Editorial · Fortnightly
Interview Series Newsletter Template
One interview with an interesting person every issue. An interview-driven format where each issue is a conversation with one person — operator, founder, researcher, artist — exploring their work and thinking. Builds your audience by leveraging the interviewees' audiences.
Who this template is for
Curators with networks who want to build authority through association.
Issue structure
- Intro. Why you wanted to interview this person and what's interesting about them
- The interview. 5–10 questions with thoughtful, lightly edited answers
- Three takeaways. Your synthesis of what to actually take away from the conversation
- Their links. Where to find their work, what to read next
When to use this template
- ✓ You have access to interesting people and they're willing to talk on the record
- ✓ You enjoy interviewing more than essay writing
- ✓ You want list growth via interviewees sharing the issue with their audience
Examples that work
Newsletters using a version of this template successfully:
- Lenny's Newsletter (interview slots)
- Working in Public
- How I Built This (podcast as newsletter)
Use this template in Aldus
Aldus's AI editor uses this template as a starting prompt — paste your sources and the editor produces the first draft in your voice. Suggested prompt:
Topic: Interview with [person] on [theme]. Voice: Curious, well-prepared, willing to push back. Sources: [their writing, prior interviews, recent work]. Draft 8–12 questions covering background, current work, contrarian views, and what they'd do differently. Then write a 200-word setup and 3 takeaway bullets.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get interviews with people I don't know?
Lead with specificity. A pitch like 'I'd like to interview you about [the specific thing they did in 2024]' converts 5–10× better than 'I'd love to have you on my newsletter'. Aldus's outreach agent can draft these for you.
Should the interview be live or async?
Async (email or Google Doc) is faster, easier to schedule, and produces cleaner copy. Live (Zoom) feels more personal but doubles your editing time.