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- 📌 $4K/yr newsletter hit $500K/7mo (full story)
📌 $4K/yr newsletter hit $500K/7mo (full story)
Why TWO newsletter outperform one
Anatoly Zaslaver
November 26, 2024
Hey, great to have you here!👋
Today’s spotlight is on TWO newsletters Last Money In & Deal Sheet.
Also, here are this week’s newsletter-related links you might find useful.
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Backstory
What’s the first question you should ask when starting a newsletter?
1. How will I monetize it? 2. Will my audience buy from me?
While you can’t know everything upfront, basic market research is key.
- Focus on the industry you have expertise in
- Understand what interests people
- Find what’s missing - something they’d pay for
And that’s your niche.
Zachary Ginsburg and Alex Pattis cracked these questions.
From their two newsletters, Last Money In and The Deal Sheet, they earned $700K.
Last Money In generated $200K in 14 months, while Deal Sheet $500K in 7 months.
What's in it for you?
1. Information advantage – this is your category to focus on.
2. Why two newsletters work better than one.
3. Lessons from newsletter newbies that led to success.
4. Want to try the same model? Start with ready-to-use templates.
Alex Pattis and Zachary Ginsburg are VC syndicate investors.
Each works as a General Partner (GP) at different firms.
They find startups seeking funding and pool money through SPVs (special purpose vehicle).
Their investor base ranges from seasoned accredited investors to newbies breaking into the industry.
With 5+ years of experience and nearly 800 SPV deals worth $200MM, they spotted a gap in the market.
Despite plenty of fragmented info online, there’s no in-depth guide on SPV pros, cons, or how to navigate investments effectively.
They filled this gap by starting the Last Money In newsletter.
Last Money In
In regards to the content structure or template Last Money In doesn’t have one.
Topics vary, reflecting Alex and Zach’s experiences.
One week it could be a deal analysis, the next, an investor interview or useful stats.
Is the lack of structure a problem?
Operationally, having a set template would save time.
But the growing Last Money In audience suggests they don’t mind.
Whether it’s 500 or 2,100 words, readers learn something valuable, and it’s a win.
Deal Sheet
A weekly newsletter with an annual subscription of $3,955.
It delivers 1-5 curated VC deals each week.
Takeaway:
1. Don’t start a newsletter without a monetization plan.
2. Consider running two newsletters:
- One as a top-of-funnel lead magnet
- The second as a bottom-of-funnel offer with a clear $ value
3. Start in an industry where you have an informational advantage/expertise.
This helps you spot trends and gaps, driving growth and authority.
Deliverability
The sign-up flow determines if your next email reaches your reader’s inbox.
Otherwise, it may get lost in the Promotions or Junk folders.
A good sign-up flow serves key purposes:
1. Make a strong first impression
2. Establish a connection through email exchanges
3. Collect reader information
4. Offer help, whether free or paid
Many think mentioning your offer in the first email is a bad move - it’s not.
People signed up because they were interested.
If your offer solves their problem, not sharing it leaves them with unresolved issues.
This can push them to look elsewhere for a solution.
Zig Ziglar said:
“If your product or service fulfills a true need, it’s your moral obligation to sell it.”
Last Money In has a classic sign-up flow:
1. An attention-grabbing landing page
2. A data collection survey
3. A thank-you page
4. A welcome email
Landing Page
It clearly communicates the offer, keeping unrelated audiences away and lowering unengaged rates.
The value proposition, with terms like VC, LP, and syndicates, ensures only those seeking this info stay engaged.
This balance of clarity and focus carries through to the thank-you page and welcome email.
The sign-up flow builds trust and authority for Alex and Zach.
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Growth
Last Money In launched in June 2023.
Alex and Zach started by announcing the newsletter to their network & on LinkedIn.
In a month, they crossed 1,000 subscribers.
They continued leveraging their network and LinkedIn by sharing their wins.
A few months later they reached the 9K subscriber mark.
To boost growth, they used paid ads like Beehiiv Boost and SparkLoop.
In September 2024 they hit 41,000 subscribers.
Deal Sheet launched in February 2024 and reached 170 subscribers.
While this number seems small, the generated revenue of $500K tells another story.
Takeaways:
Use these simple yet effective tactics to grow on social media:
1. Repurpose your newsletter content into individual posts.
2. Share daily posts that educate and prove your expertise.
3. Use CTA teaser posts a day before or on the day of your newsletter release.
Monetization
Growing organically shows you’ve chosen the right niche and delivered value.
Hitting a unique niche attracts not just readers but companies in the space.
Big-name advertisers approaching within months is concrete proof of success.
These companies look to connect with prospects in the same market.
When Sydecar and Forge VC firms contacted Alex and Zach, it felt natural.
While those deals may have involved some luck, they also validated two key things:
1. Alex and Zach were on the right track
2. The newsletter was making progress
These two partnerships shaped Last Money In’s monetization strategy.
Instead of seeking sponsors, Alex and Zach secured $200K in 14 months.
Deal Sheet
Since February 2024, Deal Sheet gained 170+ paid subscribers.
It generated $500K in revenue over the past 7 months.
This proves the newsletter's strength as a media platform and community.
Last Money In readers became warm leads, paying $3,995 for higher ROI potential.
Takeaways:
1. Aim for long-term sponsorships.
This elevates your business and frees up resources.
2. Price your subscription based on the value you offer.
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P.S. Oh, and..
I hope you found value here.
P.P.S.
Questions about newsletter growth, monetization, or other how-to topics?