✉️ How I Turned Emails into Income: Making Money with Substack in 2025

I used to believe that only influencers or tech geniuses could earn money online. I wasn't either. I was a tired 9-to-5 copywriter, stuck in corporate jargon and emails I didn't care to write.

But in March 2024, I found Substack.

I had no clue what it was. A friend sent me a link to a newsletter that was so raw and honest, it felt like a letter written just for me. At the bottom, there was a small line:

“Want to write your own? Start a Substack. It’s free.”

That’s when it began.

📘 What is Substack?

Substack is a platform that lets anyone start a free newsletter. Readers subscribe by email. You can send your writing directly to their inbox, like a blog—but more personal. And the twist?

You can make money.

When you activate paid subscriptions, readers can choose to support your work—monthly, yearly, or as a one-time donation. You don’t need a publisher, ads, or sponsors. Just your voice.

🚀 How I Got Started (With $0)

I didn’t invest a cent. Here’s how I launched my Substack:

Step 1: I Picked a Simple Topic

I didn’t overthink it. I chose “Honest Mondays,” a newsletter where I’d share weekly reflections about burnout, ambition, and self-worth.

Step 2: Wrote One Post a Week

I committed to writing once a week. Not viral content—just real, valuable thoughts.

Step 3: Invited 30 Friends

I sent my first newsletter to 30 people I knew. Within a week, 8 of them subscribed. Two signed up for the paid plan—$5/month.

Step 4: Added a Personal Touch

At the end of every issue, I added:

“If this made you feel something, consider supporting the newsletter.”

💸 When the First Payment Came In…

I remember the email notification:

“You have a new paid subscriber.”

It was only $5. But it felt like a million.

Someone had paid—not for a product, not for a class, but just… to read what I wrote. I cried.

🧠 Why Substack Works (Even if You’re Not Famous)

• You own your list. These are real emails—not followers on a platform that could disappear.
• Readers choose you. They’re not scrolling randomly. They opted in because you offer them something real.
• It’s free to start. You only pay a small platform fee after you start earning.

Even more beautiful? You don’t need 1,000 subscribers to make money.

You just need 10 people who truly believe in your work.

📈 My Growth in 6 Months

I didn’t go viral. I grew slowly, organically.

Here’s how it unfolded:

• Month 1: 30 total subscribers, 2 paid = $10/month
• Month 3: 300 subscribers, 30 paid = ~$150/month
• Month 6: 1,000 subscribers, 80 paid = $480/month

Some paid yearly. Some sent $50 tips.

All because of one newsletter a week.

🛠️ Tips for Growing on Substack

1. Choose a theme you care about. Burnout, parenting, indie fiction—whatever your lane, stay honest.
2. Be consistent. Pick a day and show up every week.
3. Talk to your readers. Ask questions. Invite replies.
4. Use social media to cross-promote. Post a quote or short teaser with the Substack link.
5. Don’t chase numbers—build trust.

💬 Final Thoughts

Substack isn’t a get-rich-quick platform. But if you love to write—and want to earn from your words without ads or algorithms—this is the goldmine nobody told you about.

You already write messages, posts, stories.

Why not own your list and turn your voice into value?

My next goal is $1,000/month—and all I need to do is keep writing.

You can start yours on Substack, today, for free.

Because sometimes, all you need to build something meaningful… is to press "send."