Hey, Grow Newsie reader!

If you're reading this, you've probably hit that exciting milestone where monetization is on your mind. You've built an engaged audience, and now it's time to turn those opens and clicks into revenue.

Today, I'm breaking down exactly how to find newsletter sponsors, craft irresistible pitches, and close high-paying deals—even if you're just starting out.

Before we dive into the "how," let's talk about the "why."

Newsletter sponsorships deliver an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent for advertisers. This makes your newsletter one of the most sought-after advertising channels—more intimate than social media, more targeted than display ads, and with inbox real estate that money can't buy elsewhere.

For you as a creator, sponsorships mean:

Sponsored by: ATTIO

Before you start pitching, make sure you have these basics locked down:

While there's no magic number, most sponsors look for:

Pro tip: Even if your numbers are smaller, a highly engaged niche audience can be MORE valuable than a large, disengaged list.

Action item: Create a simple one-page media kit with these stats. Use Canva templates to make it visually appealing.

Here's where most creators waste time. They spray and pray, pitching anyone with a marketing budget. Don't do that.

Look at newsletters similar to yours. Who's sponsoring them?

How to do this:

These platforms connect creators with advertisers:

Search for "Director of Marketing" or "Growth Marketing Manager" at companies that:

The easiest sell? Tools and products you're already recommending organically. Make a list of every product you've mentioned positively in past issues—then pitch them.

Not all sponsorships are created equal. Here are your options:

My recommendation: Start with 1 sponsored shoutout + 2-3 classified ads per issue. This balances revenue with reader experience.

Here's the formula most successful newsletters use:

Calculation: (Subscribers × Open Rate × CPM Rate) = Your Price

Typical CPM Rates:

Example:

Charge a fixed amount regardless of list size. This works well when:

Starter pricing guide:

Most sponsorship pitches fail because they're too long, too generic, or too focused on YOU instead of THEM.

Subject Line: Keep it conversational and personalized:

Opening (2-3 sentences): Show you've done your homework. Reference their recent campaign, product launch, or funding announcement.

The Hook (2 sentences): State what you do and WHO reads your newsletter in concrete terms:

The Social Proof (1-2 sentences):

The Ask (1 sentence):

Keep it under 150 words total.

Here's a truth bomb: 80% of deals happen after the 5th touchpoint.

Pro tip: Automate this with a CRM like HubSpot (free tier) or even a simple Google Sheets + Gmail follow-up system.

Once they're interested, here's how to seal it:

Include:

Create a simple sponsorship agreement covering:

The magic question: "What would make this partnership a no-brainer to continue?"

The real money is in repeat business. Here's how to keep sponsors coming back:

Ready to land your first sponsor? Here's your 7-day roadmap:

Day 1: Audit your newsletter stats & create your media kit

Day 2: Research 20 potential sponsors using the strategies above

Day 3: Write your pitch email template

Day 4-5: Send 10 personalized pitches Day 6: Set up your follow-up system

Day 7: List your newsletter on Paved or Lettergrowth

❌ Pitching before you're ready - Fix your open rates first

❌ Charging too little - You devalue your platform

❌ Too many ads - Keep it under 20% of your content

❌ Generic pitches - Personalization is everything

❌ No media kit - You look unprofessional

❌ Ignoring performance - Track and optimize every campaign

Finding newsletter sponsors isn't rocket science, but it does require:

Your newsletter is a valuable asset. Brands pay billions for access to engaged audiences—and you've built one organically.

Now go claim your share.

Keep growing!

With love,
Nikhil