Newsletter & Email Growth: Growth In Reverse

Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop

Growth In Reverse is the must-listen podcast for anyone serious about growing an email list and turning a newsletter into a thriving business. Hosted by Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop, two leading voices in the newsletter space, this show pulls back the curtain on how today’s top newsletter operators actually grow and make money. Episodes include deep-dive teardowns of the strategies behind the most successful newsletters. You’ll hear how creators like Justin Welsh, Codie Sanchez, Sahil Bloom, and other creator founders are building loyal audiences and turning subscribers into revenue. Learn how they attract traffic, increase conversions, boost retention, and scale without burning out. Whether you're launching your first newsletter or refining your growth engine, Growth In Reverse gives you proven tactics you can use right away. From onboarding systems and referral programs to sponsorships and paid products, this podcast helps you grow faster and smarter. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start applying what works, tune in and learn how the best are building newsletters that last.

  1. قبل ٣ أيام

    9 Things Beginners Should Ignore When Starting a Newsletter

    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. -------------------------------------- “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 needWhy you don't need a welcome sequence at first How Chenell recommends for getting your first 10 subscribers without a landing pageThe one tool mistake that can cost you hundreds of dollars—and zero new readersWhether or not you should invest in paid ads for early growthWhy planning your “perfect” newsletter launch might actually be procrastination in disguiseWhy tracking analytics in the beginning doesn't matter (and what to track instead)Why chasing virality before you’re ready can backfire hardHow to use early replies and feedback to shape your newsletter directionThe mindset shift that separates stuck creators from those who actually hit sendLINKS MENTIONED Tom Alder's GIR Deep Dive The Obvious Choice by Jonathan GoodmanDylan's 'Resend To Unopens' Experiment & ArticleGet 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/questionsCheck out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | SubstackDylan: LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERS growthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review: If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast!

    ٤٣ من الدقائق
  2. ١ أكتوبر

    The #1 Newsletter Metric You Need To Pay More Attention To

    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. -------------------------------------- “I sent this short email—and got over 200 replies—when I usually get maybe 8 to 15. It was wild." — Chenell In this episode, we're digging into the art (and science) of getting more replies to your newsletter. Why replies? Because we believe (and we're not alone) that replies should be the #1 metric most newsletter creators should be focusing on—even more than open or click rates. We unpack why replies are a powerful signal for deliverability, engagement—even creator mental health—and we share practical strategies for getting more of them. Everything from welcome email tweaks to pattern-interrupt campaigns.  And we even highlight our own examples—plus some examples from major newsletter experts like Mario Gabriele’s “Puzzler,” Toby Howell’s gamified email, and Katelyn Bourgoin’s Fri-Yay edition (part of her Why We Buy newsletter). KEY TAKEAWAYS Why replies are the ultimate engagement metric (and why open/click rates can mislead you)How replies directly impact email deliverabilityThe underrated mental health boost creators get from reader repliesWhy your welcome email is the #1 place to prioritize a reply CTASimple frameworks to write reply-worthy content (like Shaan Puri’s 7 emotions)How pattern interrupt emails can spark hundreds of responses overnightThe surprising downsides: why Chenell’s 200-reply email also had record unsubscribesReal-world examples: Mario Gabriele’s “Puzzler,” Toby Howell’s “Button Game,” and Katelyn Bourgoin’s Fri-Yay interactive pollsHow replies can reveal new content ideas, products, or even potential clientsWhy even a short personal story in your newsletter can trigger authentic responsesLINKS MENTIONED Shaan Puri's 7 Key Emotions (+ AI Prompt Elicitor)Mario Gabriele ('The Puzzler') GIR Deep DiveToby Howell's 'The Game' newsletterKatelyn Bourgoin on GIR PodcastKatelyn's Why We Buy (+ Fri-Yay) newsletterGet 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/questionsCheck out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | SubstackDylan: LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERS growthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review: If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast!

    ٤٤ من الدقائق
  3. ٢٤ سبتمبر

    3 Steps To A Perfect Subscriber Onboarding

    The Growth Vault is LIVE: Chenell's brand-new offer for newsletter creators is here! The Growth Vault is filled with newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace. -------------------------------------- “One of the worst things you can do is send new subscribers to a dead-end thank you page. That kills engagement immediately." — Chenell We're breaking down the most overlooked (yet critical) part of growing a newsletter: onboarding new subscribers.  We'll take you through Chenell's 3-step onboarding process every newsletter creator should have in place—and show how to optimize each for higher engagement, deliverability, and long-term retention.  We also tease an advanced 5-step version and share examples from top creators like Katelyn Bourgoin, Tom Alder, and Eddie Shleyner. Whether you’re just starting out or already running a large newsletter, you’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls and set up onboarding that actually works. KEY TAKEAWAYS The 3 Cs of a high-converting landing pageWhy default Thank-you pages kill engagement (and what to do instead)How "sniper links" can push new subscribers directly into their inbox to find your emailThe #1 mistake welcome emails makeThe most important job your welcome email hasA simple incentive trick to encourage repliesThe difference between a “true” and “false” double opt-inHow (and why) to include surveys in your onboardingWhat top creators do with their “almost there” pages to hook new subscribersLINKS MENTIONED The Growth Vault →Katelyn Bourgoin's Why We Buy landing page →Eddie Shleyner's 'Social Proof Avalanche' →Tom Alder's Strategy Breakdowns → Growth.Design →Senja →RightMessage →Growth In Reverse PRO Community →Want your newsletter roasted? Submit it here. Ask us a question or submit a podcast topic idea: growthinreverse.com/questionsCheck out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | SubstackDylan: LinkedIn | Substack | Bluesky OUR NEWSLETTERS growthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review: If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast!

