🎯 10 Best Newsletter Ads This Week (May 9-15)

Welcome to another edition of Newsletter Ad Vault! I’m Alex, and I have 10 more effective newsletter ads to show you today.

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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Here’s the link to sign up if you want to give it a try. It’s 100% free.

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📸 STATIC ADS

1. I Hate It Here

Time running: 184 days

Why this works:

This feels like you’ve stumbled onto someone’s real social post. When I first saw it, I did a double-take at that newsletter name.

The setup about “lunch with HR leaders” creates this perfect contrast with the unexpected newsletter title.

I love how they make the discovery feel accidental, like you’re just overhearing someone talk about this cool newsletter they found.

That approach bypasses our usual ad resistance because it doesn’t feel like you’re being sold to.

How to apply this concept:

• Create an ad that mimics organic social content. I’ve tested both obvious ads and more “organic-looking” ones, and the organic ones consistently perform better.

• Make people stop scrolling – whether it’s a surprising name, a counterintuitive claim, or an “unusual” image. The more it breaks the pattern from what people expect, the more attention it grabs.

• Show both emotional appeal AND practical value. This combination is gold for conversions.

2. 1440 Media

Time running: 206 days

Why this works:

In a feed full of flashy content, 1440’s billboard-style ad cuts through the noise right away.

The strategic use of bolding and underlines guides your eye directly to the message. And “The only news my grandpa and I agree on” is great – it addresses that universal frustration with polarized media. 

The crossed-out “$20/month” price tag to “Free for life” creates instant value. And the ad reinforces its credibility with two key elements: stating that it’s “100% unbiased” and a description that contains: “The #1 daily newsletter for unbiased reporting.”

That’s strong positioning, and after 200+ days running, this message still works because it taps into a real, widespread desire: bias-free news.

How to apply this concept:

• Directly address a widespread pain point your target audience faces. For news readers, it’s often the exhaustion of navigating media bias. For your audience, what’s that equivalent shared frustration?

• Use visual formatting that intentionally breaks from the polished, busy look of most Facebook ads. 

• Keep your value proposition ridiculously simple – 1440 nails theirs in just three words: “News. Without Motives.”

3. Matt McGarry

Time running: 149 days

Why this works:

Matt simply lists three newsletter exit amounts here – $75M for Morning Brew, $27M for The Hustle, and a massive $525M for Industry Dive.

No fancy design, no clever hook, just concrete proof that newsletters can generate serious money. For people interested in building newsletter businesses, these numbers immediately grab attention and drive desire.

And it doesn’t stop there – the ad’s description includes this quote: “Matt’s newsletter is by far the best resource of all things newsletters.” – CEO of Morning Brew.

That’s insane social proof. It validates not just the content, but Matt as a top-tier authority in the space.

How to apply this concept:

• Lead with your strongest numbers, especially if they relate directly to what your audience wants. Also, don’t bury impressive stats in paragraphs of text – make them the stars of the show.

• Strip away unnecessary design elements or clever copy when your facts are strong enough to stand alone.

• When you’ve got strong testimonials or endorsements, showcase them clearly.

📧 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. French with Amélie

Time running: 302 days

Why this works:

This ad disguises itself really well as helpful content by using the iPhone Notes app format. When scrolling through ad-heavy feeds, anything that looks like actual useful content immediately gets more attention.

I particularly like the “Stop scrolling” opener because it directly addresses what you’re literally doing at that moment. It’s like the ad is breaking the fourth wall.

Then the simple three-step checklist makes learning French feel instantly doable – no overwhelming commitment.

How to apply this concept:

• Use everyday formats that don’t scream “ad” – notes, screenshots, text messages, or anything that looks like useful content.

• Acknowledge what the reader is physically doing right now (scrolling) to create an immediate connection. This pattern interrupt is very effective at grabbing attention in crowded feeds.

• Break down your offering into a ridiculously simple sequence that feels achievable. The fewer steps, the better.

5. Bytebytego

Time running: 168 days

Why this works:

ByteByteGo could have just bragged about hitting a million subscribers (impressive!), and honestly – even just showing that number in an ad instantly grabs attention.

But what makes this ad really work is that they don’t stop at the headline. Instead, they reveal the journey they took to get there.

Their honesty about the grind creates an immediate connection with other content creators going through the same thing.

A lot of high-performing ads contain this vulnerability element. It cuts through the noise, builds trust fast, and makes the brand feel human.

Also, by revealing their genuine motivation – “our passion for system design and the desire to educate engineers” – they make their newsletter feel like a mission (really effective in attracting loyal fans).

How to apply this concept:

• Lead with your milestone if it’s impressive – it can stop the scroll. But don’t rely on it alone.

