
11:54 DigitalMarketer's 80% Revenue Drop
13:05 Why "Course Business" Is the Wrong Frame
16:53 Build Your Own Media First
21:19 The 4 Ways Media Companies Make Money
22:23 Sell AI Trained on Your IP, Not the Course
28:23 Why Coaching On Top of Courses Won't Save You 3
3:12 The Truth About Cohort-Based Programs
35:14 The 3 Event Business Models
41:36 Sponsorships, Exhibitors & Critical Mass
48:07 Sponsorship Tiers and Protecting the Stage
58:00 Activations, Meetups & Sponsored Experiences
1:02:28 Where to Find Ryan

📌 Resources:

🔗 Connect with Ryan Deiss:

The Media Trends Nobody Is Talking About

Thu, 07 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Brian Morrissey (The Rebooting) joins Matt and Kolby to talk about his three-archetype theory of modern media, why most TBPN streaming-show clones will fail, the real strategic value of SMS, and why aging out of LinkedIn is a bigger flex than flying private.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:06 The 3 Media Archetypes: Artists, Suits, Engineers

05:54 Streaming Media and MTS vs TBPN

08:00 Why Webinars Punch Above Their Weight

12:37 The Power of Parasocial Podcast Connections

16:09 Is Streaming A Fad? Neo-Traditional Media

20:18 The Underpants Gnome Problem With Clips

24:03 Is SMS The New Email?

26:45 The Hardest Part Is Having The Audience

29:51 Brian's Writing Process (No Audience In Mind)

34:36 Smart SMS Use Cases (Events, Subtext)

40:00 Building A Strategic Reserve Of Phone Numbers

42:59 Why SMS Crushes For Webinar Registrations

49:47 NoScroll And Anonymous X Accounts

53:22 Aging Out Of LinkedIn Is The Real Flex

54:05 Where To Find Brian

📌 Resources Mentioned:

The Rebooting
People vs Algorithms (podcast)
Monitoring The Situation (MTS)
Breaking Points

🔗 Connect with Brian Morrissey:
LinkedIn
Website & Newsletter

Enjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, then email matt@growletter.co or kolby@growletter.co with a screenshot and a question — we'll answer it on the show.

Inside a Top 10 Spotify Podcast Business, Local Newsletters To Agency Funnel, Will AI Change Email Marketing Forever?

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In today's episode, Ethan Brooks (Austin Business Review), Alyssa Dulin (Kit), and Jonathan Barshop (Modern Wisdom) join Matt and Kolby to discuss how to monetize a local newsletter with services instead of ads, what AI is actually doing to email deliverability, and the unconventional growth tactics that move a podcast in 2026.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
03:00 Ethan Brooks on Austin Business Review and Local Media
07:30 Why Local Newsletters Are Best Monetized as Services (Not Ads)
10:40 Selling Austin: $300K From Under 1,000 Readers
13:00 The $25K-in-8-Weeks Concrete Leads Side Business
22:00 Ethan's Two Frameworks: Valuable Audience + Media Monetization
32:00 Alyssa Dulin on AI in the Inbox
35:00 The New Curator in Town — How AI Is Rewriting Deliverability
46:00 The One-Word Reply Tip That Beats Every Other Engagement Tactic
52:00 Google Postmaster Tools: The Most Overlooked Deliverability Tool
1:01:00 Jonathan Barshop on Building a Podcast That Actually Grows in 2026
1:11:00 Why Premise Beats Production
1:18:00 The Cross-Promo That Supercharged My First Million
1:25:00 Engineering "Viral" Moments — The Tim Ferriss + Edward Norton Trick
1:42:00 Modern Wisdom's Tour Model and 12-Partner Sponsorship Strategy

📌 Resources Mentioned:

🔗 Connect with Ethan Brooks:

🔗 Connect with Alyssa Dulin:

🔗 Connect with Jonathan Barshop:

Life Update

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Join here: WriteGrowSell.com

Enrollment ENDS May 4th at 11:59 pm EST.

This is the last opportunity to join Write, Grow, Sell for the next 5+ months and get in at the lowest price since 2024.

This Free Site Makes More Than His $10M Course (w/ Neville Medhora)

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In today's episode, Neville Medhora (Swipefile, Copywriting Course, ex-AppSumo) joins Matt and Kolby to talk about how good copy delivered AppSumo's first $10,000 day, why his flagship Copywriting Course business is being eaten by AI while Swipefile.com is soaring, Neville's content workflow, and why selling software is dead in 2026.

Timestamps:

01:19 House of Rave and Dropshipping in High School
03:21 Finding Copywriting and AppSumo's First $10K Day
05:53 Copywriting Course Dying, Swipefile Soaring
11:27 Brand, Style, and Standing Out From AI
16:33 How Swipefile's Business Model Works
18:44 Why Selling Software Is Dead
22:51 The Hybrid Sponsorship Model That Actually Pays
26:45 Custom Content and Evergreen Sponsorship Deals
33:47 Acquired's $4.8M Pre-Rolls and B2B Ad Math
35:57 Why Blogging Is Social Media Now
37:15 Neville's Content Flow: Swipefile → Newsletter → Social
40:43 Growing a Newsletter in 2026
45:00 Why Neville Won't Sell Claude Skills (Yet)
52:34 Where To Find Neville

📌 Resources Mentioned:
The Gary Halbert Letters — https://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com
Wait But Why (Tim Urban) — https://waitbutwhy.com

🔗 Connect with Neville Medhora:
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/neville-medhora-654749/
Swipefile — https://swipefile.com
YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSN1tlH1nvAXkv9nnBCmfiQ

🍿 Watch on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@growletter

He Raised $4M in 4 Hours With One Email

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Walker Deibel (Buy Then Build) joins Matt and Kolby to talk about how he wrote a category-defining book, built a newsletter to 300,000 subscribers, and used that list to raise $4 million in four hours. They cover his grassroots book launch strategy, why he believes newsletters are the most impactful asset any entrepreneur can build, and his framework for navigating private capital markets as what he calls the "new family office."

Want to get your first 1,000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days? Go here 👉 https://www.newsletteroperator.com/subscribe

Apply To Work With My Agency 👉 https://www.growletter.com

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:53 The Shift from Startups to Acquisitions
05:36 How Buy Then Build Changed Entrepreneurship
08:33 Grassroots Marketing and Book Launch Strategy
12:18 Creating a Movement and Defining a New Category
16:15 Frameworks for Exceptional Content
19:14 Writing the Book and Defining Entrepreneurship
22:29 Monetizing the Book and Building Community
29:14 Why In-Person Events Still Matter
35:43 Transitioning from Acquisition Lab to New Ventures
36:59 The Power of Email Lists in Investing
39:33 Building a Private Market Investing Community
43:15 Creating Value Through Direct Investments
46:35 The Economics of Being a Family Office
48:04 Newsletters as the Most Impactful Business Asset
48:59 Where to Find Walker

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Buy Then Build (book)

Acquisition Lab

Good to Great by Jim Collins

🔗 Connect with Walker Deibel:

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/walkerdeibel/

Website — https://walkerdeibel.com

Newsletter — https://wealthstack1.com/

The Real Reason OpenAI Acquired TBPN for $100M+

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Matt and Kolby break down OpenAI's acquisition of TBPN for over $100 million and what it actually means for media. They dig into why the deal was less about audience size and more about an aqua hire of founders John Coogan and Jordi Hayes, how tech companies consistently use media as a PR and storytelling asset, and what lessons indie creators can take from TBPN's 18-month run to a nine-figure exit.

