How to Create a Paid Newsletter in WordPress (Substack Alternative)

Paid newsletters are exploding in popularity. According to Substack, over 1 million people now pay for newsletters created by independent writers and journalists.

As an experienced webmaster, I‘ve helped dozens of creators launch and grow paid newsletters. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to create your own paid newsletter on WordPress, step by step.

Why You Should Build Your Own Paid Newsletter

Before we dig into the technical steps, let‘s discuss why you should consider building your own paid newsletter instead of relying solely on a platform like Substack.

Here are the top reasons:

• You keep more of the revenue. Substack takes 10% of all subscription income. Building your own newsletter allows you to avoid platform fees and keep more of your hard-earned money.

• Total creative control. You can completely customize your branding, layouts, integrations, and subscriber experience on your own site.

• Room to expand. A newsletter is often just the first step. You can add things like courses, communities, and sponsorships over time.

• Build an asset you own. If Substack ever changes its terms or goes out of business, you won‘t lose all your subscriber relationships overnight.

• Use any email service provider. You aren‘t locked into Substack‘s built-in email. You can use ConvertKit, Mailchimp, or any other provider.

According to CNBC, some writers on Substack are making six-figure incomes from their paid newsletters. You can absolutely generate meaningful revenue, but why not keep more of it yourself?

Building on WordPress allows you to retain control, expand your offerings, and maximize your income over the long-term.

Step 1 – Set Up WordPress Hosting

Let‘s start by getting your WordPress site set up properly. Here‘s what you need:

• Domain name – Your newsletter domain. This is the www.yournewsletter.com web address. Expect to pay $10 – $15 per year.

• Web hosting – Web hosting provides the server space and technology to host your WordPress site. Plan to budget around $5 – $10 per month depending on your site traffic.

• SSL certificate – An SSL certificate gives your site the secure HTTPS prefix. It helps with SEO and reader trust. Certificates cost $50 – $90 per year typically.

Some popular and affordable options for hosting WordPress include:

• Bluehost – Starts at $2.95/month and includes a free domain and SSL certificate for WPBeginner readers. Been powering WordPress sites for over 15 years.

• SiteGround – Fast performance and expert WordPress support. Prices start at $6.99/month.

• HostGator – Another long-time popular WordPress host. Offers sites starting at $2.75/month.

I personally recommend Bluehost for most creators getting started. The pricing is affordable, and you get a free domain and SSL included.

Once you‘ve signed up for hosting, installing WordPress takes just a few minutes. Most hosts like Bluehost offer one-click installers that handle the process for you automatically.

Step 2 – Install Membership and Payment Plugins

Since you‘ll be collecting payment for subscriptions, you need two key plugins:

• MemberPress – The best WordPress membership plugin for managing subscribers.

• Stripe – Allows you to accept credit card payments directly on your site.

MemberPress handles all the subscription functionality like membership levels, access rules, recurring billing, and signup forms.

Over 200,000 creators use MemberPress for their membership sites and digital products, so it‘s a robust platform you can rely on.

After installing MemberPress, go to the settings and connect your Stripe account. This lets you securely collect payments from subscribers without leaving your site.

You can also use payment gateways like PayPal or Apple Pay with addons, but Stripe is easiest if you plan to sell to a global audience.

Step 3 – Build Your Email List with ConvertKit

An email marketing platform is essential for sending out your newsletter content.

For both email list building and campaigns, I recommend ConvertKit.

Over 60,000 creators trust ConvertKit to grow and engage their audiences. It‘s designed specifically for bloggers, authors, and publishers.

A few reasons why ConvertKit is a smart choice:

• Easy-to-use email forms and landing pages
• Powerful automation for workflows
• Excellent deliverability to reach inboxes
• Built-in analytics and segmentation

Once you create your ConvertKit account, install the ConvertKit WordPress plugin to integrate it with your site.

This gives you access to email signup forms, landing pages, and the tools to grow your list.

Later we‘ll connect ConvertKit with MemberPress to sync subscribers. But for now, focus on building your audience and list size.

Step 4 – Configure Your Membership Plans

Here‘s where we set up the actual subscription plans that readers can purchase to access your newsletter.

In MemberPress, these are called "Membership Plans".

Some ideas for plans:

• Free – forever access to some teaser content
• Monthly – $5/mo for full newsletter access
• Annual – $50/year for full access at a discounted rate

Configure options like the name, pricing, billing period, trial period, and email marketing integrations for each plan in MemberPress.

Every plan will automatically get its own WordPress signup page. You can customize these with your own copy, headlines, designs, and layouts.

I recommend using a drag-and-drop page builder like Elementor or Beaver Builder to make beautiful sales pages that will maximize conversions.

The goal is to explain the immense value readers will get from your paid newsletter and persuade them to subscribe.

Step 5 – Connect MemberPress with ConvertKit

Now it‘s time to connect your WordPress membership site with ConvertKit to sync subscribers.

When someone purchases a paid subscription, you want them added to your email list automatically to start receiving newsletter content.

To enable this functionality, you need the ConvertKit MemberPress addon installed.

Go to the MemberPress add-ons tab, find ConvertKit, and click install.

Activate the addon and enter your ConvertKit API key in the settings to enable integration. Subscribers will now be sent to specific tags you configure based on their plan.

This automation will save you tons of time and headaches managing two separate lists.

Step 6 – Create and Send Your First Newsletter Issue

You now have all the pieces in place to start publishing premium content and sending out newsletter issues.

Sit down and write an in-depth article or longform piece of content exclusively for your paying subscribers.

Once you‘ve published it behind your paywall, send it out as a broadcast email using ConvertKit‘s email marketing tools.

Ideally, aim for at least one newsletter issue sent per week in the beginning. This gives paying subscribers tremendous ongoing value beyond their initial purchase.

Promote your newsletter aggressively, share subscriber-only content previews, and leverage influencer partnerships or ads to attract your first batch of paid subscribers.

Focus on over-delivering on value, and subscribers will look forward to your emails hitting their inbox each week.

Expanding Your Offerings Over Time

Once you‘ve found a formula that works, don‘t stop at just a newsletter!

You now have a direct relationship with an engaged audience. Here are a few ways to expand your offerings:

• Paid community – Build a private forum or social network for subscribers to connect.

• Online courses – Create a cohort-based course on a topic your audience wants to master.

• Virtual events – Host live Q&As, workshops, or trainings with your subscribers.

• Sponsorships – Offer brand sponsorships, ads in your newsletters, or dedicated emails.

• Merchandise – Sell t-shirts, mugs, or other merch to super fans.

The key is continuing to over-deliver value while incrementally introducing new ways to monetize your readership and expertise.

Conclusion

Building a paid newsletter on your own WordPress site allows you to retain full control over your business, save money on fees, and expand your offerings over time.

With this guide, you have a complete roadmap for launching a self-hosted paid newsletter using WordPress, MemberPress, ConvertKit, and Stripe.

The steps include:

• Getting WordPress hosting set up
• Installing membership and payment plugins
• Building your email list with ConvertKit
• Creating subscription plans in MemberPress
• Connecting your WordPress and ConvertKit
• Publishing and sending your first newsletter
• Expanding your paid offerings beyond just a newsletter

What tips or suggestions do you have for others starting a paid newsletter? What challenges have you faced? Let me know in the comments below!