Why newsletters are better for content creators than most social media

Own the email addresses and get more transparency on revenue

When it comes to building a loyal audience, newsletters stand out as a powerful tool for content creators.

One of the key advantages of a newsletter is that you own your email list, giving you direct access to your audience.

This is in stark contrast to social media platforms, where you’re at the mercy of constantly changing algorithms, shifting monetization policies, or even a platform’s complete disappearance.

Most social media platforms give you few clues on how you’re paid

Take X (formerly Twitter), for example. While they offer an ad revenue-sharing program, the details are hazy. You may have a general understanding of what drives ad revenue, but what you earn every payout period is often a mystery. The lack of transparency means creators are left guessing how much they’ll make every two weeks.

Medium operates in a similar way. Writers publish their stories and hope to capture the attention of members, who views are the key to earning revenue. But just like X, knowing how much income you’ll make each month is an exercise in uncertainty.