Uploading... - How to Grow Your Newsletter in 2025 feat. Flodesk CEO Martha Bitar

Castmagic LinkedIn Post

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Here is a LinkedIn post for the episode release: Email marketing may be an old dog, but it's still the most powerful channel for creators and businesses to own their audience. 🐶💌 Martha Bitar, CEO and co-founder of Flodesk, joins Blaine Bolus to share how they grew Flodesk to a multi-million dollar email marketing platform for modern creators. You'll learn what it takes to build an engaged email list from scratch, the anatomy of high-performing email campaigns, and where AI is taking email strategy in the future. Listen to the full episode here: [link] #emailmarketing #contentcreators #emailstrategy #growyourlist #uploadingpodcast

3 quick tips

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Here's a tweet based on the strategies and context shared in the podcast recording with Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk: Want to grow your email list in 2025? 📈 Here are 3 tips from @MarthaBitar, CEO of @Flodesk: 1. Offer a lead magnet 🎁 Give subscribers something of value in exchange for their email, like: • A digital guide • A downloadable PDF • Answers to FAQs 2. Segment your list 🗂️ Let subscribers choose their email frequency: • Daily • Weekly • Monthly This helps you send relevant content to each segment. 3. Focus on quality over quantity 🌟 A small, engaged list is better than a large, unengaged one. Why? Engaged subscribers are less likely to: • Unsubscribe • Mark you as spam Avoiding spam complaints protects your sender reputation. The key takeaway? Build an email list of genuinely interested subscribers who love your content.

📚 Timestamped overview

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00:00 Rethinking Email Marketing Platforms

05:09 Email Design and Conversion Insights

08:05 "Value-Driven Content Strategy"

12:52 Segmenting for Targeted Marketing Automation

14:58 Solopreneur Segmentation Insights

17:36 Engaging Email Marketing Strategies

22:54 Email Optimization: Testing and Previewing

23:59 Maximizing Email Engagement Funnel

29:59 "Optimizing Effective Email Communication"

31:52 "Optimized Sale Layout Strategies"

34:10 Effective Email Copywriting Strategies

39:55 AI Revolutionizing Email Engagement

43:34 Agent Support for Solopreneurs

45:44 AI as Content Strategy Revolution

50:41 Customized Customer Engagement Strategies

51:32 Data-Driven Welcome Strategies

54:53 Prioritize Quality Over Quantity in Email

🎞️ Clipfinder: Quotes, Hooks, & Timestamps

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Martha Bitar 00:01:52 00:02:05

Viral Topic: The Motivation Behind Creating Flodesk
"We started it because even though I'm sure you've heard that the email marketing space is super noisy and there are a lot of solutions, we kept hearing from content creators that none of the solutions were actually solving the modern day pains."

Martha Bitar 00:03:04 00:03:14

Viral Topic: The Evolution of Email Marketing Platforms: "And then we realized that they, these platforms were created like more than 20 years ago and they solved problems that were problems in a very different world, right, Than the world we live in."

Martha Bitar 00:10:18 00:10:38

Viral List-Building Hack: "This is my by far favorite tactic because it allows you to segment from the beginning. And that's another really key point of building a strong engaged list is understanding in a way de anonymizing the subscriber as early as possible so that you can continue to serve hyper relevant content only."

Martha Bitar 00:12:34 00:12:39

The Multi-Hyphenate Solopreneur: "But we're like, we're solopreneurs and we're also kind of all over the place in the best possible way."

Martha Bitar 00:12:55 00:13:10

Viral Topic: The Power of Audience Segmentation
Quote: "It's not the typical idea of segmenting the way that it worked in retail where I'm going to segment you because you're interested in a blue top versus jeans, right? Like this is specifically like what parts of my business or my offering is this person interested in?"

Martha Bitar 00:24:37 00:24:57

Email Marketing Funnel Secrets: "If you know that subject line and we think of preview as part of a subject line, but subject line and preview text are what's directly influencing open rates then and your open rate has been dropping, then you know that that's potentially where you should be experimenting, right? Versus if your click rate is dropping, then you know that you probably need to hyper optimize your content."

Martha Bitar 00:30:25 00:30:34

Why Email Marketing Still Matters: "even though every year somebody says email is going away, email is dead, it's just like it stays, it remains because it's, it's still the way that we organically consume content."

Martha Bitar 00:32:01 00:32:12

Viral Email Design Hacks: "The Buy now for example we have like gifs that are going around the product, let's say like Buy now or Sale and it just catches your attention right away because you haven't seen movement like that in email, right?"

Martha Bitar 00:43:37 00:43:51

The Future of Solopreneurs and AI Agents: "And I think the biggest change we're going to see is in the solopreneur space, because by definition, a solopreneur is one person that's running a business, right? And imagine if you could have agents for practically like anything."

Martha Bitar 00:55:01 00:55:10

Viral Topic: Quality vs. Quantity in Email Marketing
Quote: "Would always any day have a highly engaged small list and a large list that will have the risk of throwing me to spam or unsubscribing."

ℹ️ Introduction

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Hey everyone, welcome to today's episode of Uploading! We've got an exciting show for you today with a very special guest, Martha Bitar, the CEO and co-founder of Flodesk, an email marketing platform that has seen tremendous growth. In this episode, Martha shares the story of how she built Flodesk from the ground up while still working a full-time job. She noticed that existing email platforms were not meeting the needs of modern content creators, so she set out to create a solution that prioritized great design and ease of use. Martha dives into the importance of email marketing for creators looking to own their audience and not be at the mercy of social media algorithms. She provides actionable tips on how to grow your email list, create engaging content, and optimize your emails for the highest open and click rates. Whether you're just getting started with email marketing or looking to take your newsletter to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Martha even shares a sneak peek at how AI and personalization will shape the future of email. So grab a notepad and get ready to learn from one of the sharpest minds in email marketing. Without further ado, let's jump into my conversation with Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, on how to grow your newsletter in 2025 and beyond!

💡 Speaker bios

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Martha Bitar is the co-founder of Flodesk, an email marketing platform focused on helping users design emails people genuinely love to receive. Alongside her fellow co-founders, Rebecca and Trang, Martha launched Flodesk after noticing that most existing solutions weren’t addressing the real pain points of modern content creators. Inspired by friends in the creative industry—successful social media influencers with millions of followers—Martha set out to build a tool specifically tailored to their needs. Today, Flodesk stands out in a crowded marketplace by bridging the gap between creative expression and effective communication.

💬 Keywords

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Here are 30 topical keywords covered in the transcript, separated by commas: email marketing, Flodesk, solopreneur, content creators, personal brand, design, templates, optimization, conversion, subject lines, preview lines, open rates, click rates, segmentation, engagement, list building, lead magnets, deliverability, spam, frequency, AI, agents, agentic AI, workflow automations, content strategy, referral programs, welcome series, image-to-text ratio, list quality, engagement

❇️ Key topics and bullets

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Here is a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the transcript, with sub-topic bullets below each primary topic: 1. Introduction - Blaine introduces new private community for Uploading podcast - Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, joins as guest to discuss email marketing 2. Martha's Background and Flodesk's Origin - Identified need for modern email marketing platform for content creators - Flodesk focuses on design and branding for high engagement and conversion - Company grew rapidly to $30 million ARR while bootstrapped 3. Importance of Email Marketing for Creators - Building an email list is crucial for owning your audience - Provide value through lead magnets and freebies to grow subscriber list - Segment subscribers based on preferences and interests 4. Creating Engaging Emails - Engaging subject lines and preview text to increase open rates - Optimized email design and layout for branding and conversion - Telling a compelling story and being human in your content - Ideal image-to-text ratio and placement of call-to-action buttons 5. Email Marketing Best Practices - Sending frequency and letting subscribers choose their preferences - Cleaning your email list and re-engaging inactive subscribers - Maintaining high deliverability by avoiding spam triggers and building sender reputation 6. Role of AI in Email Marketing - AI as an agent to optimize strategy and content - Leveling the playing field for solopreneurs to compete with larger businesses - Importance of staying human and authentic in an AI-driven world 7. Q&A Session - Prioritizing referral programs for list growth - Reliability of open rates with machine opens and privacy changes - Ideal length and content for welcome email series - Quality vs. quantity when it comes to email list size The discussion flowed naturally, covering a wide range of topics related to email marketing for content creators and solopreneurs. Martha provided valuable insights and actionable tips based on Flodesk's data and her experience in the industry. The conversation also touched on the future of AI in email marketing and the importance of maintaining a human touch in an increasingly automated world.

