Claim OwnershipNew Media
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Description
New Media is a podcast for founders and creators building independent media businesses. We explore how to grow and monetize audiences without depending on algorithms, advertising, and platforms you don't control. Each episode shares practical insights on building profitable media and education businesses.
A GrowLetter podcast, hosted by Matt McGarry and Kolby Hatch.
100 Episodes
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Taylor Cromwell (Creator Diaries) joins Kolby to talk about what it actually takes to go from creator to founder — and what makes a media business acquisition-ready. They break down the Starter Story and Salary Transparent Street deals, how to eliminate key-face risk, why IRL events are the next big creator play, and the surprising business Taylor's mom accidentally built in Italy. Want to get your first 1,000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days? Go here 👉 https://www.newsletteroperator.com/sub...
In today's episode, Matt and Kolby dig into what's actually working in audience building right now — fandom vs. impressions, the channels that actually build real community, and why frameworks are the ultimate cheat code for creator brands. Chenell Basilio (Growth in Reverse) joins to talk pop-up newsletters, cross-promotion strategy, and what's next after email. Plus, the guys debate whether Mr. Beast is the next BuzzFeed and what the rise of AI slop means for creators who actually give a da...
Register here: https://workshop.growletter.com/ I’m hosting a free live workshop THIS Thursday on… The New Media Model: How To Build A Media Business AI Can't Kill Your business model is under attack by AI and market saturation. The old ways to make money from content don’t work anymore. This will show you how to fix it in 60 minutes. Plus, break down the “New Media Model” your business can use to get stronger as AI rises (not get replaced by it). Join us for free: https://workshop.growletter...
Brent Davidson built a 500-person trade show for HVAC contractors from scratch — and in this episode, he breaks down the business model behind it: how exhibitors and sponsors pay the bills, how to design attendee flow, and why in-person marketplaces are more durable than anything algorithm-dependent. Matt and Kolby dig into the operational side of running a trade show — from booth pricing and venue logistics to speaker strategy and influencer relationships. If you're thinking about events as ...
In today’s episode, we sit down with Matt Ragland to break down how top creators actually build leverage, grow audiences, and scale sustainable media businesses. We dive into frameworks that make you memorable, the reality of plateauing on YouTube, and how to evolve from solo creator to true operator. Matt also shares lessons from working behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in newsletters and creator education. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Matt Ragland 03:42 Why Every Creato...
In today’s episode we break down four media companies including Breaking Points, Starter Story, Lenny's Newsletter, and Colin and Samir's creator summit, pulling out what's working, what's being left on the table, and what every media founder should take notes on. Plus, we get into the AI slop debate and what it actually means for creators trying to build something real. Timestamps: 00:00 Overview of Topics 01:04 Breaking Points: A Case Study in New Media Success 13:39 Starter Story's Acquisi...
Welcome to the first episode of the New Media Podcast with Matt McGarry and Kolby Hatch. In this episode, we break down the business of media—from newsletters and YouTube to events and monetization strategies. We also dive into lessons from New Media Summit, building profitable media companies, and what’s actually working right now. If you’re building in the creator economy, this is the behind-the-scenes conversation you don’t usually hear. 🍿 Watch on YouTube here. Chapters: 00:00 Introductio...
In this episode, I share an important update about the future of the podcast as we relaunch with a new name and direction. While the show started focused on newsletters and email marketing, the new version will expand into helping you build an independent media, education, or creator business. We'll be covering audience growth, newsletters, monetization, and the strategies behind modern media companies. Subscribe to the video version of the podcast and our YouTube channel here.
Get the slides and resources mentioned from this episode linked here. In this video, I break down the 5 frameworks that helped my clients generate over $100 million in sales from email. These are the exact strategies top media, education, and creator businesses use to grow their email list, boost open rates and click-through rates, and drive more sales. Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction 01:16: Framework #1: The MAGIC Formula (turn social followers into email subscribers) 15:22: Framewor...
Learn more about Uscreen https://www.uscreen.tv/ In this episode, I sit down with Allison Yazdian, CEO of Uscreen, to break down how creators can build scalable, recurring revenue with video-first memberships. We cover what makes a compelling offer, how to price and tier it, and the features that drive engagement and retention. Allison shares real examples of creators generating millions through subscriptions, live streams, and community. If you want to own your audience and turn content int...
