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Allea Grummert

Happy Subscribers

A Marketing and Business podcast

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About the show

Email marketing strategies for bloggers, content creators and influencers who want to better connect with their email subscribers. Explore creator journeys, challenges, and solutions for using email marketing — and how this will help you better connect with your audience too. Hosted by Allea Grummert — email marketing strategist, copywriter, email platform expert, and founder of the done-for-you agency Duett — she has a way of turning complex strategies into actionable next steps. Her goal is to help you build seamless automated email sequences, explore segmentation, and boost your revenue and site traffic by welcoming and strengthening your relationship with email subscribers. Tune in to "Happy Subscribers" to learn about email marketing, get inspired, and most importantly, take action.

Newest episodes

Meet 19-Year-Old Allea (Featuring an Interview by My College Friend Georgia)

58 min

Back when I was 19, I was a resident assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and that's when I met Georgia Gleason. We were RAs together, living across the courtyard from each other. What I didn't know is that she saw things in me at 19 that have directly shaped how I run Duett, manage a team, and serve my clients.   This is a guest interview from Georgia's podcast, Down by the River. I'm so excited to share it with you, because there's something special about a friend who's known you for 17 years asking the questions. She already knows your story, and you feel safe sharing all of it.   I hope you enjoy this one. It's a little bit about Duett, a little bit about me, and a lot of really sweet insights from a friend I hadn't caught up with in years who clearly still knows me deeply. I feel very loved.   In this episode: What Georgia saw in me at 19 How I run my team, and what's most important to us The fork in the road I hit a few years into Duett, and which way I chose The real story behind the name Duett Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Georgia: Georgia's Instagram Georgia's Down By The River podcast can be found on... ➡️ Apple ➡️ Spotify ➡️ YouTube   Episode Resources: Join the Done & Delivered waitlist Food Blogger Pro (affiliate)    Duett Resources: Watch Happy Subscribers on YouTube Work with Duett Book Your FREE Discovery Call Join the Duett newsletter Free Duett Resources Instagram @alleagrummert   If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your Instagram story! Just remember to tag me @alleagrummert so I can see it.        

Use AI as the Faster Brain While You Stay the Superior Brain with Prerna Malik of Profitably Yours

50 min

Lately, I've been getting a little chatty with my coach at the gym. After telling him about all the things I was building with AI (dashboards, tracking metrics, etc.), and even showing him how it works from my phone, he looked at me point-blank and laughed. "Allea, are you becoming dependent on AI?" 😂 "Of course not, Derek, but, um, honestly, I do wonder." I'm so excited to have a friend on who spends (her words) an "obnoxious" amount of time with AI. Prerna Malik is a certified conversion copywriter. She and her husband Mayank run Profitably Yours, which you might know as Content Bistro. She's been building AI into her business since ChatGPT showed up in 2022, and she still writes her own copy, because she loves it. (Same, girl. Same.) In this episode, we talk about where AI actually belongs in your business and your emails, so you keep showing up as a real human while these freaking cool tools do the support work. In this episode: How an AI "focus group" lets you stress-test a launch before your real audience ever sees it Why AI is so good at making you feel productive (and the three-question filter Prerna uses to check if it actually is) My marshmallow-brain fear, and Prerna's very analog answer A cautionary note before you download that free AI skill everyone's sharing (!!) Want to keep learning from Prerna? DM her on Instagram at @profitably_yours and tell her you heard her on Happy Subscribers. She'll send you the replay of her AI team workshop. Check out this episode's blog post Connect with Prerna: Prerna's Instagram Profitably Yours Website Prerna's free skill that strips AI tells from your copy Profitable AI Accelerator (Join Now! Starts November 11th) The Profit Memo (Prerna's newsletter) Episode Resources: Join the Done & Delivered waitlist  Other Resources: Watch Happy Subscribers on YouTube Work with Duett Book Your FREE Discovery Call Join the Duett newsletter Free Duett Resources Instagram @alleagrummert If you enjoyed this episode, you...

Get Your Emails in the Primary Inbox with Alyssa Dulin of Kit

51 min

Episode Summary: Due next week:     ☐ Review Kit's Strategy Audit of our Duett Kit account That was the task sitting in my Asana. I opened it thinking, wait… what is this? It was a full strategy audit of my Kit account from Kit's team. 🤯 It was genuinely joyful to scroll through, because every core indicator came back green: open rate, welcome sequence, list cleaning, creator network, all of it. They also listed out wins, and the one that really caught my attention was about how much my list trusts me, based on my open rate: "That level of audience trust is your most valuable business asset and is worth protecting with everything you do." !!! That's what deliverability is really about. Your subscribers asked for your emails. Our job is making sure those emails ACTUALLY show up, ideally in the primary inbox, not buried in promotions (or worse, spam). So I finally got my friend Alyssa Dulin, Kit's Director of Customer Success, to come on the show. Alyssa got her start in Kit's deliverability department, and this summer she told me something I didn't know: there IS a way to get out of the promotions tab. We recorded this like we were sitting at our usual spot, the Flower Kitchen in Franklin. Tiny tables, one outlet, bring your laptop charged. In this episode, you'll learn about: The one thing your subscribers can do that tells Gmail you're not just another promo email (!!) Why Alyssa still keeps about 1,000 cold subscribers on her list What good open rates look like now that Apple opens emails for people (she gives us a range!) The 30-second check in Gmail that tells you whether your email's foundation is solid One Kit setting to turn on — and one to leave OFF The tool Alyssa built to improve deliverability, and how you can get $10 off a month forever If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your Instagram story! Just remember to tag me @alleagrummert so I can see it. Ch...

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All episodes

Meet 19-Year-Old Allea (Featuring an Interview by My College Friend Georgia)

58 min

Back when I was 19, I was a resident assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and that's when I met Georgia Gleason. We were RAs together, living across the courtyard from each other. What I didn't know is that she saw things in me at 19 that have directly shaped how I run Duett, manage a team, and serve my clients.   This is a guest interview from Georgia's podcast, Down by the River. I'm so excited to share it with you, because there's something special about a friend who's known you for 17 years asking the questions. She already knows your story, and you feel safe sharing all of it.   I hope you enjoy this one. It's a little bit about Duett, a little bit about me, and a lot of really sweet insights from a friend I hadn't caught up with in years who clearly still knows me deeply. I feel very loved.   In this episode: What Georgia saw in me at 19 How I run my team, and what's most important to us The fork in the road I hit a few years into Duett, and which way I chose The real story behind the name Duett Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Georgia: Georgia's Instagram Georgia's Down By The River podcast can be found on... ➡️ Apple ➡️ Spotify ➡️ YouTube   Episode Resources: Join the Done & Delivered waitlist Food Blogger Pro (affiliate)    Duett Resources: Watch Happy Subscribers on YouTube Work with Duett Book Your FREE Discovery Call Join the Duett newsletter Free Duett Resources Instagram @alleagrummert   If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your Instagram story! Just remember to tag me @alleagrummert so I can see it.        