🎠 Social Carousel

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Here is a 10 slide LinkedIn/Instagram carousel featuring tips from the podcast episode with Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk: Cover slide: 10 Email Marketing Tips Every Creator Needs to Know Slide 1: Build Your List Grow your email list as soon as possible. It's a tried and tested channel. Slide 2: Offer a Freebie Provide value upfront by offering a freebie in exchange for an email address. Slide 3: Segment Your List Segment subscribers based on their interests to send hyper-relevant content. Slide 4: Nail the Subject Your open rate depends on your subject line. Test to see what resonates. Slide 5: Hook with Preview Use the preview text as a hook to draw curiosity and boost opens. Slide 6: Optimize for Design Emails optimized for conversion with your branding perform better than plain text. Slide 7: Send with Frequency Once per week is a good starting frequency. Let subscribers choose their cadence. Slide 8: Clean with Caution Be very judicious about removing inactive subscribers. Offer an opt-out first. Slide 9: Quality over Quantity A small list of engaged subscribers beats a large list of uninterested ones. Slide 10: Ready to level up your email game? Sign up for a free trial of Flodesk at flodesk.com How's that? I focused on distilling the key tips from Martha into short, actionable insights creators can use to improve their email marketing based on the points discussed in the episode. The cover and final CTA slide aim to bookend the carousel and encourage viewers to try out Flodesk. Let me know if you would like me to modify anything!

❓ Questions

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Here are 10 discussion questions based on the Uploading... episode titled "How to Grow Your Newsletter in 2025 feat. Flodesk CEO Martha Bitar": 1. Martha mentions that email marketing platforms created 20 years ago were focused on solving different problems compared to today. What are some key differences between the needs of modern entrepreneurs and those from two decades ago? 2. How can content creators effectively use email marketing to avoid being overly dependent on social media algorithms and "rented space"? 3. Martha suggests using custom fonts and on-brand designs in emails to increase conversion rates. How do you think this impacts the overall user experience and engagement with email content? 4. What are some creative ways to grow your email list while providing value to potential subscribers, as discussed in the episode? 5. Martha and Blaine discuss the importance of segmenting email lists based on subscriber preferences and interests. How can this strategy help improve the relevance and effectiveness of your email campaigns? 6. The episode touches on the concept of the "octopus" solopreneur who has multiple offerings and business aspects. How can email marketing help manage and promote these various facets of a creator's business? 7. Blaine and Martha discuss the importance of subject lines and preview text in increasing open rates. What are some best practices for crafting compelling subject lines and preview text? 8. Martha suggests sending emails once a week as a general guideline. How can creators determine the optimal frequency for their specific audience and industry? 9. The discussion touches on the role of AI in the future of email marketing. In what ways do you think AI can help solopreneurs create more effective and personalized email campaigns? 10. Martha emphasizes the importance of having a highly engaged email list, even if it's smaller in size. How can creators prioritize quality over quantity when building their email list?

🎬 Reel script

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Hey there, Blaine here and today we just wrapped up an incredible workshop all about email marketing with Martha Bitar, the CEO and co-founder of Flodesk. Martha shared so many valuable insights on how to grow your email list the right way, craft compelling subject lines, and design emails that truly convert. We covered the importance of leading with value when building your list, segmenting your audience, and finding the right email frequency. Martha also gave her take on AI in email marketing and how it can level the playing field for solopreneurs. If you want to elevate your email game in 2025, you won't want to miss this jam-packed episode. Head to the show notes to catch the full recording and don't forget to join our free Uploading community to connect with other creators. See you in the next one!

🔑 7 Key Themes

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Here are 7 key themes discussed in the transcript, with 7 words or less for each theme: 1. Building an email list is crucial 2. Email design impacts open rates and engagement 3. Segment email list based on subscriber preferences 4. AI will help level the playing field 5. Focus on engaged subscribers, not just quantity 6. Experiment to find what works for you 7. Prioritize sender reputation to avoid the spam folder

💎 Maxims

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Here are the key maxims about email marketing based on the discussion between Blaine and Martha Bitar in the Uploading podcast episode: 1. Start building your email list as soon as possible. It's the most valuable asset you own as a content creator. 2. Offer a compelling lead magnet or freebie to incentivize people to join your email list. Make it specific to your audience's needs and wants. 3. Segment your email list from the beginning based on subscriber preferences and behaviors. This allows you to send more targeted, relevant content. 4. Focus on email design and branding to stand out in crowded inboxes. Use custom fonts, compelling visuals, and clear calls-to-action. 5. Keep your email copy simple, human and story-driven. Avoid sounding too salesy or robotic. 6. Aim to send engaging emails to your list about once per week. Be consistent in your sending frequency. 7. Prioritize growing an engaged, high-quality email list over quantity. A smaller list of loyal subscribers is better than a large list of unengaged contacts. 8. Clean your email list periodically, but give disengaged subscribers a chance to opt-in again before removing them. 9. Pay attention to your email metrics, particularly open rates and click rates, to gauge what's working. But focus on overall trends rather than obsessing over individual numbers. 10. Embrace AI-powered tools to optimize your email strategy and content, but don't lose the human touch. AI should enhance your work, not replace genuine connection with your audience. The most important thing is to get started with email marketing now if you haven't already. It's a powerful owned channel that will become increasingly valuable to content creators.

Interview Breakdown

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Here are the show notes for the recording between Blaine and Martha Bitar about email marketing best practices in 2025: In this episode, Martha Bitar, CEO of email marketing platform Flodesk, shares her insider tips for creating effective email campaigns that engage subscribers and drive conversions. Discover how to leverage the power of email to grow your business in 2025 and beyond. In this episode, we'll cover: - Why email remains a crucial marketing channel, even in 2025 - How to build and segment your email list for maximum impact - Best practices for crafting compelling subject lines and preview text - Strategies for optimizing email design and content for high click rates - How AI will transform email marketing and level the playing field for solopreneurs

Short Recap

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Here is a short 2 sentence summary of the recording, matching the requested tone, style and format: In this episode, Martha Bitar, CEO of email marketing platform Flodesk, shares her best practices for growing your email list and boosting engagement through hyper-relevant content and optimized email design. Martha reveals how Flodesk's focus on solving modern-day email marketing challenges like deliverability, segmentation and design has fueled their bootstrapped growth to $30 million ARR.

