Advertise on podcast: Happy Subscribers

Episode Summary: "If you can't explain why someone should choose you, your marketing has to work twice as hard." - Rich Brooks Most creators don't need MORE marketing ideas. They need a clearer answer to one question: "Why should someone choose me?" In this episode, I'm joined by Rich Brooks (founder of Flight New Media and host of The Agents of Change podcast) to talk about how to differentiate your business online especially now, when AI makes it easier than ever to sound like everyone else. Rich shares his Remarkability Formula: four practical "lenses" you can use to uncover what already makes you stand out (or what you can build) so your marketing gets simpler, your message gets sharper, and your audience knows exactly why YOU matter to THEM. And yes — we bring it back to email, because once you know what makes you remarkable, writing emails (and creating content) gets a whole lot easier. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why your marketing feels harder than it needs to be. How your most powerful differentiator is probably something you're already doing — you just haven't named it yet. Why narrowing your focus doesn't limit your business — it makes you easier to remember (and easier to choose). That you don't need a new offer to stand out (sometimes you need a better way to frame what you already do.) How when your positioning is clear, writing emails stops feeling like a guessing game. Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Rich: The Remarkability Formula Workbook Agents of Change LinkedIn  Episode Resources:  Duett Free Resources Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: When I launched my podcast, I used Instagram, LinkedIn, and relationships with my peers in the online space to get the word out. You know what I never considered using?  Pinterest. Thanks to Andi Smiley, the podcast coach behind Friendly Podcast Guide, I got to learn about how to do this correctly, in a really sustainable way. Andi proves that Pinterest is a great way to get more listeners (and therefore more clients) when you have a podcast — but in very little time each month. Yay! Andi relies on Pinterest and email marketing to grow her listenership — and in this interview with her, we dive into how she's been using email (almost exclusively) to sell her latest offer.  BONUS: I coached Andi on how to use email marketing and copywriting strategies to fill her last two spots for her new done-for-you offer. She didn't see that coming, nor did I, but it was fun for both of us! In this episode, you'll learn about: How Pinterest can quietly boost your podcast downloads over time Why Andi relies on email marketing more than social media to sell her offers The email strategy shifts that Allea suggested to help Andi fill her last two DFY client spots 🎁 Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Andi: "Is Pinterest Right for Me?" Checklist Threads Pinterest Podcast Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: Most creators are sitting on years of valuable content — blog posts, emails, social captions, podcast episodes — but rarely stop to ask: "What content of mine deserves more attention?" "How could I package my ideas into a new revenue stream?" That's exactly why I invited workshop strategist Jake Wysocki from Intention Craft onto the podcast. This episode isn't just about "how to run a workshop." It's about something bigger: how to identify the content your audience is already engaged with, validate what they actually want (and could pay for), and use live connection to deepen trust. Jake brings a thoughtful, human-centered approach — along with the data of your email stats and engagement — to help identify what your audience will remember (and respond to) in a live workshop event. Tune in to this episode — even if workshops aren't even on your radar — because you'll learn how to: Mine your existing content (blog posts, emails, podcast episodes) for topics your audience would actually pay attention to. Validate ideas with your list before you invest time creating anything (whether free or paid) Use live connection (even in simple, low-ticket formats) to build deeper relationships with readers Choose ideas that support your bigger business goals — not distract from them Create a small, paid or free workshop that builds relationships with readers in a way a blog post or Reel just can't. Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Jake: Book a FREE 1:1 45 minute session with Jake Episode Resources:  John Meese's Interview with Allea The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: Amy Reid has cracked the reader-relationship code with her subscribers — and you better bet that I dug in when I got her on the Happy Subscribers podcast this week! As a baking recipe blogger, Amy has locked in on what her readers want, engaged with them 1:1 through email replies, and prioritizes email marketing as her favorite way to connect with her audience. (Dawwww! ❤️) In Fall of 2025, Amy didn't just launch a cookbook — she found out how truly engaged (and willing to spend their hard-earned money) her email community is. Her first pre-order email generated 300+ sales in 24 hours… all because she's been nurturing her list long before she asked for the sale (what she calls "the plea" 😂) Amy proves that strong relationships + thoughtful email strategy = real results. Not overnight. Not from a viral reel. But from genuine connection, built over time. Tune in to hear how she does it — and what you can borrow for your own email strategy. In this episode, you'll learn about: How her readers helped her find the vision (and topic) for writing her first cookbook What's in her welcome sequence that connects with new subscribers so deeply, so fast How she organized, assigned recipes, and got feedback from the 300 recipe testers on her email list The heartbreak of doing a cold subscriber clean-up (and whether it's worth it) How Amy's using AI to support her writing — while also keeping email personal by sharing anecdotes with her recipes Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Amy: Instagram Scottish Bakes Cookbook Join Amy's Newsletter  Episode Resources:  Duett Free Resources Join the Duett Newsletter Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: This is officially a must-listen interview on the podcast.  Mike Nelson — co-founder of Really Good Emails — has nearly two decades of email experience (the kind I seriously envy). In this episode, we cover so much good stuff, including: How many touches (aka emails) it really takes to build trust with new subscribers The KPIs that actually matter when measuring email success The highly underrated engagement metric you can automate The psychology behind effective email marketing — from the "mere exposure effect" to "reciprocity" — and why sending more emails or asking for more sales isn't always the best long-term strategy Mike brings a rare mix of data-driven insight, years of email experience, and creative empathy to the conversation — converting them into clear, actionable takeaways for creators like us — about what matters, what doesn't, and how to send really good emails that resonate.   Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Mike: Really Good Emails LinkedIn Episode Resources:  Duett Content Calendar Airtable Template Join the Duett Newsletter  Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: Email has spent years sitting on the backburner. A "just in case" channel.
