how much money do newsletters make
The revenue generated by newsletters can vary widely depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the subscriber list, the quality of the content, the niche or industry the newsletter serves, and the monetization strategy used.
Some newsletters are completely free and generate revenue through advertising or sponsorships, while others are paid subscriptions that generate revenue from subscriber fees. Some newsletters use a combination of both approaches.
In general, newsletters that have a large subscriber base and offer valuable, engaging content have the potential to generate significant revenue through advertising and sponsorships. According to a survey of publishers conducted by Digiday in 2020, the average revenue per subscriber for a newsletter was $0.58 per subscriber per month.
many are run as a passion project or as a way to build an audience and brand. Ultimately, the revenue generated by a newsletter will depend on many factors and will vary widely depending on the specific circumstances.
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- how much do free newsletters make:
- Top 10 free Newsletter and their revenue:
- how much money do paid newsletters make:
- top 10 paid newsletter on substack:
- as a beginner how much money you can make from newsletter:
- future earning potential of newsletter:
how much do free newsletters make:
The revenue generated by free newsletters can vary widely, as it depends on the monetization strategy used by the newsletter publisher. Some free newsletters generate revenue through advertising, while others use sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or donations.
For newsletters that rely on advertising revenue, the amount earned can depend on a number of factors, such as the size of the subscriber list, the engagement levels of the audience, and the types of ads served. According to a survey of publishers conducted by Digiday in 2020, the average CPM (cost per thousand impressions) for newsletter advertising was $18.82.
For newsletters that rely on sponsorships or affiliate marketing, the amount earned can vary widely depending on the specific arrangement with the sponsor or affiliate partner. In some cases, the newsletter publisher may receive a flat fee for the sponsorship or a commission for any sales generated through affiliate links.
It’s important to note that not all free newsletters are created with the goal of generating revenue. Some may be run as a passion project or as a way to build an audience and brand. Ultimately, the revenue generated by a free newsletter will depend on many factors and will vary widely depending on the specific circumstances.
Top 10 free Newsletter and their revenue:
- Morning Brew – A daily newsletter that provides a quick overview of the day’s top business news.
morning brew revenue streams:
Morning Brew is a daily email newsletter that covers business news and emerging trends in various industries, targeting young professionals. The company was acquired by Business Insider in 2020, and since then, its revenue streams have expanded beyond the newsletter to include various products and services. Here are some of the main revenue streams of Morning Brew:
- Advertising: Morning Brew generates revenue by selling ad space in its daily newsletter. The company offers a range of ad formats, including sponsored content, display ads, and dedicated emails.
- Events: Morning Brew hosts events and conferences for its audience, including the “Morning Brew Block Party” and the “Emerging Tech Brew”. These events are sponsored by companies looking to reach Morning Brew’s young professional audience.
- Podcasts: Morning Brew produces several podcasts, including “Business Casual” and “The Essentials”, which are sponsored by advertisers.
- Premium Subscriptions: Morning Brew offers a premium subscription service called “Emergence”, which provides subscribers with additional content, access to events, and exclusive newsletters.
- E-commerce: Morning Brew has launched an e-commerce store called “Shop the Brew” that sells branded merchandise and products recommended by its editors.
Overall, Morning Brew has diversified its revenue streams beyond its original email newsletter, leveraging its audience and brand to create a range of products and services
morning brew annual revenue:
company’s revenue was estimated to be around $20 million in 2020, prior to its acquisition by Business Insider.
2.The Skimm – A daily newsletter that provides a quick overview of the day’s top news stories.
the skimm revenue streams:
TheSkimm is a digital media company that produces a daily newsletter covering news and current events in a conversational and digestible format. The company has diversified its revenue streams beyond its original newsletter to include several other products and services. Here are some of the main revenue streams of TheSkimm:
- Advertising: TheSkimm generates revenue by selling ad space in its daily newsletter and on its website. The company offers a range of ad formats, including sponsored content, display ads, and dedicated emails.
- Subscription services: TheSkimm offers a premium subscription service called Skimm Ahead, which provides subscribers with a daily calendar of upcoming events and important dates. The company also offers a paid audio service, Skimm Notes, which provides audio versions of its daily newsletter.
