How to Build Sustainable Media Businesses (for Journalists)

Building a successful newsletter isn’t just about hitting send—it’s about crafting a growth strategy that turns casual readers into dedicated subscribers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this guide will walk you through the non-negotiables of newsletter success.

From viral loops and referral programs to social media hacks and sign-up optimization, we’ll cover everything you need to build a newsletter that grows itself. Ready to take your media business to the next level? Let’s dive in!

Top 6 Key Timestamps & Insights

Getting started👇

00:00:00 - Introducing our guest, Jacob Wolf

00:03:19 - What we'll be covering

Laying the Groundwork 🧱

00:05:37 - Finding your niche, voice, and brand

00:15:46 - Publishing consistently

00:17:09 - Collecting subscriber feedback

Newsletter Growth 📈

00:18:44 - Maximizing follower engagement

00:27:48 - Converting followers to subscribers

00:35:51 - Collaborations for list-building

00:47:25 - Ads and paid methods

00:51:02 - Optimizing the signup experience

Automations and Data 📊

00:57:20 - Key newsletter metrics to track

00:58:32 - Analysing subscriber behavior

01:04:21 - Setting up drip campaigns

01:05:35 - Nurturing subscribers

Monetization 💲

01:06:10 - Sponsorship opportunities

01:08:31 - Paid subscriptions & memberships

01:11:47 - Premium content offers

01:16:26 - Affiliate marketing

Next Steps 👣

01:20:04 - Join the hiiv [00:05] Laying the Groundwork: Finding Your Niche

Top 6 Takeaways & Next Steps

1. Define Your Niche – Get specific with your audience so you can tailor content and marketing efforts.

   • Next Step: Outline your ideal subscriber’s key traits and pain points.

2. Leverage Social Media Smartly – Choose one platform and post consistently to build awareness.

   • Next Step: Commit to daily posts on your chosen platform for the next 30 days.

3. Build Viral Loops – Make sharing a seamless part of your user journey.

   • Next Step: Add a referral section at the end of each email.

4. Create a Referral Program – Reward your subscribers for bringing in new readers.

   • Next Step: Set up referral milestones and simple tracking for your program.

5. Partner with Others – Collaborate with other newsletters or brands to expand reach.

   • Next Step: Identify 3-5 potential newsletter partners and reach out with a collaboration proposal.

6. Optimize Your Signup Flow – Make your landing page clear, compelling, and frictionless.

   • Next Step: Test different landing page versions to find the best-performing copy and visuals.

Key Resources & Tools Mentioned

• beehiiv Referral Program – Built-in referral tools to encourage newsletter sharing.

• Google Analytics – Track and optimize newsletter traffic.

• Facebook & TikTok Ads – Paid methods for acquiring new subscribers.

• Boosts – A way to swap recommendations with other newsletters.

• UTM Parameter Generator – Helps track newsletter link performance.

Closing Note & Conclusion

Growing a newsletter isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy.

By defining your niche, leveraging social media, implementing viral loops, and optimizing the subscriber experience, you can create a newsletter that grows itself. Whether you’re just starting or scaling up, the key is consistency and iteration. Try out these strategies, track your progress, and tweak as you go. Want to stay updated with more growth insights?