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This week, I’ll walk through exactly how I’m using AI in my newsletter. But before I get to that… For the past few years, I’ve been urging mid- and large-sized newsletters to get their logo in the inbox by applying for a certificate called a VMC or CMC (https://inboxcollective.com/how-to-get-your-logo-into-the-inbox/?mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) . Digicert, the company that handles the certification process, has never offered any sort of coupon code for those — until today... If you use this link (https://www.digicert.com/buy-a-mark-certificate?utm_source=inboxcollective&mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) and add promo code INBOXCOLLECTIVE10 at checkout, you’ll get 10% off the purchase price of a VMC or CMC.... —Dan (say 👋 via email (mailto:dan@inboxcollective.com) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danoshinsky/?mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) ) ** How I’m Using AI With My Newsletter (https://inboxcollective.com/how-im-using-ai-with-my-newsletter/?utm_campaign=Inbox_Collective_Weekly_02-03-26&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Inbox_Collective_email_list&mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) ------------------------------------------------------------ When I talk to teams about AI, I usually hear people discuss AI as a creativity tool — something that can write copy or create images. But where I’m seeing the most success with AI is in these three areas: * Process — AI is great for creating custom apps or workflows to speed up repetitive processes. * Ideation — AI can be a great brainstorming partner. You can give it the outline of an idea, and it can help you improve and expand upon it. * Analysis — AI is really good at sorting through tons of data — from numbers to the open-ended feedback you collected in a survey — and identifying trends that a person might miss. Can it be used for creative work? Absolutely. (I’ve even shared an example in today’s story.) But I’ve had the most success so far with using AI for one of these other three outcomes. Here’s how I’m using AI (https://inboxcollective.com/how-im-using-ai-with-my-newsletter/?utm_campaign=Inbox_Collective_Weekly_02-03-26&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Inbox_Collective_email_list&mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) ** Ask Dan! ------------------------------------------------------------ Q: There are a lot of newsletter stakeholders in my org, but many of them don’t work on newsletters full time. What’s the best way to share data with them and get buy-in on big ideas? A: So much of success in the newsletter space is about getting others to see your larger vision — and making sure that everyone knows how they can support that vision. There are a few things I’ve been encouraging my clients to do: Share data — My current favorite tool for sharing data is Glueletter (https://glueletter.com/?utm_source=Inbox_Collective&mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) . It connects with most ESPs, and you can create custom reports that get shared with your stakeholders. The writer of a daily newsletter might get multiple updates per week on how the newsletter is doing, while the big bosses in your org might get a monthly report with high-level metrics. Not everyone needs a deep dive into the data. Share only what’s essential to each person or team. Set up 1-1s — Don’t just have 1-1s with your direct reports. Make time for check-ins with leaders of teams you collaborate with. Share what you’re working on, and ask them what they need help with. Even if there’s not a ton of overlap between your jobs today, you’re going to need working relationships with these teams down the road. Hold lunch-and-learns — At BuzzFeed, every few months, we’d sit down with specific teams, buy them lunch, and walk them through their newsletter data. (People never skipped out on free lunch.) I’d try the same thing at your org. Let’s say you want to launch a newsletter anchored by a specific voice, but you’re having trouble getting buy-in. If I were you, I’d reach out to a newsletter writer at another org and ask them to join the team for an hour on Zoom — no slides, just an AMA format. Buy everyone lunch and open it up for questions. Often, just hearing from an outside voice is enough to get colleagues interested in new ideas. Host a mini-conference — Try creating your own private event to share big ideas. You might give the keynote address about what’s working and what isn’t at your org. Ask a few colleagues to share case studies about the newsletter tactics they’re trying. Invite an outsider to give a talk. (I’ve been a part of a few of these over the years!) Host a panel or two. Make it a day where everyone’s invited to learn about what’s working. What am I missing from this list? Hit reply and let me know. ** From my reading list... ------------------------------------------------------------ Warner Bailey created a meme page for Hollywood assistants. It grew into a weekly newsletter and eventually into an educational ecosystem for the TV and film industry’s next generation. (Inbox Collective (https://inboxcollective.com/the-secrets-behind-assistants-vs-agents-content-community-and-a-newsletter-with-priceless-intel/?utm_campaign=Inbox_Collective_Weekly_01-21-26&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Inbox_Collective_email_list&mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) ) Here are a few good examples of local news outlets using automated emails in a smart way. (INMA (https://www.inma.org/blogs/big-data-for-news-publishers/post.cfm/automated-hyper-local-newsletters-are-low-maintenance-with-high-engagement?utm_source=Inbox_Collective&mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) ) The counter to that: The newsletters that are working today often are the ones that require a lot of work. It’s tough to automate your way to a product that feels essential. (Creator Spotlight (https://www.creatorspotlight.com/p/tomo-chien?mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) ) There is a ton of really good newsletter advice in this post. (Newsletter Circle (https://newslettercircle.substack.com/p/the-biggest-newsletter-advice-you?mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) ) ============================================================ 💌 Did a friend forward you this newsletter? ** Sign up to get this every week in your inbox (https://inboxcollective.com/newsletter/?mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) . 