“I better commemorate this moment,” I thought to myself yesterday before going live on Zoom. So, I snapped a simple ‘lil screenshot for a keepsake before starting the music and welcoming people inside from the waiting room.
That’s because yesterday, I led a free workshop on the 7 elements of the most profitable newsletters (click that link for the instant replay, which is only available through August 18!), and it was the biggest turnout I’ve ever had for one of these free events.
Even though most people couldn’t be on live, the sign-up rate was through the roof. More importantly, the click-through rate to watch the replay, plus the replies I’ve been getting in my DMs, already has surpassed any other workshop topic I’ve ever done.
Why does that matter to you? Because:
It’s clear that newsletter marketing is still growing and will be one of the top content strategies for 2025.
I typically don’t lean into marketing predictions because I’m an only child. We fear failure, especially public failure. Yet this is a trend I’m so confident about, I’m sharing it with you now.
And, I’m sharing it earlier than most prediction posts because I want to give you the tools to get your newsletter marketing strategy in place and running smoothly. That way, as you’re sipping bubbly on December 31, you can walk into the New Year confident that you have a platform AND content strategy that’ll get your ideas heard.
Back to the free workshop I did yesterday. On the call, I outlined the patterns I’ve seen after pouring through HUNDREDS of profitable newsletters. I didn’t dig deep into their funnels. Instead, I looked at how these newsletters grew an audience, kept their audience’s attention, and made money. What I found was fascinating. Better yet, many of the areas were almost instantly implementable for content creators.
While the replay of the live workshop is no longer available, here’s the unofficial Cliffnotes version of those 7 elements:
#1: They have a focused audience.
These newsletters have become the go-to resource for their specific topic. That means, they’re not bouncing from idea to idea, or audience to audience. Instead, their readers know that when a new post lands in their inbox — and that intentionality is what keeps the email in the inbox longer and gets read.
#2: Newsletters don’t just live in the inbox.
They get emailed and published. This is great news for content creators who are exhausted by constantly having to show up on multiple platforms with multiple content. Old advice said to keep your best content exclusively in the inbox so people had to sign up to get it. That pattern has changed, making it far easier to show off your expertise and see results in your business.
#3: Consistency
So many people cringe at this word because they feel an instant energy drain. However, what’s not talked about enough is that you get to choose the consistency.
There are daily newsletters like the Minimalist Hustler atomic newsletter (Hi Jamie!) and those work well for the creators.
Then there are weekly newsletters like this one from yours truly (hi, I’m so happy you’re here!).
Then there are biweekly newsletters like Ann Handley’s Annarchy, which I love.
There are also monthly newsletters, like Emily P. Freeman’s monthly letter about what’s happening in her life.
The only specific timeline you need to follow is the one you commit to for yourself. After that, your audience will know what to expect, and when your newsletters consistently land in that timeframe, they’ll see your name pop up and think, “Right on time!”
#4: Recommendation Engine
As the expression goes, like surrounds like. Like-minded people typically hang together, talk to each other, and network. Profitable newsletter creators honor this by making sharing the newsletter with like-minded people easy (and sometimes rewarding).
Building a recommendation engine can be as simple as adding a few lines of text (attendees at the workshop were taking screenshots of this text to add to their newsletters). It can also be as robust as what you get when you start a Substack newsletter, join ConvertKit’s Creator Network, or implement a tool such as Scalemail. Or, you could even sponsor other newsletters.
The point isn’t which tool you use. The point is to ask your readers for recommendations so you can grow organically and reach the right audience.
#5: Start With a Story
From the daily news from Need2Know to the emails from the organizing team at The Home Edit, the emails that get the most attention start with a personal story. These stories infuse the human touch and allow the reader to know who’s on the other side of the screen.
I show you how to build your stories for marketing, and so much more inside the Content Creation Lab, which you can save up to $150 on when you join this week only!
#6: Relevance
Profitable newsletters aren’t just compelling. They’re compelling today. Timely content allows the reader to connect in a way that feels relevant to their current lifestyle. Right now, it’s all about going back to school, getting back into a routine, and getting a foundation set for the rest of the year. In December, the way to be relevant will look a little different.
#7: Make an Offer
Ultimately, you can’t be profitable if no one knows how to buy from you or buy something you’re promoting.
Sell your next steps with you (a product or service). Sell sponsorships or affiliate products. Sell private content. Sell ticket sales to your upcoming events. You name it! But you must make an offer for your reader to know how to buy from you. Don’t make them hunt, peck, and guess what they should do next.
Now, How Do You Put This All Into Motion With Your Newsletter?
These elements are all working really well right now, but how do you bring them all together for your brand? That’s where the Content Creation Lab comes in — and through August 18, you can join for $100 off your first month or $150 off the already discounted 6-month membership.
Inside the Content Creation Lab, you get:
Weekly newsletter templates that infuse these elements and can be republished on your blog PLUS the social media posts that correspond with the topic.
My 5I framework for starting and growing your profitable newsletter in less time each week and with AI prompts to make things even more streamlined.
Direct access to me to review your content, offer feedback, and help you catapult your success with this strategy.
A community of fellow newsletter creators that you can collaborate with to grow your audience.
Monthly connection calls where we sit live on Zoom and talk about what’s making you feel stuck in your growth.
I charge over $1,000 per month for the first bullet point alone to do this for you. Inside the Content Creation Lab, you get almost done-for-you content, direct access to pick my brain on your content strategy, and so much more!
This program will help you start or scale your newsletter, save HOURS on creating your content each week (or on whatever schedule you choose), and give you the tools needed to amplify your ideas more effectively across your blog, podcast, vlog, and social media.
I can’t wait to support and celebrate you!
~ Kimberly
P.S. Have questions about whether this is right for you? Hit reply, DM me on Instagram, or comment below, and let’s talk. I won’t steer you wrong or push you into something that can’t help you grow.
P.P.S. I’ll be doing a Q+A session in my Instagram stories this Friday! Set your reminder to come to my stories and ask me anything about newsletter marketing.