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[Read the browser version right here]
Here's what's percolating in today's edition:
→ Your Newsletter Questions Answered
→ 10 Reasons To Start A Newsletter in 2026
→ Driving revenue via CPMs is dead. What's next?
→ One Man. One Newsletter. One Million Subscribers.
... let's dive in?
Convert MORE LinkedIn subscribers to your newsletter.
The LinkedIn algorithm keeps changing. And not for the better.
Reach is getting hammered. They're following in FB & IG's playbook: making users pay for reach. That audience you've spent blood, sweat and tears building?
Poof. Fewer and fewer will see your posts.
You know what that means, right?
It's more important than EVER to de-platform your audience. The #1 way to do that is to convert your LinkedIn audience to your newsletter (or email list).
That's why...
I'm putting together a 100% FREE resource that will share the tactical strategies the biggest names are using to get their audience off LinkedIn and onto their email lists.
Want to be notified when it's LIVE?
(Click 'Yes please!' in the poll below) ↓
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| What GIR Podcast show format is your favorite? |
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Media is changing.
YouTube is the new TV.
Podcasts are the new radio.
And newsletters are the new magazines & newspapers.
Learn how the best in the world are using these media platforms to build life-changing businesses at...
This event is an extra special one for me: I have the honor of being the event's MC!
So join me.
Join Chenell.
Join Codie Sanchez. Tim Huelskamp of 1440. Matt McGarry. Matt Paulson.
PLUS: get another 20% OFF your ticket with my GC reader promo code:
Dylan20off ← copy for 20% off!
(Enter the promo code at checkout)
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FREE Resources (created & curated by GC⚡)
→ Increase opt-ins like a best-selling author (FREE templates)
→ 30 Days of Growth (via Chenell @ Growth In Reverse)
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We Did It LIVE
First Ever GIR Livestream.
The Growth In Reverse pod did a live episode—and 30+ of you amazing people tuned in and dropped your questions.
The episode is over an hour long, but...
 If you don't have 64 minutes to watch—here's the summary!
Questions asked + our answers 👇
1. What’s the ROI and ROF (“Return on Fun”) from doing the podcast?
- The “return on fun” has been extremely high — collaborating, bouncing ideas, and experimenting with a new medium has been energizing.
- Podcasting has made content ideation easier because talking ideas out loud leads to clearer thinking.
- Video/audio deepens audience trust far more than writing alone.
- The “trust pyramid”: writing → audio → video → in-person.
- Direct ROI is harder to calculate, but benefits include more exposure, stronger audience connection, easier repurposing, and collaboration compounding the value of ideas.
2. How can local service businesses (landscaping, house cleaning, etc.) use newsletters without competing with local media?
- Don’t call it a “newsletter”; instead position it as something people want (tips, reminders, seasonal tasks, discounts, or local deals).
- Keep the content highly practical and useful — e.g., weekly tips, seasonal checklists, maintenance reminders.
- Younger audiences respond well to perks like coupons, bar deals, or weekly specials.
- Utility beats format — make it something people sign up for because it’s genuinely helpful.
3. What advice would you give someone scared to start a newsletter because they worry they’ll run out of ideas?
- Start with a list of 30 potential topics to validate the niche.
- If you can’t generate 30, the topic might be too narrow.
- Writing naturally creates more ideas; each issue sparks new angles or questions.
- Over time, idea lists grow faster than they shrink.
- Having a topic bank reduces fear and keeps publishing consistent.
4. Will AI in email clients (Apple Mail, Gmail) hurt open rates or revenue?
- AI-generated summaries and new preview formats will inevitably influence open rates.
- Preview text may not display the way creators expect anymore.
- The long-term solution is to publish content people genuinely want to open (ie. IV Content™️) — not content they’re okay with being summarized.
- Strong, engaging, human writing continues to win regardless of inbox changes.
- These features basically filter out weaker content while rewarding newsletters readers truly enjoy.
5. Is it mandatory for newsletter writers to also have a podcast or video channel?
- No, not required especially early on.
- Focus first on mastering one platform and building a system you can maintain consistently.
- Once the core engine is working, expand into video or audio if it enhances the message.
- Start with the medium you're most comfortable (some are more comfortable on camera or audio rather than written)
- Regardless of format, it’s important to have an email list behind it because email remains the most reliable asset.
6. How do you feel about lead magnets, and what formats work best?
- Lead magnets are effective when they're hyper-aligned with your content AND help people take the next step.
- The most effective formats: checklists, templates, databases, tactical tools, quizzes, email courses.
- Custom GPTs are becoming a new form of lead magnet with strong potential for growth (like Chenell's Hook Helper GPT)
- The best lead magnets solve a small but meaningful problem immediately.
7. How can service-based or seasonal businesses position a newsletter so people actually sign up?
- Consider avoiding calling it a newsletter — instead offer weekly value: reminders, guides, coupons, or hyper-local tips.
- Make it fun, quick, and practical.
- People sign up when they feel like they’re getting something useful, not “more email.”
8. Should creators plan ahead or batch content?
- Strongly recommended to have 4–6 weeks of topics outlined before launching a newsletter, podcast, or channel.
- Planning reduces stress and makes it easier to publish consistently.
- You don’t need full drafts — just a roadmap of topics, features, and upcoming promotions.
- A little planning upfront prevents last-minute scrambles and improves quality and consistency.
We go over a lot more. Check it out ↓↓
Can I ask a small favor?
These episodes are free for you.
But they cost 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 ⚡
⚡ Building your newsletter around sponsorship CPMs is building on sand 🙅♂️ Do this instead →
⚡ 10 Reasons To Start a Newsletter in 2026 →
⚡ One Man. One Newsletter. One Million Subscribers. How he did it →
Does growing your newsletter feel like this?
Stop beating your head against a wall.
→ Learn from the pros with our live Creator Sessions.
→ Hop on a Hot Seat with Chenell to solve newsletter & business challenges.
→ Get free access to all of Chenell's products and courses—including The Growth Vault.
Here's a preview of all the sessions you get immediate access to:
The new year is coming up -- jump on this offer before Chenell comes to her senses and increases the annual membership fee 👀
Improve your newsletter with these:
→ The 1KS Roadmap: A Free Course To Your First 1,000 Subscribers
→ Increase opt-ins like a best-selling author (FREE templates)
→ Start a newsletter for FREE with Kit (free up to 10k subscribers)*
→ Book a 1:1 newsletter strategy sesh w/me: 30 mins || 60 mins
Peace and platonic love,
Dylan
LinkedIn | Twitter | Substack | IG
* indicates affiliate links. I get paid a small commission if you use these links to purchase a product or service.
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