5 Reasons Why Starting a Newsletter Might Be the Smartest Side Hustle

SPONSORED BY NEEDTOBEMARKETING

THE MAP - THE TOOLS - THE GUIDE
By Shelly Leroux · Apr 17, 2025

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

What If the Side Hustle You’ve Been Looking For Is Already in Your Inbox?

Hey there fellow side hustler,

You know those moments where someone casually says, “You’re so good at explaining things—you should write a blog or something”? Or maybe you’ve got a Notes app full of thoughts, rants, or brilliant ideas that never quite made it out into the world?

Well… what if that was the start of your next income stream?

If you love connecting with people, enjoy sharing your knowledge, or have a knack for storytelling, starting a newsletter side hustle could be your sweet spot. It’s one of the most flexible, creative, and low-cost ways to build something meaningful—whether you’re home with the kids or juggling your 9-to-5.

The best part? You don’t need a marketing degree, a million followers, or fancy tech skills. You just need your voice, a bit of structure, and a plan that makes it all feel doable.

In this issue, we’re breaking it all down:

📌 In Section 1, we’ll explore if this is the right side hustle for you. What kind of skills make a good newsletter creator? What are the real perks (and the honest drawbacks)? How much can you actually earn—and how long does it take to see results?

📌 In Section 2, you’ll get the real scoop on what it takes to run this kind of business: the tools, resources, and mindset that successful newsletter creators rely on. (Spoiler: It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things.)

📌 In Section 3, we walk you through the exact step-by-step process to get your newsletter off the ground—even if you’ve never done this before.

Oh—and stick around ‘til the end, because we’ve included a BONUS checklist to help you stay on track. You can print it, screenshot it, or tape it to your wall like the dreamer-with-a-plan you are.

So let’s kick things off with Section 1:

How Thousands Are Turning Their Everyday Knowledge Into Passive Income—By Starting a Newsletter

Let’s be honest—“start a newsletter” doesn’t exactly scream dream job, right?

Until you realize it could be the most underrated, low-cost, high-potential side hustle in today’s creator economy.

For Stay-at-Home Parents and Young Professionals alike, the path to building something meaningful, flexible, and even profitable might be hiding in your Google Docs, your texts with friends, or your camera roll. If you’ve ever taught someone something, shared a tip, told a good story, or answered “how did you do that?”—you already hold the raw ingredients for a successful newsletter.

Because we are living in the Age of the Inbox. Unlike social media, where algorithms hide your content and burn you out, newsletters go directly to your readers. You own the relationship. You build trust. You earn their attention—and if you play your cards right, their dollars.

A newsletter gives you the ability to:

And the kicker? You don’t need to be a writer. You need to be a communicator. You need to care about your topic. You need to be willing to learn.

If you're someone who:

…then this might just be your thing.

While you can learn everything you need as you go, here’s what helps:

You don’t need to be a genius or an influencer—you just need to show up and share.

Let’s talk brass tacks.

Yes, some people make six figures from newsletters—but the real magic is in steady, scalable income doing something you control. Not your boss. Not an algorithm.

This side hustle grows with you. It can be a creative outlet, a resume booster, or a full-fledged business. You decide the speed and scale.

✅ Pros:

⚠️ Cons:

Here’s where things get even more interesting.

AI tools are supercharging this side hustle. From idea generation to outlining, editing, and even helping brainstorm headlines—you’re no longer building alone. You’re building with backup.

That means less time stuck in writer’s block and more time connecting with your readers.

If you’re looking for a creative, scalable, and genuinely impactful way to earn money on your terms—yes. Starting a newsletter could be the launchpad you didn’t know you needed.

Feeling curious? A little excited? Maybe even slightly overwhelmed? Perfect.

In the next section, we’ll dive into the exact tools you can use to start a newsletter, how to keep it simple, and the kind of mindset that helps beginners not just start—but stick with it long enough to win.

Let’s make this real.