Want to get your first 1,000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days? Go here 👉 https://www.newsletteroperator.com/subscribe

Apply To Work With My Agency 👉 https://www.growletter.com

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

05:29 Why the Founders Were the Real Asset

11:03 Editorial Independence Concerns

16:29 The Future of Infotainment in B2B

22:54 Media as a Tech Acquisition Strategy

28:43 Focus on Your Core Thing

📌 Resources Mentioned:

TBPN (Tech Business Programming Network)

🍿 Watch on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@growletter

How to Build a Creator Business Worth Acquiring

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Taylor Cromwell (Creator Diaries) joins Kolby to talk about what it actually takes to go from creator to founder — and what makes a media business acquisition-ready. They break down the Starter Story and Salary Transparent Street deals, how to eliminate key-face risk, why IRL events are the next big creator play, and the surprising business Taylor's mom accidentally built in Italy.

Want to get your first 1,000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days? Go here 👉 https://www.newsletteroperator.com/subscribe

Apply To Work With My Agency 👉 https://www.growletter.com

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:00 Creator Diaries and the Creator-to-Founder Gap

03:44 The Starter Story Acquisition — What Creators Can Learn

05:23 Are Big Companies Still Buying Creator Brands?

07:32 How to Make Your Creator Business Acquisition-Ready

09:45 Key Face Risk — How to Build a Brand Beyond Yourself

13:27 IRL Events and Why Every Creator Should Think About Them

18:21 The Business Models Behind Creator Events

24:12 Scaling Pains — What Creators Avoid (But Shouldn't)

31:47 Taylor's Mom Accidentally Built a Business in Italy

37:21 Where to Find Taylor

📌 Resources Mentioned: Starter Story, Salary Transparent Street, StoryArb

🔗 Connect with Taylor: LinkedIn Creator Diaries

Is Mr. Beast The Next BuzzFeed?, SMS Is The New Email, Durable Creator Businesses

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In today's episode, Matt and Kolby dig into what's actually working in audience building right now — fandom vs. impressions, the channels that actually build real community, and why frameworks are the ultimate cheat code for creator brands. Chenell Basilio (Growth in Reverse) joins to talk pop-up newsletters, cross-promotion strategy, and what's next after email. Plus, the guys debate whether Mr. Beast is the next BuzzFeed and what the rise of AI slop means for creators who actually give a damn about their craft.

Want to get your first 1,000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days? Click here: https://www.newsletteroperator.com/subscribe

Watch on YouTube

Timestamps:

00:00 Stardew Valley and the Indie Creator Model

05:31 Fandom vs. Impressions: What Actually Builds an Audience

10:52 Cross-Promotion Strategy with Chenell Basilio

16:09 Pop-Up Newsletters and Re-engaging Churned Subscribers

30:01 Why Every Creator Needs a Framework

41:17 What's Next: SMS, Live Events, and YouTube

46:55 The Case for Live Streaming in B2B Media

01:02:05 Is Mr. Beast the Next BuzzFeed?

01:12:15 Betting on Emerging Creators

01:17:32 The Culturalist and the Future of Thoughtful Content

🔗 Connect with Chenell:

https://growthinreverse.com/

Chenell's Podcast

30 Days of Growth

🐝 Looking for the best newsletter and email marketing platform? Beehiiv is what I use and recommend: Click here to get a discount through my referral link: https://www.beehiiv.com/?via=matt-mcgarry

How Trade Shows Make Millions

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Brent Davidson built a 500-person trade show for HVAC contractors from scratch — and in this episode, he breaks down the business model behind it: how exhibitors and sponsors pay the bills, how to design attendee flow, and why in-person marketplaces are more durable than anything algorithm-dependent. Matt and Kolby dig into the operational side of running a trade show — from booth pricing and venue logistics to speaker strategy and influencer relationships. If you're thinking about events as a media business model, this is the blueprint.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & What Is the US Heat Pump Summit

02:12 Why Build a Trade Show

05:15 Trade Shows vs. Conferences

07:03 Ticket Pricing, Booth Costs & Revenue Model

09:39 Balancing Attendee Tickets With Exhibitor Value

11:29 Vendor Tickets

13:13 The Role of Media & Content in Growing the Event

17:41 How Brent Sells Tickets

19:26 Post-Purchase Surveys

21:27 HVAC Influencers

24:28 Should Influencers Attend the Event to Drive Tickets?

26:34 Promo Codes, Measurability & Implied Endorsement

28:35 Audience-Event Fit

30:29 Getting Your First Sponsors & Exhibitors

32:35 Proving ROI to Sponsors

35:02 What Other Trade Show Opportunities Exist Right Now

37:35 Hosted Buyer Programs & The Hidden Revenue Model

38:16 How Big Can the Heat Pump Summit Get?

41:24 Exit Strategies & Building an Event Conglomerate

43:52 Private Equity in the Trades & the Blue Parachute Idea

44:10 Mike Rowe & the Role of Celebrity at Trade Events

47:23 Final Advice

🔗 Connect with Brent Davidson:

LinkedIn
US Heat Pump Summit

🐝 Looking for the best newsletter and email marketing platform? Beehiiv is what I use and recommend: Click here to get a discount through my referral link.

The Substack TRAP, Why Creators Plateau, How To Create Frameworks

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In today’s episode, we sit down with Matt Ragland to break down how top creators actually build leverage, grow audiences, and scale sustainable media businesses. We dive into frameworks that make you memorable, the reality of plateauing on YouTube, and how to evolve from solo creator to true operator. Matt also shares lessons from working behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in newsletters and creator education.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Matt Ragland
03:42 Why Every Creator Needs a Framework
07:19 The Gap & Wrap System Explained
10:34 What Makes a Framework Actually Work
13:48 How Frameworks Drive Content & Growth
16:36 Types of Frameworks (Acronyms, Visuals, Mental Models)
20:05 The Real Shift: From Creator to Operator
25:55 Why Growth Plateaus (And What Changes Next)
31:28 The Truth About YouTube Growth Today
36:41 The Substack Trap (And Why Most People Get It Wrong)

🔗 Connect with Matt Ragland:

MattRagland.com
Matt's YouTube Channel

🐝 Looking for the best newsletter and email marketing platform? Beehiiv is what I use and recommend: Click here to get a discount through my referral link.

$6M Newsletter With 1 Employee, HubSpot Buys Starter Story, $500k/Month WITHOUT Ads

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In today’s episode we break down four media companies including Breaking Points, Starter Story, Lenny's Newsletter, and Colin and Samir's creator summit, pulling out what's working, what's being left on the table, and what every media founder should take notes on. Plus, we get into the AI slop debate and what it actually means for creators trying to build something real.

Timestamps:

00:00 Overview of Topics
01:04 Breaking Points: A Case Study in New Media Success
13:39 Starter Story's Acquisition by HubSpot
24:15 Lenny's Newsletter: A B2B Creator's Journey
33:30 Colin and Samir's LA Creator Summit
35:03 The Importance of Marketing for Creators
37:14 How To Make A Great Event
43:17 Monetization Strategies for Events
49:58 The Rise of AI-Generated Content
57:02 Navigating the Future of AI in Media

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

Breaking Points
Starter Story
Lenny's Newsletter
Colin and Samir's LA Creator Summit

🐝 Looking for the best newsletter and email marketing platform? Beehiiv is what I use and recommend: Click here to get a discount through my referral link.

New Media in 2026: What Actually Works

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the first episode of the New Media Podcast with Matt McGarry and Kolby Hatch. In this episode, we break down the business of media—from newsletters and YouTube to events and monetization strategies. We also dive into lessons from New Media Summit, building profitable media companies, and what’s actually working right now. If you’re building in the creator economy, this is the behind-the-scenes conversation you don’t usually hear.

