Prologue

So I signed my daughters up for a day camp that I would want to go to myself.

It’s called a Young Filmmakers Workshop.

Doesn’t that sound AMAZING?

They’ll spend a week working in small groups to write, film, and produce mini movies to premiere the Saturday after it wraps.

They’re really excited.

The closest thing I did to this was a creative writing camp.

But I can remember the fun of spending a week learning about a craft and dorking out with other kids who cared about writing.

There’s something pretty magical about finding “your people” and really connecting as you work on a project together.

That happens for me with work projects sometimes. Those moments when it’s just so cool that you get paid for doing whatever you’re doing.

I know I’m not the only one.

That feeling also hits with Opt In Weekly, too, when readers respond and the newsletter feels a bit like a community. There are times when I get all the good feels from truly serving you.

Does your newsletter feel that way? Do you want it to?

Don’t be afraid to get a little vulnerable with your readers and welcome them into your world.

Invite them to your version of a young filmmakers workshop.

Give them a reason to be really excited to connect with someone who “gets them.”

Do it by really understanding what they care about and being helpful.

Learn what it’s like to be them.

Today’s issue is a nice mix of tips and insights from creators, marketers, and publishers who would be wonderful guest presenters for a newsletter creators workshop.

I’ll step aside and let their voices guide you.

Let me know what you think… and if you’d be interested in attending a small group newsletter makers workshop at some point. I feel a new project coming on.

Oh, and if you want to listen to me babble about newsletters on a podcast for industrial marketers, check that out here.

Screen Share

Anum Hussain Explains Placement Strategy

In this short clip, Anum Hussain, Founder of Below the Fold, breaks down her favorite channel for growth: placement strategy.

What is placement strategy?

Creating content for (and getting recommended by) websites and communities who influence your niche audience. Anum uses this to get Below the Fold placed in front of those audiences by guest posting if the newsletter can be mentioned in the content.

Why does it work?

It sends inbound traffic from existing audiences (as opposed to creating your own blog and building up SEO, which she also encourages, but doesn’t prioritize as highly).

Watch the video to learn why Anum loves placement strategy and how she does it.

Psst! This is an excerpt from her Newsletter Fest 2021 Session How to Manage Your Newsletter Like a Product.

Newsletter Tips

It seems everyone is publishing a guide to help you start, strategize, and grow your publication. I’ve gathered a few standouts offering different perspectives:

💌 Newsletters are “In” Again

ZeroBounce jumps right in to cover why newsletters are “coming back” and offers practical insight into the benefit of newsletter strategy, why customers prefer newsletters, and how to create bite-sized newsletters, long-form content, and excellent designs.

🛫 Take Your Newsletter to the Next Level

This Newsletter Guide provides information on everything from getting started and choosing the right type of newsletter to monetizing and evaluating success.

🌱 Grow Your Email List

This HubSpot article (that I discovered via Really Good Emails) narrows in on growing your email list with 39 ideas to do so, including segmenting, creating bonus content, and using social media.

Marketing

Are You Avoiding These 4 Content Marketing Pitfalls?

Anthony Gaenzle breaks down 4 pitfalls to avoid for the sake of your brand, strategy, and overall success in this piece for Content Marketing Institute. A quick look at the pitfalls he describes:

• Creating brand confusion through inconsistent personalities and perspectives. Basically, consistency is key.
• Failing to do your research. Don’t just take so-and-so’s word for it, take time to screen and verify your content.
• Constructing barriers by gating all content.
• Ignoring the importance of data security. Do your due diligence and make sure information is secure.

Click through for the full story.

Discovered via Social Media Today.

9 Customer Retention Strategies To Try

Retention marketing is important.

Not only is it easier and more cost-effective to retain customers than gain new ones, it also sets you apart as a brand that values relationship and experience. These 9 customer retention strategies from Brent Barnhart are worth considering.

Here’s my favorite:

“actively ask for customer feedback to improve your experience.”