1 Hack 3 tips

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Here's a post based on the context and strategies covered in the podcast recording, matching the tone, style, and format of the example provided: There's 1 key to skyrocketing your email newsletter in 2025: (Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, shares this powerful insight) The "Human Touch" strategy. • Spark curiosity through storytelling • Create an emotional connection • Focus on engaging, not just informing Martha emphasizes that in a world of AI-generated content, being authentically human is your superpower. • AI-optimized emails vs. Genuine, personal emails • Robotic, filtered content vs. Raw, behind-the-scenes realness When you prioritize building a genuine relationship with your subscribers, you create unshakable loyalty and enthusiasm for your brand. Will it require more effort than just automating everything? Absolutely. But if your emails feel impersonal and generic? Then don't be surprised when your open rates plummet. The last thing you want is for your carefully crafted newsletter to be instantly forgettable (or worse, marked as spam). So, how can you apply the "Human Touch" strategy to your email marketing? Step 1) Identify your audience's core needs and desires • What are their biggest pain points and aspirations? • How can you uniquely help them achieve their goals? • Gather insights by talking to your customers regularly For example, Martha discovered that modern creators crave: • On-brand email designs that convert • User-friendly tools that make email marketing fun • Establishing an owned audience beyond social media algorithms Step 2) Craft compelling, story-driven content • Hook readers with curiosity-inducing subject lines • Share vulnerable, behind-the-scenes experiences • Provide immense value that meaningfully impacts their lives Step 3) Engage in two-way conversations • Invite replies to your emails and respond personally • Segment your list to send hyper-relevant content • Make every subscriber feel seen, heard and appreciated In an inbox overflowing with impersonal promotions, showing your humanity is an incredible competitive advantage.

Short Blurb

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Sure, I'd be happy to write a short blurb for the podcast episode using the outline and style you provided. Here's what I came up with based on the transcript: E73: In today's workshop episode, I'm joined by Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk - an email marketing platform that has rapidly grown to an 8-figure ARR business. Martha built Flodesk while working full-time and now leads a remote-first company serving creators and businesses worldwide. Martha shares her insights on how to effectively use email marketing to grow your business in 2023 and beyond. She reveals the secrets behind Flodesk's meteoric rise and how their focus on design and simplicity has disrupted the email space. In this episode, you'll learn: - How to build and grow an engaged email list - The power of segmentation and personalization - Strategies for crafting high-converting email content - Best practices for subject lines and preview text - The future of email marketing and the role of AI Fun fact: Martha reveals that adding an emoji to your subject line can significantly boost open rates - but it depends on your audience and brand voice. If you're a creator, solopreneur or marketer looking to master email marketing, this is a must-listen episode packed with actionable tips. Martha drops knowledge bombs left and right! Ready to elevate your email game? Tune in now and discover how Flodesk is empowering the next generation of email marketers. Let's optimize those inboxes! How's that? I aimed to match the tone, style and format of the example blurb you provided, while incorporating key takeaways and highlights from the transcript of Martha's interview. Let me know if you would like me to modify anything.

New Idea

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Idea #1: Use Email to Own Your Audience Email allows you to directly reach and engage your audience without being dependent on social media algorithms: 1. Grow Your Email List Early: Martha recommends starting to build your email list as soon as possible, even before having a website. You can create a signup form to share on social media and begin capturing subscribers. (Martha, 00:06:14) 2. Provide Value to Subscribers: Offer a freebie or lead magnet in exchange for an email address. Think about common questions your audience asks and create a valuable resource like a PDF guide or tips email to incentivize signups. (Martha, 00:07:15) 3. You Own Your Email List: Unlike social media followers on "rented land" subject to changing algorithms, your email list is an audience you own. Even if an email provider becomes obsolete, you can export your subscribers and move to another platform. (Martha, 00:19:27)

1 Key Learning

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Build and Engage Your Email List Early Growing an email list should be a top priority for creators from day one, even before having a website. Your email list is a direct connection with your audience that you own and control. Focus on consistently delivering value to your email subscribers through a mix of compelling content, exclusive offers, and personalized messaging based on their interests and behaviors. This approach will keep them engaged and less likely to unsubscribe.

Hustle Thread

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Here is a narrative tweet thread about the topic covered in the recording, following the requested format and tone: Tweet 1: Martha Bitar was running on limited time. She was building Flodesk while working full-time. But she didn't give up on her vision. Today, Flodesk is an 8-figure ARR business, Serving creators and companies worldwide. Here's her inspiring story: 🚀 Tweet 2: Meet Martha Bitar (@MarthaBitar), CEO and Co-Founder of Flodesk. She grew her email marketing platform to 8-figures while working another job. It's an incredible story of grit and determination. Tweet 3: Martha started Flodesk after seeing a key problem for creators. Existing email platforms were outdated, not serving their needs. Design, branding, and ease-of-use were lacking. Tweet 4: So Martha set out to build a better solution. She worked with her co-founders Rebecca and Trang. They focused on modern email marketing essentials: Beautiful designs, custom fonts, and intuitive features. All while Martha continued her full-time job. Tweet 5: After launching, growth took off faster than expected. Word spread virally on Twitter about Flodesk. Signups and paid conversions accelerated rapidly. Martha knew she had found product-market fit. Tweet 6: To fuel Flodesk's growth, Martha shared expert email tips: Build your list ASAP, even before a website. Create a valuable opt-in freebie to incentivize signups. Segment subscribers to send hyper-relevant content. Craft compelling subject lines to boost opens. Tweet 7: Today, Flodesk has reached $30M ARR, all bootstrapped. Martha leads a thriving remote-first company. Her passion for serving creators remains at the forefront. Flodesk helps them build their brand and business. Tweet 8: Martha's journey shows what's possible with email marketing. By focusing on creators' needs, she filled a key gap. Her advice: Start building your list now. Stay human and use design to stand out. The size of your list matters less than engagement. Tweet 9: From building Flodesk on the side to 8-figure success, Martha's story is one of perseverance and purpose. She's proof that you can pursue your vision, Even while juggling other responsibilities, And make a massive impact along the way.

🧿 Viral Breakdown & CTA

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Struggling to grow your email list? Unlock the secrets to skyrocket your subscribers and boost engagement! With 30 million in ARR, Flodesk CEO Martha Bitar shares her expert insights. Is your email marketing falling flat despite your best efforts? Discover the top 3 strategies to supercharge your email success: 1. Irresistible Lead Magnets Creating a high-value freebie is the key to attracting subscribers. Identify your audience's biggest pain points and craft a resource that solves their problems. Whether it's a PDF guide, email course, or exclusive content, make it impossible for them to resist signing up. 2. Hyper-Targeted Segmentation One size doesn't fit all in email marketing. Segment your list based on subscriber preferences, behaviors, and interests. This allows you to deliver hyper-relevant content that keeps them engaged. Use tools like subscriber preference forms and automation to make segmentation a breeze. 3. Optimized Email Design Your emails need to stand out in a crowded inbox. Prioritize on-brand design with custom fonts, compelling visuals, and a clear call-to-action. Keep your subject lines clear and use preview text as a hook. Above all, make sure your emails are optimized for conversion on any device. Ready to take your email game to the next level? Tune into the Uploading Podcast to learn from top creators and entrepreneurs like Martha Bitar. Unlock the strategies you need to grow your business with email marketing.

