How to Start a Newsletter Business

It’s a sunny Saturday morning. You’ve got your favorite coffee in hand, you’re lazily scrolling through your inbox, and then you find this newsletter that feels like a handwritten note from an old friend. 

It’s warm, it’s engaging, and before you know it, you’ve hit subscribe. Because somehow, you just felt a bit happier, a little more hopeful, and maybe even a tad wiser after reading it.

That, right there, is the magic of a great newsletter. 

It can forge a real and raw connection even from your inbox.

Now, how do you create that kind of magic yourself? 

Let’s get into it.

If you’re a content marketer like me who swoons over beautifully written newsletters, you’ll know that starting a newsletter isn’t much different from building a small, heart-driven business. 

But it’s got its own little recipe.

And here’s what you’ll need to pull it off:

📌 A traffic source – where your readers will find you.

📌 A hosting platform – the “home” for your newsletter.

📌 And, of course, your content – the soul of it all.

Let’s walk through each ingredient in detail, with real-world examples and actionable steps to monetize your newsletter. 

By the end, you’ll have everything you need to create a newsletter that goes beyond the inbox and makes a lasting impact on your community.

Want advice right away?

Grab a free consultation with our incorporation experts if you’re ready to dissect everything about building a successful newsletter business.

Build a Newsletter Business With These Essentials

Traffic Source

Think of your newsletter as a coffee shop. To keep it bustling, you need a steady stream of customers.

Your traffic source is where you find those potential customers in the form of your subscribers. 

Here are some popular platforms to consider to build a newsletter business:

✔ Medium

Medium is perfect for reaching readers who love in-depth articles.

For example, if you’re passionate about sustainable living, writing detailed guides and sharing them on Medium can attract like-minded individuals. 

Start by writing a few high-quality articles on Medium related to your newsletter’s theme.

At the end of each article, include a call-to-action (CTA) inviting readers to subscribe to your newsletter for more insights.

✔ Quora

Quora is a goldmine for showcasing your expertise. Answering relevant questions not only helps others but also positions you as a knowledgeable voice in your niche. 

For example, let’s say your newsletter is about personal finance. Search for questions like “How can I save money effectively?” Provide a comprehensive answer and include a link to your newsletter for readers seeking more detailed tips. 

Similarly, identify 10-15 common questions in your niche on Quora.

Craft thoughtful, detailed answers and subtly promote your newsletter within those answers.

✔ Reddit

Reddit hosts a variety of niche communities called subreddits.

Engaging with these communities can help you connect with potential subscribers who are already interested in your topic.

If your newsletter focuses on digital marketing, participating in subreddits like r/marketing or r/digital_marketing can help you find interested readers. 

Join relevant subreddits and contribute valuable content without being overly promotional.

Share your newsletter when appropriate, such as when someone asks for recommendations or resources.

✔ YouTube

YouTube is a powerful platform for sharing video content and directing viewers to your newsletter. 

Creating short, informative videos can entice viewers to subscribe for more in-depth information.

For instance, if your newsletter is about cooking, post quick recipe videos and invite viewers to subscribe for detailed cooking tips and exclusive recipes. 

Start a YouTube channel related to your newsletter’s theme. Include links to your newsletter in your video descriptions and mention your newsletter in your videos.

🌟 doola’s Pro Tip:

Don’t underestimate the power of your personal network.

Share your newsletter with friends, family, and colleagues who might be interested or know others who are. Send a personalized email to your contacts announcing your newsletter launch and ask them to spread the word. 

Codie Sanchez grew her newsletter, Contrarian Thinking, to thousands of subscribers by personally emailing friends and professional contacts. 

By explaining her newsletter’s value and asking for subscriptions, she tapped into her network’s support.

This authentic and straightforward approach laid a strong foundation for her audience.

A Versatile Hosting Platform

Once you’ve got potential subscribers’ attention, you need a place to host your newsletter content and manage your subscribers.  

Let’s explore the perfect place to house your newsletter. 

Here are some top choices:

💡 Gumroad

Gumroad is ideal for hosting freebies and building your email list. It’s perfect if you plan to offer downloadable content like eBooks, templates, or planners. 

For example, you can offer a free eBook on “10 Tips for Effective Time Management” to entice subscribers.

💡 Mailchimp

Mailchimp is user-friendly and offers plenty of customization options. It’s great for beginners and scales well as your newsletter grows.

Use Mailchimp to design visually appealing newsletters with embedded images and links. 

