Quality > Quantity: Newsletter Hard Truths

Hey there, it's Tommy.

Today, we're diving into the secret weapon that helped me build scale 6-figure newsletters - the engagement-first approach that actually gets your emails opened.

In today's issue:

• Why most newsletter creators waste time chasing subscribers who never read

• The exact framework that consistently produces 40%+ open rates

• How to track the metrics that actually matter for newsletter success

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GROWTH STRATEGY
An in-depth analysis

Are you obsessing over subscriber count while your newsletter is not driving growth for your business?

That fancy 100k list you're chasing might actually be performing worse than a focused 10k list with engaged readers.

I see this mistake everywhere

Business owners bragging about list size while their actual impact (and revenue) doesn't change.

Here's the undeniable math:

A 10k list with 50% open rates gets you 5,000 readers.

A 25k list with 20% open rates gets you just 5,000 readers.

Those disengaged subscribers are actively hurting your deliverability.

And costing you money for your subscription.

Every unopened email is telling email providers your content isn't worth delivering.

I learned this lesson the hard way with my first newsletter.

I spent months chasing subscribers through giveaways and lead magnets

I grew to 50k names fast.

But when I launched my first offer, the results were devastating – a 0.3% conversion rate.

Since then, I've scaled many 6-figure newsletters by focusing on CTR and reply rate

Here's exactly what to write in your email to build trust, authority and grow your business:

1. Start with ONE specific reader in mind Don't try to please everyone. Define your ideal reader by:

• Their specific role or industry

• Clear pain points they face daily

• The transformation they're seeking

• Their level of expertise

Then write only for that person, ignoring everyone else.

2. Deliver ONE clear value proposition

The most successful newsletters do just ONE thing exceptionally well:

• Curate industry insights others miss

• Explain complex topics in simple terms

• Provide actionable frameworks readers can put in place immediately

• Share insider knowledge nobody else has access to

Pick your superpower and lean into it consistently.

3. Create a reliable publishing cadence

Consistency beats frequency every single time.

A reliable weekly newsletter builds more trust than an erratic daily one.

Choose a schedule you can maintain for at least 12 months without burning out.

4. Format for skimmers first, readers second

The harsh truth: most subscribers scan, not read.

Make your newsletter instantly valuable with:

• Clear subheadings that tell the whole story

• Bulleted takeaways for quick consumption

• Bold key insights worth remembering

• Short paragraphs (3-4 lines at the most)

Good formatting can double your engagement rates.

5. Use data to refine, not to stress

Track these metrics to continuously improve:

• Open rate (measures industry relevance)

• Click rate (measures content quality)

• Reply rate (measures resonance with readers)

• Unsubscribe rate (measures content/audience fit)

But remember: you're building relationships, not just optimising an algorithm.

What's the one thing you're currently struggling with in your newsletter?

Hit reply and let me know – I read every response.

Building a great newsletter together,

Tommy

P.S. Your face when you realize your tiny engaged list outperforms competitors with 10x more subscribers...

In case you ever need it, here are 3 ways I can help you:

1. Click here to put your business in front of 15,000+ founders, business owners and marketers

2. Click here if you want guidance on how to grow your business with a newsletter

3. Click here if you want my team to run your B2B newsletter

See you soon,

Tommy - founder at Newslaunch.co