Use AI as the Faster Brain While You Stay the Superior Brain with Prerna Malik of Profitably Yours

50 min

Lately, I've been getting a little chatty with my coach at the gym. After telling him about all the things I was building with AI (dashboards, tracking metrics, etc.), and even showing him how it works from my phone, he looked at me point-blank and laughed. "Allea, are you becoming dependent on AI?" 😂 "Of course not, Derek, but, um, honestly, I do wonder." I'm so excited to have a friend on who spends (her words) an "obnoxious" amount of time with AI. Prerna Malik is a certified conversion copywriter. She and her husband Mayank run Profitably Yours, which you might know as Content Bistro. She's been building AI into her business since ChatGPT showed up in 2022, and she still writes her own copy, because she loves it. (Same, girl. Same.) In this episode, we talk about where AI actually belongs in your business and your emails, so you keep showing up as a real human while these freaking cool tools do the support work. In this episode: How an AI "focus group" lets you stress-test a launch before your real audience ever sees it Why AI is so good at making you feel productive (and the three-question filter Prerna uses to check if it actually is) My marshmallow-brain fear, and Prerna's very analog answer A cautionary note before you download that free AI skill everyone's sharing (!!) Want to keep learning from Prerna? DM her on Instagram at @profitably_yours and tell her you heard her on Happy Subscribers. She'll send you the replay of her AI team workshop. Check out this episode's blog post Connect with Prerna: Prerna's Instagram Profitably Yours Website Prerna's free skill that strips AI tells from your copy Profitable AI Accelerator (Join Now! Starts November 11th) The Profit Memo (Prerna's newsletter) Episode Resources: Join the Done & Delivered waitlist  Other Resources: Watch Happy Subscribers on YouTube Work with Duett Book Your FREE Discovery Call Join the Duett newsletter Free Duett Resources Instagram @alleagrummert If you enjoyed this episode, you...

Get Your Emails in the Primary Inbox with Alyssa Dulin of Kit

51 min

Episode Summary: Due next week:     ☐ Review Kit's Strategy Audit of our Duett Kit account That was the task sitting in my Asana. I opened it thinking, wait… what is this? It was a full strategy audit of my Kit account from Kit's team. 🤯 It was genuinely joyful to scroll through, because every core indicator came back green: open rate, welcome sequence, list cleaning, creator network, all of it. They also listed out wins, and the one that really caught my attention was about how much my list trusts me, based on my open rate: "That level of audience trust is your most valuable business asset and is worth protecting with everything you do." !!! That's what deliverability is really about. Your subscribers asked for your emails. Our job is making sure those emails ACTUALLY show up, ideally in the primary inbox, not buried in promotions (or worse, spam). So I finally got my friend Alyssa Dulin, Kit's Director of Customer Success, to come on the show. Alyssa got her start in Kit's deliverability department, and this summer she told me something I didn't know: there IS a way to get out of the promotions tab. We recorded this like we were sitting at our usual spot, the Flower Kitchen in Franklin. Tiny tables, one outlet, bring your laptop charged. In this episode, you'll learn about: The one thing your subscribers can do that tells Gmail you're not just another promo email (!!) Why Alyssa still keeps about 1,000 cold subscribers on her list What good open rates look like now that Apple opens emails for people (she gives us a range!) The 30-second check in Gmail that tells you whether your email's foundation is solid One Kit setting to turn on — and one to leave OFF The tool Alyssa built to improve deliverability, and how you can get $10 off a month forever If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your Instagram story! Just remember to tag me @alleagrummert so I can see it. Ch...

100 Episodes In: What Gave Me My Biggest Year Yet

25 min

Episode Summary: It was September, three or four weeks into working with a remote-team consultant alongside my whole team to improve how we operate. And here I was, crying for the second day in a row. I could see so much that could be done. And when I know something needs fixing, I feel responsible for fixing it, fast. That urgency stressed me OUT. So on a call with our consultant, Madi, I told her, "There's just so much." And she asked me one question: "What if you let someone else take on some of these things?" "I'm sorry, huh?" It's like she'd called out my need to do everything myself. 😂 Eight years into running Duett, and it hadn't occurred to me. I'd always assumed it was my responsibility as the business owner! That question is a big part of why 2026 has been my biggest year yet. So for the 100th episode of Happy Subscribers (!!), I'm taking you behind the scenes of what I handed off this year, what letting go took, and what I got back. In this episode, you'll learn about: ➡️ What I invested in this year without knowing what the return would be ➡️ The one thing I thought everyone did, until someone told me they don't ➡️ What happened to my Asana and Slack notifications after a single session with a remote-team consultant (!!) ➡️ Why my team asked me to pause building AI agents (and why the answer had to be yes) ➡️ What it looks like to stop making everything and start directing it Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Join the Done & Delivered waitlist Watch this episode and subscribe on YouTube  Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert

4 Ways to Turn Holiday Traffic into Email Subscribers (+ My Free Q4 Traffic Guide)

12 min

Episode Summary: It's here. It's Q4 — the season my clients (and you, dear listener) have been working toward all year long. Or at least most of you. For most of my clients and the online creators I know, Q4 is when the traffic shows up. (For healthy living and healthy food creators, it might be Q1. Same idea.) You've spent months on new recipes, how-to articles, photos, pins, post updates and SEO, all to pay off in the highest-traffic months of the year. That traffic is hard-earned. And I want to be in your corner, helping you turn it into subscribers you can build a relationship with — people you can send resources and solutions to, and email your content all year long. Because once you finally have their email address, all that hard work keeps paying off. In this super short solocast, I'm sharing four ways to capture holiday readers and turn them from casual visitors into email subscribers, so you can bring them back to your site, email after email, all through next year. In this episode, you'll learn about: ➡️ The on-post opt-in you can switch from "join my newsletter" to something seasonal (and switch back off in January) ➡️ Why I think this is THE season for pop-ups (sorry, SEO friends) ➡️ How Save This Recipe gets you a subscriber who wants exactly what they came for — plus a Kit automation you can copy straight into your account ➡️ Holiday freebies and opt-in series that give you something new to talk about on social for weeks ➡️ What to do with all those new subscribers once the holidays are over Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Grab my free Q4 Traffic Guide  How to Set Up a Save This Recipe Form  Kit  Grow by Mediavine (Spotlight Subscribe)  Slickstream Highlighter  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your In...

Inside Kristin Lawton's Signature Cocktail Welcome Sequence

45 min

Episode Summary: The day I found out I was an Enneagram 6, I cried for three days. I sat with it and went, "oh, so I keep people close because I'm afraid of being alone." Cool. Love that for me. But then I got to the other half of it. The loyal part. The bubbly part. The part that makes friends with strangers in the grocery store checkout line. And I realized that's not a bug I need to manage — that's just me. I'm an excitable person, and if I had to show up every day as a stoic, buttoned-up "professional," I would shrivel up and die on the inside. Somebody else gave me language for how I already was. And I felt so much relief. Which is exactly what Kristin Lawton does for solopreneurs, and it's what she built her entire welcome sequence to do. Kristin is the chief brand mixologist behind District Brand Bar, and her brand isn't cocktail-themed — it's a bar you walk into. In email form. New subscribers choose how they enter the room, then a base spirit, then a flavor, a cocktail type, a garnish. They come out the other side with a sharper read on their own brand AND an actual drink recipe they can make. There are somewhere between 60 and 100 emails behind it, running on liquid tags/conditional content. It's wildly complex, but so worth it. Her click rate went from 1% to 4% when she turned it on. And the people who play the whole way through? Lifers. Don't worry — Kristin says you don't have to have a crazy theme like she does. (I don't. I have puns and jazz hands.) A welcome sequence can be five emails that introduce you, hand over your best resources, and ask a question you actually want answered. That's most of what we build, and it works — because somebody sat down and decided, on purpose, what a new subscriber should experience. That's the part Kristin and I actually agree on. Sixty emails or five, the intention is what makes it work. What she has me thinking about is the layer on top. What if new subscribers got to DO something in there? In this episo...

