4 Types of Newsletters to Consider Before Launching One
Plus how to monetize each
Struggling to grow your newsletter on Substack?
I created a resource bank to help you do just that: The Creator’s Vault
It’s a collection of mini guides and resources to help you create better content, grow your audience, and monetize with offers.
Today, newsletters are what blogs were in the early 2000s.
Everyone and their grandma seems to have one.
The good thing is, you don't have to rely on Google for traffic.
You can grow your audience by using social media, word of mouth, or collaborating with others in your space.
If you're starting a newsletter, know the different types and how to monetize them.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
1. Local Newsletters
Local newsletters focus on a specific geographic area, usually a city or a region, and cover news, events, restaurants, activities, and businesses happening in that area.
They serve as community hubs for residents seeking hyperlocal information that major news outlets might overlook.
How they make money:
Primarily through sponsored ads and brand partnerships
Local businesses pay to run featured ads in issues for a set period
Event promotions for local happenings
Real estate listings or restaurant spotlights
These newsletters can be very lucrative because open rates are typically high.
People care deeply about what's happening in their communities.
The publishing cadence is usually weekly, allowing for a comprehensive roundup of local happenings.
Successful examples: 6 AM City, and City Cast
2. Subscription-Based Newsletters
Subscription newsletters have exploded in popularity thanks to platforms like Substack and Beehiiv.
You create a newsletter around a specific skill, niche, or expertise (finance, health, politics, technology, etc.).
Once you build enough trust and value with your free content, you can offer a paid version.
Subscribers pay a monthly or annual fee for premium content.
How they make money:
Paid subscriptions (often using a freemium model)
Exclusive content and analysis for paying subscribers
Virtual events or Q&A sessions for subscribers
Bundled offerings with other newsletters or products
To succeed with a paid model, you’ll usually need to publish frequently, think daily or several times a week.
This will keep subscribers engaged and feeling like they’re getting consistent value.
Successful examples: Noahpinion by Noah Smith, and Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson.
3. Creator Newsletters
Creator newsletters are run by content creators, entrepreneurs, coaches, or influencers who have built (or are building) personal brands.
These newsletters often include tips, stories, updates, and promotions of their own products or services.
They tend to be more personal and direct compared to traditional newsletters.
Good examples are newsletters by creators like Justin Welsh, Dan Koe, and Shaan Puri.
How they make money:
Digital products (courses, ebooks, templates, guides)
Affiliate marketing for relevant products
Coaching or consulting services
Exclusive merchandise or early access to new content
Creator newsletters often go out daily or multiple times a week to maintain momentum, trust, and audience engagement.
Successful examples: Justin Welsh’s Saturday Solopreneur and Sahil Bloom’s Curiosity Chronicle.
4. Hobby or Passion-Based Newsletters
As the name suggests, these newsletters are built around a shared hobby, passion, or interest without necessarily starting with a profit motive.
Think newsletters for runners, hikers, rock climbers, photographers, home cooks, or even bird watchers.
The beauty of passion-led newsletters is that the subscribers are highly engaged.
People love reading about things they care about deeply, which often leads to higher open and click-through rates compared to other types.
How they make money:
Sponsorships from relevant brands in the niche
Paid communities or membership programs
In-person or virtual events and workshops
Merchandise and physical products
Affiliate marketing for hobby-specific gear
Specialized courses or guides
The publishing schedule is often adapted to the rhythm of the hobby.
Weekly or biweekly publishing tends to work well here — consistent enough to stay top of mind, but not overwhelming.
Successful examples: Runner’s World, Large Outdoors, Birdwatching Daily.
To Wrap Up
Starting a newsletter is one of the best ways to own your audience without relying on algorithms.
Before you dive in, take a little time to think about what kind of newsletter you want to create and how you’d like it to eventually make money (if that’s your goal).
Pick a model that fits your strengths, your passions, and the audience you want to serve.
The most successful newsletters, regardless of type, share one quality: they deliver consistent value that subscribers can't easily find elsewhere.
Start small. Stay consistent. Keep improving.
That’s how the best newsletters are built.
Need Help Growing and Monetizing Your Audience?
I created a resource bank to help you do just that: The Creator’s Vault
It’s a collection of mini guides and resources to help you create better content, grow your audience, and monetize with offers.
I like that mindset "writing for the quiet visitor."
This immediately helps to break from the constant desire for validation which happens on all social media platforms.
Thanks for sharing this Faisal.