🍿 Watch on YouTube here.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to New Media Podcast
02:19 Inside the New Media Summit
04:08 How Event Businesses Actually Make Money
06:32 Sponsorships & Revenue Streams Explained
08:23 Why Audience Engagement Matters More Than Ever
10:47 The Truth About Growing a Podcast
13:15 Why Most Content Fails (And What Works Instead)
16:01 Where New Media Is Heading
27:25 How Storytelling Shapes Media Success
28:10 Lessons From Past Media Trends
31:44 Gated Content: Smart Strategy or Bad UX?
39:07 Email Growth Hacks & Automation Strategies
44:59 Sponsorships Are Changing—Here’s How
52:42 Is Email Marketing Still Worth It?
55:31 Why Organic Subscribers Are 10x More Valuable
57:40 The Real Business Models Behind Newsletters
58:29 Are Newsletters Dead or Evolving?
01:02:45 Why Conferences Are a Massive Opportunity
01:04:11 IRL > URL: The Power of In-Person Networking
01:06:54 Why Big Events Are Declining
01:12:11 Building Community Through Local Events

Check out Dylan's newsletter here!

🐝 Looking for the best newsletter and email marketing platform? Beehiiv is what I use and recommend: Click here to get a discount through my referral link.

UPDATE: We’re relaunching this podcast with a new name

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I share an important update about the future of the podcast as we relaunch with a new name and direction. While the show started focused on newsletters and email marketing, the new version will expand into helping you build an independent media, education, or creator business. We'll be covering audience growth, newsletters, monetization, and the strategies behind modern media companies.

Subscribe to the video version of the podcast and our YouTube channel here.

5 Frameworks That Made My Clients $100M+

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Get the slides and resources mentioned from this episode linked here.

In this video, I break down the 5 frameworks that helped my clients generate over $100 million in sales from email. These are the exact strategies top media, education, and creator businesses use to grow their email list, boost open rates and click-through rates, and drive more sales.

Timestamps:
00:00: Introduction
01:16: Framework #1: The MAGIC Formula (turn social followers into email subscribers)
15:22: Framework #2: First-Party Data & SMS
19:11: Framework #3: The WE-PAC Welcome Email
25:56: Framework #4: The Deliverability Detox
30:37: Framework #5: The Newsletter Flywheel

Other Resources:

🎤 Purchase recordings from our conference with speakers like Codie Sanchez, Ryan Deiss, and 15+ more: https://recording.newmediasummit.com/

🐝 Looking for the best newsletter and email marketing platform? beehiiv is what I use and recommend: https://www.beehiiv.com/?via=matt-mcgarry

How To Build a 7-Figure Membership Business

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

Learn more about Uscreen https://www.uscreen.tv/

In this episode, I sit down with Allison Yazdian, CEO of Uscreen, to break down how creators can build scalable, recurring revenue with video-first memberships. We cover what makes a compelling offer, how to price and tier it, and the features that drive engagement and retention. Allison shares real examples of creators generating millions through subscriptions, live streams, and community. If you want to own your audience and turn content into predictable monthly revenue, this is a must-watch.

Connect with Allison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonyazdian/

Timestamps:
00:00: Meet Allison Yazdian (CEO of Uscreen)
01:20: What Uscreen Does
04:00: How Creators Make Money with Memberships
06:00: Big Creators Using Uscreen
09:00: Why Memberships Beat Ads & One-Off Products
12:00: What Makes a Great Membership Offer
16:00: Free Tiers, Trials & Entry Offers
18:00: Pricing Strategy & Benchmarks
22:00: Structuring Your Membership Tiers
24:30: Must-Have Features (Community, Live, Challenges)
27:30: How to Market & Sell Your Membership
31:30: Onboarding New Members the Right Way
33:30: Reducing Churn & Increasing Retention
36:00: One Thing That Improves Retention Fast
38:00: Who Uscreen Is Best For + How to Get Started

Other Resources:

🎤 Pre-order recordings from our conference with speakers like Codie Sanchez, Ryan Deiss, and 15+ more: https://recording.newmediasummit.com/

The #1 Monetization Model Publishers and Creators Miss!

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Learn more about Ezoic: https://www.ezoic.com/

I sit down with Gavin Bechtold (Ezoic) to reveal how publishers, creators, and newsletter operators are leaving serious money on the table by ignoring website monetization. We break down programmatic ads, first-party data, and how sending traffic back to your site can dramatically increase subscriber lifetime value. If you run a newsletter or media business, this episode will change how you think about traffic and revenue.

Connect with Gavin directly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinbechtold/

Timestamps:

00:00: Intro & why website traffic is overlooked
05:47: Website vs. newsletter monetization
12:50: What RPMs can you actually expect?
16:46: Myth busting: Do ads hurt user experience?
29:21: How first-party data increases ad revenue
36:56: Who Ezoic is a good fit for

More Resources:

🎤 Pre-order recordings from New Media Summit with speakers like Codie Sanchez, Ryan Deiss, and 15+ more:

https://recording.newmediasummit.com/

📧 Join my free newsletter here:

https://www.newsletteroperator.com/subscribe

Beehiiv’s CEO Breaks Down His Exact Newsletter Growth Playbook

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

🐝 Join beehiiv here and use code GROWLETTER for 20% off:
https://www.beehiiv.com/

I sit down with Tyler Denk to break down how he built Big Desk Energy into a 120k+ subscriber newsletter—while still working a full-time job as Beehiiv's CEO. They get tactical on weekly workflow, “night-before / day-after” social promos, email-gated posts, referral rewards that cost $0, and how paid growth (Meta + Beehiiv Boosts) helps scale past 50k. Tyler also shares how he monetizes with sponsors, Boost revenue, and a high-ticket Costa Rica mastermind—and why founder-led marketing and trust matter more than ever in the AI era. If you’re building a newsletter as a side hustle (or scaling one fast), this episode is packed with actionable playbooks you can copy.

Tyler's newsletter Big Desk Energy: https://www.bigdeskenergy.com/

Tyler's media kit HERE >>

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:59 Building a 120K Subscriber Newsletter on the Side
02:01 Managing Time While Working Full-Time
07:45 Launch Strategy & Early Growth Tactics
14:49 Leveraging Social & DMs for Growth
17:38 Scaling with Paid Ads & Beehiiv Boost
21:17 Referral Programs That Actually Work
29:01 How Tyler Monetizes (Sponsors, Boost, Ads)
34:36 $10K Mastermind Strategy
41:57 The Future of Beehiiv
48:21 AI & The Future of Email
55:49 Beehiiv vs. Other Platforms

The Fastest Way to Turn Your Expertise Into a $1M/Year Business

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Traditional online courses are dead. People don’t need more information. They need execution. In this video, I break down why live cohort-based programs are the fastest way to turn your expertise into a $100K+ offer and eventually a $1M/year business. You’ll learn how to craft your cohort in 8 simple steps, even if you have no audience, testimonials, or teaching experience.

Get the full guide and next steps here.

Timestamps:
01:35 Introduction
3:00 Why courses are dead
5:25 The execution problem
5:48 Why cohorts win
7:22 Step 1: Pick the outcome
10:45 Step 2: Structure it
14:22 Step 3: Homework plan
15:06 Step 4: Build the system
16:11 Step 5: Gamify + track
19:40 Step 6: Track results
20:43 Step 7: Scarcity
21:22 Step 8: Social proof
26:58 Step 9: Cohort outline
30:15 Step 10: Build anticipation
31:17 Step 11: Always sell, then build
31:55 Step 12: Marketing schedule

Want to learn what's working in media right now? New Media Summit brings together 500+ founders in Austin Feb 26-27 with Codie Sanchez, Ryan Deiss, Matt Paulson, and more. Get tickets here!

The Future of Newsletters: Experts’ Predictions For 2026

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0500

What’s changing in newsletters, email marketing, and the creator economy — and how do you grow, monetize, and scale in 2026?

