From Idea to Inbox: How I Grew My Newsletter as a Creator

As a creator, there’s nothing more empowering than building your own newsletter.

For a long time, I didn’t care about newsletters.

I thought they were outdated, a relic of the early days of the internet.

But a month ago, I decided to give it a shot.

The results?

I’ve grown my list to nearly 2,000 subscribers and made over $1,500—all in just a few weeks.

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re a creative, or at least trying to be.

If that’s the case, here’s my advice:

Start a newsletter. Right now.

By not having one, you’re leaving ridiculous amounts of money on the table.

Not to mention, you’re missing out on building a deeper connection with your audience—something short-form content just can’t do.

Here’s why newsletters are the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time):

1. Freedom from Algorithms: Unlike social media, where algorithms can change overnight and tank your reach, newsletters give you direct access to your audience. No more hoping the algorithm will be kind to you.

2. Ownership of Your Audience: Your email list is yours. No shadowbans, no random platform changes. Just you and your subscribers, with nothing in between.

3. Multiple Monetization Opportunities: From affiliate marketing to selling your own products, newsletters offer endless ways to make money.

Convinced?

Good.

Now let’s dive into how you can get started.

Which Platform Should You Choose?

Before we jump into strategy, you need to pick the right platform for your newsletter.

There are plenty of options out there, but I’ll focus on two that I think are the best:

Gumroad

Gumroad is perfect if you’re just starting out and more focused on building an email list than a full-fledged newsletter.

The best part?

It’s all-in-one—your email list, your products, and your payments are all handled in one place.

The downside?

You need to make $100 in sales before you can access your money.

Beehiiv

Beehiiv, on the other hand, is a more advanced platform that offers a lot more in terms of monetization.

It’s built specifically for newsletters and gives you more options as you grow.

If you’re serious about turning your newsletter into a significant part of your business, Beehiiv is the way to go.

Choose wisely—you don’t want to be stuck transferring all your emails and content after a few months because you outgrew your platform.

My Newsletter 101 Strategy

Let’s break down the strategy that helped me grow my newsletter so quickly:

Audience + Free Product + Right Strategy + Automation = Success

It all starts with your audience.

Without one, your newsletter is dead in the water.

It’s like having a store in the middle of nowhere—no traffic, no growth.

Building Your Audience

Your main source of traffic will be your audience on social media.

I already had a decent following on Instagram, so that’s where I focused my efforts.

But you can pick whatever platform works best for you.

Building an audience isn’t easy, but I’ve put together a pack for creators that includes everything you need to get started:

• 8-Lesson Course on Growing and Monetizing Your Brand

• Ready-to-Use LUTs for Your Content

• Database of 50 Viral Hooks

• My Notion Daily Journal Template

One of my Instagram buddies told me I was crazy for offering this for free.

But I believe you deserve it, so grab it HERE for the unbeatable price of $0.

Free Product = Infinite Leads & Growth

If you take away one thing from today’s newsletter, let it be this:

Create a free product.

This is your ticket to going viral on social media and growing your newsletter subscriber list all in one step.

Social media platforms love watch-time and engagement.

And what drives engagement?

Likes, shares, and most importantly, comments.

Almost every one of my viral reels promotes a free product.

I ask viewers to comment a specific word, and in return, I send them the free product.

This simple interaction not only boosts my reel’s engagement but also converts viewers into subscribers.

Here’s the secret: don’t beg people to sign up for your newsletter.

Instead, offer them something valuable in exchange for their email.

The free product you created serves as that value.

When they go to download it, they have to enter their email—boom, they’re subscribed.

If you’re worried about people not knowing they’re subscribing, just make it clear in the product description.

Transparency is key, and it keeps your audience happy.

In just 30 seconds, one of my reels went viral, and I gained a ton of new subscribers—all because I offered a simple, valuable freebie.

The Flywheel Strategy: Keep the Momentum Going

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to put your growth on autopilot with what I call the flywheel strategy.

This is all about creating a self-sustaining growth loop where your content drives engagement, which drives more content, which drives more engagement, and so on.

1-2 Promo Stories Per Week

Let’s start with stories.

You don’t need to promote your free product every day—1-2 stories per week is plenty.

Keep it casual and natural.

Share a quick tip, show some behind-the-scenes content, or highlight a success story from someone who’s used your freebie.

Then, drop a subtle CTA to grab your free product.

CTA in Every or Every Other Reel

Now, let’s talk about reels.

Every reel should have a clear CTA.

Ask your viewers to comment, tag a friend, or answer a question.

This boosts engagement, which helps your reel reach more people.

The more people see your reel, the more subscribers you’ll get.

For example, if you’re promoting a free Instagram growth course, your CTA could be, “Comment ‘Growth’ below, and I’ll DM you a free course that will change the way you use Instagram!”

Make it easy and enticing.

Automation: Let Technology Do the Work

Automation is your best friend.

The less you have to do manually, the more you can focus on creating great content.

That’s where ManyChat comes in.

Setting Up ManyChat

Here’s how you can set up ManyChat to automate your process:

1. Connect ManyChat to Your Instagram: This is a simple process that links your Instagram account to ManyChat.

2. Create a Trigger: Set up a trigger that activates whenever someone comments on your reel. For example, if they comment “Growth,” ManyChat automatically sends them a DM with the link to your free product.

3. Collect Emails Seamlessly: When they go to download the freebie, they’ll be prompted to enter their email, subscribing them to your newsletter without them even realizing it.

4. Test Your Flow: Always test your automation to make sure everything is running smoothly. The better your automation, the more subscribers you’ll gain with minimal effort.

Wrapping It Up: Start Now, Improve Later

The biggest mistake you can make is waiting until everything is perfect before you start.

It’ll never be perfect.

Start small, experiment, and improve as you go.

Your first newsletter might be rough, but that’s okay—the key is to get started.

If you’re serious about growing as a creator and building a sustainable income stream, a newsletter isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity.

So stop hesitating and start writing.

Your future self will thank you.

Ready to Level Up?

If you’re ready to take your Instagram game to the next level, I’ve got you covered.

I’ve been where you are—trying to grow an audience, engage followers, and actually make money from Instagram.

After lots of trial and error, I figured out what works.

Now, I’m offering to share everything I’ve learned with you.

In my coaching program, you’ll learn:

• How to Build a Personal Brand: Create a brand that resonates with your audience.

• Content Creation: Make content that drives engagement and growth.

• Monetization: Turn your followers into customers with proven strategies.

• Growth Hacks: Accelerate your growth and build a loyal following fast.

Whether you’re just starting out or need a boost, this program will help you build the Instagram brand you’ve always dreamed of—and start turning your passion into profit.

Plus, if you’re not 100% satisfied with my coaching, I’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

Click here to learn more and sign up for my coaching program. 

Let’s build something amazing together.