- Branded content: TheSkimm produces branded content for advertisers, including articles, videos, and podcasts.
- Events: TheSkimm hosts events for its audience, including panels and workshops. These events are sponsored by companies looking to reach TheSkimm’s predominantly female millennial audience.
- Licensing: TheSkimm licenses its content to other media outlets, including NBC News and ABC News, which use TheSkimm’s conversational style to engage younger audiences.
the skimm annual revenue: Overall, TheSkimm has diversified its revenue streams by leveraging its brand and engaged audience to offer a range of products and services beyond its original newsletter. This has allowed the company to grow and scale its business, while continuing to provide valuable content to its readers.
As a privately held company, TheSkimm does not disclose its annual revenue figures. However, according to reports, the company’s revenue was estimated to be around $30 million in 2019.
Since then, TheSkimm has continued to expand its revenue streams beyond its daily newsletter to include subscription services, branded content, events, and licensing partnerships. These additional revenue streams have likely contributed to the company’s overall revenue growth, though exact figures are not publicly available.
In recent years, TheSkimm has also raised funding from investors, including Google Ventures and Spanx founder Sara Blakely. The company has used this funding to invest in new products and services, as well as to expand its team and operations.
Overall, TheSkimm’s unique approach to news and current events, as well as its strong brand and engaged audience, have positioned it as a major player in the media industry. While exact revenue figures are not publicly available, the company’s continued growth and expansion suggest that it is a profitable and successful business.
3.The Hustle – A daily newsletter that provides a mix of business, tech, and culture news and analysis:
the hustle revenue streams:
The Hustle is a media company that produces newsletters, podcasts, and events aimed at entrepreneurs and business leaders. The company’s revenue streams are diversified, with a mix of advertising, subscription services, and events. Here are some of the main revenue streams of The Hustle:
- Advertising: The Hustle generates revenue by selling ad space in its newsletters and on its website. The company offers a range of ad formats, including sponsored content, display ads, and dedicated emails.
- Subscription services: The Hustle offers a premium subscription service called Trends, which provides subscribers with access to exclusive content, research reports, and industry insights.
- Events: The Hustle hosts events for entrepreneurs and business leaders, including conferences and networking events. These events are sponsored by companies looking to reach The Hustle’s audience.
- E-commerce: The Hustle has an e-commerce store called The Hustle Shop, which sells branded merchandise and products recommended by its editors.
- Podcasts: The Hustle produces several podcasts, including “My First Million” and “The Hustle & Flowchart Podcast”. These podcasts are sponsored by advertisers.
Overall, The Hustle has built a successful media business by leveraging its brand and engaged audience to offer a range of products and services. This has allowed the company to diversify its revenue streams and grow its business, while continuing to provide valuable content and resources to its readers and listeners. While exact revenue figures are not publicly available, The Hustle’s success and continued growth suggest that it is a profitable and successful business.
the hustle annual revenue:
As a privately held company, The Hustle does not disclose its annual revenue figures. However, according to reports, the company’s revenue was estimated to be around $13 million in 2020.
Since then, The Hustle has continued to expand its revenue streams and audience reach, with the launch of new products and services, such as the Hustle Studio, a creative agency that helps brands reach The Hustle’s audience, and Hustle Con, an annual conference for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
In addition to its revenue streams, The Hustle has also raised funding from investors, including 500 Startups and Y Combinator. The company has used this funding to invest in new products and services, as well as to expand its team and operations.
Overall, The Hustle’s success in building a loyal following among entrepreneurs and business leaders has positioned it as a major player in the media industry. While exact revenue figures are not publicly available, the company’s continued growth and expansion suggest that it is a profitable and successful business.
4.Really Good Emails – A weekly newsletter that provides examples of well-designed and effective marketing emails.
Really Good Emails revenue streams:
Really Good Emails (RGE) is a website that provides a curated collection of email designs and examples, along with resources and tools for email marketers. Here are some of the main revenue streams of Really Good Emails:
- Subscription service: RGE offers a premium subscription service called RGE Pro, which provides subscribers with access to advanced features and tools, such as a drag-and-drop email builder, email analytics, and email inspiration based on their industry.
