Newsletter Operator

Learn more about Ezoic: https://www.ezoic.com/

I sit down with Gavin Bechtold (Ezoic) to reveal how publishers, creators, and newsletter operators are leaving serious money on the table by ignoring website monetization. We break down programmatic ads, first-party data, and how sending traffic back to your site can dramatically increase subscriber lifetime value. If you run a newsletter or media business, this episode will change how you think about traffic and revenue.

Connect with Gavin directly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinbechtold/

Timestamps:

00:00: Intro & why website traffic is overlooked
05:47: Website vs. newsletter monetization
12:50: What RPMs can you actually expect?
16:46: Myth busting: Do ads hurt user experience?
29:21: How first-party data increases ad revenue
36:56: Who Ezoic is a good fit for

More Resources:

🎤 Pre-order recordings from New Media Summit with speakers like Codie Sanchez, Ryan Deiss, and 15+ more: 
https://recording.newmediasummit.com/

📧 Join my free newsletter here: 
https://www.newsletteroperator.com/subscribe

🐝 Join beehiiv here and use code GROWLETTER for 20% off:
https://www.beehiiv.com/

I sit down with Tyler Denk to break down how he built Big Desk Energy into a 120k+ subscriber newsletter—while still working a full-time job as Beehiiv's CEO. They get tactical on weekly workflow, “night-before / day-after” social promos, email-gated posts, referral rewards that cost $0, and how paid growth (Meta + Beehiiv Boosts) helps scale past 50k. Tyler also shares how he monetizes with sponsors, Boost revenue, and a high-ticket Costa Rica mastermind—and why founder-led marketing and trust matter more than ever in the AI era. If you’re building a newsletter as a side hustle (or scaling one fast), this episode is packed with actionable playbooks you can copy.

Tyler's newsletter Big Desk Energy: https://www.bigdeskenergy.com/

Tyler's media kit HERE >>

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:59 Building a 120K Subscriber Newsletter on the Side
02:01 Managing Time While Working Full-Time
07:45 Launch Strategy & Early Growth Tactics
14:49 Leveraging Social & DMs for Growth
17:38 Scaling with Paid Ads & Beehiiv Boost
21:17 Referral Programs That Actually Work
29:01 How Tyler Monetizes (Sponsors, Boost, Ads)
34:36 $10K Mastermind Strategy
41:57 The Future of Beehiiv
48:21 AI & The Future of Email
55:49 Beehiiv vs. Other Platforms

Traditional online courses are dead. People don’t need more information. They need execution. In this video, I break down why live cohort-based programs are the fastest way to turn your expertise into a $100K+ offer and eventually a $1M/year business. You’ll learn how to craft your cohort in 8 simple steps, even if you have no audience, testimonials, or teaching experience. 
Get the full guide and next steps here.

Timestamps:
01:35 Introduction 
3:00 Why courses are dead
5:25 The execution problem
5:48 Why cohorts win
7:22 Step 1: Pick the outcome
10:45 Step 2: Structure it
14:22 Step 3: Homework plan
15:06 Step 4: Build the system
16:11 Step 5: Gamify + track
19:40 Step 6: Track results
20:43 Step 7: Scarcity
21:22 Step 8: Social proof
26:58 Step 9: Cohort outline
30:15 Step 10: Build anticipation
31:17 Step 11: Always sell, then build
31:55 Step 12: Marketing schedule
Want to learn what's working in media right now? New Media Summit brings together 500+ founders in Austin Feb 26-27 with Codie Sanchez, Ryan Deiss, Matt Paulson, and more. Get tickets here!

What’s changing in newsletters, email marketing, and the creator economy — and how do you grow, monetize, and scale in 2026?

In this FREE online event, 8 industry experts share 15+ data-backed predictions on newsletter growth, email deliverability, audience development, and media monetization — plus actionable strategies you can apply immediately.

🎤 Featuring: Tyler Denk (beehiiv), Matt McGarry (GrowLetter), Robin Re (Industry Dive), Greg Van Horn (Launch Potato), Nathan May (The Feed Media), Max Bidna (Growth Daily), Chris Miquel (Audience Bridge), and Daniel Bustamante (Ship 30 for 30).

If you’re building a newsletter, email list, or media business, this event will help you create a clear, tactical plan for growth in 2026.

Timestamps:
1:00 Speaker Introductions
3:06 Tyler Denk
18:20 Greg Van Horn
29:10 Nathan May 
44:07 Robin Re
55:50 Chris Miquel
01:08:10 Marketing Max
01:22:57 Daniel Bustamante
1:36:56 Matt’s Takeaways 
1:38:20 New Media Summit
Bonus 1: Use code 'NEWMEDIA' and receive 20% off Beehiiv.
Bonus 2: FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days.
Bonus 3: Our New Media Summit promotional discount has ended — however, you can still save $400 by purchasing today with early-bird pricing.

👉 Grab your ticket to New Media Summit.

New Media Summit is where today’s top speakers, media founders, newsletter operators, publishers, and marketers come together to share real tactics and build meaningful connections — and many of the experts in this event will be there. February 26-27

This episode is a complete 15-part breakdown of how to sell your first digital product from scratch. I walk through how to choose the right product, validate demand, and price it for maximum conversions. You’ll learn why you don’t need a huge audience to make real money. I also cover launch strategy, promotion timelines, and common mistakes that kill first launches. If you’re a creator, founder, or newsletter writer aiming for your first $1k–$10k launch, this is for you.
Watch the full episode on YouTube linked here.
Watch my monetization masterclass here.

FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >>
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Selling Digital Products
01:09 Building an Email List for Success
03:48 Understanding Your Audience's Needs
06:08 Types of Media Products
06:50 Pricing Your Product 
08:15 Your Tech Setup
10:26 Overcoming the Need for Testimonials
11:31 Navigating Sales Without Being Salesy
12:25 Mastering Copywriting
13:56 Promoting Your Product Effectively
15:29 Establishing Credibility as a Seller
16:48 Your First Launch
18:26 Refunds and Customer Concerns
19:14 Creating a Minimum Viable Product
20:04 Validating Your Product Idea
20:53 Running a Pre-Sale for Your Product