Episode 10: So you want to start a podcast. In this episode we talk about how podcasting is blowing up and answer the "Should I start a podcast?" question. Instead of theoretical advice, we break down exactly how we turned our existing long form content into the 3:03 Podcast without doubling our workload. You'll learn which tools actually save time, how to repurpose content you're already creating, and why many readers prefer listening during activities where reading isn't possible.

This is the story about how to start a podcast on Spotify.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Why newsletter folks keep asking about podcasting
• 00:21 When audio makes more sense than text
• 00:56 What your readers get from listening
• 01:09 How we built the 3:03 Podcast on Spotify
• 01:36 Reaching readers who don't have time to read
• 02:09 Current podcast consumption habits
• 03:55 Getting first drafts done with Notebook LM
• 05:47 Making it sound good with Descript
• 07:31 Distribution without the headaches via Transistor
• 10:33 Is podcast money worth chasing yet?
• 11:44 The real costs and time commitment
• 12:51 What early listener data tells us
• 13:47 Alternatives to full-length podcasts
• 14:09 Your simplest path from newsletter to podcast

Some free Reply Two resources available 24/7

Listen at https://replytwo.com/podcast
Wiki and Prompt Library: https://replytwo.com/wiki
Boring Long Form: https://replytwo.com/wiki/podcasting
Boring Blog Post: https://replytwo.com/blog/how-to-start-a-podcast-on-spotify

Episode 12: A Creator's guide to A/B testing. In this episode we tackle that gut-punch feeling when your carefully crafted newsletter disappears into subscribers' inboxes without a trace. Learn how to shift from guesswork to data-driven strategies that work.

So, this one is really all about answering the questions: "What is A/B Testing?" and "How to get started with A/B Testing?".

We'll cover which elements to test so you can understand what truly resonates with readers. Plus, discover why focusing your tests (and avoiding common mistakes) leads to those compound gains that separate growing newsletters from stagnant ones. Featuring real-world examples where tiny changes delivered major engagement boosts.
Timestamps:

• 00:00 The newsletter black hole phenomenon
• 00:55 Why data beats gut feelings every time
• 01:24 Split testing explained (without the jargon)
• 03:15 Real creators, real results
• 05:13 What elements actually move the needle
• 09:42 The "test one thing" rule you can't ignore
• 12:39 How most creators shoot themselves in the foot
• 13:54 Small gains → big results (compound interest for newsletters)
• 15:30 Your first test: simpler than you think
• 16:46 From spreadsheet tears to actionable insights

Some free Reply Two resources available 24/7

• Listen at https://replytwo.com/podcast
• Wiki and Prompt Library: https://replytwo.com/wiki
• Boring Long Form: https://replytwo.com/wiki/a-b-testing

Shout out to Dan Oshinsky and Inbox Collective for their insights: https://inboxcollective.com/a-list-of-things-you-can-a-b-test/

Episode 8: Overcoming the creator's paradox one realization at a time. In this episode, we follow Cora, a fictional creator based on very real pain, as she scales her newsletter to 48,000+ subscribers… and nearly burns out doing it. What starts as success becomes a trap. The better she gets at delivering value, the less time she has to create it. We walk through her failed attempts to offload the work with freelancers, generalists, marketing agencies, and the breakthrough that came from finding a true newsletter operations partner.

This episode is for any creator stuck doing too much, too manually, for too long. We break down what actually helps, what doesn’t, and how to buy back your time without giving up growth.

Stuck in newsletter ops hell? You don’t need more hours, you might need the right email marketing company.
Timestamps:

• 00:00 The creator’s dilemma
• 00:51 Meet Cora and the paradox of growth
• 01:30 What happens when ops take over
• 06:55 Freelancers, agencies, and dead ends
• 11:32 The turning point
• 15:51 What changed when she finally got help
• 18:40 Lessons for any creator feeling stuck
• 19:52 Is it time to get your time back?

Some free Reply Two resources available 24/7

• Listen at https://replytwo.com/podcast
• Wiki and Prompt Library: https://replytwo.com/wiki
• Boring Long Form: https://replytwo.com/email-marketing-company

Episode 7: A recurring affiliate program that works: In this episode, we break down how we turned casual referrals into a fully structured recurring affiliate program. We share how we went from “we should probably reward people” to building a clean recurring affiliate program prototype. You’ll learn how we designed for sustainability, why simple tools beat custom code (at first), and how to structure commissions in a way that keeps everyone motivated.

Whether you’re building your own recurring affiliate program or just want a better one to join, we lay it out step by step. And yes, you can steal the whole thing.
Timestamps:

• 00:00 Creator dreams, meet reality
• 00:29 What makes a top recurring affiliate program
• 00:46 Our unplanned word-of-mouth engine
• 01:51 Building an affiliate program without breaking things
• 05:03 Why we skipped high-commission traps
• 07:03 How to choose affiliate programs that won’t burn out
• 07:46 Starting your own recurring affiliate program
• 09:11 Affiliate marketing without the cringe
• 13:47 Promotion that doesn’t feel like selling
• 15:02 Future-proofing your affiliate strategy
• 16:28 Wrapping it up, make it sustainable or don’t bother

Some free Reply Two resources available 24/7

• Listen at https://replytwo.com/podcast
• Wiki and Prompt Library: https://replytwo.com/wiki
• Boring Blog Post: https://replytwo.com/blog/building-a-top-recurring-affiliate-program
• Boring Long Form: https://replytwo.com/wiki/recurring-affiliate-program

Episode 6: Ditch the hustle and learn how to crush it with affiliate programs: Not all affiliate programs are worth your time, even if the payout sounds big. In this episode, we unpack what makes an affiliate program worth betting on for long-term growth. To bring it to life, we follow Anil, a fictional but all-too-relatable affiliate marketer who burned out chasing one-time commissions. His story illustrates the shift from chasing flashy percentages to building recurring, compounding income through better affiliate programs. You’ll learn how to spot programs that work, how to stack commissions over time, and how to build a lean, profitable portfolio that doesn’t reset to zero every month.

