---
name: newsletter_growth_loops
description: Designs and runs newsletter growth systems: converting lead magnets and content upgrades, cross-promo swaps, tiered referral programs, and welcome-sequence upsells. Use when growing a newsletter subscriber base, adding a referral or cross-promotion program, or converting free subscribers to paid.
---

# Purpose

Build compounding subscriber growth for a newsletter: four loops (lead magnets, cross-promos, referrals, welcome upsells), each with verified mechanics, so an agent can pick the right loop for the list's stage and execute it end to end.

# Workflow

1. **Diagnose the stage.** 0-1K: lean on lead magnets and content upgrades. 1K-10K: add cross-promos and launch a referral program. 10K+: layer in paid acquisition, sponsorships, acquisitions. Pick one or two loops, not all four.
2. **Lead magnets.** One magnet per specific reader pain; lowest-effort format that delivers the win (checklist, template/calculator, curated toolkit, 5-day email course, original research). Match upgrades to the page: content upgrades convert 3-10x better than generic CTAs. Deliver instantly on signup. Details: `references/growth-loops-playbook.md` (Lead-magnet design).
3. **Cross-promo swaps.** Find complementary, non-competing newsletters at 0.5x-2x your list size. Score 1-5 on audience fit, size, brand alignment, engagement, reciprocity, ease. Swap mentions, pay $1-5/subscriber, or co-create an asset. Track conversions per partner; repeat only with winners. Outreach template in `assets/cross-promo-outreach.md`.
4. **Referral tiers.** Ladder: 1 referral -> bonus content; 3 -> community/archive; 5 -> merch; 10 -> premium access or 1-on-1 call; 25 -> featured/lifetime. Single-sided when WOM exists, double-sided when referral rate is under 1%. Size rewards with `bin/referral_tier_calculator.py` against LTV and target CAC. Fraud guards: double opt-in, engagement verification before payout, disposable-domain blocking, 30-day retention check.
5. **Welcome-sequence upsells.** 5-7 emails over 14-21 days (Day 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14): quick win, tutorial, success story, objection handling, deeper feature, social proof + CTA, final offer. At least one email follows PPSA: Pain -> Proof -> Solution -> Action. Behavior-based upgrade triggers after the welcome window (usage limits, engaged free users, trial milestones). Templates in `assets/welcome-upsell.md`.
6. **Measure and iterate.** Weekly: subscribers, growth rate, open rate (target 35-45%+), click rate (3-5%+), unsubscribe (alert above 0.5%/send), per-loop conversion. Double down on the winning loop; kill loops that do not move after two issue cycles.

# Output Contract

A growth plan document containing: the list's current stage, the one or two loops chosen and why, the concrete assets to build (magnet title + format, partner list with scores, tier table with costs, or sequence outline with timing), filled-in templates for outreach/upsell emails, and the weekly metrics to track with targets.

# Operating Rules

1. Never invent benchmark numbers: every stat above came from cited sources; re-verify before quoting them to the user.
2. One loop at a time for lists under 1K subscribers; compounding beats parallel effort.
3. Page-specific content upgrades over generic site-wide magnets, always.
4. Rewards must cost less than the subscriber's lifetime value; run the calculator before committing to a tier ladder.
5. No em dashes (never use them) and no hollow marketing filler in anything this skill generates: write like a real person, plain and direct.