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- 📌Need Alex’s recipe for consistent 5-figure months?
📌Need Alex’s recipe for consistent 5-figure months?
Here is how you grow!
Anatoly Zaslaver
November 26, 2024
Hey, great to have you back!👋
Today’s spotlight is on the Faster Than Normal newsletter.
Also, here are this week’s newsletter-related links you might find useful.
The rule of FOUR numbers - be aware of this rule before launching a digital product
List of revenue-generated platforms - a list of various categories to drive revenue
Backstory
Alex Brogan didn’t plan on becoming a “newsletter guy.”
He launched Faster Than Normal to share ideas on self-improvement.
The audience grew fast - 70K subscribers and steady revenue followed.
Seeing the potential, Alex and his team also built The Intelligence Age newsletter.
This AI-focused newsletter grew quickly and led to a successful exit.
What's in it for you?
1. Like Alex’s approach? Download the templates & scale your newsletter.
2. Turn followers into loyal readers with social media strategies that convert.
3. Leverage a mix of ads and premium offers to monetize effectively.
Alex’s formula works - relatable stories of people’s success and struggles.
This universal theme resonates widely.
Each issue follows a simple format:
1. Story of the Day - a deep dive into a unique success story
2. Lessons - actionable takeaways
3. Related Resources – supporting links
Why It Works:
1. The structure builds reading habits, making readers feel grounded
2. It also streamlines the writing process, saving time
What I would do differently...
Alex includes over 30 links in the resources section which might feel overwhelming.
At the same time, the click-through rate is only 3%.
Instead, a 'Best Resources Here' headline with fewer links may boost engagement.
At 1,500-2,000 words per issue, the content is substantial but consistently engaging.
Takeaways:
1. Topics with wide appeal, like AI and self-improvement, boost growth
2. Avoid overwhelming readers; curate content to keep it digestible
3. Templates and clear structure ease content production
Deliverability
Alex’s sign-up flow is simple well-structured and has a clear message.
Landing Page
The message is concise and supported by social proof, with mentions of 70K subs.
Thank You Page
Straightforward and encourages readers to check their inboxes for the welcome email.
Welcome Email
Friendly, with a photo of Alex that adds a personal touch.
Alex maintains a strong engagement rate for 70K subscribers:
Open Rate - 42%
Click - Through - Rate 3%
Takeaways:
1. A smooth sign-up process is essential for capturing and keeping new subscribers
2. A welcome email with a personal touch, like a photo, makes readers feel connected
Growth
Building an audience of over 130,000 subscribers didn’t happen by accident.
Alex’s social media following is key:
- X (Twitter) – 285K
The text-heavy platforms, X and LinkedIn, are a great source of new subscribers.
Here’s a step-by-step strategy Alex used to scale his newsletter growth.
1. 0-1K Subs - do unscalable tasks: ask friends to join, share in valued communities.
2. 1K-10K Subs - grow organically with one platform, like Twitter or LinkedIn.
3. 10K-25K Subs - use recommendations & cross-promotions with similar newsletters.
4. 25K- 50K Subs - start paid growth via Refind and Upscribe to boost subscribers.
5. 50K+ Subs - expand paid growth to X, FB, TikTok, Quora.
Invest only when new subs cover acquisition costs.
Combine all strategies, focusing on what's most effective.
The Intelligence Age
With The Intelligence Age, Alex teamed up with his cousin Casey and friend Isaac.
While Casey and Isaac provided AI expertise, Alex led the growth efforts.
Within 12 months, the project quickly grew to 60K subscribers.
Alex's experience, plus the leverage of the Faster Than Normal audience, was key to this success.
They turned it into a paid subscription, adding revenue potential.
In time, competing priorities led the team to exit and sell the project.
Though details are private, it shows Alex's skill in spotting growth niches.
Takeaways:
1. Cross-promotion can work, but it’s time-consuming
For those without the capital for ads, it’s a viable option
2. Use social media as a testing ground
Posting regularly reveals what resonates, helping refine your voice and direction
Monetization
Alex’s income streams are as diverse as his growth tactics:
1. Advertising - 60%
2. Digital Products (courses) - 25%
3. Affiliates - 15%
Here’s how he monetized Faster Than Normal and The Intelligence Age:
1. Newsletter Sponsorships
Ads priced at $525 drive revenue for Faster Than Normal
2. Premium Memberships
The Intelligence Age offers exclusive content for $9/month or $69/year
3. Affiliate Partnerships
Alex promotes tools like Beehiiv, which align with his audience’s interests
4. Newsletter Mastery Course
Alex launched Newsletter Mastery, a course with insights for creators at all stages
Takeaways:
1. Start with an affiliate product that aligns with your audience’s interests and needs
2. Begin monetizing when you see clear demand
Did you learn something new today? |
P.S. Oh, and..
I hope you found value here.
P.P.S.
Questions about newsletter growth, monetization, or other how-to topics?