I've been reviewing the content I've created over the last six months, reflecting on what has been successful and why.
I've noticed that I've been featured in newsletters almost every month since January, all without spending any money. This has prompted me to consider the factors that have contributed to my success with newsletter features:
Here are the key takeaways that I believe have led me to success.
1. Write Valuable Content
My writing has improved since I began this indie hacker journey, although it's still not where I aspire to be. I've learned that providing valuable content that teaches people something, resonates with people and drives more engagement. The more engagement your articles or posts receive, the more likely they are to rise to the top and catch the attention of newsletter curators. People love stories they can relate to.
2. Tailor Your Content to Your Audience
It may seem obvious, but the more tailored your content is, the more likely it is to engage people. If you're posting to Indie Hackers, for instance, craft content that will resonate with other entrepreneurs. Share the challenges and lessons that might help other founders. Having someone say, “I really needed to hear this today” is always gratifying. I always think about how much I love random a perfectly timed article for my own situation.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
I recently read "Million Dollar Weekend," in the book, Noah Kagan suggests that you'll never receive what you don't ask for. This has been true in my experience with newsletters. I've managed to secure features by proposing to swap sponsored posts with other platforms. This approach not only reaches new audiences but also keeps the community fresh. If I hadn't asked, these opportunities wouldn't have come my way. If you don’t run a newsletter look for other ways to barter with what you can offer.
4. Publish Even If It’s Not Perfect
Just post it. Even if you think your article isn't perfect, publish it. Sometimes content that feels mediocre at first can be picked up and featured in newsletters weeks or months later. Everyone is their own worst critic.
5. Use ChatGPT Wisely
It’s rumored that 90% of people use ChatGPT, but only 10% admit it. I've experimented extensively, from generating entire posts based on prompts to revising bullet-point outlines into full articles. The best approach, I've found, is to write the entire article yourself, no matter the initial quality, and then use ChatGPT to refine the grammar. This way, the content remains authentically yours, sounds like you, but is polished.
I hope this advice helps!
P.S. If you're interested in swapping posts, feel free to reach out, and we can feature each other in our newsletters.