Reginaldo Osnildo
Learn how to create paid content on Substack and build recurring revenue from your local news site. No paywalls—just smart strategy.
Turn News Into Income: How to Monetize Your Substack
Hey again! Reginaldo Osnildo here, and today we’re getting into a hot topic:How do you actually make money from your local journalism on Substack?
Look, I know most of us didn’t get into local news for the cash—we’re here to inform, connect, and serve. But let’s be real: doing it for free isn’t sustainable.
That’s where Substack shines. It makes it incredibly easy to earn real money from your work—without ads, sponsors, or complicated tech setups.
So let’s break down how to turn your Substack into a steady, low-cost income stream that lets you keep doing what you love.
1. How Monetization on Substack Works
Substack’s business model is simple:
- You publish content (news, newsletters, features)
- You choose which posts are free and which are paid
- Readers pay to subscribe to your premium content
- Substack takes a small percentage (you keep most of the revenue)
No contracts. No algorithms. Just direct support from your community.
2. What to Offer as Paid Content
Here’s the big question: What should people pay for?
It’s not about locking everything behind a paywall. The key is value.Here’s what works well as paid content:
- Exclusive articles
- Early access
- Premium newsletters
- Bonus interviews
- Subscriber-only Q&As
- Community perks
(deep dives, analysis, investigations)
to stories or event coverage
(like "Insider Updates" or “Behind the Scenes”)
or extended audio content
or live chats
(shoutouts, polls, input on coverage topics)
Pro Tip: Offer 80–90% of your content for free at first to build trust. Then slowly introduce paid extras.
3. Set Your Subscription Pricing
Substack recommends:
- $5/month
- $50/year (with a discount)
- $150+ for founding members
(supporters who want to go the extra mile)
You can customize your prices, but keep it simple.
Make sure the value is obvious. Use a line like:“For just $1/week, you’ll support independent, local news that matters.”
4. When to Introduce Paid Subscriptions
Here’s the rule of thumb: Build before you bill.
You can technically start charging on day one, but I recommend:
- Growing your email list to at least 200–300 subscribers
- Publishing consistently for 30–60 days
- Giving your audience a reason to trust your work
Once people know your content is worth it, they’ll be happy to pay to keep it going.
5. How to Announce Paid Content
When you're ready, make it a moment.Here’s a sample format for your announcement:
Subject Line:
“We’re Going Premium (Here’s What You’ll Get)”
Body:
- Why you’re launching paid content
- What will remain free
- What new perks subscribers will get
- How it supports your mission and sustainability
- Direct link to subscribe
End with a warm, human CTA:“If you’ve found value in what I do, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps keep local journalism alive and thriving.”
6. Use a Soft Paywall, Not a Hard One
Instead of blocking content completely, try:
- Partial previews
- Split newsletters
- Link-in-email exclusives
- Bonus content posts
(first few paragraphs are free)
(summary in free, full report in paid)
(available only to paid inboxes)
that add to what free readers already enjoy
This way, you give value to everyone—but offer more to those who support you.
7. Add Founding Member Options
People love to support causes they believe in.
Offer a “Founding Member” plan with:
- Special mention or thank-you
- Direct email access to you
- Quarterly shoutouts
- Early access to reports
- Exclusive polls or behind-the-scenes updates
It’s not about perks—it’s about community ownership.
8. Don’t Be Shy About Promoting Your Paid Content
Mention it often—but naturally. Some easy ways:
- Add a postscript at the end of every article
- Use banners or bold CTAs: “Enjoying this story? Get exclusive updates as a subscriber.”
- Occasionally resend a premium post with a teaser to free readers
- Mention how many people are already supporting you: “Join 217 readers who support local journalism here.”
People want to help—but only if you ask.
9. Track and Adjust
Substack gives you great metrics:
- Free vs. paid subscriber growth
- Most-read posts
- Conversion rates
- Cancellation trends
Use this data to improve your offering:
- Which stories drive new subs? Do more of those.
- Are people dropping off after a month? Add more welcome content.
- Not converting? Offer a discount or limited-time bonus.
It’s a living system—tweak it as you go.
10. Monetize Beyond Subscriptions (Optional)
Once your audience grows, explore:
- Sponsored content (local businesses)
- Event partnerships
- Donations or tip jars
- Affiliate links
- Print editions or merch
- Workshops or consulting
(ethically, of course)
But start simple: subscriptions first.
Want the Full Monetization Blueprint?
If this post opened your eyes to the income potential of local journalism, there’s so much more waiting for you in the complete e-book:
👉 Local Journalism on Substack: How to Create a Low-Cost, Monetizable News Site and Newsletter Network
Inside you’ll get:
- Paid content templates
- Launch scripts for announcing subscriptions
- Pricing models that actually convert
- Engagement strategies for keeping subscribers loyal
- My personal 30-day monetization action plan
You’re not just a journalist. You’re a creator, a community builder—and yes, a business owner too.
Let’s build your Substack into something sustainable and meaningful.