Read time: 3 mins
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Hey sup?
If you run a newsletter business, you already know it quite well. You need to sell, but you don’t want to sound like the so-called sales bros.
You’ve built trust with your readers. They open your emails because they like you.
So how do you sell your products, services, or sponsors without being salesy?
Let’s talk about that today.
I had this experience. When I started my newsletter, I tried to sell my digital products, but I never got a single sale.
After failing for a long time, I found that the problem was with the audience, I didn’t have the right set of audience.
So the pain points weren’t the same, either.
So, as you’re in my 21-year-old version of shoes right now, here’s what I’d suggest:
First, fill your list with the right type of people.
The first step is to get your readers’ attention with a story they can relate to. Share your personal experiences because that helps readers see themselves in your content. (As I’ve done above).
When readers recognise their own struggles in your story, they start to pay attention.
They feel understood and connected, and that connection makes everything you say afterwards more persuasive, without you having to convince them.
Instead of leading with an offer, give readers something they can use right away. For example, I share a simple system for planning newsletters: jot down three topics at the start of the week, draft two short sections a day, and always end with a reflection or insight.
It helps build consistency and shows readers your methods actually work. When they see results from applying your advice, they are more likely to be interested in related resources.
After providing value, mention your resource as part of the story. For example, I can use this: ‘After struggling with consistency for months, I created a guide that shows my full system for planning newsletters that engage readers and convert naturally. It’s what I use now, and it has made a huge difference.’
It doesn’t feel like a pushy offer. Instead, a helpful extension of what you just shared.
Make the next step clear and simple. A line like, ‘You can download the guide here if you want to try this system yourself,’ is enough.
Readers want clarity and ease of action, and it makes them more likely to take the step.
If your newsletter is valuable, readers will naturally want to share it. I often add: ‘If this helped you, forward it to someone building their own newsletter.’
Sharing spreads your content without feeling like marketing, and it brings new readers who are already interested in your topic. New readers mean new opportunities to sell through your newsletter.
Ask readers to reply and share their thoughts. For example: ‘What is the hardest part about selling in your newsletter? Reply and let me know.’
Engagement builds trust and increases the likelihood they will explore your resources in the future.
Selling without being salesy is hard, but if you really want to sell, you’ve to adopt the actual way of doing.
If you keep trying, it’s possible.
Thanks for giving it a read. I’ll see you again on Tuesday. Do let me know what something different you learnt today.
See you then.
Ta-da 👋🏻
Anirban ‘helping you sell without being salesy’ Das.
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