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 directly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinbechtold/

Timestamps:

00:00: Intro & why website traffic is overlooked
05:47: Website vs. newsletter monetization
12:50: What RPMs can you actually expect?
16:46: Myth busting: Do ads hurt user experience?
29:21: How first-party data increases ad revenue
36:56: Who Ezoic is a good fit for

More Resources:

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🐝 Join beehiiv here and use code GROWLETTER for 20% off:
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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 revenue, and a high-ticket Costa Rica mastermind—and why founder-led marketing and trust matter more than ever in the AI era. If you’re building a newsletter as a side hustle (or scaling one fast), this episode is packed with actionable playbooks you can copy.

Tyler's newsletter Big Desk Energy: https://www.bigdeskenergy.com/

Tyler's media kit HERE >>

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:59 Building a 120K Subscriber Newsletter on the Side
02:01 Managing Time While Working Full-Time
07:45 Launch Strategy & Early Growth Tactics
14:49 Leveraging Social & DMs for Growth
17:38 Scaling with Paid Ads & Beehiiv Boost
21:17 Referral Programs That Actually Work
29:01 How Tyler Monetizes (Sponsors, Boost, Ads)
34:36 $10K Mastermind Strategy
41:57 The Future of Beehiiv
48:21 AI & The Future of Email
55:49 Beehiiv vs. Other Platforms

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 execution problem
5:48 Why cohorts win
7:22 Step 1: Pick the outcome
10:45 Step 2: Structure it
14:22 Step 3: Homework plan
15:06 Step 4: Build the system
16:11 Step 5: Gamify + track
19:40 Step 6: Track results
20:43 Step 7: Scarcity
21:22 Step 8: Social proof
26:58 Step 9: Cohort outline
30:15 Step 10: Build anticipation
31:17 Step 11: Always sell, then build
31:55 Step 12: Marketing schedule

Want to learn what's working in media right now? New Media Summit brings together 500+ founders in Austin Feb 26-27 with Codie Sanchez, Ryan Deiss, Matt Paulson, and more. Get tickets here!