Sam Vander Wielen Needed Her Email to Work Without Her, So She Kept It Simple

45 min

Episode Summary: I built my business around a line: here's what people can expect from me, here's what I expect of myself. I drew it early, and on purpose, because I started Duett in a season where I didn't have a lot left to give. Sam drew a line too. Hers got drawn for her. Sam Vander Wielen is an attorney-turned-entrepreneur, author of When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy, and host of the On Your Terms® podcast. She built her evergreen funnel in a chemo room in 2018 while caring for her dad. Everyone online told her she had to go live first. She couldn't — so she created a funnel that's still supporting her business (and her audience!) today. What I didn't expect was how simple she's kept everything since. Two audiences on one list, both bought in, both buying. A welcome that's two emails long. She segments, and then mostly doesn't act on it — and she'll tell you exactly why. Her reason isn't laziness. It's that people change, and she wants room for them to. None of it is her being behind. It's a person who figured out what she could actually sustain, and then refused to make it more complicated. In this episode, you'll learn about: What Sam built when she ran out of time, and the one part she didn't write herself What Sam sends a brand-new subscriber The email that fills her inbox every morning with replies from subscribers Her process for building an email, start to finish (and why she loves writing it so much) The two audiences who make up her list — and whether they get different emails How Sam keeps a pulse on what her people actually say — then uses that language in her email Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Sam Vander Wielen: Sam's last free live legal class of the year, Monday, October 19 When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy (Sam's book) Sam's Sidebar (Sam's weekly newsletter)  On Your Terms® podcast Sam's Instagram Episode Resources:  Kit Manychat  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Servic...

We're Nothing Without Our List: What Kept Healthy Foodie Girl Afloat When 60% of Their Google Traffic Disappeared with Shawna & Ella Clark

46 min

Episode Summary: Friendships are my number one hobby. I'm always on the phone with someone — a friend who called, or a friend I've phoned between errands just to stay in touch. My friend Jenna and I met the first day of college nineteen years ago, and we don't really do phone calls. We go the distance instead. She had a baby two days after I left Nebraska last time I was home, so this fall I'm flying back a whole week before my brother's wedding, just to meet baby girl and get real time with them. You show up for the people you decide matter. Shawna and Ella Clark do that with an email list. The mother-daughter duo behind Healthy Foodie Girl came on the show after we bumped into each other between sessions at Kit's Craft + Commerce in Boise this summer. And they showed up with a number that should get your attention: they lost 60% of their Google traffic to AI Overviews. Not slowly. Not gradually. Their email list is what's keeping them afloat. Shawna reads and replies to every single reader email — including one from a man who needed a very specific muffin for his wife's 30th anniversary... the next day. (She made it. Just not that fast. You'll hear how that turned out.) And if your traffic hasn't dropped yet, Shawna has a warning for you: "Maybe you haven't lost your traffic, but at some point you're going to. I'm sorry. It's just what's happening. It's like SOS. If you've got it, grab it." In this episode, you'll learn about: What it actually feels like to lose 60% of your Google traffic to AI Overviews (!!) Why half of their email signups now come from YouTube — and the guide + landing page setup behind it How they use the Kit MCP with Claude to spot what their audience is most interested in — then build the lead magnets to match The muffin request from a subscriber that turned into a whole new recipe, blog post, then email Not every email needs to feature a recipe — you have all sorts of options to choose from Check out this episode's blog post   Co...

From 1% to 4%: How Carissa Erzen Rebuilt Her Email Foundation and Finally Knows Her Audience

39 min

Episode Summary: The one time I've been to Germany, I went to Berlin and Dresden, and then out to western Germany to see family. Their cemeteries over there are gorgeous — so well kept, all flowers and bushes. One afternoon my family wanted to walk through an old church and the little cemetery beside it, and one thing really surprised me — the last names on those headstones were the same ones I grew up with in small-town Nebraska: Busing, Hansmeier, Hermsmeier, Tegtmeier — and then Grummert. It was like a whole German village had picked up and moved to southeast Nebraska together. So I've got a real soft spot for what Carissa Erzen is building. She runs Humbly Homemade, a blog for authentic German baking — cookies, cakes, breads, pastries — and it's such a delightful, specific niche: it lets people revisit the flavors of their childhood, or the years they lived there. Or people like me, who never lived there but want to make something that actually tastes like the Germany our families came from. Carissa is also my client. We rebuilt her email foundation together last fall — and it's the kind of turnaround I love to point to. When she first came to me, her list had just crossed a thousand subscribers, but her open and click rates kept sliding. She was doing all the "right" things and still felt like she was sending into the void, wondering who was even on the other side. So we gave her the pieces she was missing: a welcome sequence (she didn't have one), a lead magnet that actually solves a problem, a cold-subscriber cleanup that keeps her list healthy on autopilot, and segmentation simple enough to keep up with. Now her newsletter click rate has gone from about 1% to 3–4%, her open rates are the highest they've ever been, readers reply from as far away as France, and she's sending four emails a week without people unsubscribing. Best of all? She finally knows who's on her list. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why Carissa says a welcome sequence isn't opti...

Her Welcome Sequence Solves a Real Problem (and Gets an 18% Click Rate) with Sara Ecklin

49 min

Episode Summary: What if the goal of your email marketing wasn't more subscribers, but the right ones — the ones who stay engaged? Your lead magnet is what attracts them, and your welcome sequence can be the filter that keeps them active (and gently clears out the ones who aren't a fit). I got to talk all of this through with Sara Ecklin of Clean Plate Mama. We first met through Kayla Burton's Food Blog Group Coaching, where I spoke about email marketing. Not long after, Sara emailed me: she'd reworked her welcome sequence and was seeing a 65% open rate and an 18% click rate, and she wanted to know if she could share it with my audience. My answer? YES. As Sara walked me through the five emails she's updated and created, I saw that not only did she make some really smart changes on her own, but I was able to give her some free coaching on a few more details to consider and embellish to make it even more strategic and more caring for her subscribers. One of the things that impressed me most about Sara was all of the mindset shifts she's gone through to really use email marketing as a proactive part of her business. Before, she was worried about bothering people (I get it. I'm also from the Midwest, and that's just something we struggle with). In this episode, you'll learn about: Why real growth is about attracting the right subscribers, not just more of them How Sara's lead magnet solves one real, specific problem for her readers What's in Sara's five-email welcome sequence, and the story arc she uses to carry readers through it How Sara wrote a whole email about herself without it being cringy The segmentation she set up so she can start sending subscribers more of what they actually want The mindset shifts that had her sending her list more emails and deleting cold subscribers (over 1,000) — and how it's only made her more confident Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Servi...

The Most Insanely Valuable Content Wins with Chenell Basilio

47 min

Episode Summary: I've sent a weekly email since October 2019 — which is no small feat when you're starting a business, living through a pandemic, and riding all the emotional ups and downs of running something online (plus the economy, and everything else). But it was something I always said I'd hold to, because I knew as soon as I got out of that rhythm, it'd be really hard to get back into it. And some of those early emails? Not all that strong. Fairly weak, honestly — a few paragraphs, maybe some links to resources that weren't even mine. Whenever I just needed something to fill the gap, I'd pull three of my own blog posts, find the thread between them, and hit send — sending my list back to revisit content they might find helpful at a whole new point in their email marketing journey. That consistency-first, value-first approach is exactly what my friend Chenell Basilio teaches — and she'd know. Chenell runs Growth in Reverse, where she reverse-engineers how the best newsletters online actually grow and make money (her own list is 50,000+ strong). I asked her what really makes newsletters effective — for both the reader and the creator — and I was surprised: it wasn't about list-growth hacks or the latest trends or tactics for what goes in the email. She said it comes down to one thing: insanely valuable content. "The people who have the most insanely valuable content win hands down every time. It's not the growth tactics — it's the content." — Chenell Basilio In this episode, you'll learn about: The subject-line sweet spot between descriptive and intriguing — and why "Did you hear?" worked How to start a newsletter without burning out What actually belongs in a hearty weekly email — and the surprising "fun links" section that excites readers and reveals your most engaged subscribers How to engage your readers right from your welcome sequence What's working in list growth right now (surprisingly, quizzes are back on top — plus a few others) Why "people fol...

