Podcasting platform Riverside enters the newsletter publishing game

Riverside, known for its innovative video and podcast recording tools, is now providing its users with an exciting new avenue to connect with audiences: newsletters. However, the company is not looking to compete with established newsletter giants like Mailchimp, Substack, Beehiiv, or Ghost. Instead, Riverside is leveraging its existing user base, which is already prolific in content creation, by introducing an AI tool that transforms their recorded videos and podcasts into ready-to-send newsletters directly within the app. Creators can also opt to design newsletters from scratch, without utilizing the AI conversion option. According to Riverside’s co-founder and CEO, Nadav Keyson, “Substack and Beehiiv start you at a blank page. But our creators and business customers are already producing rich, information-dense spoken content on Riverside. For many, speaking is a more natural method of expression than writing, so we enable them to effortlessly convert their discussions into newsletter content.” In addition to the newsletter feature, Riverside is enhancing its recording suite to accommodate multi-camera setups and allow for remote guest participation in recordings. The platform is integrating new AI functionalities as well, enabling users to generate a preliminary edit of their recording immediately after completion. This AI assistant can also craft engaging hooks and tailored content for various social media channels. Moreover, Riverside is introducing an AI-driven video enhancement tool, specifically designed for conversational podcasts, which aims to optimize lighting, depth, and sharpness of the recordings. With over $60 million in funding, Riverside is part of a growing trend where platforms explore alternative publishing methods to diversify and increase their revenue. Notably, Substack recently launched its own recording studio, while Beehiiv has expanded into podcasting and Mastodon announced it will enable users to publish posts as newsletters. This move by Riverside highlights the dynamic landscape of content creation and distribution in the digital age.