Growing a newsletter feels great—until you ask: “Okay, but how do I actually make money with this?”
Here’s the good news: you don’t need 100,000 subscribers.
Even a few thousand engaged readers can generate real revenue if you pick the right model.
These are the 7 proven ways top newsletters make money 👇
1. Sponsorships
Brands pay to be in front of your readers.
Why it works:
Niche audiences = high value.
Even 2,000 engaged readers can attract sponsors.
Example: Morning Brew drives the majority of its revenue through native sponsorships.
How it looks:
A “sponsored by” block in your email.
A featured section highlighting a product/tool.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t chase Coca-Cola. Start with smaller, niche brands (e.g. “AI SaaS for architects”).
2. Paid Subscriptions
Readers pay for premium content.
Why it works:
People pay if you save time or make money.
Works best in niches with strong ROI (finance, business, careers).
Example: Stratechery ($15/month) built a thriving business on deep strategy analysis.
How it looks:
Free weekly newsletter + bonus “pro” edition behind paywall.
$29/month for premium insights, templates, or private Q&As.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Recommend products/tools → earn a commission when readers buy.
Why it works:
Easy to start. No need to create your own product.
Builds trust if you only share tools you actually use.
Example: The Hustle used affiliates (like HubSpot CRM) to add serious revenue pre-acquisition.
How it looks:
“This issue is brought to you by [Tool]—I use it for X, here’s why it helps.”
Affiliate links track sales
4. Digital Products
Courses, ebooks, templates—create once, sell forever.
Why it works:
Margins close to 100% after creation.
Your newsletter = built-in audience for launches.
Example: Lenny’s Newsletter sells templates & courses alongside free content.
How it looks:
Free newsletter → CTA to buy ebook/course.
Example: “Want the full playbook? Grab the $199 course.”
5. Community or Membership
People pay for access, not just content.
Why it works:
Humans crave connection.
Private chats, mastermind calls, or groups = high perceived value.
Example: Greg Isenberg uses his newsletter to funnel readers into paid communities like Startup Empire.
How it looks:
Paid Slack/Discord/Skool.
Weekly calls, masterminds, or private forums.
6. Services
Use your newsletter as a lead gen funnel.
Why it works:
If readers trust your content, they’ll hire you.
Works perfectly for consulting, coaching, or agencies.
Example: They Got Acquired → newsletter attracts consulting clients in M&A.
How it looks:
Free content → CTA: “Want help applying this? Book a call.”
Many 6-figure businesses started like this.
Yes—your newsletter itself is an asset.
Why it works:
Audience + trust = acquisition target.
Media companies buy attention, not just traffic.
Examples:
Milk Road → scaled fast in crypto → acquired in under 12 months.
Morning Brew → sold majority stake to Insider for $75M+.
How it looks:
Build audience → monetize → sell to a bigger media player.
🎯 Takeaway
You don’t need all seven. Start with 1–2 that fit your niche:
Professional niches → Sponsorships or Services.
Consumer niches → Affiliates or Digital Products.
Highly engaged audiences → Paid Subscriptions or Communities.
💡 A newsletter isn’t just content. It’s a business model
Want this done for you?
We partner with founders on a revenue-share model. No upfront cost.