Why Every Creator Needs a Newsletter in 2025
And why social media followers aren't enough anymore...
"Your account has been suspended."
That's the message I woke up to last year. Three years of content creation, 100K+ followers, all gone in an instant. No warning, no explanation, just... gone.
I felt sick to my stomach. I'd built my entire business on borrowed land.
Maybe you can relate? You're creating content, building an audience, gaining traction... but deep down, there's this nagging feeling that it could all disappear tomorrow.
The Breaking Point
Earlier this year, I hit a wall. The algorithm changes were killing my reach. My engagement was dropping. And worst of all? Even when I did get views, I was speaking to strangers – not building real connections.
That's when I made a decision that changed everything: I went all-in on my newsletter.
The Counterintuitive Discovery
Here's what nobody tells you about social media: The bigger your following gets, the less connection you have with your audience. It's backwards, right?
But with my Substack newsletter? Something interesting happened.
Within 4 months:
3,700+ engaged subscribers
35%-40%+ open rates
5-10 product sales daily
Direct conversations with readers
Honestly, the DMs are the best part. People are actually happy to hear from me. I get to wake up every day and work with some of the most inspiring people in the world.
And the best part? I own this audience. No algorithm changes. No platform risks. Just direct access to people who want to hear from me.
Why 2025 is the Newsletter Tipping Point
Look around. The economy is shaky. Layoffs are everywhere. The cost of living keeps rising.
Meanwhile, social media platforms are:
Reducing organic reach
Pushing paid advertising
Making it harder to connect
Controlling your audience
If you gain a new follower today, there’s a slim chance they’ll actually see your post tomorrow. (Unless you’re paying for ads…)
However, if you gain a newsletter subscriber today, there’s 100% chance they’re getting your email tomorrow.
A newsletter isn't just another platform – it's your insurance policy.
The Four Pillars of Newsletter Success
While I was driving home today from the gym, I started thinking about my next Substack post. I wanted to write about why it’s essential every creator has a newsletter in this next year.
I pulled out my phone and started voice-to-text and here’s what I came up with:
1. Ownership
Think about it: When was the last time an email platform just disappeared overnight? Your email list is the only audience you truly own. Your social media following could disappear tomorrow.
2. Direct Connection
No algorithms. No filtered messages. Just direct conversations with people who want to hear from you.
3. Authority Building
Every email builds your credibility. Every email open strengthens your relationship. Every reply deepens the connection. Plus, having a growing newsletter opens up all kinds of cool opportunities. Think podcasts…book deals…summit collaborations…
4. Monetization
Here's what changed everything for me: Instead of hoping for viral posts, I focused on serving my newsletter subscribers. The result? Daily product sales without begging for attention.
My strategy is to put 100% of my helpful content out for free. Nothing’s behind a paywall.
If my audience wants more help beyond all the free content, they can opt into one of my affordable masterclasses. When they’re ready.
The Side Hustle Nobody Talks About
With the economy's uncertainty, having a newsletter isn't just smart – it's necessary. It's your low-overhead, high-impact side hustle that can grow into something bigger. It’s your backup plan.
I can’t emphasize enough how passionate I am to be sure you have a backup plan. Your day job could disappear on Monday morning. It happened to me before. Even if your newsletter only brought in an extra $500 to $1000 per month, that’s money in your emergency savings account.
When I restarted my Substack earlier this year, I was burnt out from client work. Now? I've built a system that generates consistent income with less than 10 hours of work per week.
The Simple Path Forward
You might be thinking: "But I'm starting from zero."
That's exactly where I was at the beginning of 2024. No subscribers. No system. No idea what I was doing.
Now I help others build their newsletters through my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass. It's the exact system I used to grow to 3,700+ subscribers and generate daily sales.
Quick Win You Can Use Today
Look at your last social media post that got good engagement. Turn it into a newsletter. Focus on storytelling and one key takeaway. That's your first newsletter post.
Remember: Every day you wait to start your newsletter is another day you're building on borrowed land.
Need help to get started? The Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass
If you need help TODAY, I get it. I have a solution for you: I’ve reopened doors to my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass for a few more days at a discount.
In the masterclass, I break down the exact strategy and roadmap I’ve used to grow from Zero to 3,700+ subscribers in less than 6 months. I also explain the monetization strategy I mentioned in this post that’s bringing in $3K to $5K+ per month (with daily sales).
If you’d like to get access to the masterclass before it’s taken down, just click the button below, and I’ll see you on the other side 👇
Spot on, Wes. I restructured my business this year for simplicity and Substack is a big part of that. It's a great ecosystem and I like your plan!
I worked for theee yeara at Hootsuite being super close to the social media industry and embracing content creation on LinkedIn. As soon as I started my own Substack, I moved to email marketing at ActiveCampaign - again super close in this industry. And therefore I can even prove that you‘re so right, Wes!