How to Customize Your Onboarding Strategy for “Recommended Subscribers”
Last week, I enjoyed reading Chenell Basilio’s post about how Dylan Redekop developed a customized onboarding strategy for recommended subscribers.
Not all subscribers are created equal. Especially the ones who didn’t actively seek you out.
If you’re using recommendation networks like Beehiiv or Kit to grow your list, you’re probably seeing a steady stream of new subscribers. That’s great. But they haven’t read your best work, don’t know your style, and may not even remember how they landed on your list. This can quietly erode your open rates and deliverability if you treat everyone the same.
A recommended subscriber isn’t a lost cause—they just need a different introduction. Here’s how to turn that silent churn risk into a real growth channel.
Build a Separate Onboarding Flow for Recommendation Traffic
Recommended subscribers need context. Without it, they’re confused, disengaged, or worse—completely inactive.
Here’s what a smart onboarding flow looks like:
Tag subscribers by source so you know who came from recommendation networks
Send a custom welcome email that explains who you are, what they’ll get, and why they’re receiving it
Set expectations early so your first full issue doesn’t feel like spam
Include a prominent unsubscribe link to clean your list fast and protect your sender reputation
This isn’t about growing your list at all costs. It’s about keeping it healthy and engaged.
Track Performance Separately
Don’t lump these subscribers in with your main list when reviewing metrics. Instead:
Monitor open, bounce, and unsubscribe rates for recommendation-sourced subscribers
Compare engagement trends over time
Adjust your messaging or cadence if you see signs of churn
This helps you spot problems early before they drag down your overall performance.
Warm Them Up with Early Engagement
The first few emails are critical. Use them to spark interaction:
Ask a question and invite replies
Include a link to a popular post
Let them choose what kind of content they want more of
These small actions signal to inbox providers that your emails are wanted, which boosts future deliverability.
Recommended subscribers aren’t bad subscribers. They just need a little more care up front.
Want help keeping your list healthy while you scale? Wellput helps you fill your newsletter with quality sponsors and protect your deliverability while you grow.
