Maximize Your Newsletter Growth with Effective Recommendations
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Understanding Newsletter Growth Strategies
In the past three months, my newsletters have seen a remarkable 30% increase in growth, thanks to free recommendations provided by Convertkit’s Creator Network.
This article is tailored for those who are:
- Actively managing a newsletter and seeking new subscriber growth without additional effort.
- Interested in collaborating with fellow creators, or considering it for the first time.
- Unsure about the efficacy of free recommendations and curious about their potential.
My journey into email marketing began back in 2018, and I have been captivated by its possibilities ever since. Although I started as a side project, I fully committed to my writing career in 2020, launching two newsletters for different target audiences:
- The Personal Growth Letter, aimed at helping ambitious individuals achieve their potential.
- Write • Build • Scale, designed to assist new writers in expanding their audience and income.
Over the years, these newsletters have become my most valuable assets.
While I am passionate about digital marketing, I prefer simplicity over complexity. My strategy involves:
- Writing long-form content on Medium.
- Including a call to action at the end of my articles to encourage email list signups via Convertkit.
- Running promotions for my paid offerings a few times a year, while dedicating the rest of my time to content creation and audience engagement.
To grow my business, I focus on three key actions:
- Creating content that attracts new readers.
- Encouraging those readers to subscribe to my newsletter.
- Sending engaging and relevant emails to my subscribers.
With more readers and subscribers, alongside improved conversion rates, my business continues to thrive.
As a small business owner, it's essential to take gradual steps and concentrate on one area at a time. Recently, I've been pondering how to accelerate my newsletter growth. After achieving my first 10,000 subscribers in just ten months, I recognized untapped potential for even greater expansion.
My initial thoughts were to either produce more content on existing platforms like Medium, explore new platforms such as LinkedIn or Twitter/X—which I am reluctant to do—or invest in paid advertising to build my list.
Fortunately, the landscape shifted in 2023, as several newsletter tools, including Convertkit, introduced free recommendation features for creators seeking to expand their audiences through collaboration.
When Convertkit unveiled the Creator Network, I was skeptical. I anticipated it would be just another fleeting tool. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
In the last three months, the Creator Network has enabled me to:
- Acquire 30% more new subscribers each month.
- Connect with incredible creators who share my vision.
- Be recognized as one of Convertkit's prominent creators, alongside notable figures like Tim Ferriss and James Clear.
How the Creator Network Functions
The Convertkit Creator Network facilitates cross-recommendations among creators for each other's newsletters.
When enrolled in the program, creators recommend newsletters from fellow participants. After a new subscriber joins your list, they encounter a popup prompting them to subscribe to other recommended newsletters.
Getting Started
It’s crucial to understand that you have mere seconds to convince potential subscribers when they see the recommendation popup.
Your newsletter preview comprises four essential components:
- A profile picture.
- The name or headline of your newsletter.
- Your name (optional).
- A compelling description.
Optimizing Your Profile Elements
- Picture: Use a clear and recognizable image.
- Headline: Update the default headline to reflect your newsletter's essence.
- Name: Optionally include your name for personal touch.
- Description: This is your final chance to persuade a reader to join your list. Focus on what they can expect, the type of content you share, and why it's relevant to them. Keep it concise, as space is limited.
For further inspiration, explore Convertkit's Creator Network directory.
Set Up Your Creator Profile
Your profile serves as a promotional page for your newsletter, showcasing examples of your emails:
Common Misconceptions About Free Recommendations
While the potential for growth through recommendations is immense, many creators harbor unrealistic expectations.
- Growth Dependency: To effectively utilize free recommendations, your email list must already be growing independently. Collaborations yield the best results for those with an existing audience.
- Subscriber Quality: Not all new subscribers hold equal value. It’s essential to build relationships with those who already resonate with your content.
Finding Collaborators on Convertkit’s Creator Network
To identify potential partners, consider these approaches:
- Tap into Your Network: Reach out to fellow creators or your audience.
- Seek Out Active Collaborators: Look for creators actively seeking partnerships on social platforms.
- Engage with New Creators: Subscribe to newsletters in your niche and express interest in collaboration.
Real connections are vital in a crowded digital landscape.
Tailoring Welcome for New Subscribers
It's important to treat referred subscribers differently. Most of my readers find me through my content, while many referred subscribers may not know me yet.
I create a separate onboarding email sequence for these new subscribers to quickly demonstrate the value of my content, helping them decide whether to stay on my list.
What If I’m Not Using Convertkit?
While I’ve enjoyed using Convertkit, other email service providers, such as Substack, also offer recommendation features.
If you're not using these platforms, consider alternatives like Sparkloop's Upscribe feature, which integrates with various major email services.
Questions?
This guide covers a lot of ground, and I hope it provides valuable insights as you navigate the Creator Network. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
In this video titled "Newsletter growth hack you need to try," you'll find actionable insights on how to effectively boost your newsletter's reach.
Explore "NEW Way to Grow Your Newsletter 2024 (ConvertKit's Creator Network)" for innovative strategies to engage with your audience.