Sign up for a Mailchimp account, choose a template that matches your style, and start building your subscriber list by integrating signup forms on your website and social media profiles.

💡 Substack

Substack is loved for its simplicity and built-in monetization features. It’s perfect if you want to start a paid newsletter right from the get-go.

All you need to do is set up your Substack account, customize your newsletter’s appearance, and decide on your pricing model if you plan to offer paid subscriptions.

💡 Kit

Kit (formerly known as ConvertKit) is an excellent choice for creators who want advanced automation features. It’s ideal for managing more complex email marketing strategies.

You can use Kit’s automation to send a welcome email series to new subscribers, guiding them through your best content.

💡 GoDaddy

GoDaddy offers a simple, user-friendly platform for hosting newsletters, especially suited for those who are already using it for website domains or other services.

Plus, GoDaddy’s built-in templates make it easy to create professional-looking newsletters without any design experience.

But don’t miss this important aspect when figuring out your newsletter platform: integration needs.

Your hosting platform must integrate with other tools you use, such as your website, social media, or CRM systems. 

Research the integrations each platform offers and choose one that fits well with your existing tools and future growth plans.

Remember, seamless integration capabilities can save you time and streamline your workflow.

🌟 doola’s Pro Tip

Before settling on a platform, jot down your goals — are you building a paid subscriber base, offering freebies, or just sharing value-packed insights? 

This way, you can pick a platform that supports your specific newsletter mission.

The Fuel of Your Newsletter: Compelling Content

This is going to be the hero ingredient of your newsletter. Your content needs to be unique, relevant, valuable, engaging, and something your subscribers look forward to — not just the same topics every brand or influencer covers. 

You need to hook your audience by giving them exactly what they want in that particular moment.

Here’s how to make it happen:

Offer Insights, Tips, or Stories That Your Audience Can’t Get Elsewhere

This could be unique perspectives, exclusive interviews, or in-depth tutorials.

If your newsletter is about personal development, share actionable strategies like “5 Morning Habits to Boost Productivity.” 

Before fixating on a single type of content, brainstorm a list of topics that address your audience’s pain points and provide easy-to-follow solutions. 

Also, aim to deliver something new in each edition so you readers don’t get bored and start stereotyping your newsletter.

Next, Create a Unique Tone That Resonates With Your Readers

Your newsletter’s vibe should reflect your personality and make it enjoyable for readers. 

To find the right tone, try writing a few sample newsletters in different styles and see which one feels most natural and connects best with your target audience.

Once you’ve found it, stick to this tone consistently across all your communications.

Decide on a Schedule That You Can Realistically Maintain and Stick To It

Keep a regular schedule so your subscribers know when to expect your emails.

Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, consistency builds trust and anticipation.

Use your hosting platform’s scheduling features to automate your email sends.

🌟 doola’s Pro Tip

Plan your content calendar to include a mix of valuable information, personal stories, and gentle promotions.

Aim for a ratio of 80% value-driven content to 20% promotional content. 

Enhance your newsletters with images, videos, or podcasts links to make them more engaging and visually appealing. 

You can use tools like Canva to create custom graphics, embed YouTube videos relevant to your content, or include links to your latest podcast episodes.

Newsletter Business Tips: Turning Subscribers into Paying Customers

Once you’ve got your content, contacts, and hosting platform set up, it’s time to explore how to turn your newsletter into a source of income. 

Here are some effective ways to monetize your newsletter:

👉 A Paid Newsletter

👉 Drive Traffic Over To a YouTube Channel

👉 Affiliate Marketing

👉 Sponsored Posts

👉 Merchandise

👉 Digital Products and Much More

Paid Newsletter

Well, a paid newsletter is an upgraded version of your regular newsletter where subscribers pay a monthly or yearly fee for access to exclusive content. 

While your free subscribers get great content, your paying members receive exclusive, premium content that adds extra value.

You’ll be surprised but people are willing to pay for simple content that provides them with unique insights, deeper knowledge, or additional resources that they can’t find elsewhere.

How to Create One?

✅ Start with Free Content: Ensure your free newsletter is packed with value. This builds trust and shows potential subscribers what they can expect.

✅ Introduce Premium Content: Offer exclusive articles, in-depth tutorials, early access to new content, or behind-the-scenes looks that aren’t available in the free version.

✅ Set Up Tiers: Consider different pricing levels for varying levels of access. For example, a basic tier might include additional articles, while a premium tier could offer one-on-one consultations or personalized advice.

