Company case study
Van Trump Report
A successful newsletter focused on agriculture
Van Trump Report: Founded by Ben Van Trump, the Van Trump Report is a daily newsletter that delivers valuable insights and information about the agricultural sector, particularly for farmers and commodity traders. It came up on My First Million in the episode "The Simple Newsletter Making $20M+ A Year With 1 Employee" (aired July 1, 2024).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | The Simple Newsletter Making $20M+ A Year With 1 Employee |
| Aired | July 1, 2024 |
| Revenue and traction | The Van Trump Report boasts around 30,000 paid subscribers, charging $600 per year, which translates to roughly $18 million in annual revenue. |
| Category | Media |
Figures and claims are as told on the episode, summarized from the transcript. Check the date: they describe the company at the time it aired.
What the episode said
The Simple Newsletter Making $20M+ A Year With 1 Employee · aired July 1, 2024 · hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Why it works
The newsletter's success can be attributed to its unique approach, offering high-value content in a casual, relatable manner. The combination of agricultural insights, memes, and personal anecdotes keeps the audience engaged and coming back for more.
Founding story
Ben Van Trump started his career in trading and gradually transitioned into writing a newsletter for personal improvement. Initially intended as a journal, it unexpectedly gained traction, leading to the establishment of the Van Trump Report. His authentic voice and dedication to delivering valuable content helped him grow an organic subscriber base without any advertising.
The playbook
1. Create valuable content addressing the problem Van Trump Report - A successful newsletter focused on agriculture solves. 2. Build an audience through consistent content creation and distribution. 3. Survey your audience to understand their specific needs and pain points. 4. Develop your product based on audience feedback and needs. 5. Pre-sell to your audience before full product development.
Also mentioned
The Van Trump Report has maintained organic growth throughout its existence without relying on advertising. The newsletter includes not just market analysis but also entertaining elements like memes, making it approachable for readers. This unique blend has attracted a diverse audience, including politicians and hedge fund managers.