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#17
The End of the year.
The newsletter industry is booming—but with that growth comes whispers (and shouts) of saturation. It feels like everyone has a Substack and new email lists pop up every day. So, is the newsletter business too crowded? Here’s the truth:
While the space is more competitive than ever, there’s still massive opportunity—if you know where to look and how to stand out. Here’s what’s happening:
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Over 4 billion people use email—a number that’s still growing. Email remains the most direct and personal way to communicate with an audience.
Top newsletters like Morning Brew or The Hustle rake in millions of dollars annually. But it’s not just the giants—micro-niche newsletters are thriving too.
So why do some newsletters struggle while others thrive? It comes down to differentiation, execution, and value.
Why It Feels Crowded
Low Barriers to Entry: Platforms like Substack, Beehiiv, and Mailchimp make it easy for anyone to start.
Copycat Fatigue: Many newsletters recycle the same formats and topics, making it harder for new entrants to stand out.
Subscriber Burnout: Readers are selective—there’s only so much inbox space and attention to go around.
The Key to Cutting Through the Noise
Here’s how to succeed in a saturated market:
Go Micro-Niche: Instead of targeting “entrepreneurs,” write for “entrepreneurs in the creator economy building with AI.” The more specific your audience, the more likely you are to capture attention.
Be Irreplaceable: What’s your unique take? What insight can only you offer? Think of exclusive data, personal experiences, or original analysis.
Deliver Consistent Value: Make sure your emails can’t be missed. Whether that’s killer insights, humor, or actionable advice, readers should be excited to open every issue.
Leverage Communities: Grow your newsletter by being active in spaces where your audience hangs out—Twitter, LinkedIn, niche forums, or even Discord servers.
Experiment: Short-form newsletters, audio snippets, or interactive emails—differentiate yourself with format innovation.
The Bright Side
If you’re starting or scaling a newsletter, don’t let the “saturation myth” scare you. Yes, it’s competitive—but competition also means there’s proven demand. People want high-quality newsletters—they just don’t want another generic one.
So, what’s your unique angle? Double down on that, and you’ll not only survive—you’ll thrive.
Ready to Boost Your Income? 🔥 Top Side Hustles for 2025
The Best Online Side Hustles to Start This Year
If you’ve been dreaming of extra cash—or even building a business on the side—there’s no better time than 2025. The online world is packed with opportunities, and whether you’re looking for flexibility, creativity, or just a solid paycheck, there’s a side hustle for you.
Here’s a list of the best online side hustles to start in 2025, tailored for the ever-evolving digital economy:
1. AI Content Creator
Why It’s Hot: AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Canva are making it easier than ever to create content at scale. Businesses are desperate for blog posts, social media graphics, and videos, and you can deliver quickly with these tools.
What You’ll Do: Write articles, design social media posts, or create video scripts using AI tools to boost productivity.
Potential Earnings: $500–$5,000/month, depending on clients and projects.
Getting Started: Sign up on freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, and offer niche content services (e.g., AI-powered blog writing).
Why It’s Hot: Newsletters are booming, and audiences crave niche content. Monetize your expertise through ads, paid subscriptions, or affiliate marketing.
What You’ll Do: Write a weekly or bi-weekly email about a topic you love (tech trends, productivity tips, personal finance).
Potential Earnings: $0–$10,000/month (it scales with your audience size).
Getting Started: Use platforms like Substack or Beehiiv to launch your newsletter today.
3. Digital Product Creator
Why It’s Hot: E-books, online courses, templates, and guides are passive income goldmines. Once you create a product, it can sell indefinitely.
What You’ll Do: Package your knowledge into a product—think Canva templates, productivity planners, or coding tutorials.
Potential Earnings: $1,000–$20,000/month, depending on your niche and marketing.
Getting Started: Sell your products on Gumroad, Etsy, or your website using Shopify.
4. Remote Coach or Consultant
Why It’s Hot: The shift to remote work means people are looking for expert guidance online—whether for fitness, business, or mindset coaching.
What You’ll Do: Share your expertise over Zoom calls or recorded sessions. Offer group coaching to scale.
Potential Earnings: $50–$200/hour, depending on your niche.
Getting Started: Promote your services on social media or through platforms like Clarity.fm or Teachable.