Here’s an example for you: 

Let’s say your newsletter is about personal finance. Your free version covers budgeting tips and basic investment strategies.

Your paid version, however, dives into advanced investment techniques, offers personalized financial planning sessions, and provides exclusive interviews with financial experts.

🌟 doola’s Pro Tip

Create a roadmap of what your free newsletter offers versus what your paid version will include. Start by teasing premium content in your free newsletter to entice subscribers to upgrade.

Drive Traffic to Your YouTube Channel

Use your newsletter to direct subscribers to your YouTube channel, where you can monetize through ads, sponsorships, and more. 

Here’s how you can do it:

✅ Create Complementary Content: Make sure your YouTube videos add value to what you’re sharing in your newsletter. If your newsletter is about DIY projects, your YouTube channel could feature step-by-step video tutorials.

✅ Promote Consistently: Regularly include links to your latest YouTube videos in your newsletter. Mention specific videos that align with the current newsletter content.

✅ Engage Your Audience: Encourage subscribers to comment, like, and share your videos. 

🌟 doola’s Pro Tip

If your newsletter focuses on healthy living, your YouTube channel could showcase workout routines, cooking demonstrations, and interviews with health experts. 

Subscribers can watch these videos to complement the tips they receive via email. 

Next, set a schedule for both your newsletter and YouTube uploads. For instance, send out your newsletter every Monday and post a related video on YouTube every Wednesday.

Cross-promote between the two to maximize engagement.

Embrace Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves recommending products or services you believe in and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral links. 

It’s a win-win situation for both your subscribers and you: your subscribers get recommendations for products or services that can help them, and you earn a commission from brands without having to create anything yourself.

How to go about it:

✅ Choose Relevant Affiliates: Select products or services that align with your newsletter’s theme and that you genuinely believe in.

✅ Integrate Naturally: Mention affiliate products within your content where they fit organically. Instead of hard-selling, weave them into your tips or stories.

✅ Be Transparent: Always disclose your affiliate relationships to maintain trust with your audience.

Feature Sponsored Posts

Most brands want to reach your engaged audience, and sponsored content can provide additional revenue for you while still offering value to your subscribers. 

Now, if your newsletter is about travel, a sponsored post could feature a review of a travel insurance company or a spotlight on a particular hotel chain, providing useful information to your readers.

Here’s how you can approach sponsored content:

✅ Find the Right Partners: Reach out to brands that fit your newsletter’s theme. Prepare a media kit showcasing your subscriber demographics and engagement rates to attract potential sponsors.

✅ Create Authentic Content: This one is really important. Integrate the sponsored content seamlessly into your newsletter. Present it as a helpful recommendation or relevant information rather than a blatant advertisement.

✅ Maintain Balance: Ensure that sponsored posts don’t overwhelm your regular content. Keep sponsored content to a small percentage of your overall newsletter.

Sell Merchandise

Selling merchandise not only generates revenue but also serves as a walking advertisement for your newsletter.

Start small by listing a few key items that you think your audience will love. 

Promote these items in your newsletter with a special discount for your subscribers to encourage initial sales.

And in case, your newsletter is about creative writing, you could sell notebooks, pens, or even T-shirts with inspiring quotes or your logo.

Develop Digital Products

Create and sell digital products like eBooks, online courses, templates, or exclusive webinars that provide additional value to your subscribers. 

Survey your subscribers to find out what digital products they’d find most valuable. Use their feedback to create a product that meets their needs and start promoting it in your next few newsletters.

For example, if your newsletter focuses on graphic design, you could offer eBooks on mastering Adobe Illustrator, online courses, or customizable design templates.

Explore Additional Revenue Streams

Beyond the main monetization strategies, there are other creative ways to generate income from your newsletter.

Here are a few avenues to diversify your revenue streams for your newsletter business. 

✅ Host Webinars or Workshops: Offer live training sessions or workshops on topics relevant to your audience. Charge a fee for attendance or provide them as part of a premium subscription.

✅ Offer Consulting Services: If you’re an expert in your field, offer one-on-one consulting or coaching sessions to your subscribers.

✅ Create Exclusive Communities: Build a members-only community, such as a private Facebook group or a Discord server, where subscribers can interact, share ideas, and get exclusive content.

