🎯 10 Best Newsletter Ads This Week (Apr 18-24)

👋 Alex here, I’m back with another edition of Newsletter Ad Vault! I have 10 more winning ads for you to take inspiration from.

In today’s issue:

• 🎯 Newsletter ads that are crushing it right now (6 static + 4 video ads)

• 🧠 Simple breakdowns of why they work

• 🎨 Ready-to-use Canva templates to copy

• 📧 Newsletters to inspire your own

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📸 STATIC ADS

1. The Rundown

Time running: 283 days

Why this works:

Starting our analysis this week is The Rundown’s very simple notebook-style ad.

It breaks down AI learning into just three steps: stop scrolling social media, subscribe to their newsletter, and learn AI in 5 minutes a day. The hand-drawn style makes the whole thing feel approachable and non-threatening.

What makes this ad effective is that it addresses both a problem and offers a simple solution.

The problem? Wasting time on social media. The solution? Their newsletter with a clear benefit. They make AI, a complex topic, feel accessible to complete beginners.

How to apply this concept:

• Break down your complex offer into a simple, numbered process that feels achievable.

• Use visuals that make intimidating topics feel approachable – sometimes less polished is more effective.

• Compare a common time-waster with your newsletter’s efficient alternative. Position your newsletter as a replacement for an existing bad habit like endless scrolling.

2. WealthFit

Time running: 76 days

Why this works:

WealthFit uses the Notes app format that has been crushing it for newsletter ads lately. I’ve tested it myself, and it actually outperforms more polished designs pretty often because it feels more like insider advice rather than marketing. 

What makes this ad stand out, though, is how they lead with specific benefits rather than problems.

Their promise of “actionable tips on investing, saving, and building wealth” tells you exactly what you’ll get. And the check marks create a satisfying visual rhythm as you scan through the benefits.

How to apply this concept:

• Lead with concrete, actionable benefits rather than vague promises. This helps the value feel immediate and clear.

• Use light humor to make traditionally “serious” topics more approachable. I’ve found that it can build trust faster and keep readers engaged longer, especially in niches that tend to feel heavy or technical.

• Emphasize “free” multiple times if your newsletter doesn’t require payment, since people are naturally skeptical.

3. The Average Joe

Time running: 337 days

Why this works:

Sometimes, simplicity wins. The Average Joe’s black-and-white design with orange highlights draws attention to key selling points.

Things like “research-backed stock picks,” “250,000 investors,” and “5 minutes to read” stand out clearly. In a world where everyone’s competing for attention, you have to find ways to make your message instantly clear.

The ad also directly addresses a major pain point for investors: spending hours digging through financial reports. Then, it offers a clear alternative.

So not only do they save you time with research, they make it incredibly clear that they deliver the value you need.

How to apply this concept:

• Use strategic color highlights to draw attention to your most compelling selling points. The contrast makes key benefits pop.

• Address a specific time-consuming task that your newsletter eliminates or simplifies. Don’t just say you “save time” — identify exactly which painful activity subscribers can stop doing.

• Pair social proof with low time commitment. This combination says “lots of people find this valuable, and it won’t take much of your time.”

📧 RECOMMENDATIONS

3 Newsletters to Inspire Your Own

As a newsletter operator, I subscribe to tons of newsletters to get new ideas and inspiration.

Below are some great ones if you’re looking for inspiration from high-performing newsletters:

• The Pen Pivot → Get psychology-backed secrets behind getting people to click, read, view, and engage with your content.

• I Will Teach You To Be Rich → Where 800k+ readers get actionable, no-BS advice on how to create a successful business and build a rich life without sacrificing the things they love.

• Write • Build • Scale with Sinem Günel → This helps you write confidently, build your audience, and scale your income, so you can make money doing what you love.

🔗 These are 1-click subscribe links – no email entry needed if you’re reading this in your inbox.

4. 1440 Media

Time running: 442 days

Why this works:

1440 Media nails it with their visual comparison between “Zuckerberg’s news feed” and their own offering. One side looks like chaos and stress with its red tones and messy layout. The other side looks calm and organized with its clean blue design.

I like this format because it triggers an immediate gut reaction. Who wants the anxiety-inducing mess when you could have the peaceful alternative? The X and check marks drive home the point without needing much explanation.

Their “3M+ subscribers” is particularly powerful. While most newsletters talk about thousands of readers, 1440 casually drops that they have millions.

Combined with the “5-minute read” promise, they’re telling you: “Millions of people trust us to keep them informed without overwhelming them.”

How to apply this concept:

• Create visual contrast between the stressful status quo and your peaceful solution. This makes the emotional payoff of subscribing instantly recognizable, even before reading the text.

• Use color psychology to reinforce your message (red for stress, blue for calm, etc.).

• Highlight time savings visually to appeal to busy readers. Use icons/emojis, short labels, or bold typography to make benefits like “5-minute read” pop instantly.

5. Scottsdale Scoop

Time running: 57 days

Why this works:

Just like Naples Brief from last week, Scottsdale Scoop understands that local newsletters thrive on being specific. The image of Old Town Scottsdale creates value for local residents and visitors right away.

Their question, “struggling to find things to do in Scottsdale?” directly addresses a common frustration for people in the area. 

The ad doesn’t overcomplicate things. It simply states the problem and offers the solution: “Each week we email all the best events and deals in our newsletter.”

And looking at their actual newsletter content, they clearly deliver on this promise. Articles like “New Local Burger Spot in Scottsdale” and “Scottsdale’s Wine & Dine Weekend Awaits” provide local, actionable information. If I were from the area, I’d definitely want to check it out!

How to apply this concept:

• For local newsletters, lead with imagery that locals will immediately recognize and connect with. Almost all successful local ads I’ve seen follow this approach.

