He's running a newsletter with over a million subscribers and an engagement rate that turns traditional wisdom on its head. Sean Devlin, a veteran in the newsletter space, pulled back the curtain to reveal the strategies behind his success. Having scaled "Nice News" to over 800,000 subscribers before its acquisition by Encyclopedia Britannica, and currently running "All Healthy" with an astounding 1.3 million subscribers and a 52% open rate, Sean is doing something different. He shares his unconventional approach to content, monetization, and growth that prioritizes reader value and long-term relationships over short-term metrics. If you're building an audience and want them to genuinely look forward to your emails, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:01 The power of habit-forming newsletter sections
02:47 Why creators get email formats wrong
04:09 The long-term perspective on engagement metrics
06:40 Balancing clickbait with true value
07:19 Achieving high open rates with a massive list
09:46 Monetization through seamless sponsorships
18:01 The art of increasing sponsorship rates
20:56 Taking responsibility for advertiser performance
22:14 Newsletter design and structure essentials
27:10 Leveraging lead magnets and quizzes for acquisition
30:51 Optimizing for subscriber payback period
38:38 The content creation flywheel
45:30 The overlooked importance of newsletter design
47:27 Crafting an engaging newsletter opening
51:11 Fixing underperforming emails

If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.

Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show

Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com

Follow Sean:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancdevlin
All Healthy: https://www.allhealthy.com

Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
Feedly: https://feedly.com
Airtable: https://www.airtable.com
Midjourney: https://www.midjourney.com
Spark Loop: https://www.sparkloop.app

Highlights:
01:01 – Designing sections for reader habit formation
07:19 – Maintaining 50%+ open rates with 1.3M subscribers
09:46 – Integrating sponsorships seamlessly within content
15:01 – Iterating on flexible pricing for sponsors
22:14 – Importance of visual design in newsletter trust
30:51 – Reducing subscriber payback period strategies
45:30 – Why newsletter design is a critical hot take

What does it take to truly master book marketing and author growth in today’s crowded landscape? Nathan Barry and James Clear co-hosted an exclusive mastermind bringing together 16 of the world's top non-fiction authors in Nashville. This episode pulls back the curtain on the cutting-edge strategies discussed: from leveraging Instagram trial reels for new audiences, to the surprising power of paid "tiny offers" over free lead magnets, and even the meticulous, 80-hour prep work behind viral podcast appearances. Discover how these literary titans are staying ahead, the unscalable tactics that drive massive success, and the mindset required to play at the highest levels of the author game.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Book Marketing Secrets from Top Authors
04:50 Unscalable Tactics for Book Launches
08:26 The Power of "Tiny Offers" Over Lead Magnets
11:58 Instagram Story Strategy: The Power of Three
15:47 Leveraging Old Content for Viral Success
19:07 Micro Podcast Tours for Book Promotion
23:10 The Audiobook Debate: Does Listening Count as Reading?
28:40 The 80-Hour Podcast Prep Phenomenon
34:04 Authenticity vs. Meticulous Preparation in Content
38:30 AI Checkpoints for Authentic Content Creation
41:00 Scaling Speaking Fees Strategically
45:30 Madeline Macintosh: CEO of Authors Equity
49:00 Email Marketing and the Kit Flywheel for Book Sales
52:45 Leveraging Local Indie Bookstores for Sales
56:10 The Grind Behind Every Bestseller
1:01:00 Building Your Own Mastermind Community
1:06:50 The Power of Creating Your Own Room

If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.

Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show

Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com

Follow Haley:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleyjani
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-janicek

Follow Chelsea:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseahahn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseainboise

Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
Unreasonable Hospitality: https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com
Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
The Five Types of Wealth: https://sahilbloom.com/5-types-of-wealth
Diary of a CEO: https://www.stevenbartlett.com/podcast
Authors Equity: https://www.authorsequity.com
Southall Farm: https://www.southalltn.com
A Gentleman in Moscow: https://www.amor-towler.com/a-gentleman-in-moscow

Uncovering how 'From Boise' evolved from a passion project rooted in community to a thriving six-figure business, Nathan Barry sits down with Marissa Lovell. Marissa shares the unique content strategy and innovative monetization experiments that fueled its growth, highlighting how deep community connections propelled its success in the local media landscape.

Discover how 'From Boise' sets itself apart by championing positive local stories and community engagement, demonstrating the powerful impact of authenticity and experimentation in building a successful creator business.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: From Kit to From Boise
04:15 The Origin Story: Why a Local Newsletter?
09:40 Subscriber Milestones: 24,000+ Strong
17:15 The From Boise Dinner Club: From Idea to Sold Out Success
21:55 Craft & Commerce: A Note from Nathan
23:20 Experimentation as a Core Philosophy
27:00 Spotlighting Boise's Creative and Entrepreneurial Spirit
32:50 The Business Arc: From Hobby to Six Figures
38:25 Audience Questions: Content Curation
46:30 The Art of Curation and Personal Touch

If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.

Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show

Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com

Follow Marissa:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/from.boise
Website: https://www.fromboise.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/withlovefromboise
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6I7HKhg8nj5tiNJhssnYRq
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@from.boise

Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
From Boise: https://www.fromboise.com
Craft & Commerce Conference: https://kit.com/conference
Rick Rubin - The Creative Act: A Way of Being: https://www.rickrubin.com/the-creative-act
Ann Helen Peterson's Newsletter: https://annehelen.substack.com
Boise Dev: https://boisedev.com
Treefort Music Fest: https://www.treefortmusicfest.com
Idaho Film Society: https://idahofilmsociety.org
Seth Godin: https://sethgodin.com

Highlights:
04:15 The Start of From Boise: An Experiment in Local Media
14:10 Building Community: The Difference Between an Audience and a Crowd
22:04 Diverse Monetization: From Sponsorships to Discount Cards
28:00 News vs. Community Stories: A Unique Content Strategy
32:50 The Business Side: Crossing Six Figures with a Local Newsletter