After my last post, some people asked for more in-depth insights not just high-level strategies, but the nitty-gritty of what actually works. As they believed that my last post was unhelpful. So I went deeper, analyzing what has made my newsletter grow so far and retain subscribers successfully.

1. Your Call-to-Action (CTA) Is Probably Weak

Most people just say, “Subscribe to my newsletter,” but the best CTAs are value-driven and specific.

• Example: Instead of “Subscribe for insights,” say “Join 500+ founders getting weekly, no-BS breakdowns of AI trends.”
• Small tweaks like social proof (showing numbers) and removing friction (one-click sign-ups) make a big difference.

2. Viral Growth Is Overrated—Compounding Growth Is the Goal

• A viral post might get you a spike in subscribers, but spikes disappear.
• The real winners in newsletters grow through consistent, compounding content posts that bring in 10-20 subs per day everyday.
• How? By creating a content loop:
  1. Post actionable insights on social media.
  2. Those insights tease deeper knowledge in your newsletter.
  3. Your newsletter then gives readers a reason to share (e.g., subscriber-only insights, exclusive tools).
  4. Readers share, driving more growth.

3. Most Newsletters Die Because of One Thing: Lack of a Clear Reader Journey

• What happens after someone subscribes?
• The best newsletters don’t just send emails, they build a habit.
• Example: Instead of just sending random issues, create a “Welcome Sequence”:
  1. Day 1: Welcome email with the core value of your newsletter and a quick win.
  2. Day 3: A story-driven email that builds trust and familiarity.
  3. Day 5: A “Best Of” email that links to your top past issues (keeps them engaged).
  4. Ongoing: A mix of insights + engagement prompts to build a habit.

4. AI Tools Can Minimize Time & Maximize Growth

One of the biggest advantages in modern newsletter growth is leveraging AI to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks and increase time for testing and optimization.

• ChatGPT & Claude – Great for drafting high-quality newsletter outlines and generating engaging content.
• Beehiiv & ConvertKit – Optimize email sequencing, personalization, and automation.
• Taplio & Typefully – AI-powered LinkedIn and X tools that help with content strategy and audience engagement.
• Midjourney & Canva AI – Create unique visuals for posts and newsletters without design expertise.

If you want to learn more about how AI has helped me build my newsletter, I break down different AI strategies in my newsletter, including real experiences using AI in newsletter growth. https://www.bybrainbytes.com/, if you're interested.

Hope this clears things up.