- beehiiv Blog
- Posts
- A Guide To Growing a Personal Finance Newsletter Like a Pro
A Guide To Growing a Personal Finance Newsletter Like a Pro
How To Write a Financial Newsletter People Want To Read
Aaron Nichols
January 27th, 2025
Table of Contents
The Evolution of Personal Finance Newsletters
The world of personal finance is moving as fast as everything else.
In the lifetime of the average millennial, we’ve gone from personal finance info being distributed through books like Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad, to personal finance blogs like Mr. Money Moustache, to now, when creators can send newsletters like Humbled Trader and Investing for Retirement straight into your inbox.
Established Brands
The first email newsletter was sent almost fifty years ago. Since then, email newsletters have been a staple of business communication, helping businesses in every industry communicate directly with their customers. There are hundreds of established players in the personal finance space, like:
The Motley Fool: One of the most recognizable names in personal finance, The Motley Fool has been a trusted source for investment advice since its founding in 1993. They publish a dozen stock investment newsletters including Stock Advisor and Rule Breakers that investors can access for a yearly fee.
The Skimm's Skimm Money: Skimm Money focuses on financial literacy, offering practical advice on budgeting, saving, and investing.
The Rise of Independent Creators
As the creator economy has taken off and mistrust in large organizations has increased, people have started to turn to individual creators for financial advice. It’s comforting to follow a figurehead instead of a large, heartless corporation.
There are plenty of financial newsletters to choose from, including a few hosted right here on beehiiv!
1. Humbled Trader: Humbled Trader, created by Shay Huang, a day trader with a 1.4-million subscriber YouTube channel, provides insights and tips on stock trading, with a focus on transparency and real-world experience. In her own words:
“I got tired of seeing Lamborghinis, luxury travel and extravagant parties in every day trading tutorial on the internet. So, I decided to make my own content - as a real trader, for other real traders. The truth is, day trading is hard!”
2. Investing for Retirement: Investing for Retirement offers advice and strategies on portfolio management, tax optimization, and estate planning.
3. Mr. Money Mustache: Known for promoting the concept of Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE), Mr. Money Mustache offers practical advice on achieving financial independence. Though technically a blog, MMM has also embraced the newsletter format with an automatically distributed email “course” that readers can sign up for.
Money, and how we store it, spend it, and invest it, has been changing rapidly ever since blockchain technology and cryptocurrency exploded onto the scene.
Fintech newsletters can help industry insiders stay ahead of the curve, offering insights into everything from blockchain and cryptocurrencies to AI-driven financial services. If you're looking to stay on top of the lightning-fast developments in the space, here are a few newsletters to check out.
1. Fintech Today: Fintech Today provides in-depth analysis, interviews with key players, and a clear breakdown of emerging trends in the fintech space. Whether it's exploring the impact of neobanks, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi), or the latest in regulatory decisions, this newsletter caters to professionals who need to stay updated on fintech's constant changes.
2. Banking Dive Fintech: As a part of the Industry Dive network, Banking Dive Fintech focuses specifically on the intersection of finance and technology. Topics covered include digital transformation in banking, the adoption of AI and machine learning, and the integration of blockchain technology in financial services.
Content Strategies for Successful Finance Newsletters
Creating a successful personal finance newsletter requires the same strategies as building a successful newsletter in any other industry. You'll need engaging content and a deep understanding of your audience's needs and desires.
Below are key content strategies to help you build a successful finance newsletter in 2025.
Provide Data-Driven Insights
People want accurate and actionable information before they make informed financial decisions, so providing data that is well-researched and presented is essential. Always source your data from trusted authorities like government agencies, academic institutions, or established financial research firms.
Offer your clear, honest analysis explaining what you believe the data means for your readers. For example, you might discuss how recent interest rate changes might affect mortgage rates or investment returns.
If you’re writing an experiential newsletter to show people how you achieved something extraordinary financially, make sure you’re making accurate statements about your finances and financial abilities.
It’s critical to be honest. You can’t make false claims and sustain a lie for long.
Visualization Techniques
One of the best financial newsletters out there, Chartr from Sherwood News, sends out easy-to-read charts that explain market news and financial trends.
Even basic financial information can often be complex and overwhelming for the average person. Using charts, graphs, and infographics makes it easier for your audience to understand and engage with the content.
Some Best Practices:
Simplify Data Presentation: Use visuals to break down complex financial data. For example, a line graph showing historical stock performance or a pie chart showing how to allocate assets in a portfolio can help readers more deeply understand key points.
Consistency in Visual Design: Maintain a consistent visual style. Consistent use of colors, fonts, and layout help reinforce your brand and make your newsletter more recognizable.
Interactive Visuals: Interactive elements like clickable charts or dynamic graphs allow readers to explore the data further. If you’re using beehiiv as a sender, you can easily add interactive elements to your newsletters.
Personalization and Segmentation
Different people read financial newsletters for different reasons. They might be looking to get out of debt, invest for the first time, or finish cruising into retirement.
Below is a chart that will help you personalize some of your content depending on which demographic you’re targeting.
Monetization Models for Finance Newsletters
Newsletter creators can choose from several models to generate revenue. Three of the most common monetization models are subscriptions, advertising, and affiliate marketing. beehiiv makes it easy to do all three.
Most newsletter creators with larger followings use a mix of all three.
Subscription-Based Models
Subscription-based creators make money by charging readers a fee for access to premium content. This model works particularly well for newsletters that offer in-depth analysis or highly specialized information that subscribers are willing to pay for because it's difficult to get anywhere else.
