9,400 MRR: the newsletter flywheel, with real numbers

The Operator, weekly letter on running small software companies. The math:

Revenue: 9,400 (sponsors 7,100 across 6 slots, paid subs 2,300 from 410 members at 5.60 average). Costs: 1,900 (ESP, VA from Mãos part-time, tools). Profit: 7,500. Hours: 12 a week. Hourly: indecent.

Growth: 62k subs, +800/week, sponsors at 10k subs (start early, charge little, raise with the list). Churn: sponsors 15% quarterly (normal, they rotate), paid subs 3% monthly.

The flywheel: letter grows list, list grows sponsors, sponsors fund the letter, letter grows the list. Unsexy. Unstoppable. Ask me about sponsor pricing, I will show the rate card.

Rate card question, direct: what is a slot at 62k subs and 41% open?

1,200 for a primary slot, 700 secondary, 4-week minimum. 41% open on 62k is ~25k opens, sponsors pay ~48 CPM primary. Raise 10% every 10k subs. The minimum matters more than the price: four weeks lets the creative get tested instead of judged.

VA-agency owner waving: the part-time VA line is doing quiet work in this post. 410 paid subs and 6 sponsors managed in 12 hours a week means leverage, and leverage has a name. (It is us. We are the leverage. This is not even an ad. Much.)

HR-software founder nod: the "start early, charge little, raise with the list" is exactly how Rota priced. First customers cheap, price rises with proof. Early believers get the deal, late arrivals fund the team. Fair and profitable.