Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >>
We're diving into one of the most underrated growth strategies out there: collaborations and cross-promotions.
Whether you're building a newsletter, launching a podcast, or growing a YouTube channel, collabs are one of the most high-leverage plays you can run — and we break down exactly how to do them right.
We get into real-life examples, from simple newsletter swaps to co-created content that drives thousands of subscribers (even when you're the smaller creator). We also talk through common mistakes we’ve made, what to watch out for, and how to build a repeatable system that makes these partnerships easy and effective. If you're feeling burned out by social algorithms or just want more control over your growth, this one’s for you.
→ Take your newsletter to the next level with GIR Pro >>
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Why social platforms aren't cutting it anymore—and why we're bullish on collaborations
- The basic newsletter swap (and why it's still effective)
- Creative cross-promo formats beyond the typical swap—articles, email courses, and more
- The Alex Garcia x Pat Walls YouTube/article collab that brought in thousands of subscribers
- Why adjacent audiences are the sweet spot
- The myth of audience size: why alignment > numbers
- Chenell's horror story: zero subscribers from a 4K list cross-promo
- Co-created content: The powerhouse play that helped Maja Voje go from 3K to 15K subs
- CJ Gustafson’s “quadruple stack” strategy that gets him paid + subscribers
- How to keep collab partners happy (especially if things don’t go as planned)
- The no-BS guide to tracking your collab results
- Tools, systems, and blurb templates that’ll save you time and headaches
DEEP DIVES & LINKS MENTIONED
- CJ Gustafson's Mostly Metrics Deep Dive
- Maja Voje website
- Pat Walls Deep Dive
- Alex Garcia Deep Dive
- 'Antisocial' Newsletter Growth Course waitlist
- Want your newsletter roasted? Submit it here.
- Growth In Reverse PRO Community
- Check out past Growth In Reverse Deep Dives: https://growthinreverse.com/archive/
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
OUR NEWSLETTERS
Subscribe & Leave a Review:
If you found this episode valuable, take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps more newsletter creators find the show. Plus, if you submit a review, you’ll get priority for your own newsletter roast!
Thanks to Tim Forkin for editing these episodes.
Popular Podcasts
Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2
Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.