In this video, 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

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?

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?