Start a Profitable Newsletter Side Hustle

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to Blessed j podcast, where we decode the
smartest side hustles for twenty twenty five. With content overload everywhere,
be it endless social media feeds or overwhelming news apps,
why do you think curated email newsletters are gaining momentum
as a go to information source?

Speaker 2 (00:16):
Great question. The sheer volume of online content has made
it hard to find trustworthy, relevant insights. Newsletters solve this
by filtering the noise and delivering hand picked values straight
to your inbox. In fact, a twenty twenty four Reuters
Institute study showed fifty six percent of young professionals prefer
email digests over generic news apps because the content is

(00:38):
tailored to their interests.

Speaker 1 (00:39):
So it's about trust and personalization. But how does this
translate into the rise of solo creators launching successful newsletters
even without massive social followings.

Speaker 2 (00:50):
Absolutely, we're seeing the one person media brand phenomenon, where
creators build loyal audiences around their unique perspective. Unlike traditional
influencers who chase viral numbers, newsletter writers can thrive with
just a few hundred engaged subscribers. Think of it like
hosting an intimate dinner party versus shouting in a stadium.

Speaker 1 (01:08):
That's a helpful analogy as we transition. I'm curious about
tangible examples. How are people actually monetizing these newsletters in practice?

Speaker 2 (01:17):
Let's dive into real world cases. Take a free tech
deals newsletter. The creator curates the week's best software offers
and includes affiliate links. When readers click and buy, the
writer earns a commission, sometimes several hundred dollars monthly with
just a few thousand subscribers.

Speaker 1 (01:33):
Interesting, and the paid model seems equally compelling. For example,
niche newsletters like AI for Creatives or Crypto Signals charge
monthly fees for exclusive insights. How do smaller audiences still
generate meaningful income here?

Speaker 2 (01:47):
It's all about depth, not breath. A focused newsletter can
charge ten a month with just two hundred subscribers. That's
two zero in predictable revenue. Plus these communities are often
highly engaged, leading to higher retention and even up sell
opportunities like courses or consulting.

Speaker 1 (02:06):
So being hyper specific is actually an advantage, not a limitation.
Before we break down how to launch a newsletter, can
you share a scenario where niching down led to unexpected growth?

Speaker 2 (02:17):
Certainly, consider a ux designer sharing weekly freelance project breakdowns.
By focusing on behind the scenes content for a narrow audience,
they attracted sponsorships from design tool companies eager to reach
that exact demographic. Sometimes the smaller the pond, the bigger
your fish.

Speaker 1 (02:34):
Let's walk listeners through the first steps if someone's starting
from scratch. What's the best platform for hosting a newsletter
in twenty twenty five and why?

Speaker 2 (02:42):
Substack and behave are the leaders right now? They both
let you start for free, offer simple design tools, and
handle subscriber management. Substack is famed for its built in
network effect, while beehive offers advanced analytics and customization, a
bit like choosing between WordPress and Squarespace for blogs.

Speaker 1 (03:00):
That's a great comparison. Next, how should creators decide what
to write about? Is it better to pick a broad
topic or go deep into a niche they're passionate about.

Speaker 2 (03:08):
Passion wins every time. Start with what friends always ask
your advice on, or what you can talk about endlessly.
A focused niche builds trust faster and attracts readers who
are willing to pay for your unique lens rather than
generic information. They can find anywhere.

Speaker 1 (03:23):
And what's the most effective way to grow that first audience,
especially without a pre existing following.

Speaker 2 (03:29):
Leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, and especially TikTok share bite
sized inscience or teasers that link back to your sign
up page. Think of it as offering free samples at
a market stall. Once people taste your expertise, they're more
likely to subscribe.

Speaker 1 (03:44):
Now that someone's launched, what are your tips for maintaining momentum?
Many creators struggle with consistency or worry about perfection. How
can they overcome this?

Speaker 2 (03:53):
Consistency beats perfection every time. Set a realistic publishing schedule
like weekly or bi weekly, and stick to it. Remember
readers value reliability over lengthy essays, even short, actionable updates.
Keep your brand top of mind. A study by convert
kit found newsletters with consistent cadence see thirty percent higher

(04:13):
open rates.

Speaker 1 (04:14):
That's reassuring as their list grows. When should writers consider
monetizing through sponsorships, affiliate links, or paid tears.

Speaker 2 (04:23):
Start introducing subtle monetization once you hit around five hundred
engaged subscribers. Test affiliate links or sponsored blurbs first, Then,
if your content is truly unique pilot a premium tier
imagine offering bonus interviews, deep dives, or downloadable guides for
paying members.

Speaker 1 (04:41):
To round out our discussion, what's your biggest piece of
advice to aspiring newsletter creators worried about starting small or
being overlooked.

Speaker 2 (04:48):
Don't let audience size hold you back. Every big newsletter
began with zero subscribers. Focus on serving your core group brilliantly,
and word of mouth will do the rest. Like planting
a tree, growth compound over time, just keep nurturing it