Newsletter Growth Agency vs. DIY Growth: Which is Better for You?

If you’re serious about growing your newsletter, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to hire a newsletter growth agency or handle it yourself with a DIY growth strategy. Both approaches have their pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your budget, time, and goals.

In this article, we’ll compare the benefits, challenges, and potential outcomes of each approach, helping you decide which is best for your newsletter.

What is a Newsletter Growth Agency?

A newsletter growth agency is a professional service that specializes in helping newsletters grow their subscriber base, boost engagement, and monetize effectively. They typically use tools like paid ads, referral programs, and partnerships to achieve measurable results.

What is DIY Newsletter Growth?

DIY newsletter growth involves managing all aspects of your newsletter’s growth strategy yourself. This includes creating content, running ads, building partnerships, and analyzing performance.

Key Factors to Consider

1. Budget

• Newsletter Growth Agency: Hiring an agency comes with upfront costs. Most agencies charge a flat fee or a percentage of your ad spend, with monthly rates ranging from $1,000 to $10,000+.

• DIY Growth: While DIY growth can save money upfront, you may spend on tools, ad campaigns, and software subscriptions (e.g., $50–$500 per month).

Verdict:

• Agencies are better if you have a marketing budget and need quick results.

• DIY is cost-effective but requires a time investment.

2. Time Investment

• Newsletter Growth Agency: Agencies handle everything, saving you time to focus on content creation and engaging with your audience.

• DIY Growth: Managing growth yourself is time-intensive. You’ll need to research strategies, set up campaigns, and monitor performance.

Verdict:

• Choose an agency if you’re short on time or juggling multiple projects.

• DIY is ideal if you have the time and want hands-on control.

3. Expertise

• Newsletter Growth Agency: Agencies bring experience and proven strategies. They know what works for different niches and can avoid costly mistakes.

• DIY Growth: You’ll need to learn growth tactics yourself, which can take time and involve trial and error.

Verdict:

• Agencies provide expertise for faster, more predictable results.

• DIY is better if you’re willing to learn and experiment.

4. Results and ROI

• Newsletter Growth Agency: Agencies typically deliver faster growth due to their experience and resources. However, results depend on their strategies and your niche.

• DIY Growth: Results may take longer and depend on your ability to execute effective campaigns. ROI can be higher if done well since you’re not paying agency fees.

Verdict:

• Agencies are ideal if you need fast, scalable results.

• DIY can yield strong ROI over time but requires persistence.

Cost Breakdown

Here’s a comparison of the typical costs for each approach:

ExpenseAgency (Monthly)DIY (Monthly)Agency Fees$1,000–$10,000+$0Ad Spend$1,000–$5,000+$500–$2,000Tools & SoftwareIncluded in fees$50–$500Time InvestmentMinimal (1–5 hours/week)High (10–30+ hours/week)

Pros and Cons

Newsletter Growth Agency

Pros:

• Expert strategies for fast, scalable growth.

• Minimal time investment on your part.

• Access to tools, platforms, and industry connections.

Cons:

• High upfront costs.

• Dependent on the agency’s effectiveness.

• Less control over growth strategies.

DIY Growth

Pros:

• Cost-effective, especially for small budgets.

• Full control over your strategy.

• Opportunity to learn and refine your skills.

Cons:

• Time-intensive.

• Steeper learning curve.

• Risk of slower or less consistent results.

Scenarios to Help You Decide

When to Choose a Newsletter Growth Agency:

• You have a budget and want faster results.

• Your newsletter has already gained traction but needs a push to scale.

• You prefer focusing on content while leaving growth to professionals.

When to Choose DIY Growth:

• You’re just starting out with limited funds.

• You want to learn the ins and outs of growing a newsletter.

• You have the time to test and refine strategies yourself.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agency

If you’re leaning toward hiring a growth agency, here are some critical questions to ask:

1. What niches have you worked with before?

2. What tools and strategies do you use?

3. Can you provide case studies or testimonials?

4. What kind of results should I expect, and in what timeframe?

5. How do you measure success and report results?

DIY Growth Tips for Beginners

If you decide to handle growth yourself, here are some tips to get started:

1. Leverage Referral Programs: Use tools like Sparkloop to incentivize your readers to refer others.

2. Run Paid Ads: Start with small campaigns on Facebook or Google Ads to test what works.

3. Partner with Other Newsletters: Collaborate with newsletters in your niche to cross-promote content.

4. Optimize Your Content: Test different subject lines, CTAs, and formats to boost engagement.

5. Track Performance: Use analytics tools like Google Analytics or Beehiiv’s dashboard to monitor growth.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between a newsletter growth agency and DIY growth depends on your goals, budget, and available time.

• If you’re looking for fast, professional results and have the budget, hiring an agency is a great choice.

• If you’re working with a tight budget or want to learn the ropes, DIY growth can be just as effective with the right effort.

Ready to Scale Your Newsletter?

At Adsora, we help newsletter creators grow their subscriber base, boost engagement, and monetize effectively. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, our proven strategies deliver measurable results.

Visit Adsora.com today to find out how we can help your newsletter thrive!