Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

Welcome to Nikonomics—the show for entrepreneurs and Wantrapreneurs, ready to tackle the toughest roadblocks to their first million.

Nik brings firsthand experience, having bought and sold over a dozen businesses, achieved multiple 7-figure exits, and generated over $100 million in revenue.

Each week, he blends humor with real insights from successful entrepreneurs, sharing growth strategies, deal insights, and unique business ideas you won’t find elsewhere.

Ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality? Hit play and let’s get to work.

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Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

138 - How to Quickly Grow Your Newsletter Without Ads with Derek Kolstad

March 26, 2025 • Nikolas Hulewsky • Season 1 • Episode 138

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨

Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Derek (https://x.com/derkolstad). In this insightful episode, I dive deep with Derek, a newsletter guru who has amassed over 600,000 subscribers across his platforms – including the impressive Daily UI – all without spending a single dollar on ads!

I'm on a mission to hit 10,000 subscribers for my own newsletter in just 60 days, and Derek shares his incredible journey and actionable strategies. We discuss everything from crafting the perfect message and building a distribution system to the power of lead magnets and the nuances of newsletter monetization, including ads, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products.

Is my ambitious goal even possible? Derek weighs in with his expert advice.

Questions This Episode Answers:
Is reaching 10,000 subscribers in 60 days crazy?
What's the difference between a top-down and a bottom-up newsletter growth strategy?
How do you grow a massive email list without paid advertising?
What are the different ways to monetize a newsletter for ongoing cash flow?
When is the right time to start monetizing your email list?

Enjoy the conversation!
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This week we covered:

00:00 Building a Subscriber Base: The Journey Begins

03:06 Monetization Strategies for Newsletters