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- 📌 Tactics that built 30K following
📌 Tactics that built 30K following
30% off are yours today!
Anatoly Zaslaver
November 29, 2024
Hey there, glad you could make it! 👋
This week, I’m shining a light on Ideas to Power Your Future, run by Adriana
Tica - a newsletter packed with practical tips to level up your creator experience.
BLACK FRIDAY’S PROMO…
It’s Black Friday, and I’ve got something just for you!
I’ve teamed up with Adriana to offer 30% off her flagship tools to grow your audience:
I’ve used a few of Adriana’s products myself (at full price!) and saw incredible benefits - I’m confident you will too.
Use code ANATOLY30 at checkout and grab this opportunity to invest in your growth.
Spotlight on Creators
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Backstory (you didn’t know you needed)
Today’s breakdown isn’t about some “OMG viral growth” or “crazy six-figure monetization.” Nope.
This one’s for the builders, the learners - the ones figuring it out as they go. It’s a story about growing a newsletter the natural way: slowly, steadily, and with a whole lot of learning from missteps.
And…there are very few creators who are so open about their achievements and mistakes.
Researching this was a breeze - everything Adriana has learned is published in her newsletter.
What's in it for you?
1. A content format that keeps readers opening your emails week after week
2. Approaches to drive growth while preserving high open rates
3. Ready-to-use templates for high impact with the least amount of effort
Let’s be real - why would someone take 5–15 minutes out of their day to not only find your email but actually read it, week after week?
From my experience, there are exactly three reasons:
It directly impacts their profit. Think of newsletters like Deal Sheet.
It indirectly helps them make money with actionable, revenue-convertible ideas.
It taps into their passions, like hobbies, pets, or good humor.
Adriana’s Ideas to Power Your Future? It’s firmly in category #2.
Adriana doesn’t just drop random advice - this newsletter is a collection of tested strategies, lessons from real experiences, and actionable steps.
Every issue makes you stop and think: “How can I use this in my business?”
I re-read plenty of editions to map out how to implement them myself.
What Makes Adriana’s Newsletter Stand Out?
Two words: tone and trust.
Tone: Adriana’s writing is casual, to the point, and so well-structured that by the end, you’ve already got an actionable plan.
Trust: Honesty in every issue builds instant credibility. It’s refreshing and rare - two qualities that keep readers coming back.
Oh, and the authority?
If you check Adriana’s LinkedIn (12.5K followers) or X (15K followers), you’ll see why this isn’t just another newsletter - it’s a trusted voice in the creator space.
What’s Inside Each Issue?
Here’s a breakdown of a classic Adriana newsletter:
Intro: A quick, engaging overview of today’s topic.
Promotions: Community spotlights that build relationships and support other creators.
Deep Dive: A mix of personal experiences and contrarian takes that give you both sides of the story.
Self-Promotion: Stats and details about Adriana’s services. Even if it’s not for everyone, those interested will find all the proof they need to take action.
Referral Program: Rewards for 5, 15, or 30 referrals.
A Note on the Referral Program
Here’s an idea for you -
Instead of high referral thresholds, why not offer smaller, tangible rewards?
For example:
1 referral = Adriana’s popular turnkey-launch-email-sequence
Why does this work?
It’s achievable, highly valuable, and gives subscribers real motivation to spread the word.
Takeaways:
Your newsletter’s success hinges on this:
Make your reader’s life easier or more profitable. You’re asking for their time - what are you giving in return?
Be open and transparent.
Even if you’re not raking in hundreds of thousands, solving a specific problem builds credibility and trust.
Deliverability
(how to land in inboxes, not spam)
Here’s what makes Adriana’s sign-up flow shine:
Her newsletter landing page ticks all the boxes:
Value: Clear benefits from subscribing.
Authority: She knows her stuff.
Social Proof: Testimonials from familiar LinkedIn faces leave no doubts.
What I Would Do Differently?
Adriana uses DOI (Double Opt-In), which helps verify audiences but often results in losing potential subscribers during the process.
I’d opt for SOI (Single Opt-In) instead it’s simpler and leads to a higher initial subscriber count.
Curious about the trade-offs? Here’s a great numeric example of why Check it Out.
Adriana’s welcome email? SMART!
Let me show you why:
A strong subject line: “Welcome! Can I send you a free gift? 🎁”
Short and sweet content: Just 363 words.
A poll with 3 questions: Pinpoint common pain points with laser accuracy.
Immediate follow-up: After answering the poll, you get a targeted email.
This isn’t just a great customer experience - it boosts your sender reputation and keeps her emails far away from the dreaded Promotions tab.
How’s It Performing?
Here’s a quick snapshot of Ideas to Power Your Future’s deliverability:
Open Rate (OR): 42%+
Click-Through Rate (CTR): 3.6%
These are solid numbers in today’s crowded newsletter space.
Takeaways:
Consider SOI (Single Opt-In) if you're just starting.
While it might lower subscriber quality, it can boost your conversion rate (CVR) by over 20%. Those who aren't a fit will naturally opt out.
Welcome Email Poll: Include a poll to identify key pain points and follow up immediately.
Tools like Beehiiv (special 20% for 3 mo) and ConvertKit make this effortless (use special discount)
Growth
Adriana started IPF (Ideas to Power Your Future) in November 2022.
Two years in, she has 3,600+ subscribers - not a number to scoff at.
Most of those subscribers know who Adriana is and are highly engaged.
Here’s how she did it:
Kit Creator Network:
Added 2,700+ subscribers, including 1,200 from paid recommendations with 50% retention.Cross-Promos and Partnerships:
Brought in 500 highly engaged, loyal subscribers through trusted recommendations.Social Media (LinkedIn & Threads):
Delivers ±10 subscribers/week. Threads offers surprising reach for its size.Medium:
Boosted stories bring 20 - 40 subscribers, but unboosted ones see minimal traction.Podcasts and Collaborations:
Slow but steady growth through events, podcasts, and community participation.Paid Recommendations and Ads:
Kit Network: 1,200 subscribers with minimal effort.
Refind Ads: ±10 subscribers/day, quality mixed.
Planned LinkedIn Ads: Adriana aims to test these next.
Takeaways:
Diversify!
Multiple growth channels ensure consistent results, even with algorithm challenges.
Monetization
Adriana’s newsletter doesn’t just build an audience - it builds a business.
Here’s how:
Agency Work: $17,000 from loyal clients (+240% growth).
Services: High-ticket offerings make up 50% of total revenue (~$22,500).
Products: Digital products consistently contribute to the $45,000 non-agency revenue total.
Affiliate Marketing: Supplemental income with plans to expand.
Takeaways:
Loyalty pays: Trust drives revenue, whether it’s repeat customers or long-term clients.
Steady wins: You don’t need a viral moment to succeed. Diversify, stay consistent, and focus on value.
Did you learn something new today? |