Uploading... Titles

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Here are some exciting titles for this episode based on the format and examples you provided: Martha Bitar, Flodesk CEO - How To Grow Your Email List To 8 Figures Martha Bitar, Flodesk CEO - Scaling An Email Platform While Working Full-Time Martha Bitar, Flodesk CEO - The Modern Way To Make Emails People Love Martha Bitar, Flodesk CEO - Making Email Marketing Fun Again For Creators Martha Bitar, Flodesk CEO - The Future of Email: AI, Design & Deliverability Martha Bitar, Flodesk CEO - How Flodesk Took On Legacy Platforms & Won Martha Bitar, Flodesk CEO - Secrets To Building A Highly-Engaged Email List Martha Bitar, Flodesk CEO - Why Email Beats Social Media Every Time

Twitter Post 1

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Fun fact from the podcast: Flodesk saw a 21% increase in email conversions Just by using on-brand design in emails Versus generic text-based emails

Mindsets

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If you're hoping to grow your email newsletter in 2025, here are some mindset shifts that can help as you begin the process: 💭 Shift your focus from trying to game the algorithms on social media to building an engaged email list that you own. While platforms like TikTok can drive massive growth, they ultimately control the relationship with your audience. By investing in growing an email list, you ensure long-term access to your subscribers. [00:01:27] 💭 Adopt a value-first approach to email content. Instead of just asking people to sign up for your newsletter, offer a compelling lead magnet that answers their most pressing questions and delivers immediate value. This could be a PDF guide, an email course, or exclusive content that's unavailable anywhere else. [00:07:15] 💭 View email as an opportunity to build real human connection. While social media is great for reach, email allows you to have personal conversations at scale. Focus on sharing stories, being vulnerable, and writing like you would to a friend. Encourage subscribers to hit "reply" and engage with you directly. [00:41:49] In this episode of Uploading..., Blaine sat down with Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, to discuss the secrets behind their explosive growth and the future of email marketing. Check out the full episode for more mindset shifts and practical advice on how to scale your newsletter in 2025 and beyond!

Future State, 6 reasons post

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Based on the podcast transcript, here is a post following the format and style you provided: In 1 year, Flodesk grew to 30,000 customers and $30 million ARR, all while bootstrapped. As the CEO and co-founder, I've seen firsthand how email marketing is evolving. But many email platforms are missing a HUGE opportunity. Here are 6 recommendations that if applied, can help email marketing platforms better serve the needs of modern creators and entrepreneurs: BACKGROUND: Forget spray-and-pray email blasts, the future belongs to highly targeted, personalized, and engaging emails that convert. Email platforms need to enable segmentation, automation, and optimization at the individual subscriber level. If email platforms pay attention, they can transform into end-to-end marketing and sales engines that not only engage audiences but nurture them into customers. Old Email Marketing: - Text-based, generic emails - Lack of segmentation - Manual, time-consuming - Low engagement and conversion New Email Marketing: - Visually engaging, on-brand emails - Hyper-targeted segments - Automated yet personal - High engagement and conversion At Flodesk, our customers are seeing 2-3x the typical email marketing conversion rates by leveraging our design templates, custom fonts, and automated workflows. It's hard to replicate this success with traditional email platforms. HOWEVER... There are still many manual steps and lack of AI assistance in creating the perfect email journey for each subscriber. Email platforms should consider adding a few key features to deliver on the full potential. Here are my 6 recommendations: 1. Use AI to analyze a customer's product/content and automatically suggest optimized subject lines, preview text, hero images and calls-to-action for each email. 2. Allow uploading of custom fonts and automatically match email designs to website and social media branding for a cohesive experience. 3. Enable customers to set up preference centers to let subscribers self-select email frequency and topics. Use this to auto-segment. 4. Identify disengaged subscribers based on lack of opens/clicks and auto-trigger winback or re-engagement campaigns to optimize list health. 5. Provide out-of-the-box templates for creator-specific email needs like digital product launches, online course promotions, or event registrations. 6. Show a dashboard with subscriber-level insights on engagement, conversion and sales, and use AI to recommend next-best-actions to optimize revenue per subscriber. I would happily pay for an email platform that can become my automated copilot in optimizing every step of the customer journey from the first touchpoint to the latest purchase. The email marketing space has so much innovation potential that it blows my mind. As more business is done online by creators and solopreneurs, email platforms have the opportunity to become the central nervous system powering audience relationships and transactions. P.S. As a creator, what do you feel is most lacking in email marketing platforms today? How can email platforms use AI to save you time while maximizing the impact of every email you send?

Workbook

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Alright, here's a workbook based on the transcript you provided: Introduction - Understand the growth story of Flodesk, an email marketing platform that helps design emails people love to get - Learn key strategies for growing your newsletter and engaging your audience through email in 2025 Building Your Email List - Start building an email list as soon as possible, even before having a website - Create a branded opt-in form and share it everywhere (link in bio, send to contacts, in-person sign-ups, etc.) - Offer a valuable freebie/lead magnet to incentivize sign-ups - Identify your audience's top questions and create a helpful resource (PDF guide, tips email, etc.) - Use a "choose your own adventure" approach with multiple freebies to segment subscribers from the start Email Content Best Practices - Stand out in a crowded inbox with great design - Use email templates optimized for conversion with engaging visuals and your unique branding - Keep layouts simple with a clear hierarchy: compelling hero image, prominent CTA button above the fold, and concise copy that tells a story - Craft engaging subject lines and preview text - Subject line should be clear about the email's content - Use the preview text as a curiosity-sparking hook - Test different approaches (questions, emojis, personalization, etc.) to see what resonates with your audience - Find the right email cadence for your audience - Once a week is generally a good starting point - Consider letting subscribers choose their preferred frequency - Be consistent in your sending schedule Improving Email Performance - Regularly clean your email list - Remove inactive subscribers and invalid/fake emails to protect your sender reputation - But first, try a re-engagement campaign to let inactive subscribers opt-out or stay subscribed - Use segmentation to send more relevant, targeted content - Segment based on subscriber preferences, behaviors, or interests - Set up automated email sequences tailored to each key segment - Pay attention to key email metrics - Open rates indicate subject line success and overall audience engagement - Click rates show how well your email content resonates and converts - Look at trends over time, not just single campaign results The Future of Email Marketing - Leverage AI-powered tools to optimize and personalize your email strategy - Get data-driven content and sending time recommendations - Automate list cleaning and re-engagement - But don't neglect the human touch - focus on building real audience connection - Share authentic, behind-the-scenes content - Encourage replies and conversations Conclusion - Email remains a powerful owned channel to engage and convert your audience - By implementing these cutting-edge strategies, you can grow your email list and revenue through more personalized, impactful campaigns - Always be learning, testing, and adapting your approach based on your unique audience insights - Here's to your email marketing success in 2025 and beyond! Let me know if you would like me to elaborate on any part of the workbook. I'm happy to dive deeper into specific topics or action steps to help you get the most out of this training.

Tweet thread on learnings

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Tweet 1: 🚀 Amazing insights from @MarthaBitar, CEO of @flodesk, on growing a successful email marketing biz: 💌 Started Flodesk to solve modern email marketing pains 📈 Grew to $30M ARR while bootstrapped ✉️ Email is still the best way to directly engage your audience My top takeaways from the chat with Martha: 👇 Tweet 2: 1. Build your email list ASAP Before even having a website, start building your email list. Create an on-brand form and share it everywhere: - Link in bio - Send to existing contacts - Display QR code in physical locations Growing your list should be a top priority from day one. Tweet 3: 2. Provide value to grow your list Think of an email address as currency. Offer something valuable in exchange, like: - Answers to common questions - Tips & tricks PDF - Industry guide Make it impossible for people not to sign up by leading with value! Tweet 4: 3. Segment your list from the start Let subscribers self-segment by interests on your sign-up form. Have multiple lead magnets (guides, courses, etc) to understand what content resonates. Then send hyper-relevant emails to each segment, personalizing their journey. Tweet 5: 4. Nail the email basics to boost engagement 🔥 Compelling subject line to drive opens 👀 Curiosity-sparking preview text 🖼️ Eye-catching hero image 📱 Clear CTA button above the fold 💌 Short, story-driven copy with personality ✍️ Personal sign-off Test these elements to optimize your emails! Tweet 6: 5. Clean your list the right way Don't immediately remove inactive subscribers. First, send a re-engagement campaign asking if they want to stay subscribed. Let them self-clean before you clean. It's hard to grow a list, so give them a chance to opt back in! Tweet 7: 6. AI will level the playing field for solopreneurs Imagine chatting with your email tool to get: - Personalized email strategy - Automated list clean-up - Optimized send times AI agents will help solopreneurs operate like big businesses, without the big budgets or teams. Tweet 8: 7. Email lets you own your audience You're not fighting algorithms or competing with ad dollars in the inbox. No one can pay their way above you. If you nail your email game, you have a direct line to your audience that you control. Powerful stuff! Tweet 9: 8. Quality > quantity for email lists Focus on building a highly engaged list, even if it's small. Avoid buying leads or using referral programs that attract uninterested subscribers. Protect your sender reputation at all costs. An engaged list that stays out of spam is 🔑

