Case Study: Perfect Putt - Validate, Connect & Grow

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 latest case study, you’ll learn about how Jared uses FeedLetter to validate his writing, connect with golf business readers, and improve accessibility—fueling the growth of Perfect Putt, his niche newsletter at the crossroads of golf and business.

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

Jared Doerfler - writer of Perfect Putt. I started the newsletter as an accident.

In an MBA class, an instructor encouraged us to write online. His reasons for writing online were different than I had heard in the past. It would instill accountability and discipline.

So I took him up on it, and committed to trying it out for three months. That was two and a half years ago. https://perfectputt.substack.com/

2. What Is the Newsletter About?

Perfect Putt writes about the intersection of golf and business. Pieces cover the finances behind building a golf course to the business of being a DP World Tour player.

Perfect Putt has over 10,000 readers and is published every last Tuesday of a month.

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

Yes - Perfect Putt generates revenue with advertising and partnerships with companies.

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

I didn’t. I would solicit feedback within my newsletter, asking for replies or occasionally putting a survey at the bottom via Google Forms.

4. What Insights Do You Get By Using FeedLetter?

Feedback via the surveys is always interesting.

More than anything - it is validating what I am doing. It is tough to put out quality content every week. Then I open up FeedLetter results, and the survey comments keep me going - they inspire me.

Hearing that my writing is interesting and valuable, that I have a great newsletter, and to keep up the good work is impactful for me.

One item of Feedback that was most helpful to me was to make my financial charts with different colors so folks who are colorblind could read them better. That was something I would have never done without FeedLetter.

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

A common theme is the amount of people I have met through the survey comments.

I get several requests to meet with golf businesses and brands every week. But a survey comment is more valuable for me - it means they read my writing and value it.

Readers will often leave a comment and ask for a meeting - those connections have been very valuable for me.

6. What Was the Harshest Feedback You Ever Got?

When I write my rough draft of my newsletter, I write “Insert Chart” as a reminder to insert a chart.

One time I forgot to remove that and insert the chart. So, I had several comments regarding that. Some are harsher than others. A good reminder that checking your work two to three times is important.

At the end of the day - I am in the arena, putting myself out there every week. Writing a newsletter as a side gig with a family is challenging. I know I won’t have my best work every week. So unless the comment is constructive feedback - I let most of that stuff roll off my back.

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

When I first started writing my newsletter, my goal was just to get 100 readers. I am not a writer or journalist by trade. I went to business school and have worked in sales and operations for most of my career.

It has never been easier to start an independent newsletter. But like anything else - to be successful, you need to be consistent.

Don’t skip a week.

Publish on the same day.

Keep showing up, and you will find success.

Don’t worry so much about how good or bad your writing is - just publish.

The second key is to find the top of the funnel to bring in readers. Pick one social media platform start to build an audience, and convert those followers to subscribers.