Bonus Tip from doola: The Power of Freebies

Freebies serve as a compelling incentive for people to subscribe to your newsletter. They give potential subscribers a taste of what you are going to offer, helping them decide if they want more from you in the long run. 

By providing something useful for free, you’ll also build trust and demonstrate your expertise, making it easier for people to say yes when you offer paid content or products later on. 

Here’s How to Make Freebies Work for You

Let’s say you’ve created a Weekly Meal Planner for a newsletter focused on healthy eating and meal prep. You can promote this freebie on platforms like Reddit’s r/MealPrepSunday, Quora’s Healthy Eating section, or relevant Facebook groups. 

By placing your freebie where your audience already engages, you increase the chances of attracting genuine interest. 

Next, write a blog post explaining how the meal planner can simplify meal prepping, share a sneak peek on your social media channels, or answer related questions on Quora with a link to download the planner. 

Always include a clear call-to-action (CTA) encouraging people to subscribe to your newsletter to receive the freebie.

Ready to Expand?

Now, at this point, you might find yourself wondering, “Is it time to make this newsletter an official business?”

When you’re seeing momentum — subscribers, revenue, real growth — it’s only natural to start thinking about next steps. 

And that’s where the idea of an LLC, or Limited Liability Company, might enter the picture.

So, what’s in store if you go down this path? Let’s explore.

Do You Need to Form an LLC When Starting a Newsletter?

No, you don’t need to form an LLC right away. But as your newsletter grows and starts making more money, an LLC can be a smart move to protect yourself and your business.

Why Think about an LLC?

When you start monetizing your newsletter, you’re stepping into the business world.

Whether you’re earning from ads, sponsored content, or selling products, there are new responsibilities and risks that come with it. 

An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, is a business structure that can help shield your personal assets — like your home or car — from any legal or financial troubles your business might face.

When Should You Consider Forming an LLC?

Here are some clear signs it might be time to think about an LLC for your newsletter:

✅ After You Start Generating Revenue:

Once your newsletter starts making money — whether from subscriptions, ads, or other sources — it’s a good time to consider forming an LLC.

Higher income means higher stakes, and protecting your personal assets becomes more important.

✅ When You Plan to Expand:

Thinking about hiring someone to help you with content, bringing on partners, or expanding your business operations?

An LLC provides a solid foundation for growth. It clearly defines ownership and operational procedures, making it easier to manage as you scale.

✅ If You’re Taking on Legal Agreements:

Entering into contracts with sponsors, advertisers, or other partners? An LLC can simplify these agreements and offer legal protections that benefit both you and your partners.

✅ To Separate Personal and Business Finances:

Keeping your personal and business finances separate is crucial. It not only helps with clear financial records but also makes tax filing easier. An LLC makes this separation straightforward.

Keeping It Simple: Steps to Form an LLC

We don’t want to overwhelm you by diving deep into the LLC setup process right here, but it’s worth scanning the basic steps involved in forming an LLC. 

Here’s a straightforward guide to get you started:

🎯 Choose a Name for Your LLC

Pick a business name that’s unique and make sure it’s not already in use in your state. A quick search on your state’s business name database can save you headaches later.

🎯 File Articles of Organization

This is a formal document you submit to your state’s business filing office (usually the Secretary of State). It includes basic info about your LLC, like its name, address, and members.

🎯Create an Operating Agreement

While not always required, a well-drafted operating agreement outlines how your LLC will be run. It’s especially important if you have partners or multiple members.

🎯 Obtain an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS is necessary for tax purposes and to open a business bank account.

🎯 Register for State Taxes and Permits

Depending on your state and what your newsletter business does, you might need to register for state taxes and get certain permits.

🎯 Open a Business Bank Account

Keeping your personal and business finances separate starts here. A dedicated business bank account helps maintain clear financial records and protects your personal assets.

Start A Successful Newsletter Business With doola

Alright, deep breath! Don’t get sweaty palms over the LLC details just yet.

Your focus right now should be creating killer content, finding your readers, and building insane traffic. 

Setting up an LLC when your newsletter business gets to that next level is doola’s responsibility. You don’t need to worry about this side of the business.

We’ll handle the setup, paperwork, and all the details involved in forming your LLC. And it’s not just about the setup — we’re here to make sure you’re structured in a way that won’t cost you more down the road. 

Our team knows how to match your business growth with the right foundation, so you can keep scaling without any hassle.

Ready to talk with someone who’s fluent in LLCs?

Book a free consultation with our incorporation experts today, and we’ll guide you through every step.