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How this calculator works
Monthly sponsorship revenue is calculated by multiplying the number of sponsored issues per month by the rate each sponsor pays per placement. Paid subscription revenue comes from multiplying the subscription price by the number of paid subscribers, which itself is derived from total subscribers multiplied by the paid conversion rate. Affiliate income is added as a separate monthly line item. The three revenue streams are summed for a total monthly revenue estimate, and the annual figure is simply the monthly total multiplied by 12.
Useful scenarios
- A Substack writer estimating income from $8 monthly subscriptions.
- A niche newsletter owner deciding whether to add sponsorships to their paid-sub model.
- A creator growing their email list to $5,000/month in sponsor revenue.
FAQ
How much can a newsletter earn from sponsorships?
Sponsorship rates typically range from $10–$50 per 1,000 subscribers per issue, depending on niche, open rate, and engagement. A 5,000-subscriber newsletter can earn $50–$250 per sponsored issue.
What is a good paid subscriber conversion rate?
Typical paid conversion rates on platforms like Substack and ConvertKit range from 3%–10% of total subscribers. Higher rates usually come from established relationships and consistent high-value content.
Can I do both sponsorships and paid subscriptions?
Yes. Many hybrid newsletters reserve some issues for free content with sponsorship slots while offering ad-free or bonus content to paid subscribers. This can maximize total revenue.