How to Make Money with a Newsletter

Newsletters are the most underrated income stream in the creator economy

Author

Ryan Side Hustle Review
March 18, 2025

In the creator economy, owning your audience is everything. Social media platforms change, algorithms shift, but an email list is yours. That’s why newsletters have become a serious revenue stream for creators, businesses, and media companies alike.

But how do you actually make money from a newsletter? Let’s break it down.

Choosing the Right Newsletter Platform

Not all newsletter platforms are built the same. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options and what they offer:

Beehiiv (My Pick)

✅ Built for growth, great referral tools, excellent analytics, strong monetization features.
❌ No built-in paid subscriptions (yet), but integrates with Stripe.
Why I Chose It: It’s creator-friendly, designed for scale, and I have no regrets.

Substack

✅ Simple to use, built-in network effect, seamless paid subscriptions.
❌ Less customization, high transaction fees (10%).
Best For: Writers who want a built-in audience and an easy way to charge for content.

ConvertKit

✅ Advanced automation, strong email sequences, good for creators selling products.
❌ Can get pricey as your list grows.
Best For: Creators who want to nurture leads and sell digital products.

Ghost

✅ Fully customizable, self-hosted option for full control, no platform fees.
❌ Requires more setup and tech knowledge.
Best For: Tech-savvy creators who want full ownership and a subscription-based model.

Each of these platforms has its strengths, but for me, Beehiiv checked all the boxes—great tools for growth, analytics, and future monetization options.

5 Ways to Monetize a Newsletter

1. Paid Subscriptions

Some newsletters operate on a subscription model, where readers pay for premium content. Platforms like Substack, Ghost, and Beehiiv make it easy to charge for access.

A lot of writers gatekeep their best insights behind a paywall. I take a different approach. My newsletter is “choose your price”—you can pay whatever you want, or keep reading for free. Instead of locking away information, I focus on giving transparent updates on my side hustles and business experiments. Check it out below:

2. Sponsorships & Ads

Brands are willing to pay for space in newsletters with engaged audiences. There are two main ways to get ads:

  • Direct Outreach – Pitch brands yourself. Set your own rates.

  • Ad Networks – Platforms like Swapstack, Paved, or SparkLoop Ads connect newsletters with sponsors.

Ad rates vary, but on average, expect $20–$50 per 1,000 subscribers for dedicated sponsorships and around $0.50–$2 per click for performance-based ads.

👇Two examples are below, and I get paid for every click I generate.👇

A micro-influencer campaign with 400% ROI?

It’s more than possible thanks to minisocial! See how they partner with plant people for extremely successful campaigns

Here, have some jet fuel

Your newsletter, now exiting the stratosphere.

We’re beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for builders. Every product we drop and feature we create is made with one goal in mind: exponential growth. 

Our three founders left Morning Brew to bring the tools and tech to creators everywhere that helped turn their old company into a multi-million dollar operation. So when we say we can take you from “up-and-comer” to household name, we mean it.

If you need a beautiful destination for your content, use our no-code website builder. If you want paid subs, we don’t take a dime. If you want big name sponsors, we connect you with the likes of Nike and Netflix. 

In short: maybe your newsletter is stuck on the ground floor because your newsletter platform is stuck in the last decade. 

👆If you clicked either or both, thanks, I just got some beer money👆

3. Promoting Other Newsletters

Other newsletter creators will pay to be featured in your newsletter. This works in two ways:

  • Flat Fee – They pay upfront for placement.

  • Bounty Model – You earn a commission for every new subscriber you bring them.

Platforms like SparkLoop make it easy to manage these deals.

You can also monetize by recommending products and services you actually use. If someone signs up or buys something through your link, you earn a commission.

For example, I use Beehiiv to run this newsletter, and I have no regrets. If you’re thinking about starting one, this is my affiliate link, if you use it and sign up, I get a commission.

5. Selling Your Own Products or Services

A newsletter is a great way to drive sales for things you create, including:

  • Digital products (ebooks, courses, templates)

  • Consulting or coaching

  • Membership communities

Instead of relying on social media algorithms, you have direct access to your audience.

