👋 Hey friends,
If you’ve ever struggled with how to actually make money from your newsletter, this week’s episode is for you.
I sat down with Jesse Watkins, co-founder of Who Sponsors Stuff and co-creator of The Newsletter Conference, to pull back the curtain on the real mechanics of newsletter monetization.
Jesse’s not just an operator—he’s one of the sharpest minds in connecting publishers with the right sponsors.
But first, a quick message from Audience Bridge…
Smart Feed
Most channels promise reach. Smart Feed delivers performance — real subscribers, real intent, real results.
…Now let’s get into the cheddar. 💰
Here are the biggest takeaways from our conversation:
After less than an hour with Jesse, one thing became clear: newsletter monetization isn’t guesswork—it’s a craft.
From pricing models to sponsor fit to scaling once you’re sold out, he laid out a playbook that every publisher should study.
✅ Sponsorships Aren’t Plug-and-Play
Jesse made it clear: building sponsorship revenue takes work. You can’t just slap ads into your newsletter and expect them to convert.
“There is no plug-and-play for revenue. It’s a full concerted effort on so many different fronts.”
It’s about consistency, fit, and building trust with your readers first.
✅ Voice Matters More Than Placement
The strongest sponsorships feel like a natural extension of your brand’s voice.
“Newsletter sponsorship is about voice. You’re lending your voice to a sponsor—and if there’s no strong fit, it won’t work long term.”
Misalignment? Your audience feels it instantly.
✅ Why Flat Fee Pricing Wins
CPM and performance models might sound sexy, but they undervalue the years of effort you’ve put into building your list.
“Flat fee is the fairest pricing model. You’ve already put in the sweat equity to build the audience—advertisers shouldn’t get access for free.”
With flat fee pricing, you set the terms and keep the leverage.
✅ Direct Sales vs. Ad Networks
Networks can help fill inventory, but the real money—and control—comes from building your own advertiser relationships.
“The brands that win are the ones who own their revenue. Networks and agencies have utility, but they’re not always a necessary middleman.”
✅ When You’re Sold Out, Then What?
Monetization isn’t just about cramming more ads into your newsletter. Once your slots are full, you can increase pricing, layer in premium placements, or launch spin-off products.
“Once your inventory is full, you’ve got options: raise rates or spin up new products. But always do the basics well first.”
Growth doesn’t stop at one newsletter.
This conversation is a playbook for anyone trying to monetize a newsletter—whether you’re just landing your first sponsor or managing a full ad inventory.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to turn subscribers into sustainable revenue 👇
✅ Final Thought
Jesse reminded me of something we all need to hear: sponsorships aren’t a shortcut. They’re a strategy.
Get the fundamentals right—audience trust, brand voice, direct relationships—and revenue will follow. Don’t treat sponsorships like an afterthought.
Treat them like the business engine they really are.
Make it rain,
Chris Miquel
PS: What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to monetizing your newsletter? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear what you’re running into.
BEFORE YOU GO
Better Inbox Placement Starts Here
If your emails aren’t landing in the inbox, they’re not doing their job. I’ve seen too many brands struggle with deliverability issues without knowing why.
The truth is, a few key optimizations can make all the difference in getting your emails seen, opened, and clicked.