In this FREE online event, 8 industry experts share 15+ data-backed predictions on newsletter growth, email deliverability, audience development, and media monetization — plus actionable strategies you can apply immediately.

🎤 Featuring: Tyler Denk (beehiiv), Matt McGarry (GrowLetter), Robin Re (Industry Dive), Greg Van Horn (Launch Potato), Nathan May (The Feed Media), Max Bidna (Growth Daily), Chris Miquel (Audience Bridge), and Daniel Bustamante (Ship 30 for 30).

If you’re building a newsletter, email list, or media business, this event will help you create a clear, tactical plan for growth in 2026.

Timestamps:
1:00 Speaker Introductions
3:06 Tyler Denk
18:20 Greg Van Horn
29:10 Nathan May
44:07 Robin Re
55:50 Chris Miquel
01:08:10 Marketing Max
01:22:57 Daniel Bustamante
1:36:56 Matt’s Takeaways
1:38:20 New Media Summit

Bonus 1: Use code 'NEWMEDIA' and receive 20% off Beehiiv.

Bonus 2: FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days.

Bonus 3: Our New Media Summit promotional discount has ended — however, you can still save $400 by purchasing today with early-bird pricing.

👉 Grab your ticket to New Media Summit.

New Media Summit is where today’s top speakers, media founders, newsletter operators, publishers, and marketers come together to share real tactics and build meaningful connections — and many of the experts in this event will be there. February 26-27

15 Steps to Sell Your First Digital Product

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

This episode is a complete 15-part breakdown of how to sell your first digital product from scratch. I walk through how to choose the right product, validate demand, and price it for maximum conversions. You’ll learn why you don’t need a huge audience to make real money. I also cover launch strategy, promotion timelines, and common mistakes that kill first launches. If you’re a creator, founder, or newsletter writer aiming for your first $1k–$10k launch, this is for you.

Watch the full episode on YouTube linked here.

Watch my monetization masterclass here.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Selling Digital Products
01:09 Building an Email List for Success
03:48 Understanding Your Audience's Needs
06:08 Types of Media Products
06:50 Pricing Your Product
08:15 Your Tech Setup
10:26 Overcoming the Need for Testimonials
11:31 Navigating Sales Without Being Salesy
12:25 Mastering Copywriting
13:56 Promoting Your Product Effectively
15:29 Establishing Credibility as a Seller
16:48 Your First Launch
18:26 Refunds and Customer Concerns
19:14 Creating a Minimum Viable Product
20:04 Validating Your Product Idea
20:53 Running a Pre-Sale for Your Product

10 Reasons You Should Start a Newsletter in 2026 (You’re NOT Too Late)

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this video, I break down why so many people hesitate to start a newsletter— and why that fear once held me back too. You’ll learn the biggest advantages of launching one, from owning your audience to building a scalable, high-profit media business with multiple revenue streams. I also share my full journey, including early failures, the lessons that changed everything, and how my newsletter eventually grew to 50,000+ subscribers and a multimillion-dollar business. By the end, you’ll understand not only why a newsletter can transform your income, but also how it accelerates your skills, opportunities, and long-term growth—no matter your starting point.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Timestamps:
00:00 Overcoming the Fear of Starting a Newsletter
00:55 The Value of Owning Your Audience
04:03 Low Startup Costs + Big Income Potential
07:31 Scalability and Major Business Potential
09:18 Multiple Revenue Streams You Can Build
12:02 Building Skills Through Publishing
15:07 The Right Motivation for Starting a Newsletter
18:45 Personal Journey, Failures & Lessons Learned
22:05 Taking Action: Launching Your Newsletter

The Future of Media: Why Only 3 Platforms Will Matter

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500

In this Q&A, we discuss the future of media and why newsletters, YouTube, and podcasts will dominate. Matt shares his MAGIC Framework for converting social followers into email subscribers. We discuss Beehiiv’s newest features, including dynamic content, native analytics, and its ad network. The Q&A also covers paywalls, reader behavior shifts, and the biggest newsletter design mistakes. Finally, Matt explains how to know when you’ve hit content–market fit and when to use paid acquisition.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Timestamps & Questions:
00:00 Introduction
00:48 What do you think the future of media will look like?
04:39 How do you drive traffic from a discovery platform to your newsletter?
11:01 How do you recommend utilizing paywalls and gated content?
13:29 What’s the best new Beehiiv feature for smaller creators?
16:05 How do you know a discovery platform is working?
16:53 How should you utilize dynamic content?
19:08 Should Beehiiv integrate better with Shopify?
20:00 Does this put pressure on Kit and Substack to evolve?
22:03 What’s the most underrated moat a newsletter can have?
23:12 How will reader behavior change overtime?
25:01 How will B2B newsletter evolve?
26:38 Advice for someone sitting on an idea for 6 months?
28:32 How do you know when you have audience market fit?
30:04 When should you run paid ads?
31:53 What are the biggest design mistakes you see?

What’s REALLY Worth More: Followers or Email Subscribers?

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we break down how to build a profitable, future-proof content business. You’ll learn why email subscribers are far more valuable than social followers, how to balance content frequency and quality, and how AI is reshaping media and audience engagement. We also cover how to identify real problems that lead to valuable products and how to test newsletter ideas to find your perfect niche.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 How do you know if a Newsletter idea is worth pursuing?
2:15 What's more valuable: 10,000 email subscribers or 100k Instagram followers?
3:15 What are you thoughts on buying active email lists?
4:57 How do you think about frequency vs quality?
6:00 How to avoid last minute changes from sponsors?
8:25 What shift in the media industry are founders not ready for?
11:43 How do you think about community building?
14:01 How can you sell digital products to moms?
16:38 If you could only monetize your audience in one way, what would you choose?
18:33 What's a contrarian opinion you have on the newsletter industry?
19:10 How to launch a newsletter based newsletter while living abroad?
20:26 How to approach content when competitors copy you?
21:44 How do you think about standing out in a crowded market?

I Ranked 30+ Newsletter Growth Tactics From Best To Worst

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I break down 30 different newsletter growth channels—from social and search to partnerships and paid ads—and rank them based on scale, effort, and subscriber quality. I’ll share surprising data showing just how wildly subscriber value can vary between sources, plus the framework I use to evaluate conversion and lifetime value. We’ll cover channels like YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, SEO, Meta ads, cross-promotions, and more. If you’re trying to figure out which few channels to focus on for real, sustainable growth, this video will point you in the right direction.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Timestamps:

00:00 Overview of the Newsletter Growth Tier List
01:33 How I’m Ranking 30+ Newsletter Growth Channels
02:11 Organic Social: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Substack Notes, X, TikTok
10:42 Paid Social: Meta, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok Ads
14:41 Search & SEO: Organic vs. Google Ads
18:05 Partnerships & Collaborations: Guest Posts, Podcasts, and Cross-Promotions
24:07 Organic Growth Tactics: Referrals, Giveaways & Communities
28:52 The Worst Channels Hurting Your Newsletter
37:54 The Tier List Recap
38:53 My Recommendation
40:09 Real Data Breakdown: Conversions & Revenue per Source
45:01 What I've Learned From The Data

I Helped 100 People Get 1,000 Newsletter Subscribers (Without Ads)

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0400

In this Q&A video, I answer questions about how to start, grow, and monetize a newsletter. I explain how to get 1,000 subscribers in 30 days using my “1K Challenge,” which includes daily posting, commenting, and outreach on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram. I cover how niche is too niche, why cross-promotions between newsletters work best when both sides match clicks, and how to measure success beyond open rates by focusing on revenue and engagement. I also share thoughts on the future of newsletters— shorter formats, weekly cadence, and using them to drive product or service sales instead of relying only on ads.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Episode Questions & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction & Q&A Overview
00:18 Is it possible to get 1,000 subscribers in 30 days?
09:58 How niche is too niche?
11:15 How do you approach partnerships and cross-promotions?
14:28 Can you still trust open rates and click-through rates?
17:32 How many links are too many in a newsletter?
18:20 How can you find and sell the right product to your audience?
21:56 What’s the next big shift in the newsletter industry?
24:19 Is there opportunity for newsletter aggregators?

