Contents

The Death of Traditional Email Marketing: A Case Study

The Death of Traditional Email Marketing: A Case Study

Oct 29, 2024

Oct 29, 2024

● 4 min

● 4 min

Infographic declaring the end of traditional email marketing with generic PDFs and pop-up forms, and introducing a new era of content hubs, personalization, and AI.
Infographic declaring the end of traditional email marketing with generic PDFs and pop-up forms, and introducing a new era of content hubs, personalization, and AI.
Infographic declaring the end of traditional email marketing with generic PDFs and pop-up forms, and introducing a new era of content hubs, personalization, and AI.

TL:DR

TL:DR

I stumbled upon an interesting newsletter from Justin Welsh's "The Saturday Solopreneur" where he argues that typical newsletter growth tactics are dead. Instead of generic PDF lead magnets, he suggests focusing on content hubs, using data points to understand subscribers better, adding real value (not just screaming "subscribe!"), and leveraging AI to improve email content.

I stumbled upon an interesting newsletter from Justin Welsh's "The Saturday Solopreneur" where he argues that typical newsletter growth tactics are dead. Instead of generic PDF lead magnets, he suggests focusing on content hubs, using data points to understand subscribers better, adding real value (not just screaming "subscribe!"), and leveraging AI to improve email content.

Contents

Contents

The Problem

The Problem

Remember when you could slap up a PDF lead magnet and watch the subscribers roll in? Those days are gone. Here's why:

  • People are drowning in newsletters

  • Everyone and their dog is fighting for inbox space

  • Generic PDFs don't cut it anymore

  • Subscribers have gotten picky (and rightfully so)

Remember when you could slap up a PDF lead magnet and watch the subscribers roll in? Those days are gone. Here's why:

  • People are drowning in newsletters

  • Everyone and their dog is fighting for inbox space

  • Generic PDFs don't cut it anymore

  • Subscribers have gotten picky (and rightfully so)

The Solution: 4 Strategies That Actually Work

The Solution: 4 Strategies That Actually Work

1. Content Hubs > Random Posts

an illustration of why traditional email marketing is dead. with the "old way" and "new way" comparison
  • Old way: "Here's a quick post about ab exercises!"

  • New way: "Here's an entire ab program with videos, meal plans, and progress tracking"

Real talk: The goal is to build massive value libraries, not one-off posts.

2. Getting Personal (Like, Really Personal)

Infographic comparing basic personalization (simple name-based greeting) to smart personalization (using vast user data for tailored experiences).
  • Old way: "Hey [First Name]!"

  • New way: Using 192,500+ data points to truly understand subscribers

Pro tip: Let subscribers answer 3-4 survey questions & get to know their preferences. That way you can segment subscribers and provide relevant value. That's gold for personalization.

3. The Multi-Channel Symphony

Instead of screaming "SUBSCRIBE!" everywhere:

Infographic comparing aggressive subscription tactics (pushy requests) to a value-first approach (building a connected content ecosystem with diverse offerings).
  • Create platform-specific resources

  • Link content across channels

  • Make subscribing feel natural

  • Add value at every touchpoint

Example: A podcaster creates episode-specific resources that subscribers can access via email. Smooth, right?

4. AI as Your Secret Weapon

AI isn't just for chatbots anymore. Use it to:

Infographic showing how AI transforms raw data into actionable insights for email optimization, leading to improved subscriber analytics, product opportunities, email content, and CTAs.
  • Analyze thousands of subscriber data points

  • Spot opportunities for new products

  • Improve email content

  • Create better CTAs

1. Content Hubs > Random Posts

an illustration of why traditional email marketing is dead. with the "old way" and "new way" comparison
  • Old way: "Here's a quick post about ab exercises!"

  • New way: "Here's an entire ab program with videos, meal plans, and progress tracking"

Real talk: The goal is to build massive value libraries, not one-off posts.

2. Getting Personal (Like, Really Personal)

Infographic comparing basic personalization (simple name-based greeting) to smart personalization (using vast user data for tailored experiences).
  • Old way: "Hey [First Name]!"

  • New way: Using 192,500+ data points to truly understand subscribers

Pro tip: Let subscribers answer 3-4 survey questions & get to know their preferences. That way you can segment subscribers and provide relevant value. That's gold for personalization.

3. The Multi-Channel Symphony

Instead of screaming "SUBSCRIBE!" everywhere:

Infographic comparing aggressive subscription tactics (pushy requests) to a value-first approach (building a connected content ecosystem with diverse offerings).
  • Create platform-specific resources

  • Link content across channels

  • Make subscribing feel natural

  • Add value at every touchpoint

Example: A podcaster creates episode-specific resources that subscribers can access via email. Smooth, right?

4. AI as Your Secret Weapon

AI isn't just for chatbots anymore. Use it to:

Infographic showing how AI transforms raw data into actionable insights for email optimization, leading to improved subscriber analytics, product opportunities, email content, and CTAs.
  • Analyze thousands of subscriber data points

  • Spot opportunities for new products

  • Improve email content

  • Create better CTAs

The Results

The Results

While specific metrics weren't shared, the strategies point to a clear truth: email marketing in 2025 is about building relationships, not just collecting addresses.

While specific metrics weren't shared, the strategies point to a clear truth: email marketing in 2025 is about building relationships, not just collecting addresses.

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Quality beats quantity every time

  • Get personal or get ignored

  • Be everywhere (strategically)

  • Let AI do the heavy lifting

Quality beats quantity every time

  • Get personal or get ignored

  • Be everywhere (strategically)

  • Let AI do the heavy lifting

2,678+ people enjoy it

Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—

Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.

Then, we share those insights with you.

Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—

Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.

Then, we share those insights with you.

The Million Dollar Question

The Million Dollar Question

Is it harder to get email subscribers in 2025? Yes. But that's actually good news if you're willing to put in the work. While everyone else is still playing checkers with basic lead magnets, you can be playing chess with content hubs and deep personalization.

Remember: Value never goes out of style. But how we deliver that value? That's what's changing.

Is it harder to get email subscribers in 2025? Yes. But that's actually good news if you're willing to put in the work. While everyone else is still playing checkers with basic lead magnets, you can be playing chess with content hubs and deep personalization.

Remember: Value never goes out of style. But how we deliver that value? That's what's changing.

Like this?

Like this?

Do me a favor and pass this on to a friend or share on X/reddit? It'll take just 20 seconds—this one took me about 2.5 hours to research and write 🫠

P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share stories about founders who have started successful online businesses, growth strategies, and tips to start/grow your own business. I would love for you to join here

Read the full email here.

Do me a favor and pass this on to a friend or share on X/reddit? It'll take just 20 seconds—this one took me about 2.5 hours to research and write 🫠

P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share stories about founders who have started successful online businesses, growth strategies, and tips to start/grow your own business. I would love for you to join here

Read the full email here.

Start and grow your business 🎉

Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—

Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.

Then, we share those insights with you.

2,678+ people enjoy it

Founders Blueprint ↓

Share your thoughts 👇

Share your thoughts👇

Recent posts

Recent posts

Recent posts