• Share your milestones as stories. Talk about the struggles, the mistakes, or the unexpected turns in your ad’s description. These human elements create connections that statistics alone never will.

• Reveal your deeper motivation. People subscribe to newsletters when they feel aligned with the creator’s mission.

6. 10 ROAS

Time running: 331 days

Why this works:

I absolutely love the simplicity here. Two cartoon apples tell the entire story – sad apple versus happy apple. It’s marketing psychology 101 in fruit form!

The visual instantly connects with anyone who’s felt the frustration of Facebook ad failures (which is basically everyone who’s run them). The contrast between problem and solution requires zero mental effort to process – you get it immediately.

But here’s the twist that really makes it resonate: in the ad’s description, it says, “Problem-solution ads don’t work anymore.”

That line hits hard because it challenges a common assumption right before showing a textbook problem-solution setup. It gets marketers thinking, “Wait…then what does work?”

How to apply this concept:

• Use simple visual metaphors that reflect emotional states your audience knows all too well. Before/after emotional states (not just results) work great in ads.

• Create an ad that requires minimal mental processing. The faster someone can grasp your entire value proposition, the more likely they’ll keep engaging.

• Don’t be afraid to break the rules mid-ad. Challenge expectations to hook attention and open a curiosity loop.

7. HR Brew

Time running: 127 days

Why this works:

HR Brew could have taken the easy route with a standard “stay informed” pitch. Instead, they nail something much more valuable in their ad’s description – the promise to explain not just what’s happening but why it matters.

The ad itself is very clean and professional, perfectly aligned with HR professionals’ expectations. They also smartly represent their target readers with specific job titles.

This does two things at once: it clearly signals “this is for you” to HR pros while also showcasing diversity in both roles and people.

How to apply this concept:

• Name specific job titles your newsletter serves rather than general industries. It creates immediate relevance – “That’s exactly what I do!” versus “That’s kind of related to my field.”

• Match your design aesthetics to your audience’s professional expectations. I’ve seen conversion rates vary drastically by just aligning visuals with expectations.

• Lead with your subscriber count only when it’s impressive enough to create FOMO. Here, potential subscribers think, “If all these other HR pros find value, I probably will too.”

🎬 VIDEO ADS

8. The Rundown

Time running: 275 days

Why this works:

The Rundown opens with a line here that makes you stop cold: “AI won’t replace you, but a person using AI will.” It’s that perfect mix of fear and actionable insight that demands attention. 

What makes this really shine, though, is their two-part solution. First, the newsletter keeps you updated on AI news in just 5 minutes daily (addressing the time concern).

But the kicker is what they call “the real secret” – access to their AI University and the numerous benefits it offers (addressing the implementation concern).

I also like how they show the actual newsletter content in the video; that way readers get a sense of what they’re getting.

How to apply this concept:

• Open with a statement that captures both fear and opportunity. This creates the emotional urgency that drives action.

• Provide both information (newsletter) and implementation (tutorials, resources, etc.). This dual approach addresses both the “keeping up” and “taking action” needs.

• Show actual samples of your content in the ad, removing the uncertainty about what subscribers will receive.

9. Creator Spotlight

Time running: 77 days

Why this works:

Creator Spotlight uses one of the oldest tricks in marketing – revealing an “insider secret” – but does it in a fresh, modern way.

The video showing someone doing the “shh” gesture instantly creates intrigue. And the text overlay tells you exactly what you want to hear if you’re a content creator: growth with minimal effort. 

The core message? Instead of struggling to be original all the time, just borrow from what’s already working. It’s simple, practical, and delivers that insider feeling we all crave.

How to apply this concept:

• Frame your offering as an insider shortcut or “secret weapon” that addresses a persistent pain point. 

• Use visuals that create immediate curiosity (like the “shh” gesture) before revealing your solution. This creates a mini story arc that keeps people watching.

• Focus on how your newsletter reduces a specific type of work or stress rather than just adding value. The most compelling benefit is often removing a problem rather than adding a benefit.

10. Dan Go

Time running: 296 days

Why this works:

What I like about this ad is the honest approach Dan has toward fitness. Instead of promising quick results, he simply lists daily habits.

The key line that makes this work is “Instead of trying to lose weight, focus on setting good habits.” This brings it all together and speaks to people who are tired of gimmicks and just want sustainable practices.

No flashy before/after photos or miracle claims – just practical guidance from someone who sees fitness as a lifestyle.

How to apply this concept:

• Consider going against your industry’s standard marketing approach. I’ve seen this positioning strategy work especially well in fields filled with big promises and flashy claims.

• Focus on sustainable practices rather than quick results – this attracts an audience that often becomes more loyal and long-term.

• Keep your design and message as straightforward as your approach. Having your ad reflect those same qualities makes it a lot easier to resonate with your ideal audience.

👋 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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