Should a YouTuber or creator start a newsletter?
Short answer
Yes. You don't control when Instagram or YouTube shows your stuff, but a newsletter lands in the inbox. If you can only start two channels, pick short-form video and a newsletter. Put a free-newsletter call to action at the top of every video description and in the first comment, then sell your own products and sponsors to that list.
Every creator needs a newsletter. They need Instagram, YouTube and a website too, but the newsletter is the channel you control.
Why does a creator need a newsletter?
"Instagram, don't control when your stuff gets shown on Instagram, right? Newsletter, you know they're going to get it, right?"
A newsletter is a direct line to your audience. Ask one well-known business author where he made most of his money: newsletters. Your pitch gets seen by your ideal readers.
Which channels should a creator start with?
If you can only start two, start with short-form video and a newsletter. The video gets attention. The newsletter keeps it.
How do you get viewers onto the list?
Put the newsletter in everything you do.
- Put it at the top of every YouTube description.
- Make the first comment on each post: if you want more of this, I send a free newsletter.
- Say "subscribe to the newsletter" at the top of every video.
- Talk about it on social media.
For more on the handoff from social to email, see turning Instagram followers into subscribers with ManyChat.
How does the newsletter make money?
- Your own products. You can sell your own products and services straight to the list.
- The same sponsors. You're probably already making money from ads on YouTube or somewhere else. Go to those advertisers and offer the newsletter for an extra fee.
- Paid growth. For creators who sell something, like B2B coaches or personal development, the math is easy. If one in 50 people who join buys a product over $100, running ads to grow the list pays for itself.
A creator with a big channel and zero email subscribers will fairly ask why they should pay for newsletter software. The bigger the channel, the less the cost of the tool matters.
Is a newsletter easier to grow than a podcast?
Much easier. It's insanely hard to get a stranger to listen to a podcast. It's not hard at all to get someone onto a newsletter. In insurance, for example, I see nobody who has the newsletter game figured out.
If you'd rather not run the back end, partner with someone who will. See launching a niche newsletter with a partner.
Answered by TJ Larkin. From client calls, Local Media HQ podcast conversations and my own notes, 2024-2026. Last updated .