Youtube Description

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How to Grow Your Newsletter in 2025 feat. Flodesk CEO Martha Bitar | Blaine from Uploading Podcast and Martha Bitar discuss email marketing strategies for 2025. In this podcast episode, Blaine sits down with Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, to discuss the future of email marketing and how to grow your newsletter effectively in 2025. Martha shares her insights on: - The importance of email marketing for creators and businesses [01:27] - How Flodesk differentiates itself from other email marketing platforms [02:21] - Tips for building and growing your email list [06:15] - The power of segmentation and personalization in email marketing [11:06] - Best practices for designing high-converting emails [17:19] - Strategies for optimizing subject lines and preview text [20:02] - The ideal email sending frequency for engagement [35:43] - How AI will revolutionize email marketing for solopreneurs [43:27] Whether you're a content creator, solopreneur, or business owner looking to level up your email game, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and valuable insights from an industry leader. Learn how to: - Create a seamless brand experience across all touchpoints - Leverage subscriber preferences for hyper-relevant content - Craft compelling email designs that drive clicks and conversions - Harness the power of AI to operate like a large business - And much more! Don't miss this opportunity to future-proof your email marketing strategy and grow your newsletter in 2025 and beyond. Tune in now! To learn more about Flodesk, visit: Website: https://flodesk.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flodesk/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flodeskco

Simplify

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Here are the key points from the conversation between Martha Bitar and Blaine, simplified: - Flodesk is an email marketing platform that helps you create emails people want to read. It focuses on modern needs like easy design and branding. - The best ways to grow your email list are providing value upfront (a "freebie") and adding subscriber preferences so people can choose how often to hear from you. - When creating emails, use design to grab attention quickly. Have a clear subject line, use the preview text as a hook, and make the content compelling with images, buttons, and your brand story. - Aim to email your list about once per week. You can segment your list based on interests and engagement level. - Open rates depend mostly on subject lines. Click rates depend on having a clear call-to-action. - A smaller, more engaged email list is better than a huge list with uninterested subscribers. Focus on list quality over quantity to maintain good deliverability. - AI will allow solo business owners to get expert guidance on email strategy right within the email platform. This levels the playing field against bigger companies. The main takeaways are to provide value to subscribers, leverage good design, email consistently but not too often, and maintain a high-quality list for the best results with email marketing. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Uploading LinkedIn-YouTube

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@Martha Bitar, CEO of @Flodesk, joins @blaine on this week's Uploading to share how she grew the email marketing platform to an 8-figure ARR business while working full-time at Honeybook. Martha breaks down the power of email marketing for creators, including: - Strategies to rapidly grow your email list - Best practices for email design, deliverability, and content - How AI will disrupt and enhance email marketing Martha also shares tactical advice on crafting compelling subject lines, finding the optimal email frequency, and measuring success through open rates. Whether you're a solopreneur or large business, discover how to use email to own your audience, boost engagement, and drive conversions. Full episode here: [link to YouTube video] #uploading #emailmarketing #contentcreators #solopreneurs #newsletter #listbuilding #flodesk

5 Characteristics of Winners

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🏆 Successful email marketers stand out with these winning traits: ✅ Focusing on an engaged, quality list over quantity ✅ Optimizing email design for opens and clicks ✅ Leveraging segmentation to send relevant content ✅ Consistently providing value to subscribers ✅ Staying out of the dreaded spam folder

The Rule, The Process, Keys to Success

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Here is my attempt at a short post based on the Uploading podcast episode with Martha Bitar, using the tone, style and format of the example provided: Flodesk is a perfect example of the 80/20 rule in action when it comes to email marketing. Martha and her team consider themselves experts at 80% of the process - the parts they love like design and creation. But it's the remaining 20% that really takes their email campaigns from good to great. For Flodesk, the best part is making emails people love to get. Designing beautiful templates, crafting compelling copy, experimenting with emojis and gifs to grab attention. They can't get enough. Then there's the other part - analyzing open rates, tweaking subject lines, optimizing for different devices, cleaning email lists. It's tedious work but absolutely critical. Because that part has an outsized impact on results. You have to test, measure and iterate over and over. Subject line's not working - fix it. Preview text not compelling enough - rewrite it. Too many unengaged subscribers - remove them. Then you check the data again, and what you tweaked impacted something else. 😤 The quest to create the perfect email campaign can feel never-ending...even when you're 80% there. There's always a call-to-action you could strengthen, an image you could swap out, one more A/B test to run. What's been key for Flodesk is focusing relentlessly on serving their core audience of content creators and solopreneurs. They know they'll never please every type of business, so by honing in on a niche, they have a clear sense of what's going to resonate and can invest their time and energy accordingly. Don't try to build emails for everyone. Build for your people and solve their specific needs and challenges. Then pour your energy into perfecting that last 20% for them. The results will follow.

3 bullets 3 bullets (dakota)

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Here is a post based on the email marketing strategies discussed in the podcast transcript, matching the tone and style of the example provided: The best email marketers: • Don't just sell products • Don't send generic mass emails • Don't buy email lists They focus on: • Adding value through content • Designing beautiful on-brand emails • Building an engaged subscriber list Your dream business is closer than you think with smart email marketing. Some key tips from Flodesk's CEO Martha Bitar: - Segment your list based on subscribers' interests - Use strong subject lines and preview text to boost open rates - Optimize email design for high click-through rates - Send valuable content consistently, ideally weekly - Prioritize list quality over quantity for sender reputation With the right strategies, email allows you to own your audience and compete with larger businesses. The future is bright for creators who leverage the power of their email list.

Framework To Build From Scratch

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Here's a tweet based on the strategies discussed in the podcast episode with Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, about growing your newsletter in 2025: If I had to rebuild my newsletter list from 0, here's the content I'd create: (This is the exact framework @MarthaBitar used to grow @Flodesk to $30M ARR). To turn strangers into subscribers (and subscribers into customers), you need 3 things: • You need people to know about your newsletter • You need people to like your content • You need people to trust you as a creator So... How do you get people to know, like, and trust your newsletter? By using my SOS Framework. It's broken down like this... The "S" stands for Segmented Content. Create multiple lead magnets to grow your list in a segmented way from the start. For example: • A general newsletter signup • A digital guide download • An email course Offer them as a "choose your own adventure" in your bio link. The "O" stands for Optimized Design. Well-designed, on-brand emails increase engagement and conversions. Optimize your emails with: • Eye-catching hero images • Clear call-to-action buttons • Your unique brand fonts • Mobile-friendly layouts The inbox is crowded - your design needs to stand out. And finally, the next "S" is for Storytelling. Build a human connection with your list through storytelling. Share your journey through: • Behind-the-scenes stories • Lessons learned • Opinions and worldviews Let your personality shine. That's how you develop know, like and trust. Start implementing these 3 pillars into your email strategy and I guarantee you'll land more subscribers and customers from your list.