Ready to stop guessing and start earning with affiliate programs? Hit play.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Affiliate marketing is broken, here’s why
• 01:02 Meet Anil (not real, but very real)
• 02:29 Where most affiliate strategies go off the rails
• 03:56 Stop chasing commission percentages
• 06:14 Anil’s simple 3-step system
• 07:35 What changed when he stopped playing the short game
• 09:05 Why recurring affiliate programs are underrated
• 10:00 Quick LTV math
• 10:18 One-time vs. recurring
• 10:52 Commission stacking
• 11:43 Which niches are built for recurring
• 12:39 How to evaluate affiliate programs like a grown-up
• 15:02 Setting up partnerships that last
• 18:08 Building a portfolio you don’t have to babysit
• 19:14 Final thoughts, play the long game

Some free Reply Two resources available 24/7

• Listen at https://replytwo.com/podcast
• Wiki and Prompt Library: https://replytwo.com/wiki
• Boring Resource this Episode is Based on: https://replytwo.com/affiliate-programs

Episode 5: Beyond the unreliable open rate, here's what to track instead. Apple broke your email metrics, but everyone's pretending it didn't happen. This episode exposes why the open rate obsession is killing your newsletter and what smart creators track instead.

We break down how privacy changes have turned open rates into fantasy numbers while revealing the engagement metrics that actually predict subscriber value and revenue potential.

What you'll learn:

• Why that 40% open rate probably means 20% in reality
• The only metric that proves subscribers actually care about your content
• How to build VIP segments that turn casual readers into paying customers
• Simple technical tweaks that reveal who's actually engaging vs. who's ignoring you

For creators who want to build a business, not just send emails into the void.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 The open rate delusion
• 00:33 How privacy updates wrecked your metrics
• 02:34 Apple Mail Privacy Protection: what actually happened
• 04:26 Click-through rates: the honest engagement metric
• 06:01 Building segments that predict revenue
• 08:27 How we measure what matters for clients
• 09:17 The engagement metrics that actually grow your business

Some free Reply Two resources available 24/7

• Listen at https://replytwo.com/podcast
• Wiki and Prompt Library: https://replytwo.com/wiki
• Blog: https://replytwo.com/blog
• Boring Wiki Post: https://replytwo.com/wiki/open-rate

Episode 4: Why many newsletter metrics are useless (and which ones matter). Stop drowning in digital marketing terms that don't help your newsletter grow. This episode cuts through the BS metrics to show you exactly which numbers actually drive revenue.

We break down why most creators track vanity metrics that look good but do nothing for your business. Instead, learn the handful of measurements that actually predict whether your newsletter will survive or thrive.

What you'll learn:

• Why obsessing over open rates is like counting likes on Instagram
• The only three metrics that actually predict if you'll make money
• How to explain these numbers to sponsors without sounding desperate or clueless
• The measurement mistake that's costing you subscribers every week

Perfect for creators who hate spreadsheets but love results. No buzzwords, no guru-speak, just practical ways to measure what matters.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Why most marketing jargon is a waste of your time
• 01:26 The only metrics worth tracking (and why)
• 02:04 Building a language that makes sense to sponsors
• 04:15 Vanity metrics vs. money metrics
• 09:26 Simple steps to improve what actually matters
• 10:40 Measuring progress that leads to revenue

Some free Reply Two resources available 24/7

• Listen at https://replytwo.com/podcast
• Wiki and Prompt Library: https://replytwo.com/wiki
• Blog: https://replytwo.com/blog
• Boring Wiki Post: https://replytwo.com/wiki/digital-marketing-terms

Episode 3: Left brain + right brain = A newsletter's secret weapon. Unpacking how the new email newsletter agency, Reply Two, developed their brand identity. Where Ambreen's design expertise balance Sam's stoicism to create something that kinda just works.

We share the messy journey, from terrible name ideas to finding a brand voice that doesn't sound like every other marketing agency. You'll discover how the creative tension between design thinking and systems analysis helps us solve the technical headaches keeping creators from building their media empires.

What you'll learn:

• Why most agency branding misses the mark (and how to avoid the same trap)
• How we transformed "Crew Grit" into Reply Two (thank god we changed it)
• The exact process we used to build a brand that shows creators we understand their real problems
• Why understanding your audience's desired progress matters more than your logo

Whether you're building your own newsletter brand or just tired of spending hours fixing email templates, this episode shows how bridging creative and technical thinking creates something actually valuable.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Branding that works harder than ads
• 00:41 Meet the odd couple behind Reply Two
• 02:02 Ambreen's design approach to creator problems
• 02:51 Sam's systems thinking (and why it matters)
• 04:39 When creative meets analytical
• 06:22 Naming failures and final success
• 08:34 Building a visual identity that means something
• 11:00 Finding a voice that sounds like humans
• 12:17 Understanding what creators actually need
• 15:26 Branding lessons you can use
• 17:46 Why authenticity beats marketing every time

Some free Reply Two resources available 24/7

• Listen at https://replytwo.com/podcast
• Wiki and Prompt Library: https://replytwo.com/wiki
• Boring Blog Post: https://replytwo.com/blog/brand-identity-for-our-email-newsletter-agency