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Your SPF is Solid. Your List is Clean. So Why Are You in Spam?
Why Your Email’s Outfit Decides Its Inbox Fate

Hey there 👋, check out this week's top digital media and market updates!
We’re covering how email design determines inbox placement
We’d love your feedback! Hit reply and let us know what you think.
Charlie Patel, Owner of Media Assets Newsletter
Market News
A lot of people are sleeping on pop-up newsletters. (LINK)
10 things to know from the Really Good Emails survey. (LINK)
Stripe is hiring a newsletter writer, and the pay is meh. (LINK)
Hinge is showing brands how to win Gen Z. (LINK)
Cloudflare CEO on the future of AI and the open web (LINK)
“Your Email Looks Spammy (Even If You’re Not?”
Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Monetization boils down to three core paths: selling your own stuff (direct), running ads for a flat fee (indirect), or getting paid commissions for promoting others (performance). Each has its own hustle-reward balance. Selling your own product is more work but you keep all the cash and build a real business. Sponsorships are great but you need a bigger audience. Affiliate marketing is easiest to start but you have the least control—terms can change on you.
The golden rule is to match your method to your content style. It's the secret sauce. Are you an Expert teaching people? Then your own course or coaching is your goldmine. A Curator who shares awesome links? You're an affiliate marketing natural. A Reporter breaking news? Sponsorships are your playground. Don't overcomplicate it. Start with one beginner-friendly offer that fits your category—like a cohort course, a simple ebook, or a curated affiliate page—and double down on what your audience responds to. (LINK)
Media News
A great guide on how to land in the INBOX. (LINK)
International Intrigue's Focused on Audience, With Money Coming in Second. (LINK)
Newsletter vs Podcast What Ad Sellers Need to Know. (LINK)
How to turn your newsletter audience into real website ad revenue. (LINK)
LinkedIn emerges as a serious player in the creator economy. (LINK)
Newsletter Shoutout of the Week
aiPromptly - The latest developments in the world of AI -- summed up in a 5 minute digest written by Charlie Patel. Read by professionals from Google, Amazon, OpenAI, DeepMind, and Apple.
Ok that’s it for this week, give us a reply if you have any suggestions or comments…
Cheers!