UPDATE on This Podcast, My Content, and Our New Event

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I unveil the vision behind the new New Media Summit—our upcoming 2026 conference focused on the future of media—and how we’re leveling it up with bigger speakers, more actionable sessions, and better networking. I also share why I’m shifting to a YouTube-first content strategy in 2025, how weekly Q&A episodes fit into that plan, and why newsletters remain the backbone of our business and monetization.

New Media Summit

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Timestamps:

00:00 Podcast Direction & Content Strategy
02:21 Introducing New Media Summit
04:38 What You Can Expect This Year
06:46 Networking, Community, and Venue Experience
08:35 Our Commitment to Quality

The TRUTH About LinkedIn Newsletters in 2025

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this Q&A, I answer your biggest questions about building and scaling a newsletter in 2025. We cover everything from whether LinkedIn newsletters are still worth it, to what platform you should use (Beehiiv, Kit, Substack, or Klaviyo), and the most effective ways to grow your audience organically. I also share what I’d do if I had to start from scratch, how AI is reshaping content creation, when to pivot your strategy, and how to price your first sponsorships.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Episode Questions & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Q&A
00:26 The truth about LinkedIn newsletters in 2025
02:54 What newsletter business would you start if you had to begin from scratch tomorrow?
07:43 Should you use Beehiiv, Kit, Substack, or Klaviyo?
11:20 What are the best organic growth strategies for newsletters?
14:06 How do you think about newsletter vs. YouTube content?
16:16 How will AI impact the newsletter space?
18:50 How do you decide when to pivot your content strategy?
21:41 How should you communicate a publication name change to your audience?
24:39 How do you approach newsletter sponsorship pricing?
28:38 What’s the best way to approach list cleaning and re-engagement?

How I Write My $50k/Month Newsletter (Step-By-Step Process)

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this week's Q&A, I break down the real tactics that work for growing and monetizing newsletters in 2025. I cover my personal content workflow, why newsletter recommendations are dead, and what actually matters for sponsors beyond list size. I also discuss local newsletters, when to start running paid ads, and the revenue potential at different subscriber levels.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Episode Questions & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to weekly Q&A podcast
00:46 How do you draft your newsletter each week?
03:25 How do you curate your best links section?
05:15 What growth tactics worked two years ago that are completely dead now?
07:38 What growth tactics are working right now?
09:19 What's your hot take on local newsletters?
12:28 How do you overcome the fear of starting a media company?
14:10 What metrics matter most for sponsors and list quality?
17:33 When should you start running paid ads?
19:57 How should you approach selling a premium newsletter offer?
26:24 When should you hire someone to help with content?
28:12 What revenue is possible at different subscriber levels?
30:28 Should you be using Beehiiv Boosts or Sparkloop?
32:01 Conclusion and wrap-up

Why We're Ending The Podcast

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Comment on the YouTube video if you have ideas on what content you want to see next: https://youtu.be/fm5O0lGLMuE

Subscribe to Ryan's YouTube channel: YouTube.com/@vibemarketingwithryan

Join Ryan's newsletter here >>

Join Matt's newsletter here >>

Matt and Ryan discuss why they’re pausing the podcast after nearly two years, reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and where they’re headed next.

Timestamps

00:00 The Announcement: Shutting Down the Podcast
02:23 Podcast Performance: Analyzing Numbers and Trends
10:20 Exploring Alternatives: New Directions for Content
12:35 Individual Goals: Focus on Newsletters and YouTube
20:43 Long-Term Strategy: Investing in Sustainable Channels
30:05 Reflections: Lessons Learned from the Podcast Journey

5 EASY Ways To Make Your First $1000 Online

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt and Ryan discuss AI's role in advertising and content creation, and the 5 simplest ways to make your first $1000 online.

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 Exploring AI in Advertising

02:55 Innovative Uses of AI for Content Creation

05:54 The Future of AI in Marketing

08:46 Leveraging AI for Solopreneurs

12:02 Automating Newsletter Creation with AI

15:06 Creative Approaches to Content Generation

18:00 Monetizing Your Online Presence

30:48 Strategies for Earning Your First $1,000 Online

LinkedIn & Email List GROWTH HACKS From a $5M/Year Marketer

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>

Daniel Bustamante is the COO at Premium Ghostwriting Academy and the founder of Funnel Breakdowns newsletter. He specializes in million-dollar email marketing prompts, tactics, and strategies for 6 and 7-figure creators on LinkedIn and X.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:56 Journey to Ship 30 for 30
05:59 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn
08:40 Growth Strategies on LinkedIn
11:51 Engagement Tactics and Community Building
15:00 Email List Growth Strategies
18:02 Marketing Funnels and Email Sequences
20:56 Insights from Hermosi and Industry Events
24:05 Relaunching Ship 30 and Premium Ghostwriting Academy
26:52 Conclusion and Future Plans

Links Mentioned

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbusta/

https://funnelbreakdowns.com/

How This Anonymous Writer Grew To 2M+ Followers & 200k+ Newsletter Subscribers

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

FREE GUIDE: How to get your first 1000 email subscribers in 30 days >>

The Culturist is a newsletter with over 200,000 subscribers that explores art, literature, music, and the layered histories of culture and religion.

Timestamps

00:00 The Power of Content Ownership
02:45 Transitioning from Social Media to Substack
05:55 Rebranding and Building a Publication
09:04 Navigating the Challenges of X (Twitter)
11:49 Strategies for Engaging Content on X
15:07 Expanding to Other Platforms: Instagram and Beyond
17:40 The Importance of Evergreen Content
20:54 Advice for Non-B2B Creators
23:54 Building a Sustainable Audience
26:51 Revenue Models and Subscriber Conversion
29:49 Future Plans and Community Engagement

Links Mentioned

https://www.theculturist.io/

Watch This BEFORE You Start a Newsletter

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

FREE GUIDE: How to get your first 1000 email subscribers in 30 days >>

In this conversation, Matt McGarry and Ryan Carr discuss the challenges and strategies for growing a newsletter audience and generating revenue.

Chapters

00:00 Scaling Webinar Strategies
02:43 The Challenge of Subscriber Growth
05:57 Consistency and Niche Selection
08:53 Building an Engaged Audience
11:56 Content Creation and Value Sharing
14:58 Organic Growth Strategies
18:01 Quality Over Quantity in Audience Building
21:03 Tactical Growth Insights
23:49 Leveraging Social Media for Growth
27:00 Monetization Strategies for New Creators

Email Deliverability Masterclass w/ Chris Miquel

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Chris Miquel is the founder of SoVi Digital and Audience Bridge. He helps clients maximize deliverability, engagement, and email list growth.

Want more content like this?

Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Email Deliverability

01:26 Understanding Email Service Providers (ESPs)

04:10 The Importance of Custom Domains

09:16 Email Authentication: DKIM, SPF, and DMARC

12:33 Shared vs. Dedicated IPs

17:31 Building a Base Sending Segment

22:57 Managing Engagement and List Health

30:18 Improving Inbox Placement

38:01 The Future of Email and AI Impact

Links Mentioned

https://www.audiencebridge.io/

https://www.youtube.com/@audiencebridge

$0 To $20k+ Per Month In 30 Days: How a $150M CEO Is Building a Newsletter From Scratch

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Chris Hoffmann is the CEO of Hoffmann Brothers & Deutschmann Lane Holdings, leading home service brands across multiple cities. He scaled his family business from $9M to $150M+ in revenue. He is also the founder of The Path Less Traveled, a newsletter on growing service companies without outside capital.