3 Success Strategies

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Here are 3 strategies for success based on the insights shared by Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, in the podcast episode: 1. Build Your Email List from Day One According to Martha, one of the most important things you can do as a creator or solopreneur is to start building your email list as early as possible. In fact, many modern businesses are foregoing a website altogether and focusing solely on growing their email list from the get-go. By creating a branded opt-in form and sharing it everywhere—from your link-in-bio to your physical store—you can start collecting valuable first-party data and owning your audience. Martha's top tip for rapidly growing your list? Offer a high-value lead magnet that speaks directly to your target audience's most pressing questions and challenges. This could be a PDF guide, an exclusive email series, or any other type of freebie that incentivizes people to hand over their email address. 2. Prioritize Design in Your Email Marketing In today's crowded inbox, simply reaching the inbox is no longer enough—your emails need to stand out and make an impact from the moment they're opened. Martha emphasizes that design is not a luxury in email marketing; it's a necessity. Regardless of whether you're a solopreneur or a large corporation like Stripe, investing in on-brand, conversion-focused email design can lead to significant uplifts in engagement and revenue. One of the key differentiators of Flodesk is its ability to help users create stunning, on-brand emails without any coding or design expertise. By leveraging features like custom fonts and visually engaging layouts, you can level up your email game and make a lasting impression on your subscribers. 3. Embrace Segmentation and Automation As a creator, it's natural to have your hands in many different pots—from digital products to coaching to physical goods. Martha refers to this phenomenon as the "octopus syndrome." To effectively nurture your subscribers and guide them towards the right offerings, it's crucial to embrace segmentation from the start. By allowing new subscribers to self-select their interests and preferences, you can gain valuable insights into what makes them tick and tailor your email content accordingly. From there, you can leverage workflow automations to deliver highly relevant content to each segment on autopilot. For instance, if someone opts in to receive a digital guide, you can automatically trigger a drip campaign that delivers bonus tips and tricks over time—keeping you top-of-mind and moving them closer to a purchase. By combining the power of segmentation and automation, you can build deeper relationships with your audience and run your email marketing like a well-oiled machine.

3 Success Strategies v2

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Here are 3 strategies for success based on the insights shared by Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, in the podcast episode: 1. Prioritize design in your emails Think email design doesn't matter? Think again. Poorly formatted, generic-looking emails are a surefire way to end up in the spam folder - or worse, unsubscribed. As Martha points out, design is no longer a luxury in email marketing; it's a necessity. With short attention spans and crowded inboxes, your emails need to be visually engaging from the very first glance. Here are some tips to elevate your email design: Use your unique brand fonts and colors to create a cohesive experience Incorporate compelling images and visuals that draw the reader in Structure your layout to guide the reader toward a clear call-to-action Optimize for mobile, as that's where most people are opening By treating design as an essential element of your email strategy, you'll increase open rates, click-throughs, and ultimately, conversions. Don't let lackluster visuals hold your email marketing back. 2. Build your email list the right way Growing an engaged email list is one of the most valuable things you can do for your business. But it's not just about the size of your list - it's the quality that counts. Martha warns against tactics like referral programs and purchased lists that may boost your numbers in the short term, but lead to low engagement and high unsubscribe rates in the long run. Instead, focus on attracting subscribers who are genuinely interested in your brand and content. Some ways to do this: Create opt-in forms with a compelling lead magnet or content upgrade Promote your newsletter on your website, social channels and other owned media Leverage pop-ups and other onsite capture methods (sparingly and strategically) Most importantly, always prioritize the subscriber experience over sheer list size. One engaged reader is worth far more than 10 uninterested ones. Quality over quantity is the name of the game. 3. Experiment to optimize your email performance There's no one-size-fits-all formula for email marketing success. As Martha shares, what works for one brand may fall flat for another. The key is to continually test and iterate to find the right approach for your unique audience. Here are some elements to experiment with: Subject lines and preview text (be clear, curiosity-provoking, on-brand) Image to text ratio (incorporate visuals but also include plain text) Email length and format (strike a balance between scannable and immersive) Send frequency and cadence (ask subscribers their preferences and monitor unsubscribes) As you try out different tactics, closely monitor your key email metrics: open rates, click-through rates, unsubscribe rates, spam complaints. Use this data to guide your strategy and zero in on the most effective techniques. Stay flexible and open to change as your list evolves. What worked a year ago may not cut it today. By making experimentation and analysis a regular part of your email process, you'll keep your program fresh and high-performing for the long haul.

Episode Summary

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Here is the episode summary in the requested format: Martha Bitar is the CEO of Flodesk, an email marketing platform that has quickly grown into an 8-figure ARR business while being completely bootstrapped. Martha built Flodesk while working full-time at Honeybook and now leads a remote-first company serving creators and companies worldwide. In this episode of Uploading, Martha shares how Flodesk was created specifically to solve the modern pain points of email marketing for content creators. She dives into practical email strategies covering list building, segmentation, subject lines, email design, and the use of AI to optimize campaigns. Martha emphasizes the importance of email as an owned channel to connect directly with audiences in an authentic, engaging way.

Blaine Content Sample

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How We Grew Our Email List to 50k in 6 Months Using These 4 Strategies Just 6 months ago, our email list was hovering around 10k subscribers. Now, we've hit 50k and are well on our way to 100k. As a content creator, building an engaged email list has been one of the most important ways I've grown my personal brand and business. So I'll be doubling down on email as I continue to scale my content, products and services. Background - email is a direct line to my audience - social algorithms are unreliable for reach - I own my email list vs. "renting" social followers Here are the 4 key strategies I used to rapidly grow my list: 1. Lead with Value I created a highly valuable lead magnet that answers my audience's top questions and pain points. This freebie incentivizes people to readily hand over their email address. As Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, said: "Look at the email address as currency. So you're getting paid with email in exchange for something." [5:15] 2. Segmentation from the Start I use a "link in bio" style form to offer multiple opt-ins. This allows subscribers to self-select their interests from the get-go. With this data, I can send hyper-relevant content to each segment, boosting engagement. Martha noted "a referred email has one eighth of the value of an email of a person who actually decides to opt into your list." [47:55] 3. Consistency is Key I committed to emailing my list once per week, every week. This trains subscribers to expect valuable content from me regularly. Avoid large gaps of radio silence followed by random emails months later, as this leads to unsubscribes and spam complaints from people who forgot they signed up. [36:14] 4. Optimize for Opens & Clicks I A/B test subject lines, preview text, content and calls-to-action to maximize open rates and click-through rates. For subject lines, I keep it clear and experiment with emojis. For preview text, I use it as a "hook" to draw opens. In the email body, I lead with a compelling image, clear CTA button, and personal story. [21:27] Growing an engaged email list takes work, but it's well worth the long-term dividends. What strategies have you used to grow yours? Let me know!

1 most actionable piece of advice

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Lead with value in your emails to grow your list.

Gregs LinkedIN Example

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How to Win at Email Marketing in 2025 1. Start with a strong brand (you are the differentiator) 2. Use AI to hyper-personalize at scale (segment smarter, not broader) 3. Build custom email flows (digital clones of your best campaigns) 4. Flows become the core engine (scalable revenue driver) 5. Human-crafted special sends become the engaging add-on Congrats, you've created an infinitely scalable email program Old model: batch and blast New model: flows and personalization Key to winning: - Best customer data (your secret weapon) - Slickest email builder UX - Strong community who loves getting your emails - Knowing when to sprinkle in human-crafted sends 2020: "We're an email-first brand" 2025: "Our email program runs itself" Salesforce Marketing Cloud has a $4B run rate with huge services teams. And "their inefficiency is my opportunity" You can take a slice of that $4B and build a mini version of their results with a lean team and smart email flows. People always made fun of email. Especially in Silicon Valley. "No one reads emails anymore. What kind of channel is that lol". Not anymore. Scale with personalized flows. Tech is almost ready, so get prepared. Might be one of the best owned channels to focus on. Happy sending.