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  4. ١٧ سبتمبر

    7 Ways To Make a 'Good' Newsletter GREAT

    The Growth Vault is LIVE: Chenell's brand-new offer for newsletter creators is here! The Growth Vault is filled with newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace. -------------------------------------- “Sometimes less is more. Cut the clutter and highlight the one thing that matters." — Chenell It's newsletter roast time 🔥🔥 We're putting the spotlight on Hobby Card Life: a newsletter covering sports cards and collectibles.  We roast and review everything from the sign-up flow to newsletter design to growth levers. You’ll hear what’s working, what’s holding this newsletter back, and the exact opportunities we see for growth and monetization. KEY TAKEAWAYS The first impression a niche newsletter makes on readers (and where Hobby Card Life missed).The simple opt-in tweak that could dramatically increase subscriber conversions.Why design consistency matters more than you think—and how this newsletter could fix it quickly.What to do when your niche is too broad for new subscribers to understand instantly.The surprising monetization angle that could be a major revenue driver.How partnerships inside a passionate niche can compound growth.The retention risk we spotted in this newsletter’s publishing cadence.Where we’d focus first if we were growing Hobby Card Life from here.LINKS MENTIONED Hobby Card Life newsletterHobbyCardLife.comGrowth In Reverse PRO CommunityThe GIR Social Growth Challenge Get Chenell's brand-new course: 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/questionsCheck out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | SubstackDylan: LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERS growthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review: If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast!

    ٣٩ من الدقائق
  5. ١٠ سبتمبر

    $9M with 50k subscribers: Sam Vander Wielen's 7-figure newsletter funnel.

    Get 30+ video lessons and ideas for optimizing your newsletter: https://growthinreverse.com/vault -------------------------- “All roads point to the email list." — Sam Vander Wielen, Sam's SidebarIn this episode, we interview Sam Vander Wielen—a lawyer-turned-creator who has sold over $9M in legal templates with a 50k-subscriber newsletter.  Sam shares how her motto of "All roads point to the email list" has helped her earn over $9M in total revenue since starting her business in 2017. And she's done it with a small team and a replicable funnel strategy most creators could copy.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Why she decided to walk away from strategies that “should” work — and what happened afterThe $100k turning point that reshaped how she runs her businessHow she blends storytelling with practical education to keep readers engagedHow her newsletter fuels her entire content ecosystemWhat creators misunderstand about legal protections (and how to fix it)Why she believes the boring stuff is actually the growth engineThe platform she almost abandoned — and why she came back strongerHer advice for creators chasing growth but ignoring long-term sustainabilityLINKS MENTIONED Sam's websiteSam's book: When I Start My Business I'll Be HappySam's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTubeAsk us a question or submit a podcast topic idea: growthinreverse.com/questionsGet Chenell's brand-new course: The Growth Vault — newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace.Growth In Reverse PRO CommunityWant your newsletter roasted? Submit it here. Check out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | SubstackDylan: LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERS growthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review: If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast! Thanks to Tim Forkin for editing these episodes.

    ١ س ١ د
  6. ٣ سبتمبر

    Recapping CEX 2025: Un-hyping AI, Community Moats, and the Future of Newsletters

    The Growth Vault is LIVE: Chenell's brand-new product —The Growth Vault— is here. Filled with newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace. -------------------------------------- “If content is king, AI is storming the castle." — Darren Vesterfelt, Mighty Networks Chenell was just in Cleveland for the annual CEX conference. And she wasn't *just* in attendance—she was also a speaker! So we're recapping the biggest lessons and takeaways from Chenell's experience at CEX (Content Entrepreneur Expo) — where she basically opened the conference with her keynote, traded notes with some content economy heavy hitters (like Jay Acunzo, Ann Handley, Mark Schaefer, Robert Rose), and soaked up the big trends. We dig into why slowing down beats AI-first content, the power of community and IRL relationships, how to think about discovery vs. relationship platforms, and why some SEO pros are betting on social over search.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The case for “as slow as possible” content: let ideas marinate; don’t outsource your thinking to AI. How to use AI as an editor rather than a first-draft brain replacement—and why this matters more than ever. Driving audiences from discovery platforms → relationship platforms. Community is a durable moat when content sameness rises (AI is “storming the castle”). Social > Search (sometimes): comments from real humans can beat 10k empty pageviews. Testing ideas fast with social media—and how commenting sparks even more ideas.IRL still trumps all: stages, dinners, and small masterminds create outsized serendipity. Are physical newsletters back? Should you try AI sobriety?LINKS MENTIONED CEXAnn HandleyJay AcunzoMark SchaferGrowth In Reverse PRO CommunityThe GIR Social Growth Challenge Get Chenell's brand-new course: 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/questionsCheck out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | SubstackDylan: LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERS growthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review: If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast!

