I know what you are thinking. A newsletter? That sounds like a lot of work for not a lot of money. Stick with me because I am about to change your mind and I am going to show you exactly what I use because I built this one myself.
Why a newsletter is actually a great side hustle:
You do not need a huge following. You do not need to be on camera. You do not need to post on social media every day hoping the algorithm likes you. You write, you send, your audience gets it directly in their inbox. No middleman. No algorithm. No shadowban.
A newsletter is one of the few things online where you actually own your audience.
How do you make money with a newsletter?
Multiple ways — and you can stack them:
Affiliate links — recommend products and tools you actually use and earn a commission when people sign up or buy through your link. This is what I do.
Sponsorships — once you have a decent list, brands will pay to be featured in your newsletter
Digital products — sell a guide, a template, a mini course, anything your audience needs
Paid subscriptions — charge readers a monthly fee for premium content
Your own services — use the newsletter to drive people to whatever you offer
You do not need all of these on day one. Pick one and grow from there.
What do you write about?
Whatever you know. Whatever you research. Whatever your people need. You could write about budgeting, meal planning, local deals, parenting, fitness, whatever you are genuinely into. If you have knowledge someone else needs, you have a newsletter.
Where do you start?
Right here. Go ahead and click it.
I use Beehiiv and I recommend it without hesitation. Here is why:
Free to start — up to 2,500 subscribers, unlimited sends, zero dollars. No credit card required.
You get a real website — your newsletter automatically gets its own web page where people can subscribe and read your issues
Built in growth tools — referral programs, newsletter recommendations, subscriber boosts built right in
You own your list — export your subscribers anytime, they go with you wherever you go
Multiple ways to monetize built in — Beehiiv has tools for paid subscriptions, ads, and boosts all inside the platform
Full transparency: that is my referral link. If you sign up I may earn a small credit. You pay nothing extra and my opinion does not change based on what pays me. I used Beehiiv before I had a referral link. Bonus, use my referral link and I will be happy to mention your new newsletter in mine!
Startup cost: $0
That is it. Free to start, free to grow until you hit 2,500 subscribers. By the time you need to upgrade you should already be making money from it.
The hardest part is just starting. Pick a topic, sign up, write your first issue. It does not have to be perfect. Mine was not.
👉 Start free: https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Jennifer-Brynelsen
Next issue we are digging into another side hustle with zero startup cost. Stay tuned.
Know someone who has been wanting to start something of their own? Forward this. That is exactly who this newsletter is for.
— Jen