5. Reselling and Arbitrage
Why It’s Hot: Platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Amazon are thriving, and flipping products remains a profitable hustle.
What You’ll Do: Find undervalued items (thrift stores, garage sales, online discounts) and resell them at a profit. You can also explore retail arbitrage, where you buy items on clearance and sell them online.
Potential Earnings: $500–$5,000/month.
Getting Started: Start small by flipping a few items to test the waters. Use apps like eBay or Amazon Seller Central to list and sell.
6. Affiliate Marketing
Why It’s Hot: You don’t need to create a product—just promote other people’s. With the right strategy, this can be a lucrative passive income stream.
What You’ll Do: Recommend products through blogs, newsletters, or social media, and earn a commission for each sale.
Potential Earnings: $100–$10,000/month, depending on traffic and conversions.
Getting Started: Sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or PartnerStack, and focus on promoting products in a niche you know.
7. Online Tutoring
Why It’s Hot: Parents and students are turning to online tutoring for academic help, especially with tools that make remote learning easier.
What You’ll Do: Tutor students in subjects you excel at—math, science, languages, or even coding.
Potential Earnings: $20–$60/hour.
Getting Started: Sign up on platforms like VIPKid, Wyzant, or Preply, and create a profile showcasing your expertise.
Why It’s Hot: Small businesses are hungry for professionals who can manage their Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn presence.
What You’ll Do: Create content calendars, schedule posts, and engage with followers to grow your clients’ social media profiles.
Potential Earnings: $500–$5,000/month per client.
Getting Started: Build your own social media presence first as a portfolio, then pitch your services to local businesses or entrepreneurs.
Pro Tip: The key to succeeding in any side hustle is finding one that matches your skills, interests, and availability. Start with a single hustle, give it your all, and scale up once you find your groove.
Your 2025 Mission:
Pick one side hustle today, commit to learning and experimenting, and watch your income—and confidence—grow.
Which one are you starting? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear!
Here’s to a year of action and abundance.
Struggling to Get Clicks? 🚀 Here’s How to Get Your Affiliate Links Noticed
7 Proven Strategies to Get Your Affiliate Links Noticed
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to generate passive income—if people are clicking your links. But with so much competition, how do you make your affiliate links stand out?
Here’s a step-by-step guide packed with SEO-friendly tips to boost visibility, attract clicks, and drive conversions for your affiliate links.
1. Create High-Value, Keyword-Rich Content
Content is king—and in affiliate marketing, it’s the throne. To get your affiliate links noticed, focus on creating SEO-optimized content that answers your audience’s questions or solves their problems.
How to Do It: Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find long-tail keywords (e.g., “best budget laptops for students 2025”).
Content Ideas:
Product reviews (“Is [Product] Worth It?”).
Comparison posts (“[Product A] vs. [Product B]: Which Is Better?”).
How-to guides (“How to Use [Product] Effectively”).
Pro Tip: Include your affiliate links naturally within the content instead of forcing them into every paragraph.
Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest are goldmines for affiliate marketers. To get clicks, you need to build trust and engagement.
How to Do It:
Share bite-sized tips, product demos, or tutorials related to your affiliate products.
Use calls-to-action (CTAs) like “Click the link in my bio” or “Shop now through this link.”
Platform-Specific Tips:
Pinterest: Create visually appealing pins that link to your blog or landing page.
TikTok: Post short, relatable videos showcasing the product in action.
Instagram: Use Stories with swipe-up links or highlight reels for product promotions.
3. Master the Art of Email Marketing
Email newsletters are one of the most effective ways to promote affiliate links—directly to your warm audience.
How to Do It:
Build a list by offering a freebie (e.g., a guide, checklist, or discount).
Share value-packed emails with affiliate links integrated naturally (e.g., “My top 5 tools for productivity”).
Pro Tip: Avoid overloading your audience with links—balance affiliate promotions with free tips, advice, and stories.
4. Use YouTube for Evergreen Traffic
YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, making it a great platform to promote affiliate products.
How to Do It:
Create videos like product reviews, unboxings, or tutorials.
Add your affiliate links in the video description and mention them in your videos.
Example: A video titled “Best Travel Gadgets for 2025” with affiliate links to each product.
