How beehiiv's Tools Helped Andy Austin Build a Sellable Newsletter

When Andy Austin finally launched Growth Catalyst Club after 2 years of procrastination, he had no idea that just 14 months later, it would lead to a successful acquisition.

Despite managing over $10 million in Facebook ad spend, Andy had kept the idea of starting a newsletter on his to-do list.

"Frankly, it was long overdue—it had been on my to-do list for over two years," Andy admits.

The turning point came when he saw a friend's newsletter thriving, which inspired him to take action and choose the right platform—beehiiv.

With beehiiv’s user-friendly features and powerful tools, Andy was able to implement a solid growth strategy and leverage his marketing expertise effectively.

In this case study, we’ll dive into how Andy skillfully tapped into the power of beehiiv to elevate his newsletter, transforming it into an irresistible platform that led to its acquisition.

The Creation of a Growth Catalyst Club

Like many creator journeys, Growth Catalyst Club started off very small.

Andy Austin decided to focus much of his energy on helping agency clients. “It was super fun, but I was close to giving up,” he admits, expressing the challenges many creators face when beginning their journey.

Andy recalls, “My first newsletter issue went out to 36 subscribers,” and it took him a month to reach just 100. 

Progress was steady but slow during those early days, as he relied on organic growth through Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit. 

By the end of the second month, Andy had increased his subscriber count to 560 but was still making exactly $0 from his efforts.

Andy’s mission was clear, though: to share his extensive knowledge about high-converting ad creatives with marketers and business owners. With millions of dollars in Facebook ad spend under his belt, he recognized that he had valuable insights to offer.

“I had been collecting and saving some of the best performing creative ad ideas for a while,” he shares. Rather than gatekeeping that information, he felt compelled to share it. 

A newsletter was the perfect medium for this.

Choosing beehiiv: A No-Brainer

When evaluating newsletter platforms, Andy Austin needed a solution that could support both content delivery and business growth.

He found that "beehiiv stood out because of its extra monetization capabilities, like beehiiv Boosts, and its lower cost compared to alternatives."

Andy also appreciates the platform's speed, stating, "beehiiv has the fastest execution and building time in the space. Plus, they actually focus on what's important for their customers."

Among beehiiv’s many features, Andy's favorite is the ad network, which "helps source advertising opportunities from top brands." This monetization capability, combined with beehiiv's user-friendly interface, allowed him to prioritize what matters most—content quality and business growth.

Andy emphasizes the significant financial impact of his newsletter venture, stating, "I've generated 2-5x ROI from the newsletters I've built and sold, and beehiiv has played a key role in that."

The Sweet Taste of Acquisition

Realizing that acquisition is a major challenge for all businesses, Andy decided to leverage his expertise in Facebook ads to grow his own newsletter. "I knew it was the first thing I had to solve," he explains.

The results were remarkable. Within just the first month of rapid iteration and testing, Andy managed to decrease the cost of acquiring subscribers to around $1.20 to $1.60 each.

His strategic approach led to explosive growth, with a staggering 200% increase month-over-month.

Andy's innovative monetization strategy allowed him to offset nearly 100% of his acquisition costs within 30 days. "That meant I was generating about $70 to $250 per day in revenue while growing my newsletter for free," he shares, highlighting the effectiveness of his methods.

Here’s a snapshot of Andy's successful strategies to scale Growth Catalyst Club:

1. Facebook Ads: the primary and most effective driver of growth

2. SparkLoop: utilized for referral marketing to enhance subscriber acquisition

3. Twitter Content: developed to build reach organically

Together, these tactics not only fueled growth but also positioned Andy as a leader in the newsletter space.

In just 14 months after launching, Growth Catalyst Club caught the attention of potential buyers, leading Andy to list it on Acquire.com.

He quickly received an attractive offer, noting, "The acquisition process took about three weeks. It was vital to align with a buyer who valued the engaged audience interested in a specific topic. They saw potential in expanding the content and monetizing it further."

Why Trust Me

Linda Hwang has extensive experience in B2B marketing and previously worked at a renowned international facilities management company. There, she played a crucial role in creating effective content and social media marketing plans. Now, Hwang is a marketing consultant who helps small businesses create compelling brand stories.

Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Newsletter Creators

Andy's top advice for aspiring newsletter creators emphasizes the importance of planning before diving in: "Think through your monetization and growth strategy before you start building." This principle sets the stage for a successful journey and highlights key considerations in the world of newsletters. 

With that in mind, here are crucial insights to guide your newsletter venture:

1. Start now—don’t wait for the perfect moment, even if it feels overdue.

2. Select the beehiiv platform offering features such as robust monetization features.

3. Experiment with growth strategies, particularly leveraging paid ads.

4. Prioritize content quality and audience engagement to foster loyalty.

5. Consistently think about monetization to sustain your efforts.

As Andy notes, "There have been many failures along the way—which is just the nature of business. You'll have losers and winners, but the winners can pay for thousands of failed experiments."

Embrace this mindset as you embark on your newsletter journey.

Your Turn To Build a Valuable Asset

Andy Austin's journey with Growth Catalyst Club highlights how beehiiv can transform your industry expertise into a profitable, sellable newsletter business.

From those initial 36 subscribers to a successful exit, beehiiv provided the essential tools and support at every stage.

Are you ready to turn your expertise into a thriving newsletter?

Join thousands of successful creators who have leveraged beehiiv to build valuable assets. With the right platform, like beehiiv, you can start your newsletter journey today and set yourself up for growth and monetization from day one.

Don’t wait years to see results—take action now and see where your newsletter journey with beehiiv can lead you!