Unconventional Strategies that Helped Me Grow a Newsletter to 40K Subscribers

Title: Unconventional Growth Tactics: A Marketer’s Journey to 40,000 Subscribers

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, finding unique and effective growth tactics can be a game-changer. Tom Orbach, a renowned growth marketer and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, shares his journey of building a successful newsletter, Marketing Ideas, from 0 to 40,000 subscribers in just 1.5 years. His approach is refreshingly unconventional, focusing on scrappy, under-the-radar strategies that prioritize authenticity and practicality over traditional marketing norms.

Tom’s story begins with a passion for discovering hidden gems in unexpected places, like stumbling upon a growth tactic buried in a Reddit thread or a comment section. This curiosity and willingness to explore unconventional avenues set the stage for his remarkable success.

The genesis of Marketing Ideas stemmed from Tom’s extensive marketing experience, where he consistently encountered a demand for innovative growth ideas that didn’t rely on paid advertising or hefty budgets. Recognizing this gap in the market, Tom launched his weekly newsletter to deliver actionable growth tactics directly to startup marketers, cutting through the noise of generic advice prevalent in blog posts and playbooks.

Central to Tom’s growth strategy was his ability to think outside the box and leverage unconventional tactics that resonated with his audience. Here are some key strategies that propelled Marketing Ideas to success:

1. Building an Early Subscriber Base: Before even sending out the first newsletter, Tom cleverly promoted a landing page during his speaking engagements, attracting nearly 1,000 early subscribers who were already primed to engage with his content.

2. Guest-Writing for Other Newsletters: By offering valuable guest content to established newsletters, Tom tapped into new audiences and built credibility within the industry, leading to significant list growth and potential partnerships.

3. Cross-Promotion Through Authentic Relationships: Maintaining genuine connections with fellow creators and endorsing their work organically fostered reciprocal promotions, enhancing reach and engagement.

4. Engaging on LinkedIn: Providing personalized growth advice on LinkedIn not only drove new subscribers but also facilitated meaningful conversations with a diverse audience, showcasing the newsletter’s value.

5. Utilizing Infographics for Shareability: Incorporating visually appealing infographics in newsletters enhanced shareability and engagement, making the content more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.

6. Harnessing Reddit for Promotion: Identifying and engaging with superfans on Reddit led to organic promotion and word-of-mouth referrals, highlighting the power of authentic advocacy in driving growth.

7. Leveraging Unsolicited Praise as Social Proof: Transforming positive feedback into testimonial-style posts amplified social proof and credibility, resonating more effectively with potential subscribers.

8. Promoting Other Newsletters for Reciprocity: By showcasing and recommending other newsletters, Tom fostered goodwill within the community, often resulting in reciprocal promotions and collaborations.

Despite his success, Tom acknowledges valuable lessons learned along the way, such as the importance of prioritizing content over perfect design and focusing on delivering concise, actionable insights to readers.

In conclusion, Tom’s journey exemplifies the power of unconventional tactics, genuine connections, and relentless experimentation in achieving remarkable growth. By staying true to his principles of authenticity, utility, and innovation, Tom continues to redefine the playbook for modern marketers, proving that success lies in embracing the unconventional and staying true to one’s unique voice in a crowded digital landscape.