- Advertising: RGE generates revenue by selling ad space on its website and in its newsletter. The company offers a range of ad formats, including sponsored content, display ads, and dedicated emails.
- Affiliate marketing: RGE earns commissions by promoting and recommending email marketing tools and services to its audience. These recommendations are based on the company’s own experience and research, and are designed to help its audience make informed decisions about which tools to use.
- E-commerce: RGE has an online store called RGE Merch, which sells branded merchandise and products related to email marketing, such as email design templates and email marketing courses.
Overall, RGE’s revenue streams are diversified, with a mix of subscription services, advertising, affiliate marketing, and e-commerce. This has allowed the company to build a successful business by providing value to email marketers and designers, while also generating revenue through various channels. While exact revenue figures are not publicly available, RGE’s unique approach and engaged audience suggest that it is a profitable and successful business.
Really Good Emails annual revenue:
As a privately held company, Really Good Emails (RGE) does not disclose its annual revenue figures. However, according to reports, the company’s revenue was estimated to be around $1 million in 2020.
In addition to its revenue streams, RGE has also raised funding from investors, including Y Combinator and Pioneer. The company has used this funding to invest in new products and services, as well as to expand its team and operations.
5.NextDraft – A daily newsletter that provides a curated selection of the day’s most interesting news stories:
nextdraft revenue streams:
NextDraft is a daily newsletter that provides a curated summary of the day’s top news stories and events. The newsletter is free to subscribers, but the company generates revenue through a few different streams:
- Advertising: NextDraft generates revenue by selling ad space in its newsletters and on its website. The company offers a range of ad formats, including sponsored content, display ads, and dedicated emails.
- Sponsored content: In addition to traditional advertising, NextDraft also generates revenue by partnering with brands to create custom sponsored content. This content is designed to fit seamlessly into the newsletter and provide value to readers while also promoting the brand’s message.
- Affiliate marketing: NextDraft earns commissions by promoting and recommending products and services to its audience. These recommendations are based on the company’s own experience and research, and are designed to help its audience make informed decisions about which products to use.
- Donations: NextDraft also offers a donation model, where readers can choose to support the company with a one-time or recurring donation. This allows the company to generate revenue from readers who value the content and want to support its continued production.
Overall, NextDraft’s revenue streams are diversified, with a mix of advertising, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and donations. This has allowed the company to build a successful business by providing value to its audience while also generating revenue through various channels. While exact revenue figures are not publicly available, the company’s engaged audience and unique approach to news curation suggest that it is a profitable and successful business.
nextdraft annual revenue:
As a privately held company, NextDraft does not disclose its annual revenue figures. However, according to reports, the company’s revenue was estimated to be around $2 million in 2020.
Since then, NextDraft has continued to grow its audience and expand its revenue streams through the launch of new products and services, such as custom sponsored content and affiliate marketing partnerships.
In addition to its revenue streams, NextDraft has also received funding from investors and partnerships with media companies, including the Los Angeles Times and Apple News. These partnerships have helped the company expand its reach and increase its revenue potential.
Overall, NextDraft’s success in providing a unique and engaging approach to news curation has positioned it as a key player in the media industry. While exact revenue figures are not publicly available, the company’s continued growth and expansion suggest that it is a profitable and successful business.
6.The Daily Stoic – A daily newsletter that provides daily wisdom from the Stoics.
The Daily Stoic Revenue Streams:
The Daily Stoic is a brand that provides daily emails, books, and other resources related to the philosophy of stoicism. Here are some of the main revenue streams of The Daily Stoic:
- Book sales: The Daily Stoic has published several books, including “The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living” and “The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on the Art of Living.” These books are sold through various channels, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the company’s own website.
- Merchandise sales: The Daily Stoic sells branded merchandise, such as t-shirts, mugs, and journals, through its online store. These products are designed to appeal to fans of stoicism and provide them with a way to show their support for the brand.
- Course sales: The Daily Stoic offers online courses and workshops related to stoicism and personal development. These courses are sold through the company’s website and are designed to provide additional value to fans of the brand.
- Affiliate marketing: The Daily Stoic earns commissions by promoting and recommending products and services related to stoicism and personal development. These recommendations are based on the company’s own experience and research, and are designed to help its audience make informed decisions about which products to use.
