How Much Do Email Newsletters Make?

Introduction.

Email newsletters are one of those things we often overlook, but they’re a huge part of how businesses, influencers, and creators connect with people.

You might think sending out a few emails is a simple thing, but did you know that it could make a lot of money?

Email newsletters are more than just updates or promotions—they’re a powerful tool for generating income.

In this post, I’ll break down how much email newsletters can make, how people are making money through them, and what you need to know to start making your income from newsletters. Let’s dive into it.

How Email Newsletters Work for Making Money

Email newsletters offer a personal way to engage with an audience. The best part is they’re a direct line to people who have already shown interest in what you have to offer.

Whether you’re sharing tips, news, or exclusive deals, email gives you the chance to build a relationship with your readers.

But how does this translate into money? Well, the most common ways people make money from email newsletters are:

1. Sponsorships.

Businesses pay you to mention their products or services in your newsletter. This is one of the most straightforward ways to make money. If you’ve built an engaged audience, companies are willing to pay for the attention of those readers.

2. Affiliate Marketing.

You promote a product or service, and when someone purchases through your link, you earn a commission.

Affiliate marketing is highly effective in email newsletters because of the trust you’ve built with your readers.

3. Selling Products or Services.

Some people use their newsletters to sell their products or services. For example, creators might sell ebooks, online courses, or merchandise directly through their email lists.

4. Subscription Models.

Many newsletters charge a monthly or annual subscription fee to access exclusive content. Subscriptions can be a great way to build a steady income stream, especially if your content is highly valuable and niche.

So, how much can you make from these methods?

How Much Can You Make from Email Newsletters?

The income potential from email newsletters varies depending on the size of your audience, the niche, and how well you monetize your list. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you can expect:

1. Sponsorships.

The amount you can charge for sponsorships depends on your subscriber count and engagement rate.

On average, newsletters with around 5,000 subscribers can charge anywhere from $100 to $500 per sponsored email.

If your list is bigger or more specialized, you can charge more. Some very popular newsletters with hundreds of thousands of subscribers can charge $10,000 or more per sponsorship.

2. Affiliate Marketing.

With affiliate marketing, the earnings depend on how well your recommendations convert. For example, if you’re promoting a product with a 10% commission and you have 1,000 subscribers, you might earn between $50 to $500 for every successful referral, depending on the price of the product. Top-tier email marketers can earn thousands from affiliate sales alone.

3. Selling Products or Services.

If you have your products to sell, this can be a very profitable method. A newsletter with 2,000 active subscribers can earn between $500 and $2,000 per month, depending on the price point of what you’re selling. Some creators who sell high-ticket items, like coaching or online courses, can earn significantly more.

4. Subscription Models.

Some newsletters charge a subscription fee for premium content. For example, if you have 1,000 subscribers paying $5 a month, that’s $5,000 per month in recurring income. Of course, to get to this point, you need to consistently provide value and build trust with your audience.

Real Examples of Successful Email Newsletters

To give you a better picture, here are a few examples of successful email newsletters and how they make money:

1. The Hustle: This newsletter focuses on business, tech, and entrepreneurship news. It started as a daily newsletter and grew rapidly. The Hustle now generates revenue through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and paid subscriptions. Their email list has grown to millions of subscribers, and they make millions of dollars per year.
2. Morning Brew: A daily business newsletter that provides a quick, digestible summary of the latest news. Morning Brew makes money through sponsored content and native ads in their emails. With over 3 million subscribers, they can charge hefty amounts for sponsorships.
3. The Ann Friedman Weekly: Ann Friedman’s email newsletter is an example of a niche, paid subscription model. She sends out a weekly newsletter with recommendations and insights in a specific niche, and her subscribers pay for the value she provides.
4. TheSkimm: Aimed at millennial women, TheSkimm started as a newsletter with a simple goal: make the news easy to understand. Now, they generate revenue from sponsored content, product partnerships, and merchandise sales.

How Do I Start Making Money from My Newsletter?

If you’re thinking about starting your email newsletter to make money, here are some steps you can take:

1. Choose Your Niche.

Pick a topic you’re passionate about, but also one that has an audience willing to pay for content or products. Popular niches include personal finance, business, health, lifestyle, and self-improvement.

2. Build Your Email List.

Focus on growing your email list through content marketing, social media, or offering freebies like eBooks or exclusive guides. The more targeted your audience, the better.

3. Create Valuable Content.

People will pay attention to your emails if they find value in them. Offer tips, advice, or insights that can’t be found elsewhere. This will help you build trust and encourage engagement.

4. Monetize Your Newsletter.

Once you have a decent-sized list, start incorporating monetization strategies like sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or even selling your products. Keep testing different strategies to see what works best for you.

5. Optimize.

Track open rates, click rates, and other analytics to make sure your emails are performing well. Constantly improve your content and strategies to grow your income.

FAQs

1. Can I make money with just a few hundred subscribers?

Yes, it’s possible to make money with a smaller list, but your income will be lower compared to someone with a larger audience. You can still earn through affiliate marketing or by selling niche products directly to your smaller but highly engaged audience.

2. How long does it take to start making money from a newsletter?

It varies. If you’re starting from scratch, it might take several months to build an engaged audience. But with consistent effort, you could start earning within 6 months to a year.

3. How do I find sponsors for my newsletter?

As your email list grows, you can reach out to companies in your niche for sponsorships, or use platforms like Substack or Patreon, which connect creators with brands. Many companies are looking for newsletters with engaged readers, so be sure to highlight your audience’s interests when pitching.

4. How much should I charge for a sponsored email?

This will depend on the size of your audience and the engagement rate. A general rule is to charge around $100 for every 1,000 subscribers, but you can adjust based on your niche and how targeted your audience is.

Conclusion

Email newsletters have become a significant way to make money, whether through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or selling your products. With the right strategy, you can turn an email list into a steady income stream.

But the key is to provide value and build trust with your audience. So, are you ready to start monetizing your newsletter?