Why Your $5 Low-Priced Newsletter is Attracting the Wrong Subscribers
The counter-intuitive truth about newsletter pricing (and what actually works in 2025)
When I started my resume writing business, I'd take any client I could get.
$20 per resume. For real. I was just trying to get experience, client reviews, and build my portfolio.
Big mistake. Sure, it got me started, but it was a very rough start.
What happened? I attracted terrible clients. The ones who demanded endless revisions, complained about everything, and expected premium service at budget prices.
You're doing the same thing with your newsletter right now.
While you're following all the standard advice about "keeping prices low (or free) to attract subscribers," you're actually creating a bigger problem:
You're building an audience of tire-kickers.
You're attracting subscribers who don't value expertise.
You're setting up a business model that's impossible to scale.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most writers stay broke because they’re afraid to sell. They value the “craft” and love the work they do. So, they almost feel like ti should be given away for free.
No, no my friend. We’re going to change that mindset today.
Here's what makes this really frustrating...
Everywhere you look, the advice is the same:
"Start at $5 to get more subscribers…"
"Keep it free while you grow…"
"Don’t try to sell or people will unsubscribe…”
But here's what everyone misses: The subscribers who subscribe for free or pay $5 are usually the ones who demand the most and value your work the least.
I discovered this the hard way.
When I gave away resumes for $20, I got complainers.
When I offered free lead magnets, I got tire-kickers.
When I undervalued my expertise, I attracted people who did the same.
Then I discovered something that changed everything...
The price you charge doesn't just determine your income – it determines the quality of your entire community.
Let me show you exactly what I mean...
The Hidden Cost of Low-Priced $5 Subscriptions
Let's do some quick math.
At $5 per month, you need:
200 paid subscribers to make $1,000/month
1,000 paid subscribers to make $5,000/month
2,000 paid subscribers to make $10,000/month
But here's the real problem: It's not just about the numbers.
When you charge $5 (or free), you're telling the world (and yourself) that your expertise is worth less than a cup of coffee. You're building a business model that requires massive volume just to make a decent income.
Think about what this means:
Constant pressure to create content
Endless marketing to get new subscribers
Higher refund and churn rates
More support headaches
I see this happening everywhere:
Writers spending months building free audiences, hoping they'll eventually convert to paid.
Newsletter creators working twice as hard to please subscribers who pay less than the cost of lunch.
Everyone following the same broken playbook: "Build a huge free audience first, then monetize with cheap subscriptions."
Here's what nobody talks about...
There's a direct correlation between price and subscriber quality. The data shows it clearly:
Free subscribers or customers demand the most support.
$5 subscribers have the highest complaint rates.
Premium subscribers actually take action and get results.
I learned this lesson in my coaching business:
When I charged $20 for resumes, clients were a nightmare.
When I charged $200, clients showed up prepared.
When I charged $2,000 for career packages, clients got amazing results.
The funny truth is that when people pay for something and put “skin in the game,” they’re much more likely to actually take action.
You’re doing your audience a disservice by giving away everything or free or charging a few dollars for your expertise. People won’t take you seriously.
The same principle applies to your newsletter.
But there's a better way to do this...
The Better Approach: Premium Pricing from Day One
Here's what smart newsletter creators do differently:
Instead of starting with cheap subscriptions, they build value-based offers from the beginning.
Think about it:
Charging $5/month = $60 per year per subscriber
Selling one $297 digital product = same as 5 yearly subscribers
But it's not just about the money.
When someone pays $297 for your product:
They're more likely to implement
They value your expertise
They get better results
They become great testimonials
I’m not saying you can’t or shouldn’t have a paid tier for your newsletter. You definitely should, and of course this is the mission of Substack. However, the mindset of a cheap subscription isn’t serving you or your audience.
Consider charging on the higher end for your paid tier. The paid tier offers more of a community, more support, more in-depth content that the free tier.
In a sea of $5 subscriptions, your higher end option will make people take notice.
The Product Stack Strategy
Here's exactly how to structure this:
Start with a valuable entry product ($27-37). This isn't just about making money – it's about qualifying leads. Someone who pays $27 for your framework or template bundle is showing they're serious about getting results.
Then add an order bump. When someone's already buying, offer them a complementary product at a special price. This could be your swipe file, resource guide, or template collection.
Next, include a backend upsell. After they purchase, offer them your premium course or program. Some will say yes, instantly multiplying your revenue.
Finally, use this to identify coaching clients. The people who buy your products are raising their hands saying, "I want more." These become your perfect candidates for high-ticket coaching or consulting.
Think about the difference:
Instead of begging people to pay $5/month
You're building a real business with multiple revenue streams
Your subscribers self-select based on commitment level
You're attracting people who value expertise
But here's what really matters...
The Complete Framework: Implementing This in Your Newsletter
Here's exactly how to transform your newsletter from "struggling to get $5 subscribers" into a real business:
Step 1: Give Away Your Best Stuff (Yes, Really)
Your free content should be so good that people wonder what you're saving for paid offerings. This builds trust and showcases your expertise.