The Key Metrics That Matter

If you’re serious about monetizing a newsletter, you need to track:

  • Open Rate – Industry average: 30–40%. If it’s low, your subject lines need work.

  • Click-Through Rate (CTR) – The percentage of readers who click links in your email. Above 2% is solid.

  • Subscriber Growth Rate – How fast your list is growing (or shrinking). Organic growth is best.

  • Unsubscribe Rate – Anything over 0.5% per send means you may be sending too often or not delivering value.

How to Build a Newsletter Audience

Now, the big question: How do you actually get subscribers?

The short answer: It all comes down to brand.

Whether you’re a company or a content creator, your newsletter should be a natural extension of your brand. The best strategies include:

  • Content Marketing – Promote your newsletter in blog posts, videos, or podcasts.

  • Social Media – Use Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok to share insights and drive signups.

  • Lead Magnets – Offer a free resource (ebook, checklist, mini-course) in exchange for an email.

  • Referral Programs – Reward readers for bringing in new subscribers (Beehiiv and SparkLoop make this easy).

  • Cross-Promotion – Partner with other newsletters for shoutouts.

What Brands & Small Businesses Should Know About Newsletters

Newsletters aren’t just a creator thing—they’re a massively underutilized marketing tool for brands and small businesses. Whether you run an e-commerce store, a SaaS company, or a local service business, newsletters can help you build deeper relationships with customers and drive long-term revenue.

Why Newsletters Matter for Brands

  1. They Reach Your Most Engaged Audience – Unlike social media, where algorithms dictate visibility, newsletters land directly in your audience’s inbox. These are your most loyal customers—the people who actually want to hear from you.

  2. They Build Trust & Authority – A well-crafted newsletter positions your brand as a thought leader in your industry.

  3. They Drive Sales Without Feeling Salesy – Instead of bombarding customers with ads, newsletters allow for organic product recommendations, behind-the-scenes insights, and value-driven content that leads to conversions.

How Brands Can Work with Creators’ Newsletters

If you’re a brand, partnering with a creator’s newsletter is one of the best ways to get in front of a loyal, engaged audience. Here’s how you can make it work:

  • Sponsored Placements – Pay for a feature in a relevant newsletter where the creator recommends your product to their audience.

  • Affiliate Partnerships – Offer a commission for every sale driven through the newsletter.

  • Exclusive Offers – Provide discount codes or early access to new products specifically for newsletter subscribers.

  • Content Collaborations – Work with creators to develop educational or story-driven content that naturally weaves in your brand.

What Brands Need to Think About

If you’re looking to advertise in a newsletter, consider:

  • Audience Fit – Is this the right creator for your product? Does their audience align with your ideal customers?

  • Engagement Over Size – A smaller newsletter with high open rates and trust is often more valuable than a massive, disengaged list.

  • Creative Freedom – Let the creator craft the message in their voice—it will feel more authentic and convert better.

  • Clear Goals & Tracking – Whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, or direct sales, define what success looks like before jumping in.

Brands that tap into newsletters now, while the space is still growing, will have a huge advantage. It’s an opportunity to connect with potential customers in a way that feels natural, trusted, and effective.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be honest, I heard about newsletters as a side hustle early on in my journey, but I never really got it. Every time I researched it, I felt lost—like it wasn’t worth the effort.

But once I actually started my own newsletter, it clicked. I realized, holy crap, this is a real thing. Not only is it a powerful way to connect with an audience, but it can also become a solid source of income.

If you’re thinking about starting one or already running one and looking to grow, hit reply—I’d love to hear what you’re working on.



Transparency Statement

This newsletter is a mix of AI-assisted editing and my personal tone, style, experiences, and research—all carefully reviewed to ensure accuracy and quality. No data is blindly trusted, and every insight shared is something I stand behind.

I highly value transparency, which is why I choose to disclose that I use AI to help edit and craft this material. Many others choose not to, but I believe setting an example for the future is important. AI should be a helpful tool that enhances human work, not replaces it.

I hope this statement not only reinforces trust but also encourages more transparency around AI in content creation.