The Copywriter Club Podcast #462: Writing a Newsletter with Ciler Demiralp

Host: Rob Marsh
Guest: Ciler Demiralp (Newsletter Circle)
Date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the business and craft of writing newsletters—exploring why newsletters are more than just emails, their potential as stand-alone businesses, and how copywriters and creators can leverage them for revenue, audience-building, and opportunity. Rob Marsh interviews newsletter strategist and creator Ciler Demiralp, who shares actionable insights from running Newsletter Circle, her own “newsletter about newsletters.” Together, they discuss effective strategies, key mistakes, growth tactics, and personal stories from the burgeoning world of newsletter creators.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise and Diversification of Newsletters (00:00–04:20)

• Newsletters have evolved from simple business emails to a standalone business model, with high-profile cases like Morning Brew and The Hustle selling for millions.
• Modern newsletters are topic- or industry-driven, long-form, community-building, and often act as a personal thought leadership platform.
• Quote:

  “Newsletters present a massive opportunity for copywriters and content writers, especially those who have specialized niche expertise.” —Rob Marsh (02:46)

2. Ciler Demiralp’s Journey to Newsletter Circle (04:20–07:34)

• Ciler started Newsletter Circle after noticing a lack of resources about how solo newsletter creators build and succeed.
• Her publication initially featured interviews with a variety of newsletter creators and now focuses on actionable strategies, particularly for Substack writers.
• She emphasizes learning by interviewing and sharing best practices as well as her own hands-on experiences.
• Quote:

  “Every journey is unique and every path is unique. But there are some best practices and some common trends.” —Ciler Demiralp (05:53)

3. Newsletter vs. Email Marketing (07:34–10:52)

• Clear distinction:
  • Email marketing is about serving an existing business (segmentation, campaigns, sales).
  • Newsletter creation can be the business—a creator-owned publication often community- and content-focused.
• Some brands use newsletters for thought leadership, awareness, and community-building.
• Quote:

  “These are creator-led businesses, not like a B2B business who leverages email marketing just as a channel.” —Ciler Demiralp (08:34)

4. Why Newsletters? (11:20–12:49)

• Newsletters allow for direct connection via owned email lists, as opposed to platforms subject to algorithm changes.
• They facilitate audience segmentation, personalization, and can be monetized after building trust and value.

5. Starting a Newsletter: Foundational Questions (13:04–17:04)

• Key questions to answer before starting:
  1. Why am I starting this newsletter (hobby or business)?
  2. What resources (time, money) can I allocate?
  3. Who is my target audience and what unique value will I offer?
• Planning involves considering content, frequency, promotion, and eventual monetization, but flexibility is critical; iterate as you learn.
• Quote:

  “If you’re starting as an independent creator, it’s critical not to overwhelm yourself…It’s an ongoing exploration exercise.” —Ciler Demiralp (16:22)

6. Growing a Newsletter Audience (17:04–25:38)

• Content creation is just the beginning—promotion is essential, especially if starting without an existing audience.
• Success depends on clarity about your audience, problem-solving focus, choosing relevant distribution channels, and being consistent in both publishing and promotion.
• Early growth on social (e.g., LinkedIn): Start modestly with 2–3 strong posts per week, increase frequency as feasible, and complement with engaging others and smart outreach.
• Quote:

  “If you don’t promote your work, nobody will read your work.” —Ciler Demiralp (17:43)

7. Leveraging Tech Tools & Platform Features (26:21–31:25)

• Platforms like Substack, ConvertKit, and Beehive offer built-in growth features:
  • Substack Notes: an intellectually focused, less crowded feed for discovery.
  • Recommendations: can be useful but tread carefully as auto-checking can result in low-engagement signups.
  • Substack DMs, chat, and live sessions help foster community and direct engagement.
• Combine these with at least one external social channel for broader reach.
• Quote:

  “The whole experience is designed to increase… new subscribers for creators.” —Ciler Demiralp (28:33)

