Running A Newsletter For Newsletters' Creators
How Ciler analyzed 75,000 Substack newsletters to uncover top growth strategies to share with her readers
🎉🎉🎉 Want to reach 35,000 readers every month for just $66? Find out more here.
One of my favourite interviews lately. Ciler has been one of the many reasons that I’ve worked hard on Indie Hustle.
She inspired me with her interviews and articles, and I consider her to be one of the best newsletter creators out there.
Find out more on how she started Newsletter Circle, and how she experimented with a wide range of growth strategies and how she monetized her publication!
Hello! Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your business?
Hi, I’m Ciler, the founder of Newsletter Circle, a content platform dedicated to helping newsletter creators start, grow, and monetize their Substack newsletters.
Each week, I publish in-depth written interviews with newsletter creators, primarily Substack Bestsellers, where we dive into their journeys, from how they got started to the strategies that helped them grow and make money.
Alongside these interviews, I share practical guides, insights, and reports on newsletter building and host live Substack sessions with creators to dig deeper into their key learnings.
I’m 36 years old, based in Istanbul, Turkey, and I’ve been running Newsletter Circle full-time for the past two years.
I continue building it as a go-to resource for anyone building a newsletter business.
How did you start this business? Take us through the process.
I actually come from a very different background. I spent 10 years working in marketing and market research at a global corporate company.
But during the pandemic, I hit a turning point. I realized I wasn’t feeling fulfilled and wanted to build an online business where I could create content and work more independently.
My first product was a Substack newsletter where I shared beginner-friendly content about building an online business. But I quickly realized it was too broad to attract a clear audience or deliver real value. Then, while writing an article about starting a newsletter, I noticed there weren’t many resources focused on sharing newsletter creators' journeys.
That’s when I decided to niche down and started interviewing a few creators. And just like that, Newsletter Circle was born. The rest is history.
Even though my newsletter was free, I still consider it my first product. Starting it cost almost nothing since Substack is free, but I did invest my savings into giving myself the time and space to learn the newsletter world and grow this into a real business.
There’s also the opportunity cost of leaving behind a high-earning, promising career.
How did you get your first initial customers?
I literally started from zero.
I had no existing audience on X or LinkedIn when I launched.
To get my first 100 subscribers, I focused on a few key strategies:
Posting regularly on social media to grow my audience
Reaching out to and engaging with other creators
Doing cross-promotions in fellow newsletters
Swapping Substack recommendations
The early stage is by far the hardest, especially when you have no online presence. That’s why I put a lot of effort into building genuine relationships with other newsletter creators while learning as much as I could about the newsletter world.
Those early connections were incredibly valuable, not just for growth, but for ongoing support and collaboration. Even now, I continue to lean on that network for partnerships and joint projects.
Since launch, what are your marketing strategies or channels to get new customers?
Since launching Newsletter Circle, I’ve experimented with a wide range of growth strategies, from publishing articles on Medium to engaging in niche communities on Reddit.
Over time, I’ve identified the channels that work best for my audience and goals. My current main growth drivers are: - Substack Recommendations - Guest posts in other newsletters within my niche - The combined effect of posting on LinkedIn, using Substack Notes, and hosting live sessions on Substack
In December 2024, I also launched a comprehensive free report analyzing 75,000 Substack newsletters.
This lead magnet alone brought in nearly 700 new subscribers and grew my list by 22%. It was a major win, and it confirmed the power of offering high-value, data-driven resources.
Looking ahead, I plan to double down on this strategy, which is creating more valuable lead magnets to attract the right audience.
I’m also working on long-form, evergreen articles for my website to build organic traffic through SEO over time.
How does your business make money?
My current business model includes a mix of consulting services, sponsorships, and affiliate partnerships.
I work with creators who are starting or growing their Substack newsletters, offering guidance tailored to their stage and goals. I’ve also activated paid subscriptions on Substack, though I haven’t fully focused on that stream, until now.
Starting this month, I’ll begin publishing exclusive monthly content for paying subscribers. I’m also exploring ideas like launching a paid community, online courses, and hosting events. As a content creator, I believe it’s essential to diversify revenue streams over time. That said, I’m not in a rush to maximize income.
My main focus is on building a highly engaged audience of newsletter creators. I'm about to hit 5,000 subscribers and fully embrace the steady, sustainable growth of the business.
After interviewing over 80 newsletter creators, one thing has become clear: everyone’s journey is different. It’s essential to follow your own path, at your own pace.
In the early days, I overwhelmed myself with long daily to-do lists, which only led to unnecessary stress and the constant pressure of unfinished tasks. Over time, I learned to work more intentionally.
To avoid last-minute stress, I always prepare interviews one month in advance. I dedicate two full days a week to consulting work. The rest of my time shifts depending on current projects.
Some weeks are focused on connecting with other creators, others on sponsorship outreach, and others on content creation. In addition, I consistently write Substack Notes and LinkedIn posts, and I host weekly Substack live sessions with creators.
Where can we go to learn more about you and your business?
Subscribe to Newsletter Circle and let's connect on LinkedIn.