How to Use AI for Newsletter Ads, Growth, and Writing

If you've ever felt like you’re juggling too much when growing your newsletter—writing, monetizing, launching new products, staying relevant—you’re not alone. But what if AI could take some of that load off your plate without compromising quality?

In a recent beehiiv Collab session, Nathan May, seasoned newsletter growth expert and founder of List Best, shared his proven AI playbooks that help scale newsletters smarter and faster. From paid ad strategies that bring in thousands of new subs, to AI-enhanced product launches and content workflows, Nathan lays out how to work less, grow more, and stay authentic. Whether you're a solo creator or running a small team, this one's for you.

This blog is for newsletter operators, content creators, indie media entrepreneurs, and small marketing teams looking to grow faster without hiring more. If you want to streamline content creation, enhance your paid ad performance, and launch products without burnout, this guide delivers real, tactical value.

Top 6 Key Timestamps

1. 2:32 — Nathan outlines 3 core areas where AI brings leverage: paid ads, content, and product launches.

2. 4:03 — Using AI for persona-based ad copy, pulling from audience responses and ChatGPT prompts.

3. 6:49 — Breakdown of a winning AI-assisted ad campaign that drove 25,000+ subscribers.

4. 13:01 — How junior marketers can use AI as their personal assistant for creative development.

5. 16:03 — Real example of how Nathan wrote a high-quality newsletter in 2 hours using Claude.

6. 22:49 — Using AI to streamline product launches with testimonial-driven emails and automated workflows.

Top 6 Takeaways and Next Steps

1. AI is a Drafting Partner, Not the Final Writer
   Next Step: Use Claude or ChatGPT to generate first drafts, then refine with your own voice.

2. Research Like a Pro with AI Tools
   Next Step: Use Gigabrain or Reddit-powered prompts to mine insights from your audience’s favorite hangouts.

3. Win with Persona-Based Ad Targeting
   Next Step: Segment your audience and craft AI-assisted ads that speak to each group uniquely.

4. Speed Up Product Launches with Pre-Trained Projects
   Next Step: Build AI project workspaces (e.g., in Claude) with all your copy, testimonials, and product info for faster drafting.

5. Voice-to-AI Boosts Creativity
   Next Step: Use voice memos to brainstorm with AI in a more natural, conversational tone.

6. Automate Your News Roundups
   Next Step: Combine RSS feeds with ChatGPT via Zapier to auto-summarize and draft newsletter content.

Key Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Claude by Anthropic — For smarter, voice-led copywriting workflows

• ChatGPT — Great for research and structure

• Gigabrain — Reddit search and summarization engine

• Foreplay — For saving/transcribing ad inspiration

• Arc Ads — AI-generated UGC ads with actor templates

• Descript — Video transcription for customer testimonials

• Zapier — Automate article summaries into newsletters

• FireShot — Full-page screenshots for research

• Forplay — Store and organize swipe-worthy ads

Closing Note and Conclusion

AI won't replace your creativity—it'll just help you scale it. Nathan's approach is all about treating AI like a junior creative assistant. With the right prompts and project setups, you can move faster without sacrificing your brand's tone or quality. Whether you’re launching a product, scaling a paid campaign, or writing a weekly newsletter, AI can help you get there more efficiently. So start small. Pick one workflow—ads, content, or launches—and give it the AI assist. Your future self will thank you.