💸 Need a pro to help you boost newsletter ad sales? ** Buy the Newsletter Advertising Playbook (https://inboxcollective.com/buytheplaybook?mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) . 📬 Want to work with Inbox Collective? ** Here’s how I can help you (https://inboxcollective.com/work-with-inbox-collective/?mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) . 🎯 Want to reach 12,000+ people in the email space? ** Let’s talk (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uNdbnTFTNpIH3jvY9KeCOwFOeLL2T_jBYX2WVhVEgNE/edit?mc_cid=20d9a8991a&mc_eid=UNIQID) . ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2026 Inbox Collective LLC. Having trouble viewing this email? You can see ** an HTML version of this newsletter here (https://mailchi.mp/inboxcollective/how-im-using-ai-with-my-newsletters?e=d6fa8d6638) . No longer want to receive our newsletters? That’s OK! You can ** unsubscribe here (https://inboxcollective.us19.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=e5101197dd74666a141a34e7b&id=3d0da8583e&t=b&e=d6fa8d6638&c=20d9a8991a) . Inbox Collective LLC 1776 Park Ave Ste 4 Box #125 Park City, UT 84060 USA

This week, I wanted to share some of the big lessons I learned about newsletters over the past year. But first… The start of January is a really good time to check in on your automations. So many newsletters make a crucial mistake: They set up an automation, like a welcome series, and then never check on it again. But content gets outdated, links break, and colleagues move on to new jobs. Now’s a good time to check in on those automations. I’ve got suggestions here (https://inboxcollective.com/the-five-types-of-automations/?utm_campaign=Inbox_Collective_Weekly_01-07-26&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Inbox_Collective_email_list) … A scheduling note: In 2026, I’ll be publishing new stories every other week. Based on the feedback I’ve gotten recently, the stories you like most are the ones where I go deep on a topic. So I’ll publish a little less this year, but when I do, I promise it’ll be something you can really dive into and learn a lot from… —Dan (say 👋 via email (mailto:dan@inboxcollective.com) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danoshinsky/) ) ** What I Learned About Newsletters in 2025 (https://inboxcollective.com/what-i-learned-about-newsletters-in-2025/?utm_campaign=Inbox_Collective_Weekly_01-07-26&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Inbox_Collective_email_list) ------------------------------------------------------------ As we move into 2026, I want to share what I’ve learned over the past year. The inbox is going to keep changing, and you need to be ready to adjust to stay relevant and get the most from your email strategy. Here’s what I’m seeing: * The idea of audience “ownership” needs to change * More newsletters need to be willing to pivot (or go deeper within their niche) * AI is coming for the inbox — but not in the way you think * Bots are getting smarter and weirder * Success might mean being willing to break from the tried-and-true templates Let’s get into all of that — plus a few more lessons — in this week’s story. Read on... (https://inboxcollective.com/what-i-learned-about-newsletters-in-2025/?utm_campaign=Inbox_Collective_Weekly_01-07-26&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Inbox_Collective_email_list) ** From my reading list... ------------------------------------------------------------ 20+ newsletter operators shared lessons on what newsletters to launch, how to balance all of your newsletter responsibilities, when to grow your team, and more. (Inbox Collective (https://inboxcollective.com/what-i-wish-id-known-before-launching-my-newsletter-3/?utm_campaign=Inbox_Collective_Weekly_12-17-25&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Inbox_Collective_email_list) ) Understanding the four types of buyers on your email list. (Adriana Tica (https://www.adrianatica.com/why-so-few-people-buy-from-you-and-why-thats-normal-saf-157/?utm_source=Inbox_Collective) ) I’m betting we see more newsletters lean into collaboration as a growth tactic in 2026. Here’s a good example of that. (Media Voices (https://voices.media/scaling-in-africa-how-communique-is-leveraging-culture-community-and-collaboration-to-grow-beyond-a-newsletter/?utm_source=Inbox_Collective) ) Why are so many food writers switching email platforms? (Best Food Blog (https://www.bestfoodblog.net/food-writers-are-fleeing-substack/?utm_source=Inbox_Collective) ) ============================================================ 💌 Did a friend forward you this newsletter? ** Sign up to get this every week in your inbox (https://inboxcollective.com/newsletter/) . 💸 Need a pro to help you boost newsletter ad sales? ** Buy the Newsletter Advertising Playbook (https://inboxcollective.com/buytheplaybook) . 📬 Want to work with Inbox Collective? ** Here’s how I can help you (https://inboxcollective.com/work-with-inbox-collective/) . 🎯 Want to reach 12,000+ people in the email space? ** Let’s talk (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uNdbnTFTNpIH3jvY9KeCOwFOeLL2T_jBYX2WVhVEgNE/edit) . ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2026 Inbox Collective LLC. Having trouble viewing this email? You can see ** an HTML version of this newsletter here (https://mailchi.mp/inboxcollective/what-i-learned-about-newsletters-in-2025?e=d6fa8d6638) . No longer want to receive our newsletters? That’s OK! You can ** unsubscribe here (https://inboxcollective.us19.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=e5101197dd74666a141a34e7b&id=3d0da8583e&t=b&e=d6fa8d6638&c=421cb577a1) . Inbox Collective LLC 1776 Park Ave Ste 4 Box #125 Park City, UT 84060 USA