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Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to The Path Less Traveled

02:52 Understanding the Audience and Content Strategy

05:44 The Home Service Business Landscape

08:54 Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Insights

11:56 The Media and Newsletter Journey

14:55 Sponsorships and Monetization Strategies

17:48 Tracking Performance-Based Sponsorships

21:02 Leveraging Paid Subscriptions

24:03 Onboarding and Welcome Email Strategies

26:51 Using Social Media for Growth

29:54 Paid Advertising Strategies

32:57 Building Community and Engagement

36:00 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

Links Mentioned

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stlchrishoffmann/

https://thepathlesstraveled.beehiiv.com/

Million Dollar Webinars, How To Boost Live Show Up Rate, How To Launch a Course, and More

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Matt and Ryan Carr discuss webinar marketing and sharing strategies for boosting sign-ups, keeping audiences engaged, and increasing show-up rates. They also cover lessons from building courses, leveraging lead magnets, and using AI meta-prompting to structure content effectively.

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 The Power of Webinars

02:46 Paid Ads and Webinar Strategies

05:49 Building an Audience and Community Engagement

08:44 The Importance of Show-Up Rates

12:03 Transitioning to a Course and Community Model

15:08 Creating Effective Lead Magnets

17:45 Meta Prompting for AI Tools

20:40 Structuring Your Course for Success

Links Mentioned

https://moodboard.beehiiv.com/

https://moodboard.beehiiv.com/p/5-prompts-for-building-in-lovable

I'm Dyslexic, Yet I Built a $2M+ Per Year Writing Business (Here's How)

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt shares his journey of building a successful writing business despite his dyslexia. He breaks down 12 actionable rules that helped him succeed.

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Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Overcoming Dyslexia in Writing

02:55 12 Rules for Writing Useful Content

Write, Grow, Sell Success Stories: 13,500+ Subscribers Helping People Find Affordable Properties in Europe

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Join the Write, Grow, Sell waitlist here >>

Anastasia Negru is the cofounder of AffordiHome, a media brand focused on affordable properties in Europe. She discussed the growth of their newsletter, audience engagement strategies, revenue generation challenges, and the introduction of consultation services. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding customer needs, effective marketing strategies, and the potential for future growth in the real estate sector.

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to AffordiHome and Its Business Model

02:51 Growth of the Newsletter and Subscriber Engagement

05:53 Content Strategy and Audience Acquisition

09:00 Revenue Generation and Business Challenges

11:50 Consultation Services and Client Engagement

14:46 Future Growth Strategies and Business Model Exploration

Links Mentioned

https://www.affordihome.com/

https://x.com/affordihome

I Made $120k+ With a Google Doc, 1000+ Subscribers In 19 Days For a New Newsletter, and More

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt and Ryan discuss various strategies for building an audience, leveraging AI in marketing, and innovative sales techniques. They share insights on content creation, the importance of copywriting, and the effectiveness of using Google Docs for marketing. They also highlight the value of building a media brand and the tools to help entrepreneurs streamline their processes.

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 Introduction and Milestones

02:58 Content Creation Strategies

05:55 Leveraging AI in Marketing

08:54 Building an Audience on LinkedIn

11:39 Sales Strategies and Funnels

17:58 Innovative Marketing Techniques

23:45 Tool Recommendations for Entrepreneurs

Links Mentioned

https://moodboard.beehiiv.com/

https://lovable.dev/

How To Build a $10M+ Per Year Community

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Jordan DiPietro is the former CEO of Hampton, a community business that's scaled to over $10M in annual revenue.

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Hampton and Community Business Models
03:07 Marketing Strategies for Community Growth
05:56 Sales Process and Lead Conversion Techniques
09:12 Content Marketing and Lead Generation
12:09 The Role of MoneyWise Podcast in Community Engagement
15:06 Building Relationships in Community Spaces
18:04 Core Groups and In-Person Retreats
21:12 The Evolution of Community Dynamics
25:51 The Importance of In-Person Connections
26:40 Confidentiality and Community Integrity
27:57 Balancing Exclusivity and Growth
30:57 Criteria for Membership in Exclusive Communities
33:29 Staying Focused as a CEO
35:38 The HubSpot Acquisition of The Hustle
42:07 The Future of SaaS Companies Acquiring Media
45:47 Jordan's Next Chapter: Writing and Coaching

Links Mentioned

Jordan's newsletter: https://jordandipietro.beehiiv.com/

Jordan's website: https://jordandipietro.com/

0 to 834 Subscribers In 15 Days: How I'm Building a New Newsletter From Scratch

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt and Ryan discuss Ryan's recent venture into creating a newsletter focused on AI-assisted marketing workflows. He shares how he grew his AI-focused marketing newsletter from 0 to ~900 subscribers in 15 days using LinkedIn. The discussion covers effective content marketing tactics, the importance of high-quality lead magnets, and lessons learned from experimenting with email marketing. They also explore a case study of Ted Williams, who successfully launched a local newsletter with impressive engagement metrics.

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 Introduction and Overview of New Ventures

03:03 Growth Strategies for Newsletters

06:04 Engagement Tactics on LinkedIn

08:58 Shameless Content Marketing

12:09 Lessons Learned from Subscriber Growth

15:03 Experimenting with Email Marketing

19:52 Case Study: Ted Williams and Local Newsletters

Links Mentioned

https://moodboard.beehiiv.com/

The Ultimate Guide To Your First 1000 Email Subscribers

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt shares a step-by-step guide to launching a newsletter and landing your first 1,000 subscribers. He breaks down niche selection, category design, the “job to be done” framework, and tactical strategies for idea validation, social media outreach, and subscriber growth.

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Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Newsletter Growth

03:09 Choosing the Right Niche

06:07 Hyper Scale vs. Hyper Niche Newsletters

08:56 Category Design and Unique Positioning

11:55 Defining Your Job to Be Done

14:57 Validating Your Idea and Gaining Subscribers

19:48 Maximizing Your Announcement Post

24:31 Building Your Subscriber Base

25:11 Leveraging Social Media for Growth

30:43 Converting Followers into Subscribers

Organic Audience Growth is Getting Harder -- Here's What's Working Now

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt and Ryan share strategies for growing on LinkedIn, converting engagement into email subscribers, and building long-term content engines. They also explore video content, email optimization, and rebranding the podcast.

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 Growing Your Audience on LinkedIn

02:42 Lead Magnet Strategies for Engagement

06:52 The Challenges of Email Subscriber Growth

08:07 Exploring Organic Channels for Email Signups

11:18 The Shift to Video Content

13:38 YouTube as a Growth Platform

20:04 Finding Effective Content Formats

24:51 The Long-Term Commitment to Audience Building

25:48 Optimizing Email Engagement through Base Sending Segments

30:05 Strategies for Managing Dormant Subscribers

33:52 The Importance of Email Frequency and Engagement

38:01 Rebranding and Expanding the Podcast's Focus

44:18 Exploring New Terminology for Audience-First Businesses

Chenell Basilio: How To Get Your First 50,000 Email Subscribers

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Chenell Basilio is the founder of Growth in Reverse, a newsletter and podcast that reverse engineers how top creators grow their audiences to 50,000+ subscribers.