A safety net.
A maybe I'll deal with this later strategy. But in 2026? That changes. In this solo episode, I'm sharing what I see coming next for email marketing — not from trend forecasts or hot takes, but from years inside creator inboxes, email platforms, and real subscriber behavior. Because hitting "send" on anything isn't enough anymore.
 Sending more emails won't fix a weak strategy.
 And hoping email magically performs without intention? That era is over.  This episode is about what will work — and what creators need to rethink if they want email to actually support their business in 2026. In this episode, you'll hear: Why relationship-driven creators will outperform everyone else next year What it really means to earn and retain permission in someone's inbox Why email is moving from "nice to have" to a core business asset How trust is being rebuilt in email — even as everything else online feels shaky Why your existing content is one of your biggest advantages going into 2026 How creators will redefine success beyond open rates and list size What it looks like when email becomes a revenue channel — not just a traffic tool This isn't about doing more. It's about doing email on purpose. If email has felt heavy, unclear, or like something you should be doing but aren't sure how to use well — this episode will help you reset your expectations and your strategy. Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Book a FREE Discovery Call  Duett Free Resources Instagram @alleagrummert Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast    

Episode Summary: When it's the end of the year, it's that time to reflect back on your year and take stock of what the last 11+ months held… I love a good moment to record what happened, asking: "What did I learn? What made this year significant?" For me, that looked like writing out a list of 10 (which quickly became 15) of my top moments or wins from the year.  And I'm sharing 7 of those in this week's podcast.  Tune in to hear what's shaped me the most this year.  If you need a touch of humanity in this AI-crazed, "bigger must always be better" world — let me be the one to give you the encouragement (and reality) you need to set new metrics for what the "best of" could look like for your life and business. In this episode, I'm sharing: What I did to actually achieve margin and rest the first half of this year How I'm reviving my own brand story going into 2026 What changes I made to my travel days to fill my heart and make traveling for work even better The ways stretching yourself can have a ripple effect (and what that's looked like for me this year) Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Duett Free Resources Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: My conversation with Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com, might be one of my favorite episodes yet on Happy Subscribers. Paul started PowWows.com nearly 30 years ago as a side hustle and today, it's grown into the leading online hub for celebrating Native culture and one of the most engaged email communities I've ever heard of. He gets dozens of replies with each email he sends!! Paul isn't just a creator... he's a community-builder. Whether you're a blogger, a content creator, or someone looking to build a more engaged community, tune in to learn from Paul about how he attracts the right people, welcomes them with generous resources, and strives to send more personalized content to his list. In this episode, you'll hear us talk about: How handing off his newsletter replies completely transformed his inbox (and his peace of mind) The opt-ins he uses to attract thousands of happy subscribers in his unique niche How he segments his list by interest in Native American history, artists, books, and more Why he chooses to promote opt-in email sequences instead of static PDF guides The tech tools helping him grow his list — especially through Facebook groups Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Paul: Website Email Tools  Episode Resources:  Duett Free Resources Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: "Going viral is not a business strategy." - Katie Brinkley In this week's episode, I'm joined by social media strategist Katie Brinkley, author of The Social Shift and host of two podcasts: Rocky Mountain Marketing and Marketing Trends Now. Katie helps entrepreneurs simplify their social media strategy so you can spend less time creating social content and more time connecting (which is where real change happens).  Katie shared her "what's working now" strategies — the ones she's tested and tried herself — so you know where to put your energy when using social media for your business. In this episode, you'll learn about: How to approach social media and show up with more purpose Katie's 4-post strategy for creating content that actually connects  Why she calls LinkedIn newsletters "your secret email list" and how to leverage yours, even in ADDITION to a regular email newsletter How engagement (not volume) helped her hit her best sales months Why copying and pasting content across platforms doesn't work Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Katie: Website LinkedIn Episode Resources:  Agorapulse Duett Free Resources Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: "AI can predict the next word in a sentence but it can't make meaning. That's our job." - Dan Cumberland This episode of Happy Subscribers features my friend Dan Cumberland, founder of Dan Cumberland Labs.  And while we're still new to the landscape of AI and it sometimes feels like a foreign language, Dan helps creators use it to improve their work and expand their impact in the world. One could even say he's an expert at using AI with soul. Listen in to my conversation with Dan and engage with it yourself by DMing me on Instagram or submitting a question here — as we dive into what inspires true connection with each other online. In this episode, you'll learn about: Balancing efficiency and empathy as online creators Using AI to save time and still be creative How AI should be your "sous-chef," not your replacement as the head of the kitchen A peek into the multiple AI tools he uses and how each works differently The ethics of AI (yes, we went there!) Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Dan: Website Free Resource: AI Training Guide LinkedIn Resources: Duett Free Resources Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: Is blogging dead? That might be a spicy question but it's exactly where Mike Zielonka and I started in this week's episode of Happy Subscribers. Mike helps online creators get seen, get clicks, and get paid — and he's got strong opinions on why many creators are still following outdated strategies… and what to do instead.  Whether you're writing newsletters, publishing recipes, or promoting digital products, this episode is a reminder that your content strategy needs to evolve with how people behave online and that includes how they interact with your emails. If you're feeling stuck in "blogger" mode, and you know you need to level up how you think about your business, this is your nudge to think and act like a creator — one who's willing to try new things, track what's working, and show up with a renewed purpose. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why the "just blog and pray" strategy doesn't work anymore How email fits into your content flywheel and what it looks like when done right Why email is where the magic happens for building trust, engagement, and revenue What AI tools can help with and where they fall short (with examples) The importance of a hook and how to make your content more scroll-stopping online Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Mike: Instagram Website Episode Resources: Grok by xAI Gemini  TypingMind Duett Free Resources Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: When you think about trying something new with your email marketing, does it stress you out? If it feels techy or outside your wheelhouse, maybe your first instinct is to bury your head in the sand. (Honestly, that can feel easier than possibly messing up, right?) But what if "messing up" wasn't the enemy? What if it was actually your best way to gather data, learn about your audience, and test things little by little to see what sticks? This week's guest, Nikki McKnight, is here to talk about her "FAFO" approach — yes, that stands for F** around and find out. It's about taking action even before you feel ready, and letting clarity show up in the process. This episode will give you permission to run small experiments, learn what works, and build confidence along the way. In this episode, you'll learn: How to find clarity as you build and grow and change your marketing What questions to ask (and when) as you make decisions The role "tolerance for uncertainty" plays in personal and professional growth Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Nikki: FAFO Newsletter (Nikki's bi-weekly-ish business experiment for founders) Instagram First Dates & Soulmates Podcast (Nikki's romance podcast with Meg Casebolt) Episode Resources:  Book a FREE Discovery Call  Other FREE Duett Resources Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: Ever been tempted to "set it and forget it" with your email marketing? Or thought "I'll let this run and go focus on other things?" That mindset (or neglect) of your email potential is costing you traffic, connection, and revenue. Real dollars for your real business. In today's Happy Subscribers episode, I'm breaking down why email isn't meant to run on autopilot forever — and yes, that's coming from an Email Automation Junkie. I want you to have a strategy that's simple, sustainable and sends as much love to your list and traffic to your site as possible. In this episode, you'll learn about: The three core parts of a healthy email strategy — the fundamentals you can grow from What happens if you're missing one or more of these strategies Why automations can't be your entire "strategy" (though wouldn't that be nice?) What I recommend for staying the most connected to your list in real time A simple way to get clarity on what's working in your current setup Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Book a FREE Discovery Call  Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary:  What is "community," really? We toss that word around a lot, but this conversation with Faith Clarke, organizational health & inclusive teams specialist, autism activist, and author, made it click... community isn't a parasocial vibe we hope our subscribers feel. It's something we design together. Community matters for email because people buy when they trust you. And trust comes from you being a person, not from perfect messaging or sending on the "best" day of the week.  This is how your emails shift from being simply one way broadcasts into two way, mutually-beneficial relationships. So how do you show up as a whole person, create a community that benefits everyone in it, and invite your audience to participate? In this episode, you'll learn about: Why real community = communal care + protection + shared need-fulfillment (not just "engagement") How to "read the room" online when our usual in-person cues are missing What it looks like to reimagine email as dialogue, not a monologue—and why frameworks beat formulas Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Faith: Website Instagram  Episode Resources:  Book a FREE Discovery Call  Duett Services: Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Instagram @alleagrummert  

Episode Summary: You don't need 100 blog posts to see big results on Pinterest and drive massive traffic to your site. I know this because Nadalie Bardo got 1 million views on Pinterest in her first month with only 10 posts. In this episode we dive into all things Pinterest like: How she leverages trends, design templates, and Pinterest's natural clickability to boost her content's visibility and drive traffic to her blog How she was able to organically grow her email list to 24K subscribers How she's converted those subscribers into 1000s of happy customers  And the best part? She doesn't even use ads! It's all organic growth. In this episode, Nadalie also shares: The Pinterest strategies she teaches her students How to capture seasonal traffic and "stack" it year after year The #1 type of lead magnet that brought in 15k subs  Where to start if you want Pinterest to send you traffic on repeat Check out this episode's blog post  Connect with Nadalie: Website Instagram Resources Mentioned: Book a FREE Discovery Call Email Strategy Playbook - A fresh set of eyes and insight into your current email marketing Duett Services: The Duett Debut - Done for you email copywrting & automation setup  Ready, Set, EMAIL - Quick & custom email setup to grow and send your newsletter fast Instagram @alleagrummert