Learn more about Ezoic: https://www.ezoic.com/ I sit down with Gavin Bechtold (Ezoic) to reveal how publishers, creators, and newsletter operators are leaving serious money on the table by ignoring website monetization. We break down programmatic ads, first-party data, and how sending traffic back to your site can dramatically increase subscriber lifetime value. If you run a newsletter or media business, this episode will change how you think about traffic and revenue. Connect with Gavin di...
🐝 Join beehiiv here and use code GROWLETTER for 20% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/ I sit down with Tyler Denk to break down how he built Big Desk Energy into a 120k+ subscriber newsletter—while still working a full-time job as Beehiiv's CEO. They get tactical on weekly workflow, “night-before / day-after” social promos, email-gated posts, referral rewards that cost $0, and how paid growth (Meta + Beehiiv Boosts) helps scale past 50k. Tyler also shares how he monetizes with sponsors, Boost rev...
Traditional online courses are dead. People don’t need more information. They need execution. In this video, I break down why live cohort-based programs are the fastest way to turn your expertise into a $100K+ offer and eventually a $1M/year business. You’ll learn how to craft your cohort in 8 simple steps, even if you have no audience, testimonials, or teaching experience. Get the full guide and next steps here. Timestamps: 01:35 Introduction 3:00 Why courses are dead 5:25 The e...
What’s changing in newsletters, email marketing, and the creator economy — and how do you grow, monetize, and scale in 2026? In this FREE online event, 8 industry experts share 15+ data-backed predictions on newsletter growth, email deliverability, audience development, and media monetization — plus actionable strategies you can apply immediately. 🎤 Featuring: Tyler Denk (beehiiv), Matt McGarry (GrowLetter), Robin Re (Industry Dive), Greg Van Horn (Launch Potato), Nathan May (The Feed Media...
This episode is a complete 15-part breakdown of how to sell your first digital product from scratch. I walk through how to choose the right product, validate demand, and price it for maximum conversions. You’ll learn why you don’t need a huge audience to make real money. I also cover launch strategy, promotion timelines, and common mistakes that kill first launches. If you’re a creator, founder, or newsletter writer aiming for your first $1k–$10k launch, this is for you. Watch the full episod...
In this video, I break down why so many people hesitate to start a newsletter— and why that fear once held me back too. You’ll learn the biggest advantages of launching one, from owning your audience to building a scalable, high-profit media business with multiple revenue streams. I also share my full journey, including early failures, the lessons that changed everything, and how my newsletter eventually grew to 50,000+ subscribers and a multimillion-dollar business. By the end, you’ll unders...
In this Q&A, we discuss the future of media and why newsletters, YouTube, and podcasts will dominate. Matt shares his MAGIC Framework for converting social followers into email subscribers. We discuss Beehiiv’s newest features, including dynamic content, native analytics, and its ad network. The Q&A also covers paywalls, reader behavior shifts, and the biggest newsletter design mistakes. Finally, Matt explains how to know when you’ve hit content–market fit and when to use paid acquisi...
In this episode, we break down how to build a profitable, future-proof content business. You’ll learn why email subscribers are far more valuable than social followers, how to balance content frequency and quality, and how AI is reshaping media and audience engagement. We also cover how to identify real problems that lead to valuable products and how to test newsletter ideas to find your perfect niche. FREE Guide: How to get your first 1000 newsletter subscribers in 30 days >> Timestamp...
In this episode, I break down 30 different newsletter growth channels—from social and search to partnerships and paid ads—and rank them based on scale, effort, and subscriber quality. I’ll share surprising data showing just how wildly subscriber value can vary between sources, plus the framework I use to evaluate conversion and lifetime value. We’ll cover channels like YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, SEO, Meta ads, cross-promotions, and more. If you’re trying to figure out which few channels to...
In this Q&A video, I answer questions about how to start, grow, and monetize a newsletter. I explain how to get 1,000 subscribers in 30 days using my “1K Challenge,” which includes daily posting, commenting, and outreach on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram. I cover how niche is too niche, why cross-promotions between newsletters work best when both sides match clicks, and how to measure success beyond open rates by focusing on revenue and engagement. I also share thoughts on the futur...
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