Overall, The Daily Stoic’s revenue streams are diversified, with a mix of book sales, merchandise sales, course sales, and affiliate marketing. This has allowed the company to build a successful brand by providing value to fans of stoicism and personal development while also generating revenue through various channels. While exact revenue figures are not publicly available, the company’s engaged audience and loyal following suggest that it is a profitable and successful business.
The Daily Stoic annual revenue:
As a privately held company, The Daily Stoic does not disclose its annual revenue figures. However, the brand has been successful in building a loyal following and generating revenue through a variety of channels, including book sales, merchandise sales, course sales, and affiliate marketing.
The Daily Stoic’s books have been New York Times bestsellers and have been translated into several languages, indicating strong sales and revenue. In addition, the brand’s merchandise has a strong following among fans of stoicism and personal development, which likely contributes to its revenue.
The company also offers online courses and workshops, which provide additional revenue streams and value to its audience. These courses have received positive reviews and are likely a significant contributor to the company’s revenue.
Overall, while exact revenue figures are not publicly available, The Daily Stoic’s engaged audience and successful sales of books, merchandise, and courses suggest that it is a profitable and successful brand.
7.The New Yorker Today – A daily newsletter that provides a selection of articles, essays, and cartoons from The New Yorker.
The New Yorker Today newsletter revenue streams:
The New Yorker Today is a daily newsletter that provides a curated selection of news stories, cultural coverage, and commentary from The New Yorker magazine. As a part of The New Yorker magazine, The New Yorker Today likely generates revenue through a variety of channels, including:
- Advertising: The New Yorker Today newsletter likely includes advertisements from sponsors and advertisers. These advertisements are often targeted to specific audiences based on their interests and demographics.
- Subscription revenue: While the New Yorker Today newsletter is free to subscribers, it is possible that the newsletter could become part of a paid subscription package in the future. This would provide a new revenue stream for The New Yorker.
- Affiliate marketing: The New Yorker Today may earn commissions by promoting and recommending products and services to its subscribers. This would allow the newsletter to generate revenue while providing value to its audience.
- Sponsored content: The New Yorker Today may work with sponsors or advertisers to create sponsored content that is integrated into the newsletter. This would allow the newsletter to generate revenue while providing advertisers with a new way to reach their target audience.
Overall, The New Yorker Today likely generates revenue through a variety of channels, including advertising, subscriptions, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. However, as it is a part of The New Yorker magazine, it is difficult to estimate the specific revenue generated by the newsletter alone.
The New Yorker Today newsletter annual revenue:
As a part of The New Yorker magazine, it is difficult to estimate the specific annual revenue generated by The New Yorker Today newsletter alone. The New Yorker is a privately held company and does not publicly disclose its revenue figures for individual products or services.
However, as mentioned in my previous response, The New Yorker Today newsletter likely generates revenue through a variety of channels, including advertising, subscriptions, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. The newsletter has a large and engaged audience, which makes it an attractive platform for advertisers and sponsors.
Overall, while exact revenue figures for The New Yorker Today newsletter are not publicly available, it likely contributes to the overall revenue of The New Yorker magazine, which had a total annual revenue of around $126 million in 2020.
8.The Prepared – A weekly newsletter that provides insights and analysis on manufacturing and supply chain issues.
the prepared newsletter revenue streams:
The Prepared is a subscription-based newsletter that provides analysis and insights on manufacturing, supply chain, and industry trends. The newsletter generates revenue primarily through subscriptions, with several different subscription tiers available. In addition to subscriptions, The Prepared may also generate revenue through other channels, including:
- Advertising: The Prepared may include sponsored content or advertisements from sponsors and advertisers, although this is not a primary revenue stream.
- Consulting services: The Prepared’s founder, Spencer Wright, also offers consulting services to manufacturing and supply chain companies, which may generate additional revenue for the company.
- Speaking engagements: Spencer Wright is a well-known industry expert and may be invited to speak at conferences or other events, which could provide additional revenue for The Prepared.
