🎯 10 Best Newsletter Ads This Week (May 2-8)

Hey there, welcome back to another issue of the Newsletter Ad Vault!

Today we’re diving into another batch of high-performing newsletter ads and how you can mimic them for your newsletter.

In today’s issue:

• 🎯 Newsletter ads that are crushing it right now (7 static + 3 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. Back At You

Time running: 67 days

Why this works:

The first time I saw this ad, I honestly thought it was just someone in my feed excited about their business. That’s exactly why it works so well.

The whole approach feels like a genuine social post, not an ad. It’s that real-person excitement that makes you stop scrolling.

And the line saying “Who knew a free newsletter packed with real estate growth strategies could help brokers…” is super smart. It positions their newsletter as this cool discovery rather than something they’re selling.

How to apply this concept:

• Get real results from actual subscribers; no one believes generic testimonials.

• Make your ad blend in with regular social content – the more your ad looks like a normal post, the better it works.

• Position your newsletter as a surprising solution people “discover,” not something being pushed on them.

2. Data Pragmatist

Time running: 571 days

Why this works:

At the time of writing, this ad has been running for 571 days – over a year and a half! In the world of Facebook ads, that’s practically ancient. Why does it keep working? 

Because Data Pragmatist nailed their audience’s sense of humor with that spot-on Vince McMahon reaction meme. Each panel builds more excitement: first what the newsletter is, then what you get, and finally, it’s FREE. The progression just works.

I think what really makes this special is that it speaks to how data professionals see themselves. It’s not just about features, it’s about identity. They get their audience’s culture.

How to apply this concept:

• Use memes your specific audience already shares and enjoys; find what resonates with your exact people.

• Build your central message like a story that gets better with each part. Put your best selling point at the very end when the reader’s hooked.

• Match your humor to your audience’s actual personality – if you can make someone think “this was made specifically for people like me,” you’ve struck gold.

3. Nomad for Less

Time running: 144 days

Why this works:

I love the headline “DON’T QUIT YOUR JOB 👎” because it seems to go against everything a remote work newsletter should say. That contradiction makes you stop and think “wait, what?” 

Then they hit you with some painful truth bullets: working the same desk for 40 years and maybe retiring at 80. Ouch. I’ve been stuck in a cubicle before, and that hits hard.

The “Doesn’t sound appealing?” transition is perfectly timed right when you’re feeling that workplace dread.

How to apply this concept:

• Focus on the emotional pain your audience feels, not just practical problems. When I test ads, emotional triggers always win.

• Write a headline that makes people do a double-take, then use that surprise to pull them into your full message.

• Paint a clear before-and-after scenario; show the reader the emotional contrast between staying stuck and breaking free.

📧 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. CB Newsletter

Time running: 294 days

Why this works:

This is one of my favorite approaches ever. Instead of making an ad that looks like an ad, CB Newsletter made something that perfectly mimics a Reddit thread.

The question they chose is brilliant: “Brand strategy people – how do you keep up with culture trends?” It’s exactly what their target audience is already searching for, making the ad feel like valuable info they stumbled upon.

And the response feels like helpful advice from a fellow professional, not a sales pitch. This approach has been working for nearly 300 days at the time of writing because it flies under people’s “ad radar.”

How to apply this concept:

• Find the actual questions your audience is asking online; don’t guess – go to Reddit, Quora, or other industry forums and see what they’re asking in their own words.

• Write your recommendation like it’s coming from a helpful peer, not a company. Person-to-person advice just converts better than official marketing.

• Get the small details right – usernames, upvotes, timestamps. These little things make your ad feel authentic.

5. Lark Davis

Time running: 70 days

Why this works:

Anyone in crypto knows the frustration of conflicting advice – “This project will 100x!” versus “No, it’s a scam!” Lark Davis’s ad captures that exact headache visually with two identical figures shouting opposite views.

Then they position the reader as the smart one who rises above the noise by finding “real AI opportunities.” Combining crypto and AI is clever – hitting two hot topics creates more interest than either alone.

I also really like the “not wasting time on hype” angle. That speaks directly to the frustration crypto folks feel when trying to separate signal from noise. They’re tapping into a real emotional pain point.

How to apply this concept:

• Show your audience’s frustrations in a way that makes them think, “Yes! That’s exactly what I deal with!

• If it makes sense, combine two trending topics in your lead magnet. Just make sure they actually work together in a valuable way.