Three Weeks In Europe: What I Learned When My Team Didn't Need Me

29 min

Episode Summary: Nobody asked me for a travel recap. I'm giving you one anyway. 😉 I spent three weeks in July in Italy, France, and Spain — my first real vacation since 2019 — and this morning I sat down with a notebook, a pen, and my black coffee to write out what the trip actually taught me. Not the highlight reel. The stuff underneath it. Like what it feels like to check in with your team six times in three weeks and find there's nothing for you to do. Like letting yourself rest before you're full-blown sick, instead of after. Like the fact that the prettiest photo never shows you the sweat it took to stand there — which, it turns out, is exactly how our client work goes too. And because I know you're at least a little curious: I saved my favorite parts of every city for the end. The 7am Vespa ride, the 22-year-old cat named Nona, the tapas I'd honestly fly back to Spain for. Stick around for that part. In this episode, you'll learn about: What six years of building a team actually buys you (an empty Asana, and a sale my team member closed without me) Why I let myself rest before I was full-blown sick, instead of after (like before) How a three-page doc for my cat Tillie's house-sitters is the exact thing I mean by a welcome sequence The question I stopped asking people halfway through the trip, because it got weird Why the sweaty, train-delayed parts of travel are just like the parts of client work you never have to see My favorite thing in every city, start to finish — Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Nice, and Barcelona Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

One year later: Adam Sobel goes all-in on email personalization

20 min

Episode Summary: Last summer, Adam Sobel came on Happy Subscribers with one of the most advanced email setups I'd ever seen from a food blogger. Then we had an impromptu catch-up call a few weeks ago — and I hit record, because what he's built since? It's a whole other level. Adam is a vegan food blogger who has made email the actual engine of his business — not a tool to send people back to his blog, but the brain informing everything his subscribers experience, from the emails they open to the pages they see when they visit his site. He walked me through the personalized offer engine he built, his vision for a Netflix-style subscriber experience, and why he thinks creators who stick with a static, one-size-fits-all approach are going to get left behind. And don't worry — he also shares what any blogger can start doing today, no developer required. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why Adam treats his email list as his primary revenue engine — not a traffic driver to his blog, but the main event How Kit's price increase led him to seriously consider Klaviyo — and what he built instead when he decided to stay The personalized offer engine he created with developer Brad Hussey: a Kit snippet that shows each subscriber a different product recommendation based on what they've purchased, browsed, and avoided How he uses RightMessage to track browse behavior and make every email and sales page feel tailored to that specific reader His vision for what's next: email subscribers getting a Netflix-style "for you" homepage and a completely different blog post experience than someone landing from Google What any blogger can do today with tags and simple liquid code to start sending more thoughtful, personalized emails Why deep personalization is, at its core, an act of care — and why readers feel it even when they can't see it Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book...

90 Happy Subscribers Episodes in One with Erin Fajen

47 min

Episode Summary: "To be known is to be loved." Erin Fajen knows me very, very well now — because she has listened to 89 Happy Subscribers episodes and taken notes on every single one. From her lips to your ears, you're getting Erin's rundown of the major themes of this podcast so you can really understand who I am, who the Duett brand is, what I care about, and how all of this actually applies to you and your email marketing. It's really thrilling to have someone repeat back to you the things that are important to you. For Erin to do that is such a blessing — especially because she explains it so clearly, from her takeaways on the podcast to all the ways she's implemented what she's learned through our work together at Duett. She really made her email marketing her own adventure. In this episode, Erin — client, friend, leadership advisor, and the most studious person I've ever worked with — shares the four big content themes she found across every episode, how she built her email strategy from a total blank slate, and why her pop culture DiSC emails are getting replies left and right. (She also asked me for her master's degree in email marketing. I said yes.) In this episode, you'll learn about: The four content themes Erin found across 90 episodes of Happy Subscribers — and why they matter for YOUR email strategy too Why your welcome sequence is like an Airbnb orientation (and what happens when you skip it) What "thoughtful segmenting" really looks like when you know almost every subscriber by name How Erin went from logging into Kit and immediately logging back out to having a 20-email nurture series (!!) Why selling through email is really about encouragement — not pushing (episode 50 called it) The pop culture DiSC emails that actually get replies (Bridgerton character breakdowns, anyone?) Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  On The Up KC (Erin's website) Dorie Clark's Recognized Expert (how Erin found Duett) Free Duett Resources Join...

The Substack Strategy That Grew Her Podcast 999% with Chef Carla Contreras

42 min

Episode Summary: Carla has been on Substack since 2021 — long before it became the platform everyone is suddenly asking about. She's been to Substack HQ. She teaches "Build Your Substack in a Day." And she is one of the most clear-eyed, non-hypey voices I've found on what Substack actually is right now (and not what it was before they got major funding in 2025). I met Chef Carla at Tastemaker in Los Angeles earlier this year, and I am so glad we got to have this conversation on the show. She's a content strategist, food creative, and podcast host who has partnered with iconic brands like Bobby Brown, Bumble Bee Tuna, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. And today, she's breaking down exactly what Substack has become — and what you actually need to do to get started without it becoming a whole new arm of your business. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why Substack is no longer a newsletter platform — it's a media app — and what that actually means for how you should show up there The difference between a Substack follower and a subscriber (yes, they're different) The only thing you need to actually get started — and why it's less than you think How food bloggers are using Substack to tell the full story their blog and email list can't hold — without duplicating their content The case for Flodesk if you're a design-forward creator (plus: a fresh-off-the-press Canva integration 👀) Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Chef Carla Contreras: Chef Carla's gift page  Nourishing Creativity Podcast Chef Carla's Substack Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Turns Out, I Was a Terrible Listener

28 min

Episode Summary: In my early twenties, my boss pulled me aside to tell me I wasn't a good listener. Explicitly. I cried about it for three days — not because the feedback stung, but because they were right. It was that I needed to allow space to know the other person and to hear their story. In short: I needed to ask follow-up questions (instead of making it about me). The fix was simpler than I expected. And it turned out to be the foundation of how I work now — with clients, on this podcast, and in the email strategies we build at Duett. In this solocast, I'm making the case for why "asking first" might be the most underrated skill in your business. It doesn't just show up in a few places — it informs how you'll create content, what products you build, and how your emails actually connect with the people in your audience. In this episode, you'll learn about: • My "bad listener" origin story • The compliment that I hear the most now that makes me want to tear up (in a good way!) • How audience research at Duett works — from surveys with 2,800+ replies to the specific questions that surface real pain points in your audience's own words • Why asking questions in your emails helps your deliverability and inbox placement, not just your relationships • Real questions to help you brainstorm what you might ask your audience next Read the blog post for this episode Episode Resources:  Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert Free Duett Resources

The Story Is the Strategy: In Email and On Stage with Mike Pacchione

50 min

Episode Summary: I am, at my core, a practical person. I love a framework, a checklist, a process — something simple to implement. But the idea of including stories has always felt a little forced. I know that it works because I see it in other people's emails, like Mike Pacchione's. But honestly, I've struggled to build it naturally into my own content. I'm so excited to bring on my friend Mike today — and this is a conversation that benefits both of us. He has questions about email, I have questions about speaking, and you get to hear all of it here. Mike Pacchione is a speaker and speaker coach who has presented to audiences ranging from five people to thousands, and whose clients include Olympic gold medalists, New York Times bestselling authors, and global corporations — as well as first-time speakers with big stories and small stages. He runs Speech Club, a 12-week cohort where you build your unforgettable signature talk from scratch. (One recent participant booked 46 paid speeches in a single year!!) In this episode, Mike and I do something a little different — we coach each other. He gives me honest feedback about story in email and on stage. I walk him through what his launch emails could actually look like. And somewhere in the middle, we find the thread that connects great speaking and great email marketing: the story is always the strategy. We get into: Why story-driven emails are nurture emails — and when to send a direct sales email instead The 3:1 rule for value versus sales emails, and what it actually looks like during a launch How to build a launch sequence that speaks to every type of buyer on your list Link triggers: what they are, how to use them, and why they make your launch so much smarter Conditional content in Kit — how to personalize emails for specific segments without doubling your workload How to address multiple skill levels in the room when you're on stage (the modifier concept is so good) Why packaging familiar ideas in a story...

