Day 22: The Targeted Guest Post Strategy
Ciler wrote smart, tailored guest posts inside creator-owned newsletters, and 15% of her list came from it.
Welcome to Day 22 of the 30 Days of Growth. This is a pop-up newsletter put together by Chenell from Growth In Reverse. I've pulled 30 creators together to help give one short, actionable way you can either grow or improve your email list.
Ciler Demiralp writes Newsletter Circle, and knows the power of growing through other people’s audiences.
But she didn’t try to get published on huge media sites. Instead, she wrote smart, tailored guest posts inside creator-owned newsletters – and 15% of her list came from it.
🔍 How Çiler Does It
Ciler used guest posting not as a vanity play, but as a focused growth channel.
She wrote just six guest posts, but chose them carefully.
Each was written for a newsletter with audience overlap, and each post was crafted specifically for that publication’s tone, structure, and content style.
Some examples:
One of those guest posts alone brought in over 150 subscribers, and was later turned into a YouTube video, a paid post, and a live session inside a paid community
She turned her in-depth interview insights into practical pieces like “7 Uncommon Strategies to Grow Your Newsletter”
She pulled from her report on 75K Substack newsletters and adapted it into multiple snackable pieces for other creators’ audiences
📊 Results
In total, this strategy has brought in 700+ subscribers, or about 15% of her total list, and led to new collaborations, backlinks, and audience trust.
700+ new subscribers from 6 guest posts
One post alone generated 150+ subs, and was reshared across multiple platforms
Guest post readers often converted into long-term subscribers and partners
🧠 Why It Works
Audience-first approach: Every post was tailored to that creator’s style and reader needs
Repurposed content = efficient: She reused interviews and data she already had
Built-in trust transfer: Being featured inside a respected creator’s newsletter carries weight
Expanded distribution: Guest posts became live sessions, videos, and community content
Focused on creator-owned publications: These readers are more likely to subscribe than general blog audiences
💡 How You Can Implement It
Build a list of 5–10 aligned creators. Look for people who serve a similar or adjacent audience to yours.
Pitch with clarity and care. Include your familiarity with their work, a suggested topic, why it fits their audience, and what you can offer in return.
Tailor your content to their format. If they write how-to guides, match that tone. If they focus on case studies, adapt accordingly.
Don’t start from scratch. Repurpose your strongest insights, interviews, or research into new formats for each post.
Create win-win moments. Offer to promote their newsletter in return, or invite them to guest post for your audience too.
Extend the reach. After publishing, consider running that same post in your own newsletter (with proper attribution), or using it as a jumping-off point for live events or video content.
💡 If you’re enjoying this series, would you mind taking a second to let me know? 🙂
🛠️ Tools
Google Sheets – to track your outreach
You don’t need dozens of guest posts, you just need the right ones.
When you match your message to the community and show up with tailored value, readers don’t just click. They stick.
See you tomorrow,
Chenell
P.S. Check out Ciler’s Newsletter Circle over on Substack for interviews with other newsletter operators.
Want to Win Some Prizes?
In case you didn’t know, this is what’s up for grabs in the giveaway:
5 annual licenses to Senja
5 annual licenses to RightMessage
5 annual licenses to Tella
Justin Moore’s Brand Deal Wizard course has been added for 2 lucky winners
Custom newsletter audits
And more to be announced soon! 👀
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