Discovered via Social Media Today.

What The Sunset Of Facebook Analytics Means For You

Fact: Facebook analytics is going away. However, if you depend on these numbers for marketing insights, the good news is you’ll survive.

We are losing:

• Quick access to data all in one place
• Facebook tracking pixels
• Access to brands’ page details and demographics
• And some other stuff

Here’s the deal. There are other paid (oh, hey, article publisher, HubSpot) and unpaid alternatives out there.

What are you using? Or does this sunset seem not-so-dramatic for your team?

Discovered via Social Media Today.

Writing

Have You Tried These 14 Copywriting Tips?

As a newsletter creator, you know the importance of creating good copy.

If you’re looking for a magic wand, I can’t help. But, if you’re looking for solid tips on connecting with your audience, increasing open rates, and converting readers, here are 14 good ones.

Discovered via Really Good Emails.

Publishing

Who’s set to triple in size this year? 6AM City, aka “the fastest-growing newsletter-first media company.”

Local business newsletter, The Charlotte Ledger, is on pace for $175,000 in annual revenue.

Bloomberg is launching newsletters centered around two of its top reporters.

Gift me a news story? Now New York Times subscribers can.

Competitor Or Collaborator?

Ever thought of your biggest competitor as the key to collaborative success? That’s what some for-profit publishers are doing. And it’s working.

When local publishers in Spain were hit hard, both local and national publishers formed an alliance to share data and technology. The result? Thorough, accurate insights into advertising for everyone.

Any of our competitors up for an Opt In Weekly collab? 😉

Money Matters

Learn How To Build a 7-Figure Newsletter

Ethan Brooks spent 6 months interviewing top newsletter creators. Now, he’s explaining how you can build a 7-figure newsletter, too.

Discovered via Publisher Weekly.

Considering Paid Subscriptions?

This top 10 list offers reasons why publishers should consider paid subscriptions, starting with a way to monetize adblockers.

Psst! We launched paid newsletters for Curated.co if you want to check it out.

What Are Programmatic Native Ads? And Should You Use Them?

Ioana Dulcu makes the case for programmatic native ads in newsletters. Essentially, it’s AI assisted native ads, which should combine native ads (ad content that aligns with editorial content) and programmatic placement (using an algorithm to show people who’ve clicked similar ads in the past an ad they’re likely to like).

Publishers would place code into their newsletter templates just once, and then let an ad server automatically show relevant ads to subscribers.

I’m skeptical. Especially considering the source sells this service.

Thoughts?

Curated News

Shout Out To Some Recent Newsletter Launches

It’s tough to keep up with the newsletter launches on Curated.co, but I wanted to give props to some that are pretty cool.

🌉 Tales From the Infrastructure

See photo above. I didn’t realize how fascinating infrastructure can be.

🎲 ConsimWorld Brief

Anyone want to preorder a wargaming classic?

🎨 Notes by The Chord

The South Carolina arts scene is almost as cool as the category headers.

💞 My Kindness Calendar

Because we DO want to raise kind children, right?

💼A weekly digest of things Karl Hughes has learned about startups, technology, and leadership

I didn’t know exactly what to title this one, but it’s great.

Nice work, new newsletterers.

ICYMI: We released paid newsletters!

You can always check our Curated Public Product Roadmap to catch up on recent releases and find out what’s up next.

Opt In Challenge

Consider Serving 100 True Fans

This week, your challenge is to read this article and consider how you might focus on 100 true fans.

Passion economy enthusiast Li Jin breaks down what it takes to earn $1,000/year from each of your 100 true fans.

Signature

Let me know. Reply, email me at Ashley[at]optinweekly.com, or find me on LinkedIn to hit me with some feedback. I’d love to know what you think.

Also, I’d appreciate it if you shared it with fellow email newsletter creators. All archived issues will be available on OptInWeekly.com, so you can send them the link to check it out.

Have a great week sending, y’all.