5 New Kit Features from Craft + Commerce 2026 with Jess Freeman

49 min

Episode Summary: I got home from Craft + Commerce late Saturday night, and by the time Jess and I sat down to record this on Monday afternoon, I had already taken two naps. (Sunday had one of its own, too.) My friend Jess Freeman of Jess Creatives somehow had a reel posted about Craft + Commerce before I'd even poured my coffee Monday morning — she has a child; I do not. 😂 Jess is a web designer, SEO expert, and host of the Ordinary Business Podcast, and she was at Craft + Commerce too. In this episode, we're sharing the five new Kit features that have us most excited for what's ahead for Kit users. In this episode, you'll learn about: What the Kit MCP is and how you can connect your Kit account to Claude or ChatGPT to ask Kit strategic questions about your list Subscriber Signals: Kit's new Pro feature that pulls subscriber industry, social platforms, and audience size so you can identify warm leads without anyone researching them by hand — and for smaller lists, it could easily save more in team time (and generate more in direct sales follow-up) than it costs The new Kit landing page editor is live now 🎉 Newsletter Sponsorships: Kit's new marketplace advertising model for connecting creators with brand sponsors GRO (formerly Grocers List) and its new native Kit integration for growing your list from social Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Jess Freeman: Jess Freeman / Jess Creatives  Ordinary Business Podcast Jess's first Happy Subscribers episode  Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert Kit MCP  Subscriber Signals Newsletter Sponsorships  GRO  Kit 2026 Releases  Tasklit.ai Craft + Commerce

Allea's European Adventure: What I'm Doing to Prepare

20 min

Episode Summary: I'm going to Europe for three weeks this July — Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Nice, Marseille, and Barcelona — and I have a lot of feelings about it. The last six years have been a lot: a pandemic at 30, an unhealthy relationship, a year and a half estranged from my parents, and a cross-country move to Nashville I was honestly afraid would close the door on the dreams I'd had since I started Duett back in 2018. One of those dreams was living in Spain someday. I'm not moving there — but I'm going, and I bought the ticket, and it's really happening (at this very moment). In this episode, I'm sharing both sides of it: the personal story of how I actually got here, and the very real, practical ways I've set up my business to run without me for three full weeks — because that part is actually pretty fun to talk about. In this episode, you'll learn about: The original Spain dream from 2018 — and why buying a flight to Rome feels like a full-circle moment eight years in the making The fear of solo travel that almost kept me from booking (and what happened once I actually took the leap) Why July is the one month I can actually disappear without it tanking the business How Done & Delivered means revenue keeps coming in even when I'm sipping an Aperol Spritz near the Coliseum 💁🏻‍♀️ The team I'm trusting with my clients, my podcast, my inbox, and my cat (Tillie is in very good hands)  Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert Free Duett Resources  

How to Try Again (And Build an Audience That Actually Sticks) with Steve Kamb

48 min

Episode Summary: What if building a loyal audience isn't about sending more emails… or optimizing click rates… or trying the latest marketing tactic? In this episode of Happy Subscribers, I'm joined by my real-life friend Steve Kamb — founder of Nerd Fitness, author of How to Try Again, and longtime newsletter writer — to talk about what it really takes to build an audience that sticks. It helps to share that Steve has spent over 17 years writing to his email list.  He doesn't chase every platform. He keeps email as his marketing home base. He's built relationships over years. He cares more about depth than scale. Just showing up. Writing emails. Testing ideas. Reading replies. And trying again. And when he launched his book, his audience jumped at the chance to buy! Not because of sheer hype or fancy marketing tactics, but because they trust Steve. Then, we discussed Steve's new book, How to Try Again, and talked honestly about what happens when you ghost your list, feel behind, or question whether your email strategy is actually working. 😬 The answer actually isn't to burn it all down and start over. It's simply to try again. Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Steve Kamb: How To Try Again stevekamb.com https://nerdfitness.com/ Steve's Instagram  Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Other Resources: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

The More Niche, the Better: How Content Creators Can Add Sponsorships to Their Revenue

36 min

Episode Summary: I'll be honest with you — this conversation was a long time coming. A year ago at a conference, my friend Justin Moore shared more of his thoughts on sponsorships with me, and I just let it sit. Now here we are, a whole year later, and I'm still debating whether to actually do anything about it — because every time I think about adding sponsorships to my plate, it feels like more work. More process, more coordination, more things. I'm so excited to have Justin on the show today, and he has made a very compelling case for why the workload and the process and the coordination of it all is truly worth it. If you haven't met Justin yet — Justin Moore is a sponsorship coach, author, and the founder of Creator Wizard, a school and community that teaches creators how to find and negotiate their dream brand partnerships. His book, Sponsor Magnet, is the distillation of 15 years of experience, close to $6 million in personal sponsorships, 600+ brand deals, and seven years running an influencer ad agency. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why niche creators and subject matter experts are actually more attractive to certain brands than lifestyle influencers with massive followings The PSA framework — Products, Sponsors, and Alliances — and how to think about brand partnerships as an extension of serving your audience, not a distraction from it Why programmatic newsletter ads are mostly a waste of time, and what to pursue instead What bloggers losing Google traffic to AI search need to know about diversifying revenue through sponsorships How to find the right brands to pitch that actually support what your audience needs Why you have to be the one to reach out to brands  Tillie makes not one, but two appearances. You are very welcome for getting to see my cute cat. Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Justin Moore: Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore The Sponsor Magnet Podcast Creator Wizard Listen + subscribe Episode Resources:  Join the...

Your Niche Is Not Your Brand — What's Actually Missing with Katie Trant

41 min

Episode Summary: I did not expect to spend this episode nerding out about Taylor Swift as a brand strategist — but here we are. And honestly? It's the best possible way to explain what my guest Katie Trant means when she says "your niche is not your brand." Taylor went from country music to pop to indie folk to synth pop. Her audience (including Katie and me 😂) followed every single pivot. Because the niche changed. The brand didn't. Katie Trant is an OG food blogger, a former brand consultancy pro who's worked with Fortune 500 companies, and the founder of Foodie Brand Lab. She joined me to unpack what a brand really is — beyond the visuals, beyond the niche — and what needs to be in place before the channels you use, the content you create, and the emails you send actually click into place. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why "your niche is not your brand" — and what could happen once you unconfuse them What brand positioning actually is, and how to plant your flag within your niche The terms we throw around all the time — position, voice, personality, experience — and how they actually connect under the umbrella of brand The difference between being personal and being personable — and how to define your "strategic self" Why email might be the one channel where your brand voice can be most true to itself Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Katie Trant: Foodie Brand Lab  Katie on Instagram:  Brand Bites Newsletter  Other Resources: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert Free Duett Resources If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your Instagram story! Just remember to tag me @alleagrummert so I can see it.

