I asked ChatGPT “How to start a Newsletter business” This is what he came up with — Part I

Ron Hoekstra
5 min readDec 30, 2023

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So, as I am very interested in AI and earning money online, I asked ChatGPT to write me a fictional story on how to start a successful newsletter business.

After ChatGPT wrote me the story, I asked him to list me a summary of how the person became successful.

The full prompt goes as follows:
“Please write me a realistic, yet fictional story of a person (you can choose a random name) who starts with nothing but becomes successful with a Newsletter business. Be very detailed about how this person became successful, including things like budget, how he got his first 100 subscribers, 1,000 subscribers, 10,000 subscribers, and how he monetized the newsletter, Mistakes he made, things he learned etc. Choose a random niche and a random name for the newsletter. Use 2000 words.”

The story ChatGPT came up with:

Title: Chronicles of Triumph: The Rise of Ethan Harper’s Daily Insights

Once upon a time in the bustling city of Eldoria, a man named Ethan Harper found himself at a crossroads. Tired of his mundane job and yearning for a purpose that resonated with his passions, he decided to embark on a journey that would transform his life forever.

Ethan’s interest in the arcane world of urban gardening sparked an idea for a newsletter. He named it “Greenthumb Gazette” and envisioned it as a haven for plant enthusiasts, both novice and seasoned. Little did he know that his humble endeavor would blossom into a thriving business.

The Genesis of Greenthumb Gazette

Ethan’s journey began with a small but devoted community of friends and family. With no budget for marketing, he relied on the power of word-of-mouth. His initial subscribers were those who shared his passion for gardening, drawn in by his genuine love for the subject. As the first month unfolded, Greenthumb Gazette boasted a modest 100 subscribers.

Ethan’s approach was personal. He engaged with his audience, responding to every email and incorporating their suggestions. This created a sense of belonging that encouraged subscribers to share the newsletter with their friends and social circles.

Crossing the 1,000 Subscriber Milestone

Ethan’s dedication and authenticity resonated with readers, and Greenthumb Gazette gradually gained traction. Seeking to expand his reach, Ethan leveraged social media. He created engaging content, sharing gardening tips, success stories, and snippets from the newsletter. As the community grew, so did the subscriber count.

Ethan introduced a referral program, encouraging subscribers to invite friends in exchange for exclusive content or discounts on gardening supplies. The strategy worked, propelling Greenthumb Gazette past the 1,000-subscriber milestone. Recognizing the potential, Ethan invested in a professional website and a user-friendly subscription platform to enhance the reader experience.

The Leap to 10,000 Subscribers

Ethan’s next move was to collaborate with influencers in the gardening niche. He reached out to popular gardeners, offering them guest spots in the newsletter and featuring their success stories. This not only attracted their fan base but also established Greenthumb Gazette as an authority in the field.

To celebrate hitting 5,000 subscribers, Ethan organized a virtual gardening summit, inviting renowned experts to share their insights. The event garnered significant attention, with attendees encouraged to subscribe for exclusive post-summit content. Greenthumb Gazette’s subscriber count skyrocketed, surpassing 10,000.

Monetizing the Newsletter

With a substantial audience in place, Ethan shifted his focus to monetization. Instead of bombarding subscribers with ads, he opted for a more organic approach. Ethan collaborated with gardening product manufacturers and created sponsored content that seamlessly integrated with the newsletter’s theme. This not only generated revenue but also provided his audience with valuable recommendations.

Ethan introduced a premium subscription tier, offering in-depth guides, personalized consultations, and early access to exclusive content. The response exceeded expectations, with a significant portion of the audience upgrading to premium subscriptions.

The Continued Growth of Greenthumb Gazette

As Greenthumb Gazette continued to flourish, Ethan expanded his team. He hired talented writers, graphic designers, and social media experts to enhance the quality of the content and overall user experience. The newsletter became a community hub, hosting contests, live Q&A sessions, and virtual workshops.

Ethan’s success extended beyond the digital realm. He published a book compiling the best gardening tips from Greenthumb Gazette and secured a spot as a guest speaker at gardening conferences. The newsletter had become a brand, synonymous with expertise, community, and the joy of nurturing plants.

In the end, Ethan Harper’s journey from a humble beginning to the summit of success showcased the power of passion, authenticity, and community building. Greenthumb Gazette stood as a testament to what could be achieved when one dared to dream and nurtured those dreams with unwavering dedication. And so, the chronicles of Ethan Harper’s Daily Insights continued, inspiring others to embark on their own journeys of triumph.

Prompt: list the steps Ethan took to become successful

Here’s a summarized list of the steps Ethan Harper took to achieve success with his newsletter business, Greenthumb Gazette:

Identifying Passion and Niche: Ethan identified his passion for urban gardening and chose a niche that resonated with him.

Creating a Personal Connection: Ethan started with friends and family as initial subscribers, creating a personal connection and encouraging word-of-mouth promotion.

Engagement and Responsiveness: He engaged with his audience by responding to every email, incorporating their suggestions, and fostering a sense of community.

Social Media Presence: Ethan leveraged social media to share engaging content, gardening tips, and snippets from the newsletter, expanding his reach beyond personal networks.

Referral Program: Ethan introduced a referral program, incentivizing subscribers to invite friends in exchange for exclusive content or discounts on gardening supplies.

Investing in a Professional Website: Recognizing the need for a more robust online presence, Ethan invested in a professional website and a user-friendly subscription platform.

Collaborating with Influencers: To accelerate growth, Ethan collaborated with influencers in the gardening niche, featuring them in the newsletter and tapping into their fan base.

Hosting Virtual Events: Ethan organized a virtual gardening summit to celebrate milestones, inviting renowned experts to share their insights and attract a broader audience.

Strategic Monetization: Instead of traditional ads, Ethan opted for sponsored content that seamlessly integrated with the newsletter’s theme, generating revenue without compromising user experience.

Premium Subscription Tier: To monetize further, Ethan introduced a premium subscription tier offering exclusive content, personalized consultations, and early access, enticing a portion of the audience to upgrade.

Team Expansion: As the newsletter grew, Ethan expanded his team, hiring writers, graphic designers, and social media experts to enhance content quality and user experience.

Beyond Digital Presence: Ethan extended Greenthumb Gazette’s influence beyond the digital realm by publishing a book and securing speaking engagements at gardening conferences.

Brand Building: The newsletter evolved into a brand synonymous with expertise, community, and the joy of gardening.

Continued Innovation and Community Building: Ethan continued to innovate by hosting contests, live Q&A sessions, and virtual workshops, ensuring ongoing community engagement and growth.

These steps collectively propelled Ethan Harper and Greenthumb Gazette from a modest beginning to a successful and influential newsletter business in the world of urban gardening.

Notes:

Please note that this has been generated using AI, so take it with a grain of salt.

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Ron Hoekstra
Ron Hoekstra

Written by Ron Hoekstra

I am a online entrepreneur, with the focus on helping others succeed, and grow their businesses.

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