Newsletter Growth Comes in Seasons

1. Planting Season

List size: 0–1,000
Main goal: Clarity and consistency.

This is the phase where you feel invisible.

You’re writing your heart out, posting on socials, maybe even showing up in inboxes…
But nothing’s clicking (yet).

The list is moving slow. Engagement feels random. You’re not sure if anyone’s actually reading.

Sound familiar?

You’re not doing anything wrong, this season is meant to be slow. You’re laying the foundation for everything that comes next.

At this stage, your job is to:

• Sharpen your positioning

• Get consistent with publishing

• Build your habit + systems

• Find your early evangelists

📌 If it feels like you’re doing everything right but still invisible, read this:
👉 Your newsletter isn’t growing because no one knows it exists

✅ Success looks like:

• 100 true readers

• A clear “what this is and who it’s for”

• 1–2 early growth levers that consistently bring in subs (X threads, Reddit posts, Boosts, some paid ads etc.)

This season is about trust-building, with your readers and yourself.

2. Cultivation Season

List size: 1,000–30,000
Main goal: Turn attention into systems + monetization.

This is where things start to work and get messy.

You’ve got a growing list. Some people love your content. Maybe you’re testing sponsors or thinking about paid products.

But here’s the trap:
You keep experimenting like you’re in Season 1.
Instead of optimizing what works, you’re still chasing new tactics.

This is where most newsletters stall.

At this stage, your job is to:

• Double down on channels that already work

• Test monetization (sponsors, affiliates, products)

• Set up automations (welcome flow, CTAs, lead magnets, cold subs)

• Improve your LTV + retention

📌 Before you burn your first $200 on Meta ads, read this:
👉 What no one tells you about paid growth

✅ Success looks like:

• CAC below $1–2 per subscriber

• Email opens stabilizing above 35–40%

• First revenue trickling in from Boosts, affiliate links, or test sponsors

• Clear funnel from ad or organic → reader → click → $

You’re not just growing a list anymore, you’re growing a business.

And I don’t mean you have to have a media business or even a media empire, but once you start looking at your newsletter as a business is when you actually start growing exponentially.

3. Harvest Season

List size: 30,000+
Main goal: Scale, systemize, step back.

This is the dream phase but it comes with new pressure.

Now the list is large.
You’ve got consistent revenue.
People know your brand.

But growth plateaus again if you don’t start building real infrastructure and stop being the only operator.

At this stage, your job is to:

• Hire help / or use automations (writer, designer, sponsor sales, etc.)

• Turn offers into systems (no more 1-off campaigns)

• Build media kits + workflows

• Diversify channels and income streams

✅ Success looks like:

• 3+ revenue channels

• 60%+ of operations handled by systems/contractors

• Audience insights driving new products or verticals

• Optionality: sell, scale, or step back

This season is about sustainability.
It’s not just about “more”. it’s about better, smoother, lighter.

You’re not stuck.
You’re just expecting summer results in planting season.
Or still hand-watering your list when it’s time to systemize.

👉 Plant with clarity
👉 Cultivate with systems
👉 Harvest with strategy

That’s the loop.
Know where you are and move through it with purpose.

Want Help Navigating Your Season?

At GoLetter, we help newsletter operators:
→ Land sponsors
→ Set up smart growth
→ Streamline operations
→ Build real media assets

Wherever you’re at, there’s a smarter path forward.
Hit reply and let’s figure out yours.

Until next time,
Mo