Ever wondered how some newsletters manage to attract millions of subscribers and rake in big bucks, even though they seem… well, pretty plain? It's simple: they're focused on delivering value in a clear, concise way.
Think about it. When you subscribe to a newsletter, you want to know exactly what you're getting and how it'll benefit you. You don't want to read a confusing, overly complicated article. You want something straightforward and helpful.
This article unlocks the secret sauce for building a successful newsletter: keeping it simple and delivering real value to your readers. We'll dissect successful newsletters, showing you exactly how they grab readers’ attention. Learn from their strategies and you'll be well on your way to growing a huge audience and crushing your newsletter goals.
Simple secret to a successful newsletter
Many newsletters fall into the trap of trying to be too clever or too trendy. They get lost in jargon and elaborate language, losing sight of the core message. But the most successful newsletters are dead simple. They offer clear value and make it easy for readers to understand what they're getting.
To quote Donald Miller:
“A caveman should be able to glance at it [your newsletter headline] and immediately grunt back what you offer.”
Take a look at some of the top newsletters on Substack:
- A newsletter about the history behind today's politics — Sounds interesting, right? But what exactly does it offer me?
- "Analysis and reporting on politics and culture in America" — Again, what's in it for me?
- "A new media company built on the ideals that were once the bedrock of American journalism" — While this sounds noble, it's a bit vague.
These headlines tell us what the newsletters are about, but they don't really explain how they'll benefit us. They lack clarity and fail to show the reader the value they'll receive.
Now, let's take a look at a newsletter that gets it right: 1440 Media.
This newsletter has exploded in popularity, boasting over 3.2 million subscribers and impressive revenue. Why? Because their value proposition is crystal clear.
Here's what they offer (their landing page):
- A simple, straightforward headline: A newsletter with all of the daily news you want to read: All your news;
- A clear solution to a problem: None of the bias;
- Detailed information about the content: We scour 100+ sources so you don’t have to. Culture, science, sports, politics, business, and more;
- A clear benefit: Five-minute read;
- Social proof: 3,263,005 readers (specific and believable!);
- Addressing objections: No clickbait, 100% free, unsubscribe anytime.
1440 Media gets it. They offer a simple, free newsletter with comprehensive daily news, without bias, clickbait, or hidden agendas. It's easy to understand, easy to consume, and solves a problem (keeping up with the news). This is why people love it.
So, what can you learn from this?
- Keep it simple: If you can't explain your newsletter in an elevator in 10 seconds, it's probably too complicated;
- Focus on value: Clearly communicate what your newsletter offers and how it benefits the reader;
- Be clear and concise: Avoid jargon and fluff;
- Show, don't tell: Use examples, testimonials, and data to back up your claims.
The takeaway?
Don’t overcomplicate your newsletter. The secret to making millions might be as simple as keeping things clear and addressing a basic need for your readers. Whether that’s saving them time, helping them learn something new, or providing a daily spark of curiosity, clarity and simplicity could be your path to success.
12 boring newsletters that are actually HUGE successes:
Now that you've seen the power of simplicity, let's look at some examples of newsletters that have built massive audiences by focusing on straightforward value:
- Word Daily: A new word every day with visuals and example sentences. (58M opens per month, 38% subscriber growth)
- Recommended Reads: Curated articles delivered daily. (4M links clicked per month)
- Interesting Facts: Fun facts to make every day more interesting. (4M monthly web visitors)
- Zillow Gone Wild: Wild and interesting homes on Zillow. (136k+ subscribers)
- CyberLeads: Companies that just raised millions looking to outsource. (1,000+ companies per month, $500k per year in revenue)
- Creator Wizard: Paid sponsorship opportunities for creators. (34,881 subscribers)
- The Offer Sheet: Short-term rental investment opportunities. (47,000 free subscribers, 750 paid subscribers)
- 5-Bullet Friday: 5 cool things from Tim Ferriss. (1.5M subscribers)
- 5 Tweet Tuesday: 5 curated tweets from Shaan Puri. (50,000+ subscribers)
- Exec Sum: Curated news and links for bankers and professional investors. (200,000+ subscribers)
- ELEVATOR: Eye-catching curated content for guys. (700,000+ subscribers)
- TLDR Newsletter: Summaries of the most interesting tech stories in 5 minutes. (1.2M subscribers, estimated annual revenue: ~$5-$10M)
These newsletters, with their simple and straightforward content, have proven that boring can be brilliant. They show us that a focus on delivering value, without unnecessary complexity, can lead you to success.
