Top 15 ways to grow your newsletter

Growing a newsletter doesn’t have to suck. With the right strategies, you can build an engaged audience easily. Let’s break it down into actionable steps:

1. Leverage Your Existing Network

One of the simplest newsletter growth strategies is to start with your personal network. Reach out to friends, family, colleagues, and social media connections to let them know about your newsletter.

Don’t hesitate—ask for their support. Even if the content isn’t relevant to them, true friends will subscribe and help spread the word. Organic support from people you know can kickstart your growth.

2. Use Giveaways to Attract Subscribers

Giveaways are a proven way to scale your newsletter.

Case Study #1: Josh Earl

Josh Earl grew his email list by 3,418% in just 11 days, adding over 200,000 subscribers. Using a tool like KingSumo, he offered a relevant prize (a Sublime Text license worth $70) and promoted it to his audience. The targeted approach ensured quality subscribers who matched his ideal audience.

Case Study #2: Jennifer Chou

Jennifer Chou, a growth marketer, leveraged LinkedIn to scale her newsletter to 60,000 subscribers in one year. She ran a giveaway offering a free course in exchange for subscriptions and tagged friends to spread the word.

Pro Tips for Giveaways:

• Keep giveaways short (3–4 days) to create urgency.

• Choose prizes directly tied to your newsletter’s niche.

• Use clear rules and terms to ensure fairness.

• Promote heavily on the final day to maximize participation.

While giveaways can create a temporary dip in engagement, aligning the prize with your audience's interests ensures you attract loyal subscribers.

3. Run a Twitter Auto-DM Giveaway

Twitter Auto-DM campaigns are an easy way to grow your email list.

Here’s how it works:

• Offer a free resource (e.g., a guide or exclusive content) in exchange for a reply, retweet, or follow.

• Use tools like Hypfury to send automated DMs with a subscription link.

For example, I ran a campaign offering a free list of Facebook ad hooks and gained over 400 subscribers. Many stayed on as loyal readers.

4. Leverage Reddit Communities

Reddit is a powerful platform for newsletter growth strategies when used correctly.

Case Study: Gunnar’s Local Newsletter

Gunnar earned his first 1,000 subscribers by sharing valuable posts in subreddits. Instead of spamming, he added genuine value to niche communities. For instance, he posted weekend event guides in San Francisco-focused subreddits.

To replicate this:

• Search for relevant subreddits.

• Follow the rules to avoid being banned.

• Add value with helpful, non-promotional content that naturally links to your newsletter.

5. Engage on Other Forums and Boards

Platforms like Quora, Hacker News, LinkedIn, and Facebook Groups are excellent for growing your newsletter.

Answer questions or contribute to discussions in your niche. For example, on Quora, provide detailed answers and link to your newsletter as a resource. The key is to build trust by being genuinely helpful.

6. Newsletter Swaps and Cross-Promotions

Cross-promotions with other newsletters are among the most effective newsletter growth strategies.

Example: 1440 Newsletter

The 1440 newsletter grew from 1,000 to 50,000 subscribers by exchanging promotional emails with similar-sized publications.

To start:

• Use tools like LetterGrowth.com to find newsletters in your niche.

• Offer a fair exchange (e.g., promote them twice if their audience is larger).

• Focus on newsletters with engaged audiences.

Collaborations like this provide access to a highly relevant subscriber base.

7. Create Organic Short-Form Content

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are perfect for showcasing your newsletter.

Example: Alerts Daily Newsletter

Alerts Daily gained 1,200 subscribers from a single TikTok video. The short video highlighted a trending topic, teased valuable insights, and directed viewers to subscribe via the bio link.

To replicate this:

• Share breaking news or quick tips related to your niche.

• Tease future content and encourage viewers to subscribe.

• Add a clear call-to-action linking to your signup page.

8. Use Cold DMs

Cold DMs can work wonders when targeting the right audience.

For example, some newsletter creators scrape tweets from potential subscribers and send short, value-driven pitches. Tools like PhantomBuster can help automate this process.

Keep it personal and relevant to improve response and subscription rates.

9. Feature People in Your Newsletter

Highlighting influencers or companies in your newsletter can boost visibility.

Example: Trends.vc

Trends.vc features various people and repurposes newsletter content into Twitter threads. Featured individuals often reshare the post, amplifying reach and driving subscribers.

This strategy not only engages your current audience but attracts new readers through shared networks.

10. Attend Public Events

In-person events are great for grassroots growth.

Example: Morning Brew

The founders of Morning Brew grew their list by visiting business schools and pitching their newsletter to students. They collected emails manually during events.

To replicate this:

• Attend conferences or local meetups in your niche.

• Share your newsletter link or a QR code for easy signups.

11. Try Guerrilla Marketing

Guerrilla marketing is a creative, low-cost way to grow your newsletter.

Ideas include:

• QR codes on coffee cups or backpacks.

• Large banners at sports games or events.

• Local giveaways in your community.

These tactics capture attention and spark curiosity, driving subscribers to your list.

12. Publish Guest Posts

Having guest contributors write for your newsletter can expand your reach.

Steps to implement:

• Reach out to influencers or experts in your niche.

• Offer exposure to your audience in return.

• Promote guest posts heavily on your platforms and theirs.

Guest posts diversify your content and introduce new readers to your newsletter.

13. Use Social Profiles and Email Signatures

Make every digital interaction a chance to grow your subscriber base.

Update your social media bios and email signatures with a link to your newsletter. Add a short tagline explaining what subscribers will gain. For example, “Get weekly insights on [topic]—Subscribe here!”

14. Appear on Podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to promote your newsletter.

Example: Codie Sanchez

Codie Sanchez grew her newsletter to over 10,000 subscribers in 30 days by appearing on podcasts. She used custom signup pages and lead magnets tailored to each audience.

If you’re invited to a podcast, pitch your newsletter’s unique value and provide an easy way for listeners to subscribe.

15. Try Cold Emails

Cold emailing is ideal for B2B newsletters.

Use tools like Instantly.ai or Smartlead to send personalized email pitches. Focus on highlighting how your newsletter adds value to their professional life. With the right targeting, this can become a high-conversion growth channel.

Want Expert Help Growing Your Newsletter?

At Adsora, we specialize in growth newsletters with Facebook ads & CRO to help you scale quickly and effectively.

Visit Adsora.com today to see case studies.