    ٤٤ من الدقائق
  7. ٢٧ أغسطس

    His private newsletter with 1.5k subs earns $1M ARR

    Join our September Social Growth Challenge: https://growthinreverse.com/social -------------------------- “You have to be first—or you have to be best. That's how you win at paid content." — Nathan May, The Feed MediaIn this episode, we interview Nathan May, founder of The Feed Media.  Nathan shares how he turned a small, private newsletter into a $1M ARR business in under a year, and how his agency helps some of the biggest creators and media companies scale their audiences with paid growth.  We dig into the playbooks behind The Feed Media, the experiments that worked (and the ones that didn’t), and why even a small but mighty list can generate outsized revenue. Whether you’re looking to monetize a niche newsletter or scale a larger media brand, Nathan’s story offers a unique perspective on growth and revenue.  >>Get 30+ video lessons and ideas for optimizing your newsletter: https://growthinreverse.com/vault KEY TAKEAWAYS The surprising first step Nathan took before writing a single newsletter issueWhy building around a niche community gave him an unfair advantageThe revenue model he used before sponsors ever came knockingHow The Feed Media structured its first monetization funnelThe newsletter flywheel Nathan swears by for compounding growthThe counterintuitive move that actually boosted subscriber trustWhy his first 1,000 subs mattered the mostThe overlooked channel that drove some of his fastest growthHow Nathan would start & scale a B2B newsletter todayThe single most important metric he tracks inside The Feed MediaLINKS MENTIONED TheFeedMedia.comNathan May on LinkedInAsk us a question or submit a podcast topic idea: growthinreverse.com/questionsGet Chenell's brand-new course: The Growth Vault — newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace.Growth In Reverse PRO CommunityWant your newsletter roasted? Submit it here. Check out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | SubstackDylan: LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERS growthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review: If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast! Thanks to Tim Forkin for editing these episodes.

    ١ من الساعات
  8. ٢٠ أغسطس

    How Chenell Got 11k Subs in 6 Months

    >> Join the 30-Days of Growth Social Challenge: https://growthinreverse.com/social -------------------------------------- “The first 6 months taught me that consistency beats everything — even if you’re not perfect." In this episode of the Growth In Reverse podcast, Dylan and Chenell rewind the clock to when Chenell was just starting her newsletter. She breaks down the two strategies that fueled her early growth to 11,000 subscribers in six months: creating insanely valuable content and consistently engaging on Twitter. PLUS: We're launching a new challenge to boost your content's visibility on social media—just like Chenell did to reach her first 11k subscribers: https://growthinreverse.com/social KEY TAKEAWAYS The simple posting strategy Chenell used to get her first subscribersHow one Twitter comment brought subscribers instantlyThe role of curiosity and passion in standing out with your contentWhy treating your social profile like a landing page mattersHow early replies and comments built relationships with influential peopleThe burnout risk of trying to post every day (and what Chenell would do differently)How a newsletter & podcast shoutouts boosted early credibilityLINKS MENTIONED The GIR Social Growth Challenge Ask us a question or submit a podcast topic idea: growthinreverse.com/questionsGet Chenell's brand-new course: The Growth Vault — newsletter templates, growth strategies, and real examples you can implement at your own pace.Growth In Reverse PRO CommunityWant your newsletter roasted? Submit it here. Check out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Chenell: Twitter | LinkedIn | SubstackDylan: LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERS growthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review: If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast! Thanks to Tim Forkin for editing these episodes.

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Growth In Reverse is the must-listen podcast for anyone serious about growing an email list and turning a newsletter into a thriving business. Hosted by Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop, two leading voices in the newsletter space, this show pulls back the curtain on how today’s top newsletter operators actually grow and make money. Episodes include deep-dive teardowns of the strategies behind the most successful newsletters. You’ll hear how creators like Justin Welsh, Codie Sanchez, Sahil Bloom, and other creator founders are building loyal audiences and turning subscribers into revenue. Learn how they attract traffic, increase conversions, boost retention, and scale without burning out. Whether you're launching your first newsletter or refining your growth engine, Growth In Reverse gives you proven tactics you can use right away. From onboarding systems and referral programs to sponsorships and paid products, this podcast helps you grow faster and smarter. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start applying what works, tune in and learn how the best are building newsletters that last.

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