9 Things Beginners Should Ignore When Starting a Newsletter

Key takeaways

Don't get lost in the details of a welcome sequence if your subscriber base is minuscule.
Focus on acquiring a small number of engaged subscribers over perfecting tools or analytics.
Avoid paid ads in the early stages; rely on your current network and organic growth.
Repurpose content instead of fearing redundancy; it's a way to maximize outreach.
Going viral before having a solid foundation can lead to more harm than good.

Summary

Introduction to Mistakes Beginners Make

The episode kicks off with a discussion about the common mistakes people make when starting a newsletter and how much time gets wasted following unnecessary advice found online. The hosts, Dylan and Chenell, express their frustration with the myths and missteps that hamper new creators, aiming to set the record straight.

The Issue with Welcome Sequences

One major mistake highlighted is writing a welcome sequence, especially if you have only a handful of subscribers. The hosts argue that new creators shouldn't focus on multiple welcome emails, but rather keep it simple—just acknowledge new subscribers with a brief message of thanks.

Finding Subscribers Before Planning

Chenell emphasizes the importance of finding initial subscribers before over-planning or designing elaborate landing pages. They suggest reaching out to known connections and leveraging social media to validate ideas and recruit early readers.

Avoiding Overly Fancy Tools

A common pitfall is getting stuck in the search for the 'perfect' newsletter tool. Dylan advises that it's more productive to start writing and publishing rather than getting bogged down in deciding between various email service providers.

The Illusion of Paid Ads

Both hosts agree that starting with paid ads for subscriber growth can be a waste of resources for new newsletter creators. Instead, they recommend building an organic base of subscribers to test content viability.

The Myth of Perfect Analytics

Tracking analytics too closely at the start can detract from actually growing the newsletter. The hosts suggest focusing on obtaining subscribers and engagement rather than scrutinizing every data point from the beginning.

The Wrong Approach to Virality and Growth

The conversation touches on how attempting to go viral too early can backfire. It’s better for beginners to focus on organic growth methods and to iteratively improve the product.

Content Strategy and Repurposing

Lastly, the hosts discuss the importance of utilizing existing content across different platforms. They encourage creators to repurpose newsletter content on social media without feeling like they’re being repetitive.

Show notes

The Growth Vault is LIVE: Chenell's brand-new offer for newsletter creators is here—filled with newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace.

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“Stop wasting time picking the ‘perfect’ newsletter tool. Just start publishing. You can always switch later." — Dylan

We're breaking down the most common mistakes newsletter creators make in the early days — from obsessing over tools and automations to focusing on viral growth too soon.

We are challenging the conventional “how to start a newsletter” checklists floating around online (and even ChatGPT’s advice), showing how little you actually need to start. And why over-planning, over-designing, and over-automating are the real growth killers.

If you’ve been “getting ready” to launch for months, this episode will hopefully convince you to just start.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why most creators waste weeks setting up automations they don’t even need
Why you don't need a welcome sequence at first
How Chenell recommends for getting your first 10 subscribers without a landing page
The one tool mistake that can cost you hundreds of dollars—and zero new readers
Whether or not you should invest in paid ads for early growth
Why planning your “perfect” newsletter launch might actually be procrastination in disguise
Why tracking analytics in the beginning doesn't matter (and what to track instead)
Why chasing virality before you’re ready can backfire hard
How to use early replies and feedback to shape your newsletter direction
The mindset shift that separates stuck creators from those who actually hit send

LINKS MENTIONED

Tom Alder's GIR Deep Dive
The Obvious Choice by Jonathan Goodman
Dylan's 'Resend To Unopens' Experiment & Article
Get Chenell's brand-new offering for newsletter creators: The Growth Vault — newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace.
Want your newsletter roasted?Submit it here.
Ask us a question or submit a podcast topic idea: growthinreverse.com/questions
Check out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL

Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | Substack
Dylan: LinkedIn | Bluesky

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