Keeping up with marketing trends, tactics, and strategies can feel like a full-time job. Rather than constantly checking dozens of blogs and social accounts, I've found that well-curated newsletters deliver the highest-quality insights with the least time investment.
Over the years, I've subscribed to and unsubscribed from countless marketing newsletters. This collection represents the ones that have consistently provided actionable information, thoughtful analysis, and genuine expertise that helps me improve campaigns and strategies for clients and my own projects.
These newsletters cover different aspects of marketing, from broad industry trends to specialized tactics in specific channels. Together, they form a well-rounded information diet that keeps me informed without overwhelming my inbox.
The Newsletters
The Marketing Brew
Daily Marketing News & Analysis
Marketing Brew delivers concise updates on what's happening across the marketing landscape each weekday. It breaks down complex industry news into digestible summaries that highlight why developments matter for practitioners.
The newsletter stands out for its balanced coverage across channels and industries. Unlike publications that focus exclusively on digital, Marketing Brew gives attention to traditional media, branding campaigns, and industry shifts. I particularly value their analysis of major brand campaigns, explaining the strategy behind recent marketing moves from leading companies.
Total Annarchy
Marketing Writing Excellence
Ann Handley's newsletter focuses on how to create more effective marketing content with an emphasis on writing skills. Each edition combines practical writing advice with observations on effective marketing communication and storytelling.
What makes this newsletter special is Ann's ability to deconstruct what makes writing work. Her "Tiny Writing Tips" have noticeably improved my email copy, landing pages, and client presentations. The newsletter also includes curated content recommendations that consistently introduce me to unique perspectives I wouldn't find elsewhere.
The Hustle
Business Trends with Marketing Implications
The Hustle delivers business and tech news with particular attention to stories relevant to marketers. Its conversational, sometimes irreverent tone makes consuming business information actually enjoyable.
I value this newsletter for the broader business context it provides for marketing decisions. Understanding market trends, funding movements, and emerging business models helps inform more strategic marketing approaches. The "Big Tech" section has been particularly useful for anticipating platform changes that might affect advertising strategies.
Stacked Marketer
Digital Marketing Intelligence
Stacked Marketer offers daily updates focused specifically on performance marketing across major platforms. It covers platform updates, emerging tactics, and case studies with an emphasis on paid media.
The newsletter excels at spotting patterns across platforms and highlighting new features in their early testing phases. I've frequently gained early access to beta features on advertising platforms through their heads-up, giving my campaigns an edge. Their "Brain Teaser" section also provides a quick mental workout relevant to marketing challenges.
3-2-1 Thursday
Marketing Psychology & Human Behavior
James Clear's newsletter isn't exclusively about marketing, but its insights on habit formation, decision making, and human psychology have direct applications to marketing effectiveness. Each edition includes 3 ideas, 2 quotes, and 1 question to consider.
The value comes from deepening your understanding of why people make decisions—the foundation of all marketing. Several campaign concepts I've developed came directly from insights in this newsletter about behavior change and attention. The concise format respects your time while delivering substantial ideas to consider.
Demand Curve
Growth Marketing Tactics
Demand Curve's newsletter delivers specific, actionable growth marketing tactics that have been tested across their portfolio of startups. Each edition focuses on practical techniques you can implement immediately.
What sets this newsletter apart is its emphasis on proven tactics rather than theory. Each recommendation includes specific examples and often step-by-step instructions. I've implemented their suggestions for reducing SaaS trial abandonment and restructuring email sequences with impressive results. For marketers focused on acquisition and conversion, this is consistently one of the most valuable reads.
Marketing Examined
Deep Marketing Case Studies
This newsletter analyzes how successful companies execute their marketing strategies through detailed case studies. Rather than surface-level tactics, it explores the underlying principles and strategic decisions.
The case study approach provides context that's often missing from tactical advice. Understanding how companies like Airbnb, Notion, and Shopify built their marketing engines offers applicable lessons regardless of your industry. I've referenced these case studies in client strategy sessions to illustrate proven approaches to similar challenges.
Subscribe to Marketing Examined
No Best Practices
Contrarian Marketing Perspectives
Corey Haines challenges conventional marketing wisdom by questioning established "best practices" and exploring alternative approaches. The newsletter encourages critical thinking about marketing tactics rather than blindly following trends.
This contrarian perspective has helped me avoid wasting resources on overhyped tactics and inspired more creative approaches to marketing challenges. The newsletter's emphasis on first principles thinking—understanding why something works rather than just copying what works—has led to more sustainable marketing strategies with less competition.
Subscribe to No Best Practices
Not a Newsletter
Email Marketing Excellence
Despite the name, this is indeed a newsletter focused exclusively on email marketing strategy and optimization. It covers everything from deliverability and segmentation to copywriting and design specifically for the email channel.
The specialized focus provides depth rarely found in general marketing publications. The breakdown of effective email campaigns with annotated examples has directly influenced how I structure client email programs. For anyone managing email marketing, this specialized knowledge source helps maximize the performance of this high-ROI channel.
Marketing Against the Grain
CMO-Level Strategic Insights
Hosted by HubSpot's CMO and CEO, this newsletter (companion to their podcast) provides executive-level perspectives on marketing strategy, team building, and industry trends. It focuses less on tactics and more on strategic thinking and leadership.
The value comes from elevating your marketing thinking beyond campaign execution to larger strategic considerations. Their insights on building marketing teams and managing the increasing complexity of the marketing function have been particularly useful as my clients' organizations grow. For marketers looking to advance into leadership roles, this perspective is invaluable.
Subscribe to Marketing Against the Grain
Lenny's Newsletter
Product Marketing & Growth
While primarily focused on product management, Lenny's newsletter regularly covers product marketing, user research, and growth strategies that are directly relevant to marketers working with product teams.
The intersection of product and marketing is increasingly important as more businesses become product-led. The newsletter's emphasis on user research methodologies and go-to-market strategies has helped me better align marketing efforts with product development. For marketers working in tech or SaaS, understanding this product perspective creates more effective campaigns.
Subscribe to Lenny's Newsletter
That's my favorite marketing newsletter
Curating the right information sources is a critical but often overlooked aspect of marketing success. These newsletters provide regular infusions of insights, ideas, and inspiration without requiring you to constantly monitor the vast landscape of marketing content.
What makes this collection particularly valuable is how each newsletter serves a different purpose in your marketing education. Some keep you updated on industry news, others provide tactical advice, while others challenge your thinking or provide strategic perspectives.
By selectively subscribing to newsletters that align with your specific marketing responsibilities and growth areas, you can create a personalized learning program that consistently improves your marketing effectiveness without overwhelming your inbox. These subscriptions represent one of the highest-ROI investments in your ongoing marketing education.