Why Influencers Need Email (So You Can Stop Leaving Money on the Table)

23 min

Episode Summary: You're already on Instagram, TikTok, Amazon storefronts — maybe more. You're posting constantly, showing up everywhere, and working haaaarrd. But if email isn't part of your strategy? You're not getting your full return on all of that time-consuming (and team-consuming) effort. Without email, money, relationships, and long-term security are being left on the table — and we don't love that. In this solocast, I'm making the case for why influencers — yes, even those without a blog — need email marketing. (My cat Tillie also made an appearance. She fell out of her cat bed. She's fine. She's embarrassed.) If you haven't considered email marketing yet for your influencer business, boy do I have some thoughts for you.  Things like: Why reaching ~5% of your followers with an IG Story is selling your content short (!!) How email marketing can make you more money without creating new content What could go really, really wrong if you over-rely on social media platforms How email doesn't throttle your content like algorithms do 😡 What to watch out for with Flodesk's email editor if aesthetics matter to you (and they probably do) Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert Free Duett Resources Kit  

Coffee, Correspondence, and the Morning Habit Behind RecipeTeacher's Most Loyal Audience

43 min

Episode Summary: Five years is a long time to work with someone, and what I love most about my relationship with Jason Norris is how much he trusts me to do what I do — and how much I've learned from watching him do what he does. Because Jason has a way of thinking about his email list that I don't hear from a lot of bloggers: He doesn't call it content. He calls it correspondence. Jason runs RecipeTeacher.com, and his audience is devoted in a way that's genuinely rare. His readers are largely older home cooks who don't just open his emails — they write back! And, not only that, Jason reads and responds to them (sometimes from his kayak). In this final episode of this year's Foodie Email Series, we talk about what it actually looks like to show up for your audience with that kind of care, consistently — not because you have a content calendar forcing you to, but because you've built a habit that feels good and relationships that are worth maintaining. In this episode, we cover: The morning ritual that anchors Jason's email habit (and why it works so much better than trying to batch everything at once) How he built a segmentation system around appliances — Instant Pot, Air Fryer — so his readers only get content that's actually relevant to them Why "best damn" has become a signature naming convention his audience genuinely loves What authenticity looks like in practice when AI is making everything sound the same The growth behind RecipeTeacher: what happens when you pair a deeply loyal audience with an email strategy that's built for the long game Jason is one of my favorite examples of a creator who stays true to who he is — and who is genuinely willing to try new things, test what works, and never stop investing in quality. His audience has rewarded him for it every single time.  Check out this episode's blog post   Episode Resources: RecipeTeacher.com  Read the RecipeTeacher case study  Listen + subscribe Instagram @alleagrummert  

The Friday Emails That Built Toni Okamoto's Most Loyal Audience

35 min

Episode Summary: When I started email marketing as a personal finance blogger, I didn't know what I was getting into. Then strangers — on the other side of the world — started writing back. Not just clicking. Writing back, with their own money stories, their own fears, their own wins. That's when I understood: the inbox is one of the most human places on the internet. Toni Okamoto understood this too. She's been sending a personal Friday email every week for three years — no AI, just her words — and her audience now replies with 52-year-old wedding photos, asks if she's okay when she misses a week, and buys her cookbooks during a full-send launch week because they genuinely want her to hit her goals. She's the founder of Plant Based on a Budget, the bestselling author of multiple cookbooks (including the Publishers Weekly bestseller Plant Based on a Budget Quick and Easy), and the co-host of the Plant Powered People Podcast. And in this episode of the Foodie Email Series, she's pulling back the curtain on the email strategy that's quietly one of the most sophisticated — and most human — in the food creator space. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why Toni sends emails every single day — and the segmentation system that means most subscribers only ever see four of them The Friday newsletter that's been running for three years, why she never uses AI for it, and the separate inbox she had to create just to manage the replies How she launches cookbooks via email without apology — and the mindset shift that made her uninhibited about selling What the $5 meal plan taught her about niching down, building trust, and creating products an audience actually wants to buy The link trigger setup that tells her exactly who to email and who to skip Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Toni Okamoto: Toni's Instagram Plant Based on a Budget Plant Powered People Podcast Episode Resources:  Book a FREE Discovery Call  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett news...

From RSS to Real Strategy: How The Lemon Bowl Doubled Her Email Traffic with Liz Della Croce

41 min

Episode Summary: 100% email traffic growth. In one year. That's what happened for Liz Della Croce of The Lemon Bowl after 15 years of sending nothing but RSS emails — and it's exactly why I wanted her on the podcast. I just started personal training — and I went from finding out about the gym to having my first session on the calendar in under a week. There's something about committing to the right kind of help — and actually getting it scheduled — that makes all the difference between "I should do this" and actually doing it. I think this happens in business too: we know something needs to change, but we stall on the whole plan before taking the first step. My guest today, Liz Della Croce of The Lemon Bowl, knew her email marketing needed an overhaul — and just like me at that gym, she committed to getting the right help before she had everything figured out. Liz has been building The Lemon Bowl since 2010 — a healthy food and travel blog with a loyal community of readers drawn to seasonal, globally-inspired recipes, including the Syrian and Jewish dishes from her childhood. She also hosts Fresh Air Retreat, intimate brand-and-blogger events she's now run 15 times. In this episode — week 2 of the Foodie Email Series — she's walking us through exactly how she got here. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why Liz sent RSS-only emails for 15 years — and the SEO pivot that made them not-so-useful overnight The email calendar system behind sending 4 to 5 emails a week — and why giving your email person clear direction changes the quality of everything (including your peace of mind) Why she got the Email Strategy Playbook BEFORE hiring an email assistant — and how having a roadmap first changed the way she now delegates What she stopped creating for her email list, why she made those calls, and how she figured out what actually got more engagement The result: 100% email traffic growth in one year  Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Liz Della Cru...

From Followers to Customers: How Melissa Creates Food Content That Converts

36 min

Episode Summary: The most valuable audience isn't your biggest one — it's your most connected one. Welcome to the first episode in our Foodie Email Series — where we're diving into how food creators are turning attention into something more meaningful… and more sustainable. Because, yes — You can have a growing audience. You can have viral posts. You can have a lot of eyeballs on your content… …and still feel unsure how that actually turns into revenue beyond ad traffic. That's exactly why I wanted to bring my friend Melissa from Design Eat Repeat onto the podcast. Melissa creates food content that does convert — and she's spent a lot of time and investment in her audience in order to get sales on her cookbook and membership. Not overnight, but with time and consistency on social platforms and monthly baking challenges. Her content leads to connection, which leads to sales — because her list had learned to trust her. In this conversation, we talk about how she's used email to: Build relationships with her readers long before asking for the sale Turn engaged followers into subscribers (and subscribers into customers) Test ideas with her audience before fully committing to them Support multiple offers — like her memberships and self-published cookbook — without overwhelming her list Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Melissa: www.designeatrepeat.com One Crafty Pan Cookbook Crafty Baker's Club Instagram Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Other Resources: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

How Pinterest Trends Tells You Exactly What Lead Magnets to Create with Kayla Watkins

