NOTE: This is a rerun of an episode we published in September 2025. But just because it's a rerun doesn't mean it ain't still a banger 💥

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“One of the worst things you can do is send new subscribers to a dead-end thank you page. That kills engagement immediately." — Chenell

We're breaking down the most overlooked (yet critical) part of growing a newsletter: onboarding new subscribers.

We'll take you through Chenell's 3-step onboarding process every newsletter creator should have in place—and show how to optimize each for higher engagement, deliverability, and long-term retention. 

We also tease an advanced 5-step version and share examples from top creators like Katelyn Bourgoin, Tom Alder, and Eddie Shleyner. Whether you’re just starting out or already running a large newsletter, you’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls and set up onboarding that actually works.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The 3 Cs of a high-converting landing page
  • Why default Thank-you pages kill engagement (and what to do instead)
  • How "sniper links" can push new subscribers directly into their inbox to find your email
  • The #1 mistake welcome emails make
  • The most important job your welcome email has
  • A simple incentive trick to encourage replies
  • The difference between a “true” and “false” double opt-in
  • How (and why) to include surveys in your onboarding
  • What top creators do with their “almost there” pages to hook new subscribers

LINKS MENTIONED

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