Growth In Reverse: Episode Summary
Episode Title: From Tweets to 70k: How Jesse "Accidentally" Built a Newsletter of 70k Subscribers
Release Date: June 18, 2025
Host/Authors: Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop
Guest: Jesse ("ADHD Jesse")
Introduction
In this episode of Growth In Reverse, hosts Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop sit down with Jesse, affectionately known as "ADHD Jesse," to delve into his remarkable journey of growing a newsletter from scratch to an impressive 70,000 subscribers. Jesse shares his organic growth strategies, the challenges he's faced balancing personal responsibilities with content creation, and his future plans to further monetize and build his community.
Jesse's Journey to 70k Subscribers
Jesse's path to a thriving newsletter began unexpectedly after he lost his primary income source. Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Jesse states, "I just, out of nowhere, lost my income, and it was completely out of my control. So the newsletter has grown a lot. It's up to 70,000 subscribers now" (00:00).
Initially, Jesse had no formal plans to become a content creator. His involvement with Ship 30 for 30, a program where participants write and ship 30 atomic essays over 30 days, was the catalyst. "I signed up for that. I have no idea why I signed up for it," he admits (05:14). Through this program, he began writing about design, tech, and his experiences with ADHD, which resonated deeply with his audience.
Content Strategy and Growth Channels
Jesse's content strategy pivoted significantly when he began repurposing his tweets for Instagram. "Maybe I can just do, like, the bare minimum version of, like, literally just screaming, screenshotting my tweets and posting it on Instagram. And I did that, and it freaking worked" (00:50). This simple yet effective strategy allowed him to reach a broader audience without overextending himself.
Beyond Instagram, Jesse diversified his presence across multiple platforms, including Twitter, Blue Sky, Mastodon, LinkedIn, and more. He utilizes tools like Buffer for scheduling and Make.com for automating processes. "I have a thing that does that and then brings them over to ConvertKit," he explains (30:02). This multi-platform approach ensured his content was accessible wherever his audience frequented.
Challenges Faced
Balancing the demands of a full-time job, family life with three children, and growing a newsletter presented significant challenges. Jesse candidly shares, "I've been working full time during all this... and I was really just trying kind of making this thing happen on the side" (07:44). This juggling act often left him feeling stretched thin, especially when it came to handling paid subscriptions.
As his subscriber count skyrocketed, maintaining authenticity became increasingly difficult. Jesse notes, "I feel like it's so easy to get in your head and be like, it's got to be an exact formula for every week. But now it's like, I can spit that out like that, and so that's not the value that I'm going to be adding" (16:01). This focus on formulaic content began to drain the joy he once found in writing, turning his newsletter into a chore.
Insights from the Craft and Commerce Conference
During the Craft and Commerce conference, Jesse gained valuable insights that influenced his approach to monetizing his audience. A key takeaway was the importance of authenticity in the age of AI and automated content. "There's a lot of focus on the authenticity... leaning into what makes you human," Jesse highlights (16:01).
Additionally, after being laid off, Jesse realized the necessity of dedicating more time to his newsletter and community-building efforts. "I have to replace that income. I have to find another job right away. But I decided like, no, I'm never gonna do this. It's just like it's never gonna happen," he reflects (14:40). This newfound freedom allowed him to focus intensely on transforming his audience into a sustainable business.
Future Plans and Strategies
Looking ahead, Jesse is exploring the integration of courses and memberships to deepen his engagement with subscribers. He shares his plans to launch a course alongside a membership community, inspired by successful models like Jay Clouse's The Lab. "A model that seems to be working for people right now is doing a course and then moving into a membership," he explains (20:27).
Jesse is also considering how to effectively transition his paid Substack subscribers to a new platform without disrupting their experience. "I probably could just do something like that," he muses about simplifying the cancellation process for his current subscribers (33:56).
Moreover, Jesse aims to foster a supportive community where individuals with ADHD can connect and share experiences without judgment. "That's what I found so valuable when I got diagnosed was finding other people that had it too," he states (22:21). This community-centric approach is central to his vision for sustained growth and meaningful engagement.
Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned
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Embrace Authenticity: Jesse emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself rather than adhering strictly to formulas. "I really need to... be more true to myself and talk about things I'm learning and things I'm excited about" (16:19).
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Repurpose Content Effectively: By repurposing tweets for Instagram, Jesse maximized his reach with minimal effort, proving that content doesn't need to be reinvented for each platform.
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Leverage Automation Tools: Utilizing tools like Buffer, Make.com, and Zapier streamlined Jesse's workflow, allowing him to manage multiple platforms efficiently.
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Community Building is Crucial: Creating a space where subscribers can interact and support each other fosters loyalty and sustained engagement.
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Balance is Key: Managing personal responsibilities while growing a business requires careful balancing, highlighting the need for supportive partners and efficient systems.
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Adapt and Iterate: Jesse’s willingness to experiment and adapt his strategies based on feedback and experiences is a testament to the dynamic nature of content growth.
Conclusion
Jesse's story is a compelling example of how authentic content and strategic repurposing can lead to exponential growth. As he navigates the complexities of monetizing his newsletter while maintaining genuine connections with his audience, Jesse embodies the essence of what Growth In Reverse aims to impart: actionable insights and real-world strategies for turning a newsletter into a thriving business.
Where to Find Jesse:
- Username: ADHD Jesse across all major platforms
- Newsletter: ExtraFocus.com
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.