34 min

Episode Summary: You're getting Pinterest traffic. People are clicking, landing on your blog, and then bouncing — no email opt-in, no capture, just visits that disappear. Eep, that's a wasted opportunity!! In this episode, I'm joined by Kayla Watkins, Pinterest strategist and agency owner. Kayla and her team help bloggers grow their revenue by repurposing their content on Pinterest — and today she's walking us through the data-driven side of Pinterest most bloggers never touch. In this episode: Why Pinterest is a search engine, not social media — and what that one mindset shift changes about everything How to see what your audience is searching before peak content-search seasons How to find what Pinterest already knows you're an expert on — and use that data to build lead magnets that are practically pre-approved Why your most-visited blog posts are basically free lead magnet ideas staring you in the face What organic Pinterest strategy actually looks like when you're paying attention to momentum instead of just posting and hoping Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Kayla Watkins: KaylaWatkins.com Connect with Kayla on Instagram & TikTok Pinterest Trends  Duett Resources: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Free Duett Resources Instagram @alleagrummert  

Why I Stop Working at 3pm

26 min

Episode Summary: Yeah, I hear it. Me wrapping up work most days by 3pm might sound a little braggy. Maybe it is. A little. But I'm telling you about why I'm able to do this because how I got here has everything to do with where YOUR best energy needs to be going too — and I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't explain. I just know that if you're the one doing everything, all day, your best brain hours are going to tasks that don't actually need your particular voice, taste, or expertise. And eventually, your best self isn't showing up anywhere — not in your emails, not in your content, maybe not even in your life outside of work hours. 😬 In this episode, I'm telling you how I got to shortened work days, including: What had to change about who did what work in my business (aka, it couldn't all be ME forever) The lessons I had to learn the hard way about training and trusting a new hire (including one night on my bathroom floor) My realization of my own limitations — even as an extrovert — and my need for rest and support How prioritizing certain parts of my work allow me to work less (though just as hard) What actually changes about your emails — and your creativity — when you protect the parts of your work that are purely yours Why all of this matters for creators and service providers who want to be in business for a very long time Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert duett.co/hire (job boards, what's worked, + fractional COO referral) Clariti  If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your Instagram story! Just remember to tag me @alleagrummert so I can see it.

Using AI Intentionally with Andrew Wilder of NerdPress

44 min

Episode Summary: If you've been running an online business for any amount of time, you know that every few years, something comes along that shifts everything. The way we create content, connect with our audience, run our businesses — it all gets reshuffled, and we find ourselves recalibrating all over again. AI is that thing right now. And if you've felt the pressure to figure it out, use it more, use it better, or at least stop feeling behind — so have I. But here's what I keep coming back to: even as the tools change, people are still craving real human connection. And I think that's actually the opportunity — using AI to simplify the work that drains us so we can show up more fully for the parts that actually build relationships. That's exactly what this conversation with Andrew Wilder is about. Andrew is the founder of NerdPress, a Certified B Corporation that handles WordPress support and maintenance for bloggers and content creators. He's been in this space a long time, and when AI started shifting things, he didn't just jump in — he got intentional about it. In this episode, we dig into what that actually looks like in practice. In this episode: How AI tools work as a "subsidy" for your content — and what that means for long-term sustainability Where AI genuinely falls short (and why its confidence is part of the problem) The "verbal crutches" of AI-generated content — and how to spot them in your own work Data privacy with AI tools — what you should never share, even with paid accounts Why "staying in your lane" and leaning into your human perspective is the real competitive advantage right now Connect with Andrew Wilder: NerdPress EPISODE RESOURCES: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert Check out this episode's blog post If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your Instagram story! Just remem...

Daily Emails and Doubled Traffic with Ned Adams of Dutch Oven Daddy

35 min

How many emails should you be sending? It's a question I hear from content creators all the time, and the honest answer is: it depends. What I've noticed is that when I encourage people to send more than a few emails a week, there's often a little hesitation — a worry that it's too many, that it'll feel like too much, that their audience will get annoyed and start unsubscribing. But then there are creators on the other end of the spectrum sending daily or even twice-daily emails without batting an eye. With such a wide range of what's possible, how do you actually know what's worth your time and energy — without burning bridges with the subscribers you've already worked hard to build? That's exactly what I wanted to dig into with Ned Adams of Dutch Oven Daddy. When Ned shifted to sending daily emails to his list of ~4,500 subscribers, his site traffic doubled. His open rate hit 50%. His click rate jumped to 6.5%. And his unsubscribes? Barely moved. In this episode, Ned and I dig into what his email strategy actually looks like, why it works, and how his "what do I have to lose?" approach might just be the most honest email philosophy I've heard in a while. In this episode: What Ned's email strategy looked like before daily sends — and the one permission slip he got at Tastemaker that changed everything The ultra-simple email format driving all that traffic (one image, 5–10 links, and zero bullet points (!!)) Why duplicating old emails and tweaking them is not lazy — it's actually smart How Ned uses AI to batch subject line options so he always has something strong to send Why his "what do I have to lose?" philosophy might be the most underrated email strategy out there  Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Ned Adams (Dutch Oven Daddy): Instagram Website Episode Resources:  Kit (email platform Ned uses) Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Instagram @alleagrummert If you enjoyed this episode, you c...

Email List Best Practices: How to Welcome, Nurture, and Engage Your Subscribers with Food Blogger Pro

1 hr 0 min

Episode Summary: Today's episode is a little different — I'm sharing a guest appearance I made within the Food Blogger Pro membership, where Bjork Ostrom had their members submit email questions ahead of time. And y'all, food bloggers ask good questions. We covered a lot of ground: how often you should actually be sending emails, what makes a welcome sequence worth the setup, the surprisingly freeing practice of list cleaning, and what's really behind a subject line that gets opened. Here are the key questions we dive into: How often should you actually be sending emails? Why should you spend time on a welcome sequence, and what does it actually do? What is list cleaning, and why does it feel scary to remove cold subscribers? What helps improve email open rates? How can you get the most out of their existing content without creating something new for email? Check out this episode's blog post  Episode Resources:  Book a FREE Discovery Call  Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Instagram @alleagrummert Food Blogger Pro  If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing your biggest takeaways on your Instagram story! Just remember to tag me @alleagrummert so I can see it.

How to Stand Out Online, Even When Everyone Sounds the Same with Dorie Clark

45 min

Episode Summary: It's never been easier to create content. And somehow… it's never been harder to stand out. In this episode, I'm joined by Dorie Clark to talk about how to build a reputation that actually makes you known — even when everyone online (ahem, AI) sounds the same. Not only is she a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and one of the top business thinkers in the world, she can help us practically think about what it takes to stand out in a crowded online space. So what does it actually take to become known for your work? Not just visible. Not just posting consistently. But trusted… remembered… chosen, when there are a LOT of choices out there? Here's the good news: She said that becoming a recognized expert isn't about doing more. 🙌 We talk about the three core elements she's identified after years and years of research and experience and how they work together to build real authority (not just surface-level visibility). And of course, we zoom in on email — because while it may not be the flashiest marketing channel, it is one of the most powerful tools for building trust and deepening relationships with the people who matter most. In this episode, you'll learn about: You feel like you're "doing all the things" online, but not seeing the traction you want You're wondering how to stand out without constantly publishing on yet another platform You want your email list to be more than just a place to send updates You're thinking long-term about your business, your voice, and your reputation Fortunately, becoming known for your work isn't about going viral (because who can plan that?). Instead, it's about being remembered — and trusted — over time. Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Dorie Clark: Recognized Expert ToolKit Recognized Expert Course Instagram Website Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Other Resources: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @all...