• Keep your visuals simple and clear. Complex designs rarely outperform straightforward visuals that make an obvious point.

6. The Good Trade

Time running: 191 days

Why this works:

Here’s what most newsletter creators miss: people don’t want more things to do – they want better versions of what they’re already doing.

The Good Trade gets this perfectly. Instead of saying “here’s another thing to read,” they position their newsletter as “a better alternative to scrolling social media first thing in the morning.” That’s genius; replacing a bad habit with a good one.

Everything about this ad feels aligned – the calm, minimalist design matches the “peaceful and optimistic” experience they promise.

They tell you exactly what you’ll get (essays, recipes, playlists, tips), how long it takes to read (“30 seconds”), and who reads it (“250,000 women”).

How to apply this concept:

• Show how your newsletter improves something people already do rather than adding another task. This small shift makes a huge difference.

• Make your design reflect the feeling your newsletter provides. If you promise calm, your ad should feel calm.

• Be super specific about the experience – tell people exactly what they’ll get and how long it takes to consume it.

7. The Pen Pivot Newsletter

Time running: 369 days

Why this works:

I get a kick out of ads that “break rules” and still work. This one packs in a ton of content – a complete “12 Ways to Get People to Click” framework – and has been converting steadily for over a year.

Instead of just promising value, they deliver it directly in the ad. Each persuasion principle is color-coded with a ready-to-use headline formula. It’s basically a mini master class in one image.

This works because of mutual benefit – when someone gives you something valuable for free, you naturally want to give something back. In this case, that means subscribing. It’s also a smart way to demonstrate expertise without just claiming it.

How to apply this concept:

• Don’t be afraid to teach something valuable right in your ad. Sometimes, giving away good stuff attracts better subscribers.

• Make complex information easy to scan with color-coding, bullets, and clear organization.

• Include specific formulas or templates that people can use immediately, even if they don’t subscribe yet.

🎬 VIDEO ADS

8. Tl;dr sec

Time running: 293 days

Why this works:

What I love about this video ad is how transparent it is. The guy doesn’t just tell you about the newsletter – he actually shows it, scrolling through a real issue while explaining why it’s valuable.

This solves the biggest roadblock to subscribing: not knowing what you’ll get. The name-drops of well-known tech companies (Meta, Netflix, OpenAI) add huge credibility in an industry where trust matters.

I also like how they balance the professional benefit (“makes you better at your job”) with addressing time concerns (“it’s brief”). That speaks directly to busy cybersecurity professionals who need to stay updated but are already overwhelmed.

How to apply this concept:

• Show people your actual newsletter content. Let them see what they’re really getting rather than just describing it.

• Mention specific notable companies or people who read your newsletter when you can. This implied endorsement is worth its weight in gold.

• Address both the main benefit AND the main objection (usually time) in your message.

9. Mark Manson

Time running: 262 days

Why this works:

Mark has something most of us don’t: a mega-bestselling book. The immediate reference to his 15+ million copies sold instantly establishes credibility that transfers to his newsletter.

What’s smart, though, is how he uses video to strengthen this trust. Seeing the actual author creates a personal connection that static images just can’t match.

He also balances aspirational promises (“potentially cause a huge shift in your life”) with massive social proof (1,000,000+ subscribers). This gives you both the emotional reason to subscribe and the rational justification.

How to apply this concept:

• Lead with your best credential or achievement before pitching your newsletter. Establishing authority first almost always improves conversion.

• Use video to create a personal connection when possible. Seeing the real person behind the newsletter builds trust faster than text alone.

• Pair big promises with specific proof that others are already on board. This emotional/rational combination works extremely well.

10. The Street Sheet

Time running: 140 days

Why this works:

Investors hate wasting time. The Street Sheet’s video ad targets that pain point perfectly by promising quick, digestible breakdowns of the often complex stock market.

I like how they use the POV format to put you directly into a success scenario: “2025 – the year you become a smarter, more informed trader.” This makes you mentally fast-forward to already benefiting from the newsletter.

The trading screens and realistic setting in the video are another smart touch. And the whole flow from problem to solution to evidence (150k+ investors already reading) keeps you watching all the way to the call-to-action.

How to apply this concept:

• Focus on saving time – busy people value efficiency more than anything else.

• Help your audience picture themselves already benefiting. “This could be you next month” is powerful stuff.

• Show your content in its natural environment. If it’s a trading newsletter, show trading screens. If it’s for designers, show design software.

👋 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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