8. When & How to Monetize (31:25–37:48)

• Don’t wait for a “magic number” of subscribers. Small, deeply-engaged audiences (even 1,000 people) can drive meaningful paid conversion if you’re solving a unique problem.
• Validate monetization readiness: Look for engagement (comments, replies), solicit feedback, and run one-on-one chats.
• Diversify income: Paid newsletters, higher-ticket products (courses, services, coaching) often outpace pure subscription models.
• Quote:

  “If you know your audience, if you manage to build an engaged audience base…then go for it.” —Ciler Demiralp (34:49)
  "It’s really difficult to make a living with your newsletter if you only rely on one monetization methodology. Diversifying your revenue streams might be a good idea…” —Ciler Demiralp (35:23)

9. Treating a Newsletter Like a Business (37:48–39:40)

• Starting a newsletter with business aspirations requires the same intentionality as launching any standalone company: niche selection, product strategy, ongoing experimentation, and expectation management.
• Quote:

  “You’re starting a business that is a newsletter.” —Rob Marsh (37:49)

10. Real-World Success Stories (39:40–41:33)

• Impact extends beyond money: Newsletters have helped people land dream jobs and offered crucial motivation or life change during hard times.
• Newsletters are also a powerful tool for career pivots.

11. Biggest Mistakes to Avoid (41:33–44:45)

• Common pitfalls:
  • Failing to clarify purpose, audience, or problem.
  • Believing consistent writing alone, without promotion, is sufficient.
  • Not diversifying promotion channels.
  • Not gathering and acting on reader feedback.
  • Being reluctant to “sell” or promote—adopting an artist mentality over a business mindset.
• Quote:

  “If you like to build a business, you need to adopt a business mindset.” —Ciler Demiralp (44:42)

12. What’s Next for Newsletter Circle (45:30–47:03)

• Ciler plans to launch a big lead-magnet report (as she did previously by analyzing 75,000 Substack newsletters), host webinars/online events, and continue refocusing content toward actionable tips and live sessions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Direct, actionable quote:

  “If you don’t promote your work, nobody will read your work.” —Ciler Demiralp (17:43)

• Framework for starting:

  “Why do you want to start a newsletter? This is the first question that we should ask ourselves because the answer.. shapes the rest of the road.” —Ciler Demiralp (13:07)

• Clear on business realities:

  "You’re starting a business that is a newsletter." —Rob Marsh (37:49)

• Mindset shift:

  “If you like to build a business, you need to adopt a business mindset.” —Ciler Demiralp (44:42)

• The power of direct ownership:

  “Algorithms can change and platforms can be shut down, but this email list… you will own this forever.” —Ciler Demiralp (11:34)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 — Introduction/industry context
• 04:20 — Ciler’s background and her path to newsletters
• 07:34 — Email marketing vs. newsletters
• 11:20 — Why newsletters are powerful
• 13:04 — The real starting point for aspiring newsletter writers
• 17:04 — Audience building: The need for active, planned promotion
• 23:17 — How often to promote: posting cadence and engagement
• 26:21 — Using Substack/ConvertKit/Beehive tools for growth
• 31:25 — When and how to think about monetization and paid subscriptions
• 35:22 — Diversifying newsletter revenue streams
• 39:40 — Examples of real-world newsletter impact and success
• 41:55 — Top mistakes to avoid
• 45:30 — What’s next for Newsletter Circle
• 47:36 — Where to find Ciler online

Resources & Connections

• Newsletter Circle: newslettercircle.substack.com
• Connect with Ciler: LinkedIn (mention the podcast for a personal touch)

Final Thoughts

Newsletters are a significant, fast-growing opportunity for writers—but only work as a business if they’re intentionally built, consistently promoted, audience-focused, and approached with a business mindset. Ciler’s journey and her interviews with dozens of successful creators offer a playbook for anyone eager to build and grow their own paid newsletter or use newsletters as a strategic tool for audience and authority.