Sparkle on Substack (Live) When is the RIGHT time to monetise your Substack Publication?
Oct 15, 2025
Claire dives into the intricacies of monetizing newsletters on Substack. She highlights the difference between paid newsletters and memberships, emphasizing sustainable, low-energy publishing. Tips on pricing, community building, and managing subscriber churn shine through. Claire encourages new writers to overcome imposter syndrome, reassuring them that their unique voice matters. She also discusses the value of personal branding and the importance of tailored content, all while advocating for the security of recurring revenue streams.
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Choose Newsletter Or Membership First
- Decide clearly whether you are running a paid newsletter or a membership before setting price and features.
- Separate community-led membership offerings from paywalled writing to avoid burnout and pricing confusion.
Model Net Income Before Pricing
- Use a calculator to model net income after Substack and Stripe fees before choosing a price.
- Let numbers guide whether a paid newsletter or membership suits your financial goals and workload.
Start With Low-Energy Paid Newsletters
- Start with a paid newsletter for lower risk and lower ongoing energy commitment.
- Plan cadence and breaks (eg. monthly posts, August off) and communicate them clearly to subscribers.