The Information by Jessica Lessin is a prime example of a successful subscription-based newsletter. The newsletter operates behind a paywall, with subscribers paying a monthly or annual fee for access to its content.
Advertising and Sponsorships
In this model, the newsletter creator partners with brands to include ads or sponsored content within the newsletter. This can be in the form of banner ads, sponsored sections, or native content that aligns with the newsletter's focus.
Morning Brew is a widely recognized newsletter that successfully monetized through advertising and sponsorships. Morning Brew provides a daily digest of business news that's aimed primarily at young professionals. Their newsletter is free to subscribers and only generates revenue through partnerships with brands that place ads within the content.
Affiliate Marketing
Creators who monetize through affiliate marketing promote third-party products or services and earn a commission on any sales generated through referral links in the newsletter. This model is particularly effective for newsletters that regularly review or recommend financial products or services.
The Points Guy is a leading example of a finance-related newsletter that has successfully used affiliate marketing. Founded by Brian Kelly in 2010, The Points Guy focuses on maximizing travel rewards and credit card points for free travel perks.
Their newsletter frequently reviews and recommends credit cards, with referral links that earn Kelly commissions for each new cardholder who signs up through the link.
To create a successful finance newsletter, you need the right tools. Writing the best newsletter in the world won't matter if no one ever sees it!
Here are two platforms that stand out for individual creators:
beehiiv: beehiiv is a rapidly growing platform tailored for newsletter creators who want to scale their audience and monetize. It offers a wide array of tools for audience segmentation, advanced analytics, and plug-and-play monetization options.
ConvertKit: Designed specifically for creators, ConvertKit offers a suite of tools for email marketing, including customizable sign-up forms, automation workflows, and detailed subscriber management features.
Emerging Trends in Personal Finance Newsletters
Three of the most prominent trends in personal finance newsletters today include Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Coverage, NFTs and DeFi, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Investing.
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Coverage
Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology have revolutionized finance by introducing decentralized systems that operate independently of traditional financial institutions. Though world governments have started to regulate them, they still provide an interesting perspective on money and its role in the modern world.
Newsletters like Coffee With Zeus offer in-depth analysis of cryptocurrency market trends and content aimed at demystifying cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology for a broader audience.
NFTs and DeFi
NFTs offered a way for digital assets to be owned and traded, while DeFi introduced new ways of conducting financial transactions without intermediaries like banks.
Newsletters like Bankless cover the DeFi space, offering readers detailed analyses of DeFi projects, investment strategies, and the broader implications of decentralized finance on the global economy.
NFT Now focuses on the world of non-fungible tokens, providing readers with the latest news, market insights, and educational resources about NFTs. Their newsletter covers everything from high-profile NFT sales to emerging trends in digital art and collectibles.
ESG and Sustainable Investing
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing focuses on companies that prioritize environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical governance practices.
Personal finance newsletters like The ESG Insider from S&P Global provide readers with in-depth analysis of ESG developments, including regulatory changes, corporate sustainability efforts, and the impact of ESG factors on financial performance.
Building Community Around Finance Newsletters
It's better to have 1000 engaged subscribers than 10,000 who barely read what you put out.
Building an engaged community not only enhances the reader experience but also helps your newsletter stand out in a crowded market.
Interactive Elements
Interactive elements can significantly boost reader engagement by transforming your newsletter from a passive reading experience into an active conversation with the writer.
Best Practices:
Polls and Surveys: Including polls and surveys in your newsletter allows readers to voice their opinions on topics that matter to them. Make sure that you do something with the data you collect, or you'll lose engagement.
Quizzes and Challenges: Quizzes related to financial literacy or challenges that encourage readers to set and achieve financial goals can make your newsletter more interactive.
Comment Sections and Reader Q&A: Allowing readers to comment on articles or ask questions directly in the newsletter or a separate, private Slack group for paid subscribers can foster a sense of community.
By integrating social media with your newsletter, you can automatically encourage readers to engage with your content across multiple channels.
Best Practices:
Shareable Content: Include social media sharing buttons within your newsletter to make it easy for readers to share articles, tips, or insights with their network.
Social Media Communities: Create dedicated social media groups (e.g., on Facebook or LinkedIn) where your subscribers can discuss topics covered in your newsletter, share their insights, and connect with like-minded individuals.
Live Social Media Interactions: Host live Q&A sessions or discussions on platforms like Twitter Spaces, Instagram Live, or LinkedIn Live.
Exclusive Events and Webinars
Hosting exclusive events and webinars adds value to your newsletter by offering subscribers unique experiences that they can’t get anywhere else. These events can deepen the connection between you and your readers by offering your most loyal followers a space to engage with you directly.
Best Practices:
Host Webinars With Experts: Organize webinars featuring interviews with financial experts, where subscribers can ask questions and learn from industry leaders.
Exclusive Workshops: Offer workshops that focus on specific financial skills, such as budgeting, investing, or tax planning. These are especially effective when paired with a valuable lead magnet beforehand.
Subscriber-only Events: Host exclusive virtual events, such as roundtable discussions, networking sessions, or live Q&A sessions, that are only accessible to subscribers.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one right way to create and grow a finance newsletter because each one depends on the success of one thing—the unique knowledge of its creator.
There is, however, a right platform for growing a finance newsletter. beehiiv provides all the tools that a newsletter creator needs to find their dream audience and grow quickly. It’s free for any creator with less than 2500 subscribers, and its other tiers offer 30-day free trials.
If you’re serious about growing a finance newsletter, start your free trial of beehiiv.
Reply