<p>Get Matt's 1,000 Email Subscriber Formula: <a href="https://growthinreverse.com/matt-yt-download/">https://growthinreverse.com/matt-yt-download/</a></p><p>***</p><p><strong>"The way to monetize a small, niche audience is not sponsorships — it’s higher-ticket services."</strong> — Matt McGarry, GrowLetter </p><p>Matt McGarry has helped grow some of the largest newsletters in the world — including The Hustle, Milk Road, and 1440 — to millions of subscribers. But in this conversation, he makes a contrarian case: <strong>you don’t need a massive email list to build a highly profitable newsletter business.</strong></p><p>We dig into why sponsorships are a weak monetization strategy for most creators, how Matt generates <strong>$76+ per subscriber from LinkedIn</strong>, why short-form video is the most underutilized growth channel for newsletters right now, and how to think about business models before chasing scale.</p><p>Matt also shares how he’s evolved <strong>his own newsletter past 50,000 subscribers</strong>, what growth channels are actually working in 2025, and why events, services, and higher-touch offers often beat low-ticket products — especially early on.</p><p><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS</strong></p><ul><li>Why sponsorships are one of the weakest newsletter monetization paths</li><li>How Matt earns <strong>$76 per LinkedIn subscriber</strong> (and why lead quality matters more than volume)</li><li>How one YouTube video drove <strong>1,000+ email subscribers</strong> with a simple lead magnet</li><li>When <em>not</em> to start paid growth — and the exact criteria Matt uses before spending a dollar</li><li>Why newsletters should often monetize with <strong>services and consulting before products</strong></li><li>The biggest newsletter opportunity most creators are ignoring in 2026</li></ul><p><strong>LINKS MENTIONED</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://growthinreverse.com/matt-yt-download/">Matt's 1k Email Formula Breakdown</a></li><li><a href="https://growletter.co/"><strong>Growletter.co</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://newmediasummit.com/"><strong>NewMediaSummit.com</strong></a> (use <strong>GIR20 for 20% off </strong>your ticket)</li><li>Matt's newsletter — <a href="https://www.newsletteroperator.com/"><strong>The Newsletter Operator</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Hzq4l4HCkE2oQMR9vQZV4?si=mCEoFK6UTP2rWA1Dv9E8mg"><strong>Chenell's on Matt's podcast</strong></a> </li><li>Take your newsletter to the next level with Chenell &amp; Dylan — <a href="https://growthinreverse.com/pro"><strong>join GIR Pro today</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://growthinreverse.com/archive/"><strong>All of Chenell's Free Content →</strong></a> </li></ul><p><strong>FOLLOW ON SOCIAL</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Chenell</strong>: <a href="https://x.com/chenellco">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/chenellco">LinkedIn</a></li><li><strong>Dylan</strong>: <a href="https://x.com/growthcurrency">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanredekop/">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/growthcurrency.net">Bluesky</a></li></ul><p><strong>OUR NEWSLETTERS</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://growthinreverse.com/?ref=pod_shownotes"><strong>growthinreverse.com</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.growthcurrency.net/?ref=pod_shownotes"><strong>growthcurrency.net</strong></a></li></ul><p><strong>Subscribe &amp; Leave a Review:</strong></p><p>Love what you’re hearing? Make sure to subscribe, and if you found this episode helpful, leave us a rating &amp; review on your favorite podcast platform!</p>

Newsletter & Email Growth: Growth In Reverse

Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop

The Newsletter Growth Playbook for 2026 with Matt McGarry

JAN 21, 202646 MIN
Newsletter & Email Growth: Growth In Reverse

The Newsletter Growth Playbook for 2026 with Matt McGarry

JAN 21, 202646 MIN

Description

Get Matt's 1,000 Email Subscriber Formula: https://growthinreverse.com/matt-yt-download/***"The way to monetize a small, niche audience is not sponsorships — it’s higher-ticket services." — Matt McGarry, GrowLetter Matt McGarry has helped grow some of the largest newsletters in the world — including The Hustle, Milk Road, and 1440 — to millions of subscribers. But in this conversation, he makes a contrarian case: you don’t need a massive email list to build a highly profitable newsletter business.We dig into why sponsorships are a weak monetization strategy for most creators, how Matt generates $76+ per subscriber from LinkedIn, why short-form video is the most underutilized growth channel for newsletters right now, and how to think about business models before chasing scale.Matt also shares how he’s evolved his own newsletter past 50,000 subscribers, what growth channels are actually working in 2025, and why events, services, and higher-touch offers often beat low-ticket products — especially early on.KEY TAKEAWAYSWhy sponsorships are one of the weakest newsletter monetization pathsHow Matt earns $76 per LinkedIn subscriber (and why lead quality matters more than volume)How one YouTube video drove 1,000+ email subscribers with a simple lead magnetWhen not to start paid growth — and the exact criteria Matt uses before spending a dollarWhy newsletters should often monetize with services and consulting before productsThe biggest newsletter opportunity most creators are ignoring in 2026LINKS MENTIONEDMatt's 1k Email Formula BreakdownGrowletter.coNewMediaSummit.com (use GIR20 for 20% off your ticket)Matt's newsletter — The Newsletter OperatorChenell's on Matt's podcast Take your newsletter to the next level with Chenell & Dylan — join GIR Pro todayAll of Chenell's Free Content → FOLLOW ON SOCIALChenell: Twitter | LinkedInDylan: Twitter | LinkedIn | BlueskyOUR NEWSLETTERSgrowthinreverse.comgrowthcurrency.netSubscribe & Leave a Review:Love what you’re hearing? Make sure to subscribe, and if you found this episode helpful, leave us a rating & review on your favorite podcast platform!