Case Study: Not Controversial - Spark Deeper Conversations

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 this case study, you’ll learn how FeedLetter helped Nia spark deeper conversations, boost anonymous engagement, and uncover just how much her readers resonate with the vulnerable, unspoken truths she explores in Not Controversial.

1. Who Are You, and What’s Your Newsletter?

I’m Nia, a freelance content marketer & writer. I write Not Controversial, a weekly free newsletter, where I discuss things we all think about but don’t say out loud.

The issues I explore are topics we should all talk about more often & openly.

2. What Is the Newsletter About?

I began Not Controversial in 2021, and I mainly wanted to discuss topics like honest & open money discussions, adult loneliness, or the mental load on women with a broader audience.

I currently write to ~1250 readers and they’ve really resonated with topics that offer a niche commentary on our culture, society, and way of being.

2a. Do You Make Money With Your Newsletter? If so, How?

Not really. I accept Buy Me a Coffee donations & am open to sponsorships/ads, but I do not actively pursue them (at the moment).

3. How Did You Get Feedback From Your Readers Before Using FeedLetter? What Did You Try?

I simply asked them to comment below or hit the ‘reply’ button, so their responses would reach me directly via email. It was all right, but I didn’t get as many responses as I’d hoped.

Sometimes, I discussed “controversial” topics so people didn’t want their names attached to their feedback/thoughts if they agreed or disagreed. This probably discouraged them from leaving comments or replying to my emails.

4. What Insights Do You Get By Using FeedLetter?

After adding the FeedLetter widget to each email, there was a noticeable uptick in people responding to my emails. The ability to be anonymous helped immensely. Also, a third option between liking/not liking allows people to straddle the middle ground. Because maybe you didn’t like something, but that doesn’t mean you hated or disliked it enough to give it a downvote, you know?

When I wrote about fandoms and misogyny teen girls faced, I expected not to get as many interested readers sharing their thoughts. I thought it was a niche topic or too polarizing, but SO MANY people reached out and shared some truly heartening words with me.

“I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!! I have no words but everything is spot on. As a girl and as a woman, it’s so exhausting to be constantly dismissed by men and as you say, always being considered as either second-tier fans OR the usual psycho/crazy/hysterical branding. But thank you for this, Nia :)”

Similarly, when I wrote about discussing money openly with each other for more transparency & collective growth, several people wrote in to say how that issue changed their perspective and positively impacted the way they discuss finances with others:

“This is so timely—I’ve tried to explain to people in life (including my roommate and my boyfriend) why it shouldn’t be taboo to talk about finances as a very practical topic, but they still think “it’s no one else’s business.” I’m gonna show them this.”

5. What’s the Most Helpful Feedback You Got From a Reader?

Same as above.

6. What Was the Harshest Feedback You Ever Got?

None so far.

7. Anything Else You Like to Share With Fellow Newsletter Creators?

It’s always a great idea to ask for feedback from your readers. You can choose to adapt or apply their feedback according to your own goals & ambitions and find the right balance between the two.