Share:
Deep-dive strategy posts
Behind-the-scenes insights
Real numbers and results
Actual frameworks you use
Step 2: Create Simple Solution Products
Instead of begging for $5 subscriptions, offer solutions people actually want:
Recorded masterclasses ($27-97)
Template bundles ($37-147)
Implementation guides ($47-197)
Resource collections ($97-297)
Step 3: Stack Your Offers
This is where it gets interesting:
When someone buys your $37 product, offer them:
A complementary resource (order bump)
Your premium course (upsell)
Group coaching program (high-ticket)
Each offer naturally leads to the next. Some people will only want the $37 product. Others will buy everything you create.
Let them self-select.
Step 4: Add Premium Access
Now when you launch your paid subscription tier, make it truly premium:
Private community access
Monthly live workshops
Implementation support
Direct access to you
Also, take advantage of the Founding Member tier. This can be any price you decide to set. It should be a high-end price where someone gets the most direct access to you.
But here's the key: This comes AFTER you've built trust through free content and proven your value through entry-level products.
The result?
Instead of:
"Please pay $5 for my newsletter..."
You're offering:
Valuable free content that builds trust
Entry products that solve specific problems
Premium programs for those who want more
High-ticket access for serious players
Everyone gets to choose their own level of involvement. No more begging people to pay $5.
Why This Works Better Than Traditional Monetization
Let me paint you a picture of the traditional newsletter path.
You spend six months creating free content, building your audience, trying to prove your worth. Finally, you turn on paid subscriptions at $5 per month. After another six months of grinding, you hit 100 paid subscribers.
Congratulations. You just worked for a year to make $500 monthly.
Now let me show you the premium path.
In your first month, you launch a simple digital product for $37. Nothing fancy – maybe a framework or template bundle that solves a specific problem. Twenty people buy it. That's $740 in your first month.
Month two, you add an order bump – a complementary offer that helps them implement faster. You also create a natural upsell to a more comprehensive solution. Now some customers are spending $97, $197, or even $297 with you.
By month three, you've identified clients who want more direct help. They see your expertise through your products and content. A few sign up for coaching at $200-500 per hour.
This isn't theory. I've watched hundreds of writers transform their newsletters this way.
One writer went from struggling to get $5 subscribers to making $4,300 in her first month with a simple digital product launch.
Another completely turned off paid subscriptions and now makes more money coaching three clients than she did with 200 paid subscribers.
But here's what really matters...
When you build this way, you create something sustainable. Your newsletter becomes an asset that:
Attracts quality subscribers who value expertise
Generates revenue without constant content creation
Builds your authority in your space
Creates opportunities for bigger partnerships
Actually helps people get results
The best part? This works in every niche. I've seen it succeed with:
Career newsletters helping people land dream jobs.
Marketing newsletters teaching business growth.
Personal development newsletters transforming lives.
Professional skills newsletters building expertise.
Hobby newsletters diving deep into passions.
The key is shifting your mindset. Stop thinking like someone begging for $5 subscriptions. Start thinking like a business owner providing real value.
Putting It All Together: A Better Path Forward to Monetize
The traditional path tells you to charge low prices, grow a massive audience, and hope enough people pay $5 to make it worthwhile. We've seen why this approach burns out writers and attracts the wrong subscribers.
Instead, think bigger from day one:
Start with valuable free content that showcases your expertise
Create simple products that solve specific problems
Build a natural ascension path for those who want more
Let subscribers choose their level of involvement
Make your paid tier truly premium and valuable to stand out
Remember: The price you charge doesn't just determine your income – it determines the quality of your entire community. When you undervalue your expertise, you attract people who do the same.
This isn't about being expensive. It's about matching your pricing to the value you provide. When you do this right, everyone wins: your subscribers get better results, you build a sustainable business, and your work gets the respect it deserves.
If you want to dive deeper into this approach, I'll be opening up my new Digital Product Bootcamp soon. Be on the lookout for more info to join.
But whether you join us or not, please stop undervaluing your expertise. Your knowledge is worth more than $5 a month, and the right subscribers will happily invest in real solutions.
Build something worth paying for.
Your Next Steps: Join the Substack Growth Class
If you're feeling overwhelmed by growing your newsletter, I get it. I've been there. That's exactly why I created my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass where I walk you through:
Exactly how I grew from Zero to 5,000+ subscribers in 7 months
How to find audience problems and create solutions to solve them
My proven templates for growing your Substack organically
Step-by-step implementation plans for monetization
Join hundreds of other newsletter writers who are already using these strategies to build profitable newsletters. If you’re ready to finally start growing (and monetizing) your audience this year, click the button below and join us inside the masterclass:
Well described comparison of your stacked monetization approach vs „traditional“. Having some of your products I can vouch for the value you‘re adding in your masterclass sessions.
Great point, thanks for sharing!