​[Read the browser version right here]​

Hey Reader!

I posted something pretty vulnerable (ie. embarassing) on LinkedIn this week.

My main landing page's conversion rate. 😬

I posted it for accountability.
It's been bad for a while.

I need a kick in the ass to improve it. The problem is I'm not a conversion copywriter. I'm not a web designer. And I'm using a website platform I never took the time to learn properly.

But those are all excuses I whisper to myself as I intentionally ignore the much larger elephant in the room.

The elephant?

→ This newsletter doesn't have a clear promise, premise, or transformation offering.

Ouch. 🐘

That's why I can't nail down a sexy, transformational headline with clear messaging and a compelling reason to subscribe.

Which is why my conversion rates are low.

Visitors land on my sign-up page and don't get it. So they leave.

Your landing page should be clear, credible, and compelling. And if your landing page's conversion rate is shyte like mine... it's probably got a lot to do with those three C's.

Long story short: I've got some homework to do this weekend.

Okay that's enough of an intro rant from me. Let's dive in.

Here's what's percolating in today's edition:

→ Is engagement more important than growth?
→ 8 ways​ I'm using AI with my newsletter (not what you think)
→ The strategy to getting LinkedIn a #1 newsletter growth channel
→ 6-step checklist to build a ​$100,000+ paid newsletter ​

Here we go...

Is engagement > growth
​for newsletters?

I don't know about you... but I don't care about getting a zillion "subscribers".

Of course I still want to grow my newsletter. But I used to literally obsess over the subscriber vanity metric.

10k.
50k.
100k subscribers.

Those numbers mattered to me because I wanted to sell impressions. Sponsors pay more as the subscriber count goes up.

So I optimized everything for growth.

I tried SparkLoop, Refind, newsletter ads. All those ~questionable~ paid growth tactics. And to be fair, some of them worked. Some of you came from those channels.

But I realized something while watching the subscriber counts increase and the open rates decline....

Subscriber count is meaningless if the metrics that matter are shit.

So now I'm optimizing for engagement. Because do you know what I want more than a massive subscriber list?

I want engaged readers.

I want readers who open my emails. (Not bots.) I want them to read the emails. And click in my emails. (Again, not the bots). And if I could be an ounce more selfish... I want my readers to reply.

Replies make a newsletter more durable. It's true. (BTW - here are some strategies to 10x your replies).

IMO engagement is more important than ever. And there are things you can do to increase engagement like a pro.

How though? We got you covered 👇

5 Expert Newsletter Tactics
That Get More Opens

Is it safe to assume you want the same as me? More engagement?

Then LFG! Chenell and I put together an episode just for you.

We pulled five engagement and retention strategies from newsletter experts and walked through how they work, including:

→ The Ice Breaker Method
→ The Unconventional Welcome Email
→ The Magnetic Closer
→ The Recommendations Onboarding Filter
→ The 4-Hour Email

​WATCH || LISTEN​

Can I ask a small favor?

These episodes are free to watch but cost us time & money to create.

It would go a LONG way if you could like or comment on the LinkedIn post so we can get them in front of more people!
(It's the post below 😁🙏)

Newsletter Hits
Of The Week ⚡

Curated links from others I think you'll enjoy.

⚡ The Audience Growth Guide to grow your audience—and email list →

⚡ 8 ways I'm using AI with my newsletter (not what you think) →

⚡ LinkedIn is his #1 newsletter growth—and subscriber performance—channel. Here's his strategy →​

⚡The 6-step checklist to build a $100,000+ paid newsletter in 2026 →​

Winner: the most-clicked link from last week 👇

⚡ 6 lessons from New Media Summit: what it takes to build a business from content →

Growing a newsletter
​can be slow & lonely.

So build your newsletter faster.
With our help.

Come hang out with me & Chenell.

Join us Newsletter Nerds in the Growth In Reverse PRO Community →​

GIR Pro is a private online community for newsletter creators and operators like you and me.

A few reasons why GIR Pro kicks ass:

→ Learn from experts with our live Creator Sessions.
→ Hop on a Hot Seat with Chenell to solve newsletter & business challenges.
→ Get instant, free access to all of Chenell's products and courses—including The Growth Vault.
→ Get quick feedback on landing pages, posts, newsletter issues, from me, Chenell, and our members.
→ Hang out with us IRL at exclusive Pro meetups (like we're doing in Austin at the New Media Summit)

​Join GIR Pro →​

(if you join and it's not for you, just let us know and get a 100% refund)

Need more newsletter support?

Here are a few ways I can help:

1. Get clear on your newsletter strategy. Book a 1:1 Strategy Call With Me (30 mins || 1 Hour)
   ​
2. Improve your newsletter engagement & reducing unsubscribes starts with how you onboard your new subscribers.
   Book a Newsletter Onboarding Audit >>​
   ​
3. Get daily newsletter support in a private setting from myself, Chenell Basilio, and dozens of other newsletter creators. Join the Growth In Reverse Pro Community today >>​

See you in the inbox,

Dylan

​LinkedIn | Twitter | Substack | IG

PS - I almost burned down our house this week. Not even exaggerating. Hit reply if you want to know the story.

* indicates affiliate links. I get paid a small commission if you use these links to purchase a product or service.

​.​