• Frame your newsletter as the solution to a specific local challenge or frustration. Local newsletters perform best when they solve a concrete problem rather than providing general news.

• Keep your promise simple and focused on delivering practical value. Being comprehensive is not always needed.

6. Active Chiropractic & Wellness

Time running: 109 days

Why this works:

This ad from Active Chiropractic & Wellness works because it’s refreshingly straightforward. They’ve created a clean, professional ad that gets right to the point for their Cayman Islands fitness community.

They use an image of someone running to instantly communicate “this is for active people” without saying a word. Then, they follow up with a simple bulleted list that tells you exactly what you’ll get in their newsletter.

The local angle is smart too. By specifically focusing on “all things active in the Cayman Islands,” they’re only trying to appeal to people who will value and engage with their content. 

How to apply this concept:

• Use clear, bulleted lists to show exactly what content your newsletter includes. This transparency sets proper expectations and improves retention.

• Include imagery that visually represents your newsletter’s core theme or audience. The right visual communicates your purpose faster than any headline.

• For business newsletters, aim for roughly 80% valuable content to 20% promotional material for the highest engagement.

🎬 VIDEO ADS

7. Mindstream

Time running: 182 days

Why this works:

The hook here really stands out to me: “How to look like a genius at work.”

It’s marketing gold because it taps into something many professionals worry about: falling behind and looking incompetent in front of colleagues.

The promise of “5-minute guides for the top 30 AI tools” is perfect for this fear. It’s not promising to make you an AI expert (which would seem unrealistic), but rather to give you just enough knowledge to appear competent. 

The city backdrop in the video sets a professional context, while emphasizing these guides work “even if you’re a beginner” removes the intimidation factor.

How to apply this concept:

• Lead with a benefit that addresses workplace insecurity. People are often more motivated by avoiding embarrassment than by gaining knowledge.

• Emphasize speed and accessibility. Quantify exactly how little time your newsletter takes to read so readers know in advance.

• Use visuals that match your audience’s professional environment to help them mentally place your solution in their daily lives.

8. Matej Dolenec

Time running: 94 days

Why this works:

This ad grabs attention right off the bat with high-energy music and visuals of people making money.

The direct question “Do you run ecomm store?” immediately filters the audience – if you don’t, you’ll scroll past, but if you do, you’ll stay.

The promise is also specific, tangible, and valuable: “150+ hooks that have generated millions of $ in sales” for ecommerce store owners.

The little sneak peek of actual hooks at the end of the video is clever too. It’s just enough to show the quality without giving everything away.

Combined with the “download for free” call to action, it creates a perfect offer for the target audience. Who wouldn’t want free, proven hooks that could boost their store’s sales?

How to apply this concept:

• Use high-energy visuals/music for offers related to business growth. The emotional tone of your ad should match the excitement of the outcome you’re promising.

• Show a brief preview of your actual newsletter content to prove its quality. I’ve seen that this “peek behind the curtain” approach can easily outperform ads that only talk about benefits.

• Be extremely specific about what subscribers will receive. Exact numbers create a more tangible offer and build credibility.

9. The Good Trade

Time running: 169 days

Why this works:

The Good Trade creates a completely different mood from most newsletter ads, and I find this approach refreshing.

Instead of high-energy visuals or bold claims, they go for a calm, mindful vibe with peaceful tea-pouring imagery and gentle music.

What’s clever is how they position their newsletter as a better morning habit: “This is a better alternative to scrolling social media first thing in the morning.”

We all know that guilty feeling of reaching for our phones the moment we wake up, so this hits home. The personal testimony also feels genuine rather than salesy: “It’s transformed how I start my day.”

Then, they get specific about what you’ll receive: “inspiring articles, nourishing recipes, soothing playlists, and tips for living more slowly,” which helps set clear expectations without overselling.

How to apply this concept:

• Use music, imagery, and tone that embody the emotional experience your newsletter creates. When your ad creates the same feeling, it acts as a sample of what subscribers can expect.

• Position your newsletter as a healthier alternative to common digital habits like mindless scrolling. This makes your offer feel like an easy upgrade.

• Be specific about the variety of content you offer. Mentioning multiple content types helps different readers find something that resonates with them.

10. TLDR Newsletter

Time running: 67 days

Why this works:

To end off this week’s breakdown, we have TLDR’s video ad which uses a perfect narrative twist.

It shows someone relaxing and enjoying life, seemingly not working hard. But the text reveals they’re actually “ahead on everything tech and crushing it at work.” This creates immediate curiosity. How can someone be both relaxed AND high-performing?

The reveal that they spend “0 time scrolling Reddit or Hacker News” to stay informed suggests the newsletter is their secret weapon.

This addresses a major pain point for tech professionals who feel like they have to spend hours staying current. It’s the ultimate tech worker’s dream.

How to apply this concept:

• Create a surprising narrative that challenges assumptions about work and success. This goes against the “hustle culture” mentality and captures attention.

• Show the lifestyle benefit (relaxation, free time) your newsletter enables, not just the information it provides. People subscribe for outcomes.

• Address the hidden inefficiencies in how your audience currently consumes information and make your newsletter seem like a must-have.

👋 THAT’S A WRAP

Before you go, here are 3 ways we can help you

1. 🎯 Explore past winning ad breakdowns + templates on our website.

2. 🗂️ Grab the swipe file from this week’s newsletter ads – it includes all the ad descriptions, headlines, original images/videos, and landing pages they linked to.

3. 📧 Haven’t launched your newsletter yet? Try Beehiiv – it’s what we use, and honestly the best newsletter platform right now. They’re currently offering the first month FREE, plus 20% off for your next 3 months.

That’s it for this week’s issue – thanks for reading! I’ll see you next week for more.

– Alex

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