Overall, while advertising, consulting services, and speaking engagements may provide additional revenue for The Prepared, the primary revenue stream is likely through subscriptions. As a subscription-based newsletter, The Prepared’s revenue is directly tied to its ability to attract and retain subscribers.
the prepared newsletter annual revenue:
As a private company, The Prepared does not publicly disclose its annual revenue. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the exact annual revenue generated by The Prepared newsletter.
However, we can make some estimates based on available information. The Prepared has several different subscription tiers available, ranging from $10 per month to $1,000 per month. The company has a loyal following and has been successful in attracting subscribers who are interested in manufacturing, supply chain, and industry trends.
Based on this information, it is likely that The Prepared generates a significant annual revenue from its subscription base. However, without more specific information on the number of subscribers and subscription tiers, it is difficult to estimate the exact annual revenue generated by The Prepared newsletter.
9.Austin Kleon – A weekly newsletter that provides insights on creativity, art, and culture:
Austin Kleon newsletter revenue streams:
Austin Kleon is a writer and artist who sends out a weekly newsletter to his subscribers. The newsletter is free to subscribe to and provides updates on Kleon’s latest work, as well as links to interesting articles, books, and other resources. Kleon likely generates revenue through a variety of channels, including:
- Book sales: Kleon is the author of several books, including “Steal Like an Artist” and “Keep Going.” He may promote these books to his newsletter subscribers, which could lead to increased sales and revenue.
- Speaking engagements: Kleon is also a popular speaker and may be invited to speak at events and conferences. These speaking engagements could provide additional revenue for Kleon.
- Merchandise: Kleon sells merchandise, including prints and stickers, on his website. He may promote these products to his newsletter subscribers, which could lead to increased sales and revenue.
- Patreon: Kleon has a Patreon account where subscribers can support his work on a monthly basis. This could provide a steady source of revenue for Kleon.
Overall, while the Austin Kleon newsletter itself is free, Kleon generates revenue through a variety of channels, including book sales, speaking engagements, merchandise, and Patreon.
Austin Kleon newsletter annual revenue:
As a private individual, Austin Kleon does not publicly disclose his annual revenue, and information on the revenue generated specifically by his newsletter is not available.
However, we can make some estimates based on available information. Austin Kleon is a successful author and artist, and he likely generates a significant portion of his revenue through book sales, speaking engagements, merchandise, and Patreon, as mentioned in my previous response.
While the newsletter itself is free, it helps Kleon to connect with his audience and promote his work, which may lead to increased revenue through these other channels. Therefore, while the specific annual revenue generated by the Austin Kleon newsletter is not available, it likely contributes to Kleon’s overall revenue as an author and artist.
10.The Pudding – A weekly newsletter that provides fascinating data visualizations and analysis on a variety of topics
the pudding newsletter revenue streams:
The Pudding is a digital publication that produces data-driven visual essays. They have a weekly newsletter that provides updates on their latest work and highlights interesting data-related content from around the web. The Pudding generates revenue through a variety of channels, including:
- Sponsorships: The Pudding may include sponsored content or advertisements from sponsors and advertisers in their newsletter, which could provide a significant source of revenue.
- Memberships: The Pudding offers a membership program where subscribers can support their work on a monthly or annual basis. Members receive perks such as access to exclusive content and early access to new projects. Membership fees could provide a steady source of revenue for The Pudding.
- Merchandise: The Pudding sells merchandise, including t-shirts and posters, on their website. They may promote these products to their newsletter subscribers, which could lead to increased sales and revenue.
- Grants: The Pudding has received grants from organizations such as the Knight Foundation, which could provide additional revenue for the company.
Overall, while advertising, memberships, merchandise, and grants may provide revenue for The Pudding, the primary revenue stream is likely through sponsorships. As a digital publication that produces high-quality visual content, The Pudding has a unique opportunity to attract sponsors and advertisers who are interested in reaching a highly engaged audience.
the pudding newsletter annual revenue:
As a private company, The Pudding does not publicly disclose its annual revenue, and information on the revenue generated specifically by its newsletter is not available.
However, we can make some estimates based on available information. The Pudding is a popular and well-respected digital publication that produces high-quality visual content, and it is likely that the company generates a significant amount of revenue through sponsorships, memberships, merchandise sales, and grants, as mentioned in my previous response.