Questions Shownotes

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Here are 20 questions a listener will learn by tuning into this recording: 1. How did Martha get the idea to start Flodesk as an email marketing platform for creators? 2. What are the key differences between Flodesk and email marketing platforms created 15-20 years ago? 3. Why is design and branding so critical for modern email marketing to drive conversions? 4. What are some best practices for growing an engaged email list as a creator or solopreneur? 5. How can segmenting your email list from the beginning help you serve hyper-relevant content? 6. What elements go into an effective email subject line and preview text to boost open rates? 7. How frequently should you send emails to your list and what are ways to let subscribers choose their preferred cadence? 8. What are the key components that go into a highly converting email design and layout? 9. How can you encourage email replies from subscribers to boost your sender reputation and deliverability? 10. Should you proactively remove inactive subscribers from your email list or try to re-engage them first? 11. How is AI poised to transform email marketing and make solopreneurs more competitive? 12. Why are referral programs to grow an email list potentially problematic compared to direct opt-ins? 13. How can looking at email open rate trends over time provide a useful success metric despite factors like auto-opens? 14. What factors should you consider when determining the ideal number of emails for a welcome series? 15. Why is email marketing an effective channel for creators that levels the playing field compared to social media algorithms? 16. What are current email image-to-text ratio best practices for optimizing both deliverability and click rates? 17. Why is the quality and engagement of your email list more important than the total quantity of subscribers? 18. How can having unengaged subscribers and spam complaints severely damage your long-term email deliverability? 19. What are the dangers of purchasing email lists rather than building an organic list of genuine opt-ins? 20. Why is it critical to establish your own sending domain for email marketing to protect your sender reputation?

Episode summary

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Here is a short intro based on the context of the transcript, matching the tone, style and format of the provided example: Martha Bitar is the co-founder and CEO of Flodesk, an email marketing platform that has grown to over $30M ARR while bootstrapped. In this episode of Uploading, Martha shares how she built Flodesk while working full-time at another company. She dives into email marketing best practices for creators, including how to design high-converting emails, grow your subscriber list, determine email frequency, and leverage AI to optimize your email strategy.

Lead Magnet Idea

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Here is a lead magnet idea that feels valuable, is visually appealing, and includes a clear call to action that encourages further engagement with your content, product or service, based on the transcript provided: "Supercharge Your Email Marketing: Essential Tips & Templates from FloDeskCEO Martha Bitar" Description This lead magnet is an actionable guide designed to help creators and solopreneurs take their email marketing to the next level. Drawing on the expert insights shared by Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, in the podcast episode, it could be packaged as a visually stunning PDF that covers the key aspects of creating effective email campaigns. Components: Introduction to Modern Email Marketing Overview of why email marketing is crucial for creators and solopreneurs, echoing Martha's key points from the episode. Building Your Email List Proven strategies for growing your subscriber list, including creating freebies and opt-in forms. Examples from the episode illustrating how to identify your audience's needs and craft irresistible lead magnets. Crafting Compelling Emails Breakdown of the essential components of high-converting emails: subject lines, preview text, design, and copy. Visual examples showcasing Flodesk's unique features, like custom fonts and brand-optimized templates. Automation & Segmentation Strategies Step-by-step guide to setting up email automation workflows for nurturing subscribers. Tips on segmenting your list based on subscriber preferences and behavior, as discussed in the episode. Optimizing for Deliverability & Engagement Best practices for maintaining a healthy email list and improving deliverability rates. Advice on finding the right email frequency and cleaning your list, based on Martha's recommendations. Bonus: Email Marketing Checklist & Templates A printable checklist covering the essential steps for launching a successful email campaign. Customizable email templates for various purposes (welcome series, sales, nurturing, etc.) designed with Flodesk's signature style. Visual Appeal: Showcase Flodesk's stunning email designs throughout the guide, emphasizing the importance of visual branding. Use eye-catching colors, fonts, and graphics that align with your brand identity. Include pull quotes from the episode to highlight key takeaways and add visual interest. Call to Action: Download Instruction: Clear steps on how to access the full guide and bonus resources. Invitation to Connect: Encourage readers to join your email list for more exclusive content and tips. Invite them to follow you on social media or join your online community for ongoing support. Special Offer: Provide a limited-time discount code for Flodesk or your own product/service to incentivize action. Example CTA: "Ready to elevate your email game? Download the 'Supercharge Your Email Marketing' guide now and access the bonus templates to start creating stunning, high-converting campaigns today! For more insider tips, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and join our thriving community of creators. As a special gift, use the code 'PODCAST20' for 20% off your first month of Flodesk!" By providing valuable insights and ready-to-use resources, this lead magnet not only educates your audience but also positions you and Flodesk as go-to experts in the field of email marketing for creators and solopreneurs.

5 reasons why with a PS

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Here are the key takeaways from Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, on how to grow your newsletter in 2025: 1. Build your email list as soon as possible - Email marketing is a tried and true channel, not dependent on changing algorithms - Create a branded form to collect emails, even before having a website - Offer a valuable freebie in exchange for email addresses 2. Segment your audience from the start - Allow subscribers to self-select their interests when opting in - Create different lead magnets and email journeys for each segment - Cross-promote relevant content to boost engagement 3. Make your emails hyper-relevant and on-brand - Stand out in crowded inboxes with beautiful, branded email designs - Use custom fonts, layouts optimized for conversion, and compelling visuals - Tell a human story that resonates with your specific audience 4. Send emails consistently, but not too frequently - Once per week is a good cadence for most businesses - Let subscribers choose their preferred frequency - Re-engage inactive subscribers before cleaning your list 5. Embrace AI to level the playing field - Use AI-powered agents to optimize your email strategy - Gain insights from aggregated data to send the right content - Stay human and authentic as AI-generated emails become common The email inbox is one marketing channel where solopreneurs can still compete with big brands. No one can pay their way to the top. By building an engaged list, segmenting strategically, and sending valuable, branded content, you can make email marketing your most profitable channel. Focus on quality over quantity and nurture real relationships. That's how Flodesk grew to $30M ARR while staying bootstrapped. P.S. Want to dive deeper into email marketing best practices for 2025 and beyond? Check out our free private Uploading community to connect with Martha and other top content creators. Only serious applicants will be accepted. Apply here: castmagic.io/uploading-community

Episode Notes

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SUMMARY OF EPISODE In this episode of "Uploading...", Blaine is joined by Martha Bitar, CEO of Flodesk, an email marketing platform that has rapidly grown into an 8-figure ARR business. Martha shares her journey of building Flodesk while working full-time at Honeybook and now leads a remote-first company serving creators and companies worldwide. The discussion covers various aspects of email marketing, including: - Growing your newsletter and email list - Crafting engaging subject lines and preview text - Optimizing email design for conversion - Segmenting your audience for targeted messaging - Determining the right email frequency - Leveraging AI to enhance email marketing strategies Martha provides practical tips and insights based on Flodesk's data and her experience working with creators. She emphasizes the importance of email as an owned channel that is not subject to the whims of social media algorithms. BULLET POINTS OF KEY TOPICS Building an Email List with Lead Magnets [7:15] Martha discusses the importance of building an email list as early as possible, even before having a website. She suggests creating a freebie or lead magnet that addresses your audience's top questions and provides value in exchange for their email address. Crafting Engaging Subject Lines and Preview Text [20:02] The key to high open rates lies in the subject line, while the preview text serves as the hook to draw readers in. Martha advises keeping subject lines clear and testing what works best for your specific audience. Preview text should build curiosity and make it impossible for people not to open the email. Optimizing Email Design for Conversion [29:31] Martha explains how Flodesk's email builder helps users create beautiful, on-brand emails that are optimized for conversion. She shares a typical email flow that includes a compelling hero image, a clear call-to-action button, and a text paragraph that tells a story. The goal is to grab attention and drive action within the first few seconds. Segmenting Your Audience for Targeted Messaging [14:19] With many solopreneurs having multiple offerings, Martha recommends segmenting your email list based on subscriber preferences and interests. This allows you to send targeted content and cross-promote relevant products or services without overwhelming your audience. Determining the Right Email Frequency [35:43] While once a week is generally a good starting point, Martha suggests letting your audience choose their preferred email frequency through subscriber preferences. This ensures you're meeting their needs without risking unsubscribes or spam complaints. Leveraging AI to Enhance Email Marketing [40:44] Martha is excited about the potential of AI to help solopreneurs operate like larger businesses. She envisions AI agents that can optimize email marketing strategies, clean up subscriber lists, and provide personalized recommendations based on aggregated data. However, she believes the human touch will remain essential in creating authentic content.