Segmenting Your Email List is the New Gold Standard

13 min

Episode Summary: Segmentation might sound really "techy," and while it is and there are technical elements, ultimately it's an opportunity for you to organize your subscribers based on HOW they want to hear from you and WHAT they want to hear from you.  By segmenting your email list, you're creating a happier environment for your subscribers to thrive in — giving them the content they want and excluding the content that they don't want.  Not only does this make you look like a really compassionate creator, it will also benefit you with higher engagement (open and click rates), because people getting your emails are the people who want to get those emails. A win-win! In this episode, you'll learn about: How to think about segmentation like you think of your own friendships (this makes it way easier to understand!)   A few strategies on how you can segment your list   A real-life example of how Pinch of Yum has segmented their list specifically for beginner home cooks Want to learn HOW to segment your list? Get my on-demand workshop replay — whether you use Kit, Flodesk or MailerLite — to help you set up your own segmentation system in only 50 minutes: duett.co/trainings Check out this episode's blog post   Episode Resources: On-Demand Segmentation Workshop Replay Free Duett Resources Other Resources: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

From Burnout to Bold Goals (Without Losing Yourself) with Danielle McGeough, Ph.D.

39 min

Episode Summary: What do you do when the world around your work feels out of your control? When the blogging landscape shifts…
Algorithms change…
Goals you used to chase don't feel as motivating anymore…
You're also… tired? In this episode of Happy Subscribers, I'm joined by Danielle McGeough, Ph.D. — mom, professor, and women-centered coach who helps women in high-pressure jobs pursue bold goals without losing themselves. I asked her about burnout, what causes it, and some solid ways to prevent (and intervene, if you're already in it) so we can keep building our businesses and feel connected to our work in a meaningful way. If you're an ambitious creator, influencer, or business owner, come learn about: Why more habits isn't always the answer to doing work or life well The lost art of commuting to destress (and what works instead) Purposefully transitioning from role to role (like that 9am shift from stay-at-home cat mom to business owner… who me?) What can be automated, and what shouldn't be How to build a ritual of "presence" to keep you connected to your work Tune in as Danielle shares with us small edits that will help your work feel steady, intentional, and sustainable — even if the digital (or physical) landscape has you feeling shaky. Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Danielle: Instagram Stuck Assessment Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Book a FREE Discovery Call  Other Resources: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Instagram @alleagrummert  

Email Marketing Strategies to Grow Your List in the Age of AI

42 min

Episode Summary: Curious how to grow your list, boost conversions with simple shifts, and use AI without losing your connection with your audience? Today's episode is a little different — I'm sharing a guest interview where I joined Tracy Beaver on her podcast, Create Online Business Success. Tracy was a guest on Happy Subscribers in 2025, and this time we flipped the roles. We talk honestly about what's shifting in the online space, how AI can support (not replace) your voice, and the simple adjustments that can make a big difference in your list growth and conversions. If you're thinking about how to stay human while navigating AI — this one's for you. In this episode, you'll learn about: The most effective ways to grow your list in the age of AI How to make more money by improving subscriber experience Simple ways to turn subscribers into loyal fans and buyers Episode Resources:  Free Duett Resources Other Resources: Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Inside the Duett Process: From Guessing at Email to a Confident Strategy

21 min

Episode Summary: Most people don't come to me simply asking for "more emails." Clients often come to me because they don't know what's actually happening inside their email marketing — and that's kind of stressful. Like walking around in the dark without a flashlight. You want to know it's working — and you want a better plan going forward. Like, a real plan, a what-I-need-for-my-business email strategy. In this solo episode of Happy Subscribers, I'm sharing all of the details of what it's like to work with me and my team. Specifically, the "Duett Process" that started this business (literally).  If you've ever wondered how an agency could nail your voice, know what to send your audience, or really incorporate your business goals — for sales, traffic and audience connection — into your ongoing email strategy… I'm about to tell you how.  We do follow this process all the time. This is the Duett Process — the system I've refined since 2019 — and the reason our welcome sequences average 9%+ click rates. My goal has always been to make it easy on my clients, give them the emails they want (that sound like them!), and a tech system setup they didn't have to figure out and set up themselves. If you've ever been curious what it actually looks like to hire help for your email strategy, copywriting, and email setup, this episode is your behind-the-scenes look at how we "Duett." (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)  Check out this episode's blog post Episode Resources: Free Duett Resources Join the Duett newsletter Check out Duett Services Book a FREE Discovery Call  Instagram @alleagrummert  

Affiliate Links, Pixels & Privacy Policies: What This Lawyer Wants Creators to Know

45 min

Episode Summary: It's not every day that I get to rave about getting to listen to a lawyer talk about affiliate disclosures, accessibility compliance, and privacy policies. And yet… here we are. Excited! In this episode of Happy Subscribers, I'm joined by creator lawyer Brittany Ratelle (aka the Fine Printcess) to talk about something most of us would rather ignore: the legal blind spots in our online businesses. What started as me wanting to get clear on affiliate disclosures in emails… became a LOT more.  Because the truth is: We don't know what we don't know. And unfortunately, "blissful ignorance" is not a great legal strategy. Brittany walks us through the foundational pieces every online business owner needs — from LLC setup to contracts, privacy policies, website accessibility, and the very real lawsuits happening right now around tracking pixels and SMS marketing. She shares what she's actually seeing in the wild (yes, horror stories included), how small businesses are being targeted, and what you can do now to protect your business, your income, and your peace. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why setting up an LLC isn't enough if you're not actually using it correctly. What needs to be in your email footer. The rules on affiliate disclosures in 2026. What website accessibility really means (and why "having a plugin" isn't a guarantee). The difference between being legally "fine"… and being legally legit.  Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Brittany: Instagram Website Episode Resources:  Mike Zielonka's Happy Subscribers Episode 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  

Use the "Smart Freebie Formula" to Attract Paying Clients (Not Just More Subscribers) with Annie Franceschi

43 min

Episode Summary: Freebies are supposed to help grow your business but too often, they just collect downloads… and dust. In this episode, I'm joined by brand strategist, former Disney storyteller, and author Annie Franceschi to unpack why so many lead magnets fail and what actually makes a freebie work. Annie shares her Smart Freebie Formula: a simple, thoughtful framework for creating lead magnets that don't just grow your list, but attract the right people — the ones who are most likely to become paying clients. This conversation is especially for creators and service providers who: Feel like they've "given everything away" for free Have lead magnets that grow subscriberS but not sales Want to feel proud of what they're offering and confident sharing it We talk honestly about over teaching, being "helpful vs. hireable," and how to design freebies that respect your audience and your expertise. If you've ever wondered whether your freebie is doing too much… or not enough — this episode will change how you think about lead magnets and help you build ones that actually support your business goals, not just your list size. Check out this episode's blog post   Connect with Annie: The Referral Message Creator Freebie Establish Yourself Podcast Instagram 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  

Reveal Your Remarkability (And Make Your Marketing Easier) with Rich Brooks

40 min

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  

More Podcast Listeners from Pinterest & Email with Andi Smiley

43 min

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  

Turning Your Email Content into a Live Workshop with Jake Wysocki

1 hr 0 min

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 ...

300 Recipe Testers + 1 Cookbook Launch Later with Amy Reid of Baking with Granny

56 min

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  

Trust, Timing, and Email Touchpoints with Mike Nelson of Really Good Emails

49 min

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  

Email and Wait Is Dead in 2026: Why Your Email Needs Strategy, Not Blind Hope

30 min

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    

Seven Things That Shaped My Life and Business in 2025

28 min

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  

From In-Person Powwows to an Engaged Email Community with Paul Gowder

48 min

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  

Why LinkedIn Newsletters Deserve Your Attention with Katie Brinkley

43 min

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  

Create Meaningful Content Using AI (Without Losing Your Soul) with Dan Cumberland

56 min

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  

Why the 'Just Blog and Pray' Strategy Is Dead (And What's Working Instead) with Mike Zielonka

47 min

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  

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