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 Introduction and Background

02:48 Content Creation Essentials

05:58 Choosing the Right Platforms

09:11 Niche Selection and Audience Engagement

11:51 Strategies for Subscriber Growth

14:50 Collaboration and Networking

17:53 Tactics for First 1000 Subscribers

27:58 Strategies for Growing Your Audience

30:53 Leveraging Substack for Engagement

34:29 The Power of Pop-Up Newsletters

39:54 Analyzing Growth Metrics

42:20 Building Community and Networking

47:18 Business Models and Revenue Streams

Links Mentioned

https://growthinreverse.com/30-days-of-growth-list/

Newsletters are DEAD

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

If you’re running a “newsletter business” the way most people do, you’re doomed to fail. To explain why and what to do now, I’ll break down the history of newsletters and why founders and publishers must pivot to what I call newsletters 3.0.

Want help building a media brand?

Get in touch here: GrowLetter.com

5 Content Business Ideas You Can Start This Weekend (With $0)

Fri, 30 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt and Ryan discuss newsletter-first business ideas—from niche media brands to local community stories—sharing insights on engagement, monetization, and building with purpose.

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 Exploring Newsletter Business Ideas

10:10 Dyslexic Advantage: A Media Opportunity

20:04 Gamified Coding Challenges: Engaging Communities

30:01 Local Community Connections: Humans of [Your Town]

Why We're Hosting a Founders Retreat (Behind The Scenes Look at Audience Camp)

Tue, 27 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Apply to attend: Audience.Camp

Matt and Ahrif give you a behind-the-scenes look into Audience Camp, a new event for founders and creators in Asheville, North Carolina, this fall.

The Little-Known Way Creators Are Building BILLION Dollar Businesses

Mon, 26 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt McGarry discusses the concept of Negative CAC—how smart companies turn marketing into profit. He shares real-world examples from media and SaaS, showing how digital products and media can fuel growth and long-term profitability.

Learn more about negative CAC:

https://www.newsletteroperator.com/p/negative-cac

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Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Understanding Negative Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

02:58 Examples of Negative CAC in Action

05:53 The Role of Media Companies in Negative CAC

08:59 Long-term Implications and Future of Negative CAC

Why Legacy Media Doesn't Understand Newsletters, The Best Type of Lead Magnet, and More

Fri, 23 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt and Ryan discuss the digital transformation challenges facing legacy media, from shifting to subscription models to embracing email marketing. They explore innovative newsletter growth tactics, AI’s role in democratizing software development, and evolving strategies for software acquisition. They also share how tools can serve as lead magnets, why community-building matters, and how micro ads can unlock new revenue for digital publishers.

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 The State of Legacy Media Companies

02:51 Challenges in Digital Marketing for Traditional Media

06:04 Innovative Newsletter Strategies for Growth

09:12 Opportunities in Legacy Media Transformation

12:12 The Power of Email Marketing in Subscription Models

14:49 The Future of Digital Products and Marketing Strategies

23:39 The Evolving Landscape of Software Acquisition

28:03 Harnessing AI for Web App Development

33:11 Leveraging Tools as Lead Magnets

38:51 Innovative Monetization Strategies in Newsletters

43:12 Building Community Through Events

5 Ways To Get Your First 1,000 Newsletter Subscribers (From Scratch)

Tue, 20 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt shares actionable strategies for launching and growing a successful newsletter from the ground up.

Get the first 1,000 subscribers guide: https://www.newsletteroperator.com/p/first-1000-newsletter-subscribers

Want more content like this?

Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Getting Started with Newsletters

09:03 Strategies for Growing Your Subscriber Base

17:53 Building Relationships and Feedback Mechanisms

How I'm Growing My Newsletter to 100k+ Subscribers and $5M+ Revenue

Fri, 16 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt shares how he plans to double his email list from 50K to 100K and boost revenue in the process.

Want more content like this?

Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Growing the Email List: Strategies and Goals
08:06 Navigating Social Media Changes: From Twitter to LinkedIn
15:51 The Power of Webinars in Building Trust and Conversions
24:05 Key Takeaways: Lessons from 50,000 Subscribers

"How Often Should I Send My Newsletter?"

Tue, 13 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt discusses his top strategies for launching and growing a successful newsletter. He covers why starting with a weekly send builds consistency, how to use social media to grow your list, and ways to convert followers into subscribers. He also dives into lead magnets, monetization through ads, and the power of optimized profiles and direct messaging.

Want more content like this?

Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Choosing the Right Newsletter Frequency

03:07 Building Your Email List Effectively

05:52 Converting Social Media Followers to Subscribers

09:00 Creating Effective Lead Magnets

11:55 Scaling Your Newsletter for Revenue

How To Build Your Email List with $20 Per Day

Thu, 08 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt discusses how to grow and monetize a newsletter on just $20 a day. He shares how to use Meta ads for lead generation, structure campaigns that convert, and the importance of testing creative. Matt also dives into smart monetization tactics—like paid recommendations—to cover ad spend and start earning fast.

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Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

The "Owned Audience" Funnel

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Matt and Ryan discuss how AI is transforming marketing, with a focus on content creation, advertising, and newsletter strategy. They also explore building effective newsletter funnels, increasing engagement and conversions, and adapting to new monetization models beyond conventional ad-based approaches.

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 Exploring AI in Marketing

03:00 Creative Applications of AI Tools

06:08 Streamlining Content Creation with AI

08:57 Building Effective Newsletter Funnels

12:06 Maximizing Engagement and Conversion Rates

14:58 The Future of Newsletters and Monetization Strategies

Jon Morrow - How To Make $10M+ With Courses

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Jon Morrow is the founder of Smarter Blogger, one of the world's largest sites for writing and blogging. He's created 7 different courses with 7 figures in sales each.

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Finding Your Niche
04:03 Jon's story
10:00 Building a Business from Scratch
14:53 Strategies for Launching and Growing Your Brand
20:03 Effective Email Marketing Techniques
23:04 The Journey of Course Creation
25:35 Framework for Information Products
27:58 Structuring Coaching Programs
30:08 Optimizing Course Structure for Success
34:20 Evaluating Course Effectiveness with Scorecards
37:10 Building Credibility and Trust
41:39 Navigating Ethical Marketing Practices

Links Mentioned

https://smartblogger.com/

Great video on Jon's story: How He Made $10M To Pay For Medical Bills

7-figure course scorecard.

Jon's email: jon@smartblogger.com

$100k+ Per Month From An ART Newsletter, How To Make Money With Surveys, An Amazing 9-Word Email That Revives Dead Leads, and More

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Save your seat at the event: newslettermarketingsummit.com

Episode Description:

Matt and Ryan discuss strategies for building successful newsletters and email marketing. They also share the importance of surveys for data, segmentation for targeted messaging, niche expert newsletters, the 9-word email strategy, and repurposing valuable content.

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 Introduction and Event Overview

01:47 The Artist's Success Story

06:11 Building an Email List and Marketing Strategy

08:53 The Power of Surveys and Data Collection

13:56 Segmentation and Custom Messaging

17:57 Niche Expert Framework for Newsletters

23:09 The Nine Word Email Strategy

28:53 The Newsletter Flywheel Effect

Why Billions In Revenue Just Shifted To Newsletters

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Check out Ezoic: ezoic.com

Save your seat at Newsletter Marketing Summit: newslettermarketingsummit.com

Tyler Bishop is an award-winning marketer, Chief Marketing Officer of Ezoic, and founder of Pubtelligence at Google. He discusses the shift from third-party to first-party data in advertising and its impact on publisher revenue. He shares insights on evolving targeting methods, data privacy regulations, and challenges for publishers.