Timestamps Trial

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Here is a timestamped overview of the episode, using the attached transcript as the source and matching the format and style of the provided example: 00:00 Martha's background and founding Flodesk 01:27 Problems with existing email marketing platforms 05:09 Flodesk's rapid growth to 8-figure ARR 06:00 Key elements of a standout email 07:15 Tips for growing an email list 11:40 Segmentation strategies for email lists 16:28 Comparing Flodesk to other email platforms 20:02 Anatomy of an effective email subject line 21:51 Ideal content and email frequency 26:06 Strategies for re-engaging inactive subscribers 29:07 AI's potential to transform email marketing 31:27 Best ways to maintain email deliverability 34:54 The value of an engaged email list 35:43 Q&A on referral programs and open rates 49:57 Q&A on welcome series and image-to-text ratio 54:53 Prioritizing email list quality over quantity 57:02 Wrap-up and where to find Flodesk online

About the Episode

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Here is a teaser for the episode in the requested style and format: Martha Bitar is the CEO and co-founder of Flodesk, an email marketing platform that has rapidly grown to an 8-figure ARR business while remaining bootstrapped. She built Flodesk while working full-time and now leads a remote-first company serving creators and businesses worldwide. In this episode of "Uploading...," Martha shares the story behind Flodesk and how they identified an opportunity to disrupt the long-standing email marketing space by focusing on modern day needs like beautiful, on-brand design. She discusses email marketing best practices for creators looking to grow their business, including building an engaged subscriber list, crafting compelling subject lines and preview text, and optimizing email design and content for maximum impact. Martha also shares her perspective on the future of email marketing, especially how AI will enable solopreneurs to operate at the level of much larger businesses. She emphasizes the unique advantages of email as a channel for creators and the importance of prioritizing engaged subscribers over raw list size. Listeners will come away with actionable strategies and insights to level up their email game in 2025 and beyond.

Show Notes

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Episode Summary Martha Bitar is the CEO and co-founder of Flodesk, the rapidly-scaling email marketing platform beloved by creators for its design-first approach. In this episode of Uploading, Martha joins Blaine to share her journey building Flodesk to $30 million ARR while working a full-time job, and dives deep into what really works for growing your newsletter and building a lasting personal brand in 2025. Episode Notes About the Episode: Martha Bitar has helped shape Flodesk into a leader in modern email marketing by focusing on creators’ needs for customization, standout design, and conversion. Martha and Blaine unpack the pain points that legacy email platforms left unsolved, and how Flodesk created viral traction with a design-driven, user-friendly ethos. Martha openly reveals the exact strategies Flodesk and its customers use to grow highly engaged email lists—before even building a website—why segmentation and automation matter even for solopreneurs, and what every creator should know about subject lines, deliverability, and content optimization. You’ll also get tactical advice on lead magnets, segmentation, list cleaning, frequency, and a look ahead at AI’s role in email marketing for solo businesses. Today, we'll cover: - How Flodesk grew into an 8-figure, bootstrapped business in a crowded space - The evolving role of branding, design, and segmentation in successful email marketing - The biggest mistakes creators make when starting a newsletter - Essential tactics for rapid email list growth in 2025 - How to re-engage dormant subscribers and stay out of the spam folder - What’s next for email and AI (and what to ignore in the hype!) What You'll Learn 1. How to build and scale a newsletter—even before having a website 2. The importance of design for email conversions (with case studies) 3. How to segment your audience for deeper engagement and sales 4. Creating and optimizing lead magnets that actually convert 5. The anatomy of high-performing emails, from subject to signature 6. How to clean your list without losing core subscribers 7. New rules for email deliverability and spam in 2025 8. Where AI will (and won’t) disrupt email workflows for solopreneurs Timestamps 00:00 – Announcing the Uploading Community 00:41 – Introducing Martha Bitar & Flodesk’s origin story 04:14 – Why design is no longer optional for emails (and Stripe case study) 06:00 – The power of early list-building & “lead magnets that work” 10:39 – Multi-lead magnet segmentation strategies 12:52 – Segmentation for solopreneurs (“the octopus” creator model) 14:19 – Workflow automations: turning subscribers into superfans 16:37 – Map of the current email platform landscape 18:20 – Why fun & simplicity win out over “legacy email” 20:02 – Subject lines, previews, and open rates (“it’s all about the hook”) 22:45 – Avoiding spam & deliverability pitfalls 25:03 – Conversion & clarity: buttons, calls-to-action, and copywriting 29:31 – Flodesk’s builder & best practices for beautiful, converting emails 33:03 – Translating viral content strategies from social to email 35:11 – Content frequency: what data really says about sending often 38:02 – List cleaning: win back or remove disengaged contacts? 41:21 – How to handle typos, fake emails, and deliverability risks 43:20 – Where AI is taking email for solo creators in the next wave 46:47 – Community Q&A: referral programs, welcome series, images vs text, and more Quotes On the new rules for creator newsletters: "Branding is just part of the modern business. Every single email—it can't just hit the inbox, it has to stand out, it has to engage from the beginning. It has to be hyper optimized for conversion. Text-based without any of your brand just doesn't cut it anymore." — Martha Bitar, 00:03:30 → 00:04:14 On building your list before you even have a website: "We’re seeing that a lot of businesses now start with just an email list. You can create a form, share it everywhere—your link in bio, send it to people, even put it on an iPad in a physical business—and you’re off building your audience before anything else.” — Martha Bitar, 00:06:15 → 00:06:44 On segmentation for solopreneurs: "It’s not the old retail model of 'Do you want blue or jeans?'—it's 'What part of my business is this person interested in?' That lets you serve hyper relevant content and grow, even as you add new projects or brands." — Martha Bitar, 00:12:52 → 00:14:19 On subject lines + open rates: "Your open rate is entirely dependent on your subject line—your content only matters once they've opened it. Subject lines should be clear, preview lines should be the hook." — Martha Bitar, 00:20:02 → 00:22:29 On list quality vs. quantity: "Never, always the quality… I'd absolutely rather have a highly engaged, small list than a big one that risks spam or deliverability. That’s your reputation—that’s your business.” — Martha Bitar, 00:54:53 → 00:56:39 On the future of AI in email: “Imagine if you could chat with your software—‘What should my email strategy be?’—and an agent just helps you do it better. Solopreneurs are going to have strategist-level help for anything, totally leveling the playing field.” — Martha Bitar, 00:43:27 → 00:45:44 — Find Martha and Flodesk: - flodesk.com - @flodesk on Instagram - @flodeskco on TikTok And join the Uploading community: [castmagic.io/uploading-community](https://castmagic.io/uploading-community)

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