Pro Tip: Optimize your video titles, tags, and descriptions with keywords.
5. Optimize for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
If your website doesn’t rank on Google, your affiliate links won’t get clicks. Here’s how to improve your SEO game:
Basic SEO Tips:
Use a keyword in your post title, URL, and headings.
Write meta descriptions that encourage clicks (e.g., “Discover the best tools for online entrepreneurs!”).
Add internal links to related content on your site.
Advanced Tip: Focus on “low competition” keywords to rank faster.
6. Add Value with Bonuses and Discounts
Incentivize your audience by offering additional value when they purchase through your affiliate links.
How to Do It:
Offer exclusive bonuses (e.g., free eBooks, templates, or private webinars).
Highlight any discounts available through your affiliate link.
Pro Tip: Create a landing page showcasing the bonus details and include a strong CTA (e.g., “Grab this deal before it’s gone!”).
7. Be Transparent and Authentic
People won’t click your affiliate links if they feel you’re just in it for the money. Build trust by being upfront and offering honest recommendations.
How to Do It:
Disclose your affiliate relationship (e.g., “This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.”).
Share personal experiences with the product to make your recommendations authentic.
Pro Tip: Focus on products you genuinely use and believe in—it’ll come across in your content.
Take Action Now
Affiliate marketing is competitive, but by focusing on SEO, valuable content, and authentic recommendations, you can get your links noticed—and your income flowing.
What’s the first strategy you’ll try? Reply to this email and let me know—I’d love to hear how it works for you!
Here’s to growing your affiliate income
Can Instagram Theme Pages Really Make You Money? 💸
What if I told you that you could make thousands of dollars a month from Instagram without showing your face, filming reels, or spending hours a day online? It’s possible—and the secret lies in Instagram theme pages.
Theme pages are niche accounts built around specific topics like travel, fitness, memes, or motivational quotes. With the right strategy, these accounts can become incredibly profitable. Let’s break down how it works, why they’re so lucrative, and how you can get started.
What Are Instagram Theme Pages?
Theme pages are curated Instagram accounts that focus on a specific niche. Instead of posting personal content, they share:
Viral videos
High-quality images
Reposts (with credit)
Niche-specific tips or quotes
Examples include:
@MillionaireMindset (motivation/finance)
@FoodieHeaven (food recipes)
@TravelGoals (travel inspiration)
These pages build a loyal audience by consistently delivering content people love.
Why Are They Profitable?
Once your theme page gains a following, there are multiple ways to monetize it:
1. Sponsored Posts
Brands pay you to feature their products or services on your page.
Earnings Potential: $50–$1,000+ per post (depending on your follower count and niche).
Example: A fitness theme page could promote supplements or workout gear.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Share affiliate links in your bio or Stories and earn a commission on every sale.
Earnings Potential: $500–$5,000/month (depending on traffic and conversions).
Example: A travel page could promote hotels or travel gear through affiliate programs.
3. Selling Digital Products
Use your theme page to sell eBooks, templates, or courses related to your niche.
Earnings Potential: Unlimited, based on product pricing and audience engagement.
Example: A productivity page could sell a digital planner or time-management guide.
4. Dropshipping or E-commerce
Leverage your page to promote your online store or dropshipping products.
Earnings Potential: $1,000–$10,000/month (or more with the right product).
Example: A meme page could sell branded merch like T-shirts or mugs.
5. Account Flipping
Grow a theme page and sell it to someone looking to enter the niche.
Earnings Potential: $1,000–$10,000 (based on the account’s size and engagement).
Example: A page with 100k followers in a lucrative niche like fitness or finance could fetch thousands.
How Profitable Can They Be?
Here’s a realistic breakdown:
A theme page with 10,000 followers can make $200–$500/month from sponsored posts and affiliate links.
A page with 100,000 followers can earn $1,000–$5,000/month (or more) by combining sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and digital product sales.
Top theme pages with 500,000+ followers regularly pull in $10,000+ per month through diversified income streams.
