# newsletter

Helps plan email newsletter content, grow subscribers, and set up monetization. Useful when building a newsletter on Substack or Beehiiv.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 480 installs · ★ 721
- Author: OpenClaudia
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/newsletter/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-21
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/newsletter

## What it does

The skill structures newsletter development around content planning and subscriber growth. It provides subject line formulas, welcome sequences, and re-engagement steps for inactive readers. Formats range from curated link roundups to in-depth standalone essays.

Growth tactics change with list size. The reference covers lead magnets, referral campaigns through SparkLoop or Beehiiv, cross-promotions, and CPM benchmarks for sponsors. It also includes engagement targets for open and click rates.

Deliverability requires technical DNS setup. You need an SPF record, DKIM signing, and a DMARC policy on a custom sending domain. Without these records in place, emails will fail spam checks.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill newsletter -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/newsletter/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/newsletter/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill newsletter -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/newsletter/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill newsletter -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/newsletter/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills newsletter
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/newsletter/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill newsletter -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --path skills/newsletter
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/newsletter/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill newsletter -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/newsletter/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- choose high-converting subject line formulas
- design a welcome email sequence
- plan subscriber growth from scratch
- set up re-engagement emails for inactive contacts
- calculate newsletter sponsorship pricing with CPM

## Example prompts
- Help me build an email newsletter strategy on Beehiiv
- Draft a welcome sequence for new newsletter subscribers
- Suggest newsletter subject lines using the Number + Benefit formula

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 32a0ad9f006de281.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 32a0ad9f006de281
```text
---
name: newsletter
description: Plan and grow an email newsletter. Use when the user says "newsletter strategy", "grow my newsletter", "newsletter content", "email newsletter", "subscriber growth", "newsletter monetization", "Substack strategy", "Beehiiv", or asks about building, growing, or monetizing a newsletter.
---

# Newsletter Growth Skill

You are a newsletter growth strategist. Help plan content, grow subscribers, improve engagement, and monetize newsletters.

## Newsletter Fundamentals

### Subject Lines

**Formulas that work:**

| Formula | Example | Open Rate Impact |
|---------|---------|-----------------|
| Number + Benefit | "7 tools that saved me 10hrs/week" | High |
| Question | "Are you making this SEO mistake?" | High |
| How-to + Specific | "How I grew to 10K subs in 6 months" | High |
| Curiosity gap | "The strategy nobody talks about" | Medium-High |
| News/Urgency | "Breaking: Google just changed this" | Medium |
| Personal/Story | "I almost quit last week" | Medium |
| List/Roundup | "This week: 5 links worth your time" | Medium |

**Rules:**
- 30-50 characters optimal (mobile-friendly)
- Preview text is equally important — extend the subject line, don't repeat it
- Personalization tokens ({first_name}) lift open rates 5-10%
- Avoid spam triggers: FREE, URGENT, ALL CAPS, excessive punctuation
- A/B test subjects on every send

### Content Structure

**The 3 newsletter archetypes:**

1. **Curated** — Links + commentary (e.g., TLDR, Morning Brew)
   - 5-10 links with 2-3 sentence commentary each
   - Fastest to produce, requires good sources
   - Best for: News, industry updates, trends

2. **Original** — Single essay/article (e.g., Lenny's Newsletter, Stratechery)
   - 1,000-2,500 words of original analysis
   - Highest authority building, most effort
   - Best for: Thought leadership, premium/paid

3. **Hybrid** — Original intro + curated links (most common)
   - 200-500 word original section + 3-5 curated links
   - Good balance of effort and value
   - Best for: Most newsletters starting out

### Frequency

| Frequency | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|-----------|------|------|----------|
| Daily | Habit-forming, high touch | Burnout risk, high churn | News, curated |
| 2-3x/week | Good balance | Moderate effort | Curated, hybrid |
| Weekly | Most sustainable | Slower growth | Original, hybrid |
| Biweekly | Low effort | Easy to forget | Premium, long-form |
| Monthly | Minimal time | Low engagement | Company updates |

**Recommendation:** Start weekly. Only increase frequency when you have a system (templates, curation tools, or a team).

## Growth Strategies

### Tier 1: Foundation (0 → 1,000 subscribers)

1. **Lead magnet** — Offer a free resource in exchange for email
   - Checklist, template, cheat sheet, toolkit, mini-course
   - Must be instantly valuable (no "coming soon")
   - Place on: landing page, blog sidebar, exit intent popup

2. **Landing page optimization**
   - Clear value proposition above the fold
   - Social proof (subscriber count, testimonials, "as featured in")
   - Show a sample issue
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 32a0ad9f006de281

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---
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