While the specific annual revenue generated by The Pudding’s newsletter is not available, it likely contributes to the company’s overall revenue by promoting its content and driving traffic to its website. Additionally, as a highly engaged and loyal audience, newsletter subscribers may be more likely to become members or purchase merchandise, which could provide additional revenue streams for The Pudding.
how much money do paid newsletters make:
The amount of money that paid newsletters make can vary widely depending on a number of factors, such as the size and engagement of their audience, the niche they serve, the quality of their content, and their pricing strategy.
Some paid newsletters may only have a few hundred subscribers and charge a few dollars per month, while others may have tens of thousands of subscribers and charge hundreds of dollars per year. According to one study by the media platform Substack, the top 10% of paid newsletters on their platform earn an average of over $15,000 per month, with some top earners making over $100,000 per month.
However, it’s worth noting that the vast majority of paid newsletters are not profitable, and many struggle to attract and retain subscribers. It takes time, effort, and skill to build a loyal audience and consistently produce high-quality content that people are willing to pay for.
Overall, while there is potential to make money with a paid newsletter, success is not guaranteed, and it requires a lot of hard work and dedication to build a sustainable revenue stream.
top 10 paid newsletter on substack:
- Divinations by Nathan Baschez and Dan Shipper – A tech-focused newsletter with in-depth analysis and commentary on the industry.
- Everything by Jason Calacanis – A daily newsletter covering tech news, startup advice, and interviews with industry leaders.
- Lenny’s Newsletter by Lenny Rachitsky – A newsletter featuring interviews with successful entrepreneurs and insights on startup growth.
- Sinocism by Bill Bishop – A daily newsletter covering news and analysis of China’s politics, economy, and society.
- The Diff by Byrne Hobart – A newsletter covering technology and finance, with a focus on long-term trends and strategic analysis.
- Culture Study by Anne Helen Petersen – A newsletter exploring the intersection of culture, media, and society.
- Not Boring by Packy McCormick – A newsletter covering business strategy and analysis, with a focus on tech and startups.
- The Generalist by Mario Gabriele – A newsletter covering startups, venture capital, and technology news.
- Insight by Web Smith – A newsletter covering e-commerce, DTC brands, and retail strategy.
- Slow Boring by Matthew Yglesias – A newsletter covering politics, policy, and culture from a center-left perspective.
as a beginner how much money you can make from newsletter:
As a beginner, how much money you can make from a newsletter will depend on several factors such as the size of your audience, the engagement of your readers, the quality of your content, and your pricing strategy.
It’s essential to keep in mind that building an engaged audience and producing high-quality content takes time and effort. You may not see significant revenue right away, but if you consistently produce valuable content and grow your audience, you can eventually start to generate revenue through sponsorships, memberships, merchandise sales, and other monetization strategies.
To give you an idea, some beginner newsletters may start with a few hundred subscribers and charge a few dollars per month, while others may offer their content for free initially to build a loyal audience and then start charging a subscription fee once they have enough subscribers.
Overall, while it’s difficult to predict exactly how much money you can make from a newsletter as a beginner, it’s essential to focus on building a loyal and engaged audience and consistently producing high-quality content that provides value to your readers. Over time, as your audience grows and becomes more engaged, you can begin to explore different revenue streams and monetization strategies to generate income from your newsletter.
future earning potential of newsletter:
The future earning potential of newsletters is very bright , it depends on a wide range of factors, including the size and engagement of your audience, the quality of your content, and the effectiveness of your monetization strategies.
However, the popularity of newsletters has been growing in recent years, and many people have found success in building profitable newsletter businesses. Some of the most successful newsletter writers have been able to generate six-figure or even seven-figure incomes through a combination of advertising, sponsorships, memberships, and other monetization strategies.
One of the reasons why newsletters have become more popular in recent years is that they offer a unique opportunity to connect directly with readers and build a loyal audience. By creating valuable content and engaging with your subscribers on a regular basis, you can develop a relationship with your readers that can lead to long-term revenue streams and a successful business.
Overall, while the future earning potential of newsletters is hard to predict, there is no doubt that newsletters can be a profitable and rewarding business for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to build a loyal audience and produce high-quality content.
