Episode 67

The Smartest Founders Build Email First | Ep - 67

Published on: 20th September, 2025

Newsletters are not dead, Dylan from Growth in Reverse breaks down how indie founders and B2B operators are building 5-figure audiences and monetizing with just email.

He shares the underrated metric every newsletter creator should track, how to launch a newsletter from scratch, and why owning your distribution is your biggest unfair advantage.


We also go deep on

- Sponsorships

- Paid ads

- Personal vs Company branding

- How to stay consistent even when life gets in the way.


Whether you're just starting or scaling, this episode is a must-listen.


Timestamps:

00:00 - Quick intro & Dylan plugs

01:30 - The most overlooked truth about newsletters

02:55 - One North Star metric every founder should track

05:00 - Why owning your distribution is non-negotiable

06:45 - How to start a newsletter from zero

08:30 - Educate, Inform, Entertain: The content trifecta

09:40 - How to *sell* through newsletters without annoying your readers

11:55 - When to start thinking about sponsorships

13:45 - Monetizing early: ads, partnerships & paid growth

17:00 - Newsletter commitment: Why 10+ editions matter

20:05 - Favorite growth channels: Paid, organic, lead magnets

24:00 - Facebook ad hack that landed 20+ subscribers before launch

27:10 - Building your system: SOPs, templates & content blocks

30:00 - Should you steal playbooks? How to filter growth tactics

33:00 - Writing vs Talking: Choosing the right medium

36:00 - Guest posts, collaborations & ownership issues

38:05 - Smart ways to collect feedback from your audience

42:10 - Building brand: Personal vs Company vs Thematic

45:30 - When personal branding blocks startup acquisitions

47:00 - Behind the scenes at Growth in Reverse

50:00 - Final tips for founders building in public

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About the Podcast

Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs
Welcome to "Funds & Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs," where we dig deep into the stories of successful Austin founders. Instead of focusing on their successes though, we dive into their journeys, particularly the struggles and obstacles they had to overcome.

This weekly podcast is tailored for Austin founders navigating the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey and hosted by fellow Austinite Abhinav Sinha. Here’s what to expect by tuning into Funds & Founders:

🚀 Embark on a Journey to Success
Join Abhinav as he takes you behind the scenes, exploring the highs and lows of building a company. This isn't your typical success story – we dive into the failures, the struggles, and those pivotal breakthrough moments that define a founder's path.

🌟 Real Conversations, Real Insights
Abhinav's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than dwelling on success, he crafts casual conversations that unravel the untold stories. Identify the setbacks that helped them grow, the lessons learned from failures, and the breakthrough moments that fueled these founders.

🤔 Why Didn't They Quit? Learn and Apply.
At the heart of each episode, Abhinav delves into the 'why' behind the perseverance. Why didn't they throw in the towel during tough times? And, most importantly, how can you apply their insights to your own journey? Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical takeaways for your entrepreneurial adventure.

🤝 Decoding Venture Capital
Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of Austin's venture capitalists? Abhinav sits down with local VCs to decode their criteria for investing in early-stage companies. Gain valuable insights into the world of venture capital, understand what investors look for, and appreciate the vital factor of founder-investor compatibility.

🎙️ Meet Your Host, Abhinav Sinha:
Abhinav's soft-spoken yet inquisitive style creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to share their authentic stories. His genuine curiosity and insightful questions make each episode a captivating journey into the minds of Austin's most successful founders.

If you're a budding Austin entrepreneur seeking the inspiration and insight needed for building a successful company, "Funds & Founders" is your go-to podcast.