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Understanding the Shift in Ad Revenue

12:09 The Evolution of Targeting: From Contextual to First-Party Data

20:40 The Value of First-Party Data in Advertising

27:58 The Art of Publishing and Business Success

29:53 The Evolution of Advertising Models

32:05 Maximizing Revenue through Advertising

34:04 Understanding Ad Revenue Trends

36:19 The Value of Traffic Sources

43:22 Leveraging First-Party Data for Growth

49:16 Identifying the Right Publishers for Programmatic Ads

50:56 The Future of Newsletter Advertising

53:01 Collecting Valuable User Data

Links Mentioned

https://www.ezoic.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@Ezoic

adrevenueindex.ezoic.com

How Ted Williams Sold His Local Newsletter For $5M, Led Axios Local From 0 To 30 Cities and 1M+ Subscribers, and Played a Pivotal Role In The $525M Axios Acquisition

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This episode is sponsored by Playbookz: Playbookz.co

Ted co-founded Charlotte Agenda, which led to its remarkable $5 million acquisition by Axios. He currently writes Tiny Money—a local and personal finance newsletter.

Want more content like this?

Join our free newsletter for growth and monetization tactics:

https://www.newsletteroperator.com/subscribe

The "Newsletter Godfather" Who Wrote 4,000+ Newsletters For The Hustle, Axios, and Yahoo Sports

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Save your seat at our event: newslettermarketingsummit.com

Kendall Baker is the founder of Sports Internet (acquired by Axios), the first newsletter writer at The Hustle, and now a Senior Writer at Yahoo Sports.

He's known as the "Newsletter Godfather" because he's pioneered newsletter content and has written and published more newsletters to more readers than almost anyone.

Want more content like this?

Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter

Sponsorship Sales Masterclass (With Justin Moore)

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Get Justin's new book: SponsorMagnet.com

Justin Moore is a sponsorship coach and the author of Sponsor Magnet: How to Attract, Price, and Execute Your Dream Brand Partnerships

Want more content like this?

Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com

Work with Matt's agency GrowLetter

Episode Topics & Timestamps

00:00 The Importance of Custom Pricing for Creators

09:16 Creating a Comprehensive Sponsorship Strategy

27:05 Attracting Brands: The STP Framework

28:32 Navigating the Complexities of Pricing Sponsorships

29:00 Understanding the ARC Framework for Collaborations

32:19 Pricing Strategies Based on Brand Goals

34:46 Creating Compelling Sponsorship Packages

39:04 Innovative Collaboration Examples

43:52 Crafting Effective Outreach Strategies

57:10 The Importance of Execution in Sponsorships

How To Grow Your Email List With Paid Ads (The Right Way)

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ali Qureshi is the co-founder of Adcrate. He shares strategies on effective ads for platforms like Meta and TikTok. He also shares static and video formats, copywriting, leveraging AI, hook rates, video production 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 Introduction to AdCrate and Growth Strategy

02:56 The Importance of Ad Creative in Paid Advertising

05:47 Navigating Media Platforms: Meta vs. TikTok

08:53 Static vs. Video Creatives: Balancing Production and Impact

11:49 Effective Static Ad Formats and Testing Strategies

15:09 Common Mistakes in Ad Creation and Copywriting Tips

17:55 Leveraging AI for Ad Copy and Customer Insights

20:47 Innovative Ad Formats: Memes and Interface Hacking

25:42 Understanding Hook Rates and Audience Engagement

28:10 Navigating Video Content Creation on a Budget

35:09 The Importance of Script Writing for Ads

40:50 Exploring Effective Video Lengths and Frameworks

43:40 Utilizing Motion Graphics for Enhanced Engagement

46:34 Iterating and Testing Ads for Success

Links Mentioned

https://www.adcrate.co/

Trends We're Buying and Selling In 2025

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Matt and Ryan discuss the Honey scandal, trends for 2025, focusing on YouTube, newsletters, and the shift from vanity metrics to revenue. They also explore AI workflows, B2B newsletters, the creator-in-residence model, and the future of platforms like Upwork and overseas recruiting 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 Holiday Reflections and New Beginnings

02:03 The Honey Scandal Explained

17:48 Trends for 2025: Buying and Selling Insights

27:33 The Substack Ecosystem and Creator Independence

31:27 AI-Assisted Workflows for Content Creators

33:22 The Shift from Vanity Metrics to Revenue Focus

34:20 Emerging Newsletter Ad Networks

39:00 The Rise of B2B Newsletters and Creators

41:24 Challenges of Premium Newsletters

44:43 The Creator-in-Residence Model

48:55 The Future of Overseas Recruiting Agencies

Links Mentioned

https://newslettermarketingsummit.com/

ANNOUNCEMENT

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Here are the links:

- Join Write, Grow Sell here >>

- Register for the free live training here >>

The Newsletter Industry In 2024 and What's Next

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0500

Matt and Ryan discuss what happened in the newsletter industry and their businesses in 2024.

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 To Build a LinkedIn Audience From Scratch

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Tommy Clark, the CEO of Compound Social and the co-founder of Bluecast AI, shares strategies for growing an audience on LinkedIn, creating engaging content, personal branding, and focusing on value propositions.

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 The Importance of Clear Value Proposition

03:13 Audience Growth Strategies on LinkedIn

06:04 Content Creation Fundamentals

08:58 Optimizing Content for Engagement

11:47 Leveraging Controversy in Content

14:57 The Power of Personal Stories in Content

23:58 Reflecting on Weekly Engagements

24:57 The Importance of Specificity in Content

25:51 Understanding Engagement on LinkedIn

27:44 Strategies for Boosting Engagement

29:38 The Risks of Engagement Hacking

30:36 Building an Organic Audience

32:01 Converting Followers into Customers

34:50 Exploring Growth Hacks on LinkedIn

36:14 Leveraging LinkedIn Video Content

39:04 Navigating Links in Posts

40:55 Insights on LinkedIn Newsletters

Links Mentioned

https://x.com/tclarkmedia

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclarkmedia/

https://www.bluecast.ai/

https://www.compoundcontentstudio.com/

How Jason Woodruff Grew The Pour Over To 900,000+ Newsletter Subscribers and 7-Figures In Revenue Without a Social Following

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Jason Woodruff, founder of The Pour Over, shares how to build a mission-driven newsletter, focusing on content quality, subscriber engagement, and sponsor-driven growth. He also offers insights on managing advertiser relationships and use referrals to build a loyal, sustainable audience.

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 The Genesis of The Pour Over

02:52 Growth and Scaling Challenges

06:10 Building a Subscriber Base

08:51 Content Quality and Reader Engagement

12:13 The Future of Newsletters and Podcasts

15:07 Team Dynamics and Content Creation

17:56 Advertising Strategies and Monetization

26:55 Rebuilding Advertiser Relationships

32:45 The Importance of Ad Copy

35:08 Growth Strategies and Paid Advertising

41:25 Referral Strategies for Subscriber Growth

46:36 Securing Sponsorships and Advertisers

Links Mentioned

Thepourover.org

ANNOUNCEMENT

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Get super-early bird pricing and an extra $100 off Newsletter Marketing Summit:

NewsletterMarketingSummit.com

Use code BFCM24 for the extra $100 off any ticket.
This code expires on 12/2 at midnight EST.

In this podcast, Matt and Ahrif discuss GrowLetter's first-ever conference, Newsletter Marketing Summit.

Speakers include:

Alex Leiberman
Sam Parr
James Altucher
Brian Morrissey
Jenny Rothenberg
Ryan Hashemi
Yossi J Levi
Chenell Basilio
Ryan Heafy
Brad Wolverton
Tim Huelskamp
Jay Clouse
Neville Medhora
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Roslyn McLarty: How To Build a Mission-Driven Media Brand, Balancing Business and Burnout, Audience Growth Hacks, and More

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Roslyn McLarty, is an executive coach and founder at Within. She is also the co-founder of The Gist, a sports media company for women and underserved sports fans. In this episode, Roslyn shares key insights on identifying market gaps, building a brand with a strong mission, and the strategies used to grow their audience from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of subscribers. She also discuss managing burnout, and fostering self-growth, and introduces Within, a coaching business focused on trust-based client relationships.

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