The Newsletter Content Flywheel: How to Generate Endless Content Ideas
I just got back from the Newsletter Marketing Summit in Austin, and my head is buzzing with ideas.
Among many great talks, one concept from Nathan Barry (founder of Kit) stood out:
The power of flywheels for newsletter operators.
If you're not familiar with the concept, a business flywheel is a self-reinforcing cycle where each element powers the next, creating momentum that builds over time.
For newsletter operators, there's one flywheel you should implement immediately:
The Content Idea Flywheel.
Here's how it works 👇
You start by including a simple "struggle question" in your welcome email. This is a question that directly asks subscribers about their biggest challenges, pain points, or obstacles related to your newsletter's topic.
For example, a fitness newsletter might ask "What's your biggest obstacle to maintaining a consistent workout routine?"
A finance newsletter could ask "What's your #1 investing question that you've never gotten a straight answer to?"
As new subscribers join, they share their actual problems and challenges, and these responses become your content ideas.
When you create content that addresses these exact pain points, two things happen:
Your newsletter becomes incredibly relevant to your audience
Your readers share your content because it directly addresses their needs
This sharing brings in more subscribers, who provide more content ideas through the welcome email, and the cycle continues – getting more powerful with each turn.
The beauty of this flywheel is its simplicity.
To get started, all you need is a single question in your welcome email. If you're not already doing this, add it today.
It's a five-minute change that can transform your content strategy.
And speaking of flywheels – I'd love to kick-start our own.
Could you reply to this email with your #1 challenge in monetizing your newsletter?
Your response will directly influence upcoming editions.
See you next week,
Craig
P.S. Once you understand your audience's struggles, the next step is connecting with sponsors who solve those problems. That's what Wellput does – we match publishers with sponsors whose solutions align with your readers' needs.
Transform your audience insights into revenue. Try Wellput today.
