FeedLetter Case Studies is a new series showing how FeedLetter users leverage the tool and thrive on the feedback they receive from their readers.
In the forth case study, you’ll meet Randy, and see how he uses FeedLetter to see what topics resonated with his readers and serves the newsletter to its power readers.
1. Who Are You, and What’s Your Newsletter?
My name is Randy Ginsburg. I’m a product developer, author, and founder of Crashing Up, a weekly newsletter providing you with the insights and ideas to help you build the next big thing. No news, only new ideas.
I publish it as a way to learn, keep a writing habit, and connect with founders and creators all over the world.
2. What Is the Newsletter About?
I write about entrepreneurship and the creator economy, providing readers with ideas, founder interviews, and tools to help them start, scale, and market their businesses.
I sent my first issue to 57 people on Jun 1, 2020, and now have close to 1,100 subscribers.
2a. Do You Make Money With Your Newsletter? If so, How?
I currently do not make any money, but plan to turn to an ad-supported model in the future as I continue to grow.
3. How Did You Get Feedback From Your Readers Before Using FeedLetter? What Did You Try?
I had frequent CTAs within the closing of my email asking readers to reach out with feedback. Replies were few and in between.
4. What Insights Do You Get By Using FeedLetter?
I can see what topics resonated with my readers and which issues they didn’t enjoy as much.
Simple, not long and drawn out. Straight to the open
Helped to reinforce my goal of getting my idea across in as few words as possible.
I feel like we might share brains, and I like knowing that there are other smart people out there who think like me.
This reader left their name with their message, which let me connect with them.
Your messages allow my brain to think outside the box
Another one was findng the best writing and publishing time.
I sent on Monday mornings now, used to write 2x a week (M/F) but have changed the cadence and structure as the newsletter has evolved. I was actually able to use the general FeedLetter voting to get the idea that the content in the Friday issues was performing better than Mondays.
Yet Monday’s emails were taking me more time to write, so I moved the Friday content to Monday’s and the Monday content to blog posts on my website instead. Probably one of the biggest impacts the feedback has had.
5. What’s the Most Helpful Feedback You Got From a Reader?
Anything that emphasizes how much readers love the newsletter. Usually, get one or two per issue that always makes it worth it.
6. What Was the Harshest Feedback You Ever Got?
Topics weren’t really intriguing
Or a downvote.
I wish I received more short-form negative feedback.
As my list has grown, my metrics have fluctuated, and some once-loyal subscribers have tapered off or unsubbed. I would love to know why there.
Also, part of my goal of constantly writing is to become a better writer. I would love for someone to tell me this sucks once in a while and lead me towards why.
Also, we are programmed to stop consuming something if we don’t like it, so since my links are at the bottom of the page, the people who don’t enjoy it may never get to the bottom to vote. Not sure if that’s the case, just my 2c.
7. Anything Else You Like to Share With Fellow Newsletter Creators?
Don’t get too caught up in metrics of individual emails or unsubscribes.
Focus on pleasing your power readers and making a product that people enjoy, and the rest will follow.
This is something I constantly need to re-assure myself.