How to Build a Profitable Instagram Theme Page
Pick a Profitable Niche
Choose a niche with engaged audiences and monetization potential. Examples: fitness, personal finance, travel, luxury lifestyles, or tech.Post Consistently
Share high-quality, viral-worthy content daily or several times a week. Use reposted content (with credit) or create your own.Leverage Instagram Growth Tools
Hashtags: Use 20–30 niche-relevant hashtags in every post.
Engagement: Respond to comments and DMs to boost your reach.
Collabs: Cross-promote with other theme pages in your niche.
Monetize Strategically
Start with affiliate marketing and sponsored posts, then scale into digital products or e-commerce as your audience grows.Stay Patient and Consistent
Theme pages don’t become profitable overnight, but with persistence, you can see results within 3–6 months.
The Bottom Line
Instagram theme pages aren’t just a side hustle—they’re a legit business model. Whether you’re looking for a small income boost or a full-time gig, these pages can be incredibly profitable if you put in the work.
The best part? Once your page grows, it becomes a passive income machine that works while you sleep.
Ready to start your theme page empire? Let me know what niche you’re exploring—I’d love to help you brainstorm ideas!
Here’s to turning likes into dollars.
Is AI Killing Creativity for Content Creators? 🤖💡
AI and Creativity: Friend or Foe for Content Creators?
AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and Canva are revolutionizing how content is made. You can draft a blog in minutes, whip up stunning designs without a graphic designer, and create entire videos with just a few clicks.
But with all this convenience, a big question looms: Is AI making content creators less creative?
Let’s break it down and explore whether AI is a creativity killer—or a creativity enhancer.
The Case for “AI Is Killing Creativity”
Over-Reliance on AI Tools
AI often provides quick, templated solutions. While this is great for saving time, it can also lead to creators leaning too much on AI-generated ideas rather than crafting original work.
Example: A blog written entirely by AI might lack your unique perspective or storytelling style.
Content Homogenization
AI pulls from existing data, which can lead to repetitive ideas. When everyone uses the same tools, the content starts to feel… the same.
Example: AI-written Instagram captions might hit the right tone, but they often lack personality or originality.
The Shortcut Trap
Because AI is so efficient, some creators may take shortcuts instead of investing in deep, thoughtful work. This can result in surface-level content that doesn’t connect with audiences.
The Case for “AI Boosts Creativity”
Frees You from the Mundane
AI can handle repetitive, time-consuming tasks like generating outlines, repurposing content, or creating captions. This gives you more time to focus on the big picture—strategy, storytelling, and creative vision.
Example: Use AI to brainstorm 10 blog titles, then add your personal touch to make them unique.
Expands Your Creative Toolbox
AI tools like Canva and DALL-E empower creators who don’t have design or technical skills to experiment in new mediums.
Example: A writer can now create stunning visual content with AI, unlocking new creative possibilities.
Speeds Up Idea Generation
AI can spark new ideas you might not have thought of on your own. It’s a great brainstorming partner when you’re stuck or need inspiration.
Example: “Give me 5 unique TikTok ideas for promoting a fitness product.” AI doesn’t replace your creativity—it complements it.
Amplifies Your Work
Instead of replacing creativity, AI helps scale it. You can use AI to repurpose a single piece of content into blogs, social posts, and videos without starting from scratch.
How to Stay Creative While Using AI
The key to avoiding the “AI creativity trap” is to use these tools strategically, not dependently. Here’s how:
Start with Your Unique Voice
Always begin with your insights, perspective, and ideas. Use AI as a helper, not the sole creator.Add a Human Touch
Edit AI-generated content to infuse your personality, humor, and anecdotes. This is what will set your work apart.Experiment Beyond the AI Output
Take AI-generated ideas as a starting point, then push them further. For instance, combine AI’s suggestions with your creative spin.Focus on What AI Can’t Do
AI can’t feel emotions, build relationships, or tell your personal story. Lean into these strengths—they’re what make you irreplaceable as a creator.
The Verdict
AI isn’t the enemy of creativity—it’s a tool. Like any tool, it depends on how you use it. Those who rely solely on AI for content will blend into the crowd. But those who use it to amplify their creativity will stand out.
So, no, AI isn’t making content creators less creative—it’s separating the lazy from the innovative. Which side will you be on?
Let me know your thoughts—I’d love to hear how you’re using AI in your creative process.
Here’s to staying bold and original.