Hey Naomi - thanks for the feedback. Really glad you enjoyed the post.
I'd suggest doing a couple of things...
First - I definitely would put pen to paper and just create a persona for who your readers are. Doing this helped me narrow down my audience and really think about who I'm writing for/to, what I want to say, etc. This would be a living document so it doesn't have to be perfect the first time around. You'll add things to it as you go along. It's never too late to do that.
Second - I would only re-launch the newsletter if you think that the content you currently have written doesn't match or align with the persona of your reader. If it does, then you're golden and just keep moving forward. If not, then go for it and follow the steps above to re-launch.
Third - it helps to create some sort of feedback mechanism. Maybe you can ask your current subscribers about their interests and what they would like to see from the newsletter. One inexpensive trick is to invite current or potential readers to fill out a questionnaire with the incentive of being entered into a lottery for a $25 Amazon gift card. It's a small sum and would get more people to fill-out your questionnaire.
Another thing - My growth rate is absolutely horrible when you compare it to what Codie + her team have been able to do. Everything is relative.
My other biggest advice would be to build in public. Share your success, frustration, ask for help, promote your content, etc. It'll lead to some amazing connections and opportunities.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ping me if I can be of any further help. I love connecting with new people.
Hi Roman, thanks for your feedback! It is super helpful.
I definitely haven't spend a lot of time thinking about my customer persona. I'm going to take your advice and physically write down on paper.
The problem with my current newsletter is it kinda lack of depth. I feel like I haven't differentiate myself enough from others and have a small enough niche.
I guess getting to known the audience is the first step I do now.
Also, thanks for your advice on building in public. I share content on Twitter but never specify the process I make it. I will join a couple of groups on Reddit and Indiehack and start from there.
Again, thanks a lot. I'm so lucky to have run into your post last night and received on advice on this.
I love the idea of posting snippets of your newsletter in groups and I've done that. But groups don't usually let you post links at it goes against their rules, so how are they subscribing to the newsletter? or are you just posting links anyway? Thanks.
This is an awesome post! Wish I could read this before I started my newsletter.
I was too eager to start a newsletter and write what I love that I forgot to learn about the needs of my subscribers (why newsletter exists?).
No wonder why my subscriber growth is super slow?
Do you think I could do a re-launch of my newsletter with your steps? Or should I continue promoting my newsletter with its new focus on the audience?
Many big thanks!
Hey Naomi - thanks for the feedback. Really glad you enjoyed the post.
I'd suggest doing a couple of things...
First - I definitely would put pen to paper and just create a persona for who your readers are. Doing this helped me narrow down my audience and really think about who I'm writing for/to, what I want to say, etc. This would be a living document so it doesn't have to be perfect the first time around. You'll add things to it as you go along. It's never too late to do that.
Second - I would only re-launch the newsletter if you think that the content you currently have written doesn't match or align with the persona of your reader. If it does, then you're golden and just keep moving forward. If not, then go for it and follow the steps above to re-launch.
Third - it helps to create some sort of feedback mechanism. Maybe you can ask your current subscribers about their interests and what they would like to see from the newsletter. One inexpensive trick is to invite current or potential readers to fill out a questionnaire with the incentive of being entered into a lottery for a $25 Amazon gift card. It's a small sum and would get more people to fill-out your questionnaire.
Another thing - My growth rate is absolutely horrible when you compare it to what Codie + her team have been able to do. Everything is relative.
My other biggest advice would be to build in public. Share your success, frustration, ask for help, promote your content, etc. It'll lead to some amazing connections and opportunities.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ping me if I can be of any further help. I love connecting with new people.
and obviously post a link to your newsletter :)
Roman
Hi Roman, thanks for your feedback! It is super helpful.
I definitely haven't spend a lot of time thinking about my customer persona. I'm going to take your advice and physically write down on paper.
The problem with my current newsletter is it kinda lack of depth. I feel like I haven't differentiate myself enough from others and have a small enough niche.
Here's a link to my previous issue: https://mindyourbite.substack.com/p/issue-8
I guess getting to known the audience is the first step I do now.
Also, thanks for your advice on building in public. I share content on Twitter but never specify the process I make it. I will join a couple of groups on Reddit and Indiehack and start from there.
Again, thanks a lot. I'm so lucky to have run into your post last night and received on advice on this.
Good luck on your newsletter!.
I love the idea of posting snippets of your newsletter in groups and I've done that. But groups don't usually let you post links at it goes against their rules, so how are they subscribing to the newsletter? or are you just posting links anyway? Thanks.