THE MAIN THING

 📈 Should You Launch Paid Subscriptions?

Probably not… Yes, I said it.

Paid newsletters can be incredibly profitable. 

They create predictable revenue, deeper audience relationships, and premium positioning in your niche. 

The math is attractive, too. If you convert even 5% of a 5,000-person list at $15/month, you're looking at $3,750 in monthly recurring revenue.

But, you need to ask yourself if you're ready to do what paid subscriptions require.

What makes people pay for content?

Subscribers will only pay for things they can't get anywhere else, like:

• Insider information from sources only you have 

• First-party data from your unique position in an industry

• Original research that requires an investment of time and resources

• Exclusive reporting with access others don't have

• Behind-the-scenes details from companies you work with

Do you see the pattern here? This content is unique and can't be replicated.

Why most creators fail at this

The barrier to creating unique and irreplaceable content is high. You might spend months developing sources before you see a dollar, or conducting research that costs money upfront. 

Everyone wants quick wins, but that's not how this works.

People, like Lenny Rachitsky, succeed with paid subscriptions because they understand that the difficulty is the moat. When something is hard to create, it's hard to copy, and that's what makes it valuable.

So before you launch a paid tier, ask yourself if you're prepared to create content that takes 10x the effort for information nobody else can provide.

If the answer is no, keep your newsletter free and focus on building your audience.

The creators making serious money from paid subscriptions got there because they have specific expertise and do the hard stuff that most people won't.

That's the real barrier to entry.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

📬 Your Business Needs A Newsletter

Orbit Marketing has launched lead-generating email newsletters for dozens of founders and creators.

Now we’re accepting a small number of clients who want to build a world-class newsletter within the next 90 days.

We’ll work with you 1:1 to:

• Pin down your positioning, voice, and editorial calendar

• Handle the tech: ESP setup, templates, automations, and design

• Write, edit, and publish your first 12 issues with unlimited revisions

If launching a newsletter has been on your roadmap but keeps slipping, this is your chance to get it right the first time.

👇🏼 Apply to work with us (limited spots available)

Book Your Free Strategy Call

THINGS IN BRIEF

1. A smart way to grow your list

I met a guy in a community who builds lots of small, fun projects. One of them is a site called 'Mini Tools.' 

There are two things I like about this page:

1. It demonstrates his skills and interests.

2. It offers the option to enter an email for updates (plus social links).

Think about how you could use a page like this to encourage signups for your newsletter.

You don't need to build a tool to set up a resource page.

Try these ideas:

1. A list of software you personally recommend (email platforms, analytics, design tools).

2. Mistake library: Common pitfalls in your niche and how to avoid them. 

3. A directory: Curated links to the best podcasts, courses, or communities in your niche. 

Then, go tell everyone about the useful 'thing' you made!

2. Tiny courses

Have you ever thought about creating a "tiny course?" The content you've already written could easily add a new income stream to your business.

You'll find everything you need to know about tiny text-based courses in this article from The Online Writing Club.

3. You've got 15 seconds

“If you can’t explain how you make people’s lives better in 15 seconds or less, you’re invisible in today’s short attention span economy.”

—Jonathan Mast

In this 2 minute clip, you’ll learn why clarity beats complexity and how your 15-second message can open the door to deeper conversations.

Send me your 15-second message, and you might see it in next week's newsletter.

4. Relatable

CLASSIFIEDS

💡 Build a Newsletter That Pays You: I found a 30-day guided sprint that gives you both strategy and application with: 1-to-1 coaching sessions, unlimited feedback, and tactics that lifted open rates by 107% and revenue by 243%. Get the growth you want. Take 60 seconds and fill out this quick form to get started.

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🐝 Beehiiv - Get 20% off your first 3 months on any plan + a 30-day trial on one of the best mailing tools out there. Get started now!

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ONE LAST THING

☝️ Part 3: Earn $100 from your next newsletter

You asked for it (thanks). Here's another overlooked tactic you can use to generate revenue:

Create a Reader-to-Reader Offer Wall

Ask readers if they want to share a deal, service, or product that would genuinely help others in your audience. 

This is less effort than selling a sponsored slot. Your existing readers often want more exposure, and the placement fee is small.

I suggest setting an affordable price between $10–$35.

• You’re basically turning a section of your newsletter into a trusted micro-marketplace.
  

• The key is to curate it well and only feature what’s relevant and useful.

You only need four people paying $25, and you've made $100 :)

💡 N.B. I've got a list of ideas for this section.

Which topic would help you most?

a) Newsletter signup page tips 

b) Lead magnet ideas to create in a day

c) Writing stronger calls to action (CTAs)

d) Other (tell me what you need in your reply)

Hit reply with an A, B, C or D. I'll start another mini series based on your interest!