Should I offer a paid newsletter, and what tools should I use?

Deciding to offer a paid newsletter is a significant step, and it's important to weigh the pros and cons while considering your audience's needs and your own capacity to consistently deliver value. Here’s a thought process to guide your decision:

1. Evaluate Your Content: First, consider whether there's a specific niche or expertise you can offer that people would be willing to pay for. The value must be clear and unique compared to free content options.

2. Assess Your Audience: Do you have a dedicated follower base that engages with your content regularly? A smaller, engaged audience is often more valuable than a large, indifferent one.

3. Consistency and Sustainability: Be honest about your ability to consistently produce high-quality content. A paid newsletter sets higher expectations—people are more demanding when their money is involved.

4. Test the Waters: Before going all in, consider launching a free version to gauge interest. Collect feedback and refine your content based on what's resonating with your audience.

5. Pricing Strategy: Start with a minimal viable product approach. Launch with a lower price initially to attract your first set of subscribers, then gradually adjust based on feedback and value provided.

Tools to Consider:

• Substack: A popular choice for paid newsletters due to its simplicity. Substack handles subscription payments and offers a straightforward platform for writing and distribution.

• Ghost: If you want more control over your website and brand, Ghost is a powerful option. It’s open-source and flexible for building out a robust content ecosystem.

• ConvertKit: Known for its email marketing capabilities, ConvertKit now offers paid newsletters with tagging and segmentation features, which can be useful for targeting specific subscriber groups.

• Revue: Acquired by Twitter, Revue integrates easily with your Twitter audience, making it a good choice if you already have a solid following there.

Anecdotal Insight:

When I was transitioning from a corporate role to creating content, I used my "Capture, Develop, Expose" framework to test ideas. I captured initial interest via a simple landing page, developed the content based on audience feedback, and exposed it through consistent delivery and iterative improvement. This method helped me refine my offerings and decide which content was valuable enough to monetize.

Ultimately, redefine success on your terms. A paid newsletter is a commitment, but if aligned with your passion and audience needs, it can be a rewarding venture both creatively and financially.