📌10K subs with paid growth - not a dime spent!

Hey, it’s great to have you here! 👋

Today, we're taking a closer look at the Office Party newsletter.

Check out this week’s 3 best finds - I loved them!

The 5 email sequences you need to earn more paying subscribers

​ How to build a 300K/yr newsletter in 18 months

Lead Magnet Masterclass  

Backstory

This week, we’re diving into how two friends turned their passion and experience into Office Party a career newsletter!

Colton and Tyler built a loyal audience and figured out how to get subscribers without spending a dime.

Here’s their story, plus tips to level up your own newsletter!

What's in it for you?

1. Learn to grow a newsletter from scratch

2. Tips to gain subscribers on a budget

3. Get 4 ready-to-use templates that Office Party uses for growth

When Colton and Tyler first started Office Party, they weren’t exactly pros at the content structure.

Now, each edition is packed with bite-sized, must-know stories about the job market, career trends, and the latest on how AI could shake up your job.

So, what’s their “Party Plan”? (Yes, that’s actually what they call it- it sounds way more fun than “Table of Contents,” right?)

Here’s how Office Party typically flows:

1. Party Plan – This sets the tone with a fun intro and what’s coming up.

2. Meme of the Day – Because nothing hooks you like a good meme.

3. Ads at the Top – Yep, they want those clicks! By putting ads here, they can cash in with CPC (cost-per-click) revenue.

4. Layoffs – These are appealing, quick bites about what’s happening job-wise across the country.

5. Trending Topics – Politics, AI, and anything else shaking up the job scene.

6. More Ads – Gotta keep the lights on, right?

7. Reader Poll – A quick, easy satisfaction poll at the end keeps feedback rolling in.

1. Start Simple – If you’re just starting a newsletter, don’t overcomplicate it.

2. Pick a format that’s easy for you to manage and for readers to follow.

3. Find Your Theme – Choose a theme that speaks to your readers. Need a pulse check? Add a quick “How’d we do?” poll with options like “Loved it! 🎉,” “It’s okay,” and “Not quite what I expected.”

4. Stick with What Works – Once you find what resonates, stay consistent. Reads knows what to expect and it makes content creation easier.

5. Put Your Spin on It – Whether it’s humor, insider tips, or unique insights, find an angle that’s you.

Deliverability

Sending a newsletter isn’t just about hitting “send” - it’s about actually landing in the inbox.

Colton and Tyler quickly figured out that good deliverability was essential, so they focused on keeping a clean email list and tracking open rates closely.

​What Works in Their Signup Flow:

1. Landing Page: It’s short, clear, and compelling.

   The offer is immediate: “Get smarter about your career in 3 minutes.” Plus, they add social proof: “The #1 job-seeker newsletter of 2023 & 2024.”

   

2. Welcome Email: The subject line, “🎉 Special Invitation,” is intriguing and stands out.

   The emoji 🎉adds a fun touch that grabs attention and keeps the focus on the email.

What Could Improve:

1. Landing Page Real Estate: The newsletter name appears twice (in the logo and text), which could be streamlined for impact.

2. Thank-You Page: Adding one would nudge new subscribers to open the welcome email, boosting engagement from the start.

Takeaways:

1. Deliverability is a deal-breaker - clean your list and watch those open rates.

2. Write catchy subject lines and provide valuable content to keep readers coming back.

3. Nail your landing page and welcome flow with clarity, social proof, and engagement triggers.

Colton and Tyler knew that building a newsletter audience isn’t about luck, it’s about understanding the ins and outs of growth dynamics.

0 - 1000 Subs

1. They started with grassroots tactics: LinkedIn and “guerilla marketing” in Facebook groups.

2. Tyler joined a bunch of groups focused on HR, recruiting, and career advice, where people were already discussing job trends and sharing career tips.

3. He took the time to answer questions, sometimes even Googling answers on the spot and then added a quick, friendly plug for Office Party.

   By genuinely contributing to discussions, he built trust and brought in free subscribers who appreciated the value he was providing.

4. These Facebook group efforts not only boosted subscriptions but also helped Colton and Tyler understand their audience’s real interests and pain points.

5. This insight made their newsletter content even more targeted and engaging, which, in turn, kept subscribers coming back.

1,000 - 10,000 Subs

Once they hit their first 1,000 subscribers, they leveled up with paid ads on Facebook.

At first, they were paying around $8 per subscriber (that’s expensive!), but with some tweaks, they fine-tuned their approach until they were spending less than they were earning in referrals.

Growth, for Free!

How did they do it?

1. They optimized Meta Ads by honing in on their exact audience—no broad targeting!

2. They refined for specifics like age, region, and gender to reach the most relevant users.

3. Then, they tested different visuals and videos to see what resonated best.

4. Plus, they made sure their landing page was primed to turn each click into a sub.

5. With SparkLoop, they got savvy fast: tracking regional limits (most high-paying offers target U.S. subscribers),

6. Engagement requirements (like opens and clicks within a set time),

7. Monitoring budgets, and selecting high-paying recommendations to maximize earnings.

Takeaways:

1. Leverage Your Network First.

2. Start by reaching out directly to connections on LinkedIn, Twitter, or email.

3. Share what your newsletter offers and ask for feedback or a quick subscribe. Personal engagement beats broadcasting.

4. Join Relevant Groups: Get active in Facebook or LinkedIn groups where your audience hangs out.

5. Answer questions, offer insights, and subtly plug your newsletter where it fits. Build relationships first, not just links.

P.S. oh, and…

I hope you found value here.

If so, please forward this to 2 friends who might benefit as well - sign up here.

P.P.S.

Questions about newsletter growth, monetization, or other how-to topics?

Reply to this email or connect with me on ​LinkedIn.​