5 UI Hacking Ad Strategies to Increase Newsletter Subscriptions

Nowadays, people are getting tired of being bombarded by blatant, in-your-face marketing.

But you still need them to click on your ad for them to subscribe to your newsletter (if you’re taking the paid growth route).

So, how do you do that?

We have been using user interface hacking - a clever strategy that blends advertisements into the user experience so that people mistake them for organic content.

It's based on a simple, but powerful idea: when an ad looks like a natural part of your feed or phone interface, you’re more likely to stop, pay attention, and engage with it.

Take it from someone who has spent a significant amount of money on ads - these types of simple, UI-hacked ads have consistently delivered the best results for us, as well as many other brands and newsletters.

But what makes these ads so effective?

Let’s look at them.

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The iPhone Notes App Ad:

One of the simplest yet most effective UI hacks for ads is replicating the look of the iPhone Notes app.

Many people are accustomed to seeing notes written out on their phone, so when this shows up in their feed, it immediately catches their attention as something familiar.

It can be as simple as this:

You can use this as a static post, a story, or even a reel.

It feels personal and fits into the user’s feed as though it’s a genuine note-to-self.

Reddit QnA or Quora Post:

Reddit and Quora are known for being places where people ask and answer questions.

You can create an ad that looks like a question posted in these forums.

It’s especially effective because people are naturally curious when they see a Q&A format - they want to know the answer!

This format can be easily adapted to Instagram as well, or even used for Google Ads that target people based on their search queries.

Tweet Screenshot

A simple screenshot of a tweet works wonders because people are used to scrolling through quick, bite-sized information in their feeds.

When they see a tweet-style ad, their brain doesn't register it as something promotional, at least not right away.

This format can also be shareable and relatable because it mimics real user behavior on Twitter.

You can run this on Meta Ads as well as people might stop to read bite-sized tweets.

Text Message Conversation:

his technique is brilliant because people are naturally drawn to personal conversations.

When this style of ad shows up, it feels intimate, as if you're peeking into someone's chat.

This format is best for static images or stories.

It feels personal and relatable, mimicking the natural flow of conversations users are already having.

Breaking News:

Another powerful UI hack is to make your ad look like a news article - either print or online.

People are conditioned to consume news and headlines quickly, making them more likely to read your ad as well.

Remember: What works for one audience might not work for another, so keep testing different ad formats and iterating based on the data you gather.

Track your metrics, analyze engagement, and adjust your approach based on what resonates most with your audience.

Sometimes the smallest tweak - a different font or headline - can make all the difference in how well your ad performs.

But even the best ad in the world won’t drive conversions if your landing page isn’t optimized.

Hey hey! I want to understand where you’re stuck at your newsletter and figure out how I can help you better.

This can happen in 2 ways -

A group webinar (I'll also explain the complete newsletter creation process here)

A 1:1 call (This will be more focused towards your specific needs)

If that’s something you’re up for, please choose what will be most suitable for you:

P.S. If you are stuck with your newsletter growth at any point, reply to this and I can help you out! 📈