🐝 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

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!

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