Free Tool for Newsletter Growth

This tool offers a straightforward solution to a complex challenge. If you’ve ever pondered what makes a newsletter thrive, you might have faced a disappointing truth: often, a newsletter’s popularity stems from the fame of its creator. That’s a tough realization, but it doesn’t deter us from striving to nurture our projects daily. After all, every single subscriber counts, especially for those of us without built-in audiences.

That’s where this handy tool comes into play.

Introducing "The Sample"

For readers, "The Sample" is a newsletter discovery platform designed to filter through the vast array of options available. Founded by Jacob O'Bryant and his partner, this service combines algorithms with human input to deliver curated samples of newsletters from diverse authors.

Subscribers receive one newsletter each day from different writers, featuring the complete text of an author’s latest message along with a simple ranking system from 1 to 5, plus an easy option to subscribe with one click.

One of the standout features of The Sample is its commitment to promoting lesser-known newsletters, rather than just a handful of popular ones. This is measured using the Gini index, a tool typically used to assess income inequality.

How The Sample Benefits Readers

For those looking to uncover unique content, simply visit their homepage and input your email address. You’ll then select topics of interest, guiding the initial newsletters you receive. After that, expect a daily email featuring a random newsletter along with the chance to rate it and subscribe if you enjoy the content.

How The Sample Benefits Writers

For writers, the process is just as straightforward. Head to their main page, scroll to the bottom, and click on the "Submit a newsletter" option. Once there, you can add your newsletter URL and email address. The information will be sent to The Sample’s curators for approval, and then your newsletter will gradually be shared with their readership.

So far, I’ve seen impressive results: approximately 800 additional copies of my newsletter distributed globally, all from just two minutes of effort. While gaining 20 new subscribers may not seem monumental, when you consider the minimal time investment, it’s a win.

Additionally, there are two more methods to enhance your visibility with The Sample:

1. Paid Promotion: Utilize their bidding system, where you set a maximum price per signup (approximately 10 new subscribers per week for $3 each).
2. Cross-Promotion: Use your referral link to drive traffic, which can lead to increased signups.

The links included in this article are for the second option.

Final Thoughts

While this free service might not single-handedly revolutionize your newsletter, gaining subscribers can often feel like a constant uphill battle. For me, spending two minutes to gain 20 new subscribers over two months was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

Moreover, the potential network effect of The Sample is noteworthy. As the service grows, your work could reach an even larger audience.

However, a small drawback exists for Substack users. The Sample's one-click signup feature doesn’t integrate seamlessly with Substack’s processes. Each week, you’ll receive a report showing your new subscribers and views, but you’ll need to manually export this data to Substack—a minor inconvenience that takes about 30 seconds.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and amplify your reach, you coffee-loving newsletter creator!

J.J. Pryor

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