7 ways to grow your newsletter organically

Read time: 7 mins

Requirement: Your social media, Reddit and Quora accounts

Hey, what’s up?

It’s an amazing Thursday, and I thought it’d be the perfect time to drop a value bomb in your email.

Well, I see a lot of people are pretending to be experts and suggesting running ads to grow newsletters.

But, if you truly want to build a sustainable one, then you need to avoid any advice you receive on the internet and choose one that will actually satisfy you.

Let’s start.

Here are your 7 ways.

Most people try to do extraordinary things, and they never touch the basics.

But as you’re reading this email and following Insideletter, you know, we always focus on the basics first.

So, the first step is…

Start with the people who already know and trust you. It’s easier to sell a pen to a friend whom you have known for 3 months than to a person who is a complete stranger.

Your first few hundred subscribers will come from your personal network if you approach it strategically.

Personally reach out to friends and industry contacts.

Tell them what your newsletter is about and who it’s for, and ask if they’d like to join.

You can also add a simple line to your email signature, like I did, “Build a one-person media business.”

Also, here’s a template to use while reaching out:

Hey Name, thanks for being a valuable connection!

I run a newsletter called Insideletter, where I share how you can build a 1-person newsletter business. So you can live your life on your own terms.

I send out 2–3 editions a week. Would you be interested in giving it a read?

Check it out here: insideletter.com/subscribe

Thanks again,

Anirban

(Feel free to steal it and edit according to your needs)

———————————————————

Cross-promotion works extremely well when you find creators who serve the same audience but offer different perspectives.

Reach out to newsletter writers in related niches and ask for shout-outs, guest issues, or list swaps.

For example, I write about building a newsletter business, so I’d collaborate with someone who covers writing systems or solo entrepreneurship.

You can recommend each other’s work in your issues, link to a past edition, or even co-create a resource that both audiences can benefit from.

Collaboration expands reach, builds authority, and brings in subscribers who are already used to engaging with newsletter content.

It’s truly amazing, give it a try 🙂

As I’ve mentioned in Tuesday’s edition, you shouldn’t create content once.

Repurpose your existing content instead of constantly creating from scratch.

Break each newsletter into smaller pieces that fit different platforms. Post short insights or teasers on LinkedIn, X, or Threads, and invite people to subscribe to read the full version.

For example, if my newsletter explains how to convert free subscribers into paying readers, I’ll share one tip as a short post and link to the complete guide.

But yes, your bio and posts always point back to your signup page.

When it comes to email marketing, I don’t believe in the idea of a lead magnet completely, or rather, I’d say, a free lead magnet.

Because the moment you teach them that you can get it for free, there will be a conflict when you ask them to buy something.

But when the matter is of newsletter’s you have to play with lead magnets.

I suggest that if you’ve 15 problems, create 15 lead magnets.

But it’s humanly not possible to create 15 lead magnets within a quick span, you don’t need to do that either.

Let’s say the 15-day free course I’m preparing is also a lead magnet. What am I getting from this? nothing.

Because I’m not pitching you anything, all I’m doing is giving you immense value so you stick with me. Similarly, you need to give too much value to your readers, so they stick with you for the longest time possible.

Let’s try creating a lead magnet:

Let’s find out 1 main problem for coaches/consultants: creating a content schedule.

Name of the lead magnet:

Content calendar kit for coaches & creators

Format:

Free downloadable Notion or Google Sheets template

What’s inside:

Target audience:

Coaches, consultants, and content creators looking to stay consistent on social media

Opt-in message:

Steal my plug-and-play content calendar template and plan your next 30 days of content in under an hour.

Bonus:

Include a short Loom video walking them through how to use the template

Hands down to the idea of community, the best way to get subscribers.

Find online spaces where your target readers already spend time.

Reddit threads, Slack communities, or paid groups.

Warning: Never ever try to hardsell anything. Instead of dropping your link, focus on being genuinely helpful.

Share advice, answer questions, and show authority.

And whenever you get an appropriate time, mention that you’ve written more about the topic in your newsletter.

For instance, if someone in a Reddit forum asks how to price a paid newsletter, I can give a detailed answer and add, ‘I actually wrote a full breakdown of this in my newsletter last week.’

Over time, you become recognised as a helpful expert, and people naturally check out your newsletter.

Once you have readers who love your content, make it easy for them to share.

So, you gotta create a simple referral programme, Beehiiv has the built-in system.

Offer something for every tier, like for 5 referrals, an eBook, 10 referrals, a 1:1 call.

Add a simple line at the end of your issues: ‘If you found this useful, forward it to a friend who’d enjoy it too.’

Word-of-mouth growth is the most powerful kind because referred subscribers often engage more because of the trust factor and stay longer.

Remove friction wherever you can. Your signup form should be clear, quick, and benefit-driven.

Well, now you can ask me how you can add this as a step here. Well, SEO is also a factor. Let’s say you write in a narrow niche, and your content gets ranked. Due to the lack of resources available online.

For example, I have written this in my landing page: ‘Insideletter helps you build a one-person newsletter business so you can make £1K per month.’

Keep the form short. Only 2 placeholders should be ‘email address’ and ‘name’.

After someone signs up, send a welcome email that thanks them, explains what to expect, and links to your most valuable past editions. (Remember WEPAC framework?)

This immediate value reassures new subscribers that they made the right decision and encourages them to stay engaged.

Growing a newsletter organically is slower than paid methods, I agree.

But it builds a stronger foundation. You are creating an audience that trusts you, engages with your content, and eventually pays for your expertise.

Focus on consistency and relationship building. Organic growth turns into long-term business growth.

Thanks for giving it a read. I’ll see you again on Saturday. Meanwhile, start with 1 growth tactic today. Well, let me pick one for you: Go with building a referral system.

And reply to me once you’re done.

See you then.

Ta-da 👋🏻

Anirban ‘helping you grow organically’ Das.