Last time you got my first newsletter in English in many years, today you get the first episode of my new podcast called, you guessed it, The Sharp Pen.
Listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcast
In this episode, I'm thrilled to bring you my conversation with Dan Oshinsky, founder of Inbox Collective.
Dan's consultancy helps newsrooms, non-profits, and independent writers develop effective email strategies. He shares his fascinating journey from being the first newsletter editor at BuzzFeed to becoming a renowned newsletter consultant, offering valuable insights on building engaging newsletters and converting readers into paying supporters.
Episode Highlights
- Dan's Journey: How Dan accidentally became a newsletter consultant after working at BuzzFeed and The New Yorker
- Newsletter Strategy Fundamentals: The importance of identifying your specific audience and understanding their needs
- Content Development: Approaches to generating newsletter content ideas and different ways to structure them
- Publishing Frequency: Finding the right cadence for your newsletter—daily, weekly, or monthly
- Content Format Decisions: Whether to include full content in emails or drive traffic to your website
- Email vs. Social Media: Why newsletters remain one of the most reliable marketing channels without algorithm interference
- The Future of Newsletters: How AI might change email consumption patterns in the coming years
- Independent Newsletter Business Models: The growing trend of journalists making a living through paid newsletter subscriptions
Key Takeaways
- Start with a specific audience: Know exactly who you're writing for and what their needs are
- Content development: Create a list of topics based on audience needs and explore different ways to present them
- Publishing frequency: It's easier to start with less frequent publishing and increase than to start daily and scale back
- Measurement matters: Your business model should determine whether you keep content in emails or drive to your website
- Email's advantage: Unlike social media, email gives you direct access to your audience without algorithmic limitations
Resources Mentioned
- Inbox Collective Newsletter
- 52 Ways to Grow Your Email List
- Newsletter platforms mentioned: Beehive, Ghost, Substack
Kind regards,
René Hjetting
Your friend with the sharp pen 🖊️
I’ll teach you how to craft compelling words, engage your audience, and turn your writing into sales. Sign up for my newsletter, The Sharp Pen, and get weekly inspiration straight to your inbox.