"I want to create a paid newsletter."
When this thought appears, you might feel both excited and anxious—excited because you have an idea that could generate income, anxious because you don't know where to start, whether you can do it well, or if anyone will buy it.
This tutorial isn't an operational guide—it's a decision companion. I'll walk with you through the complete journey from idea to first article—including all the hesitation, trial-and-error, and repeated revisions.
With the FLO.W Notion Template, you can manage the entire newsletter creation process: from initial idea clarification and competitor research, to outline design, task breakdown, progress tracking, and finally recording the launch as a Milestone. FLO.W Notion template's tools serve your thinking, not the other way around.
Overview of Newsletter Creation
Let's start with a big-picture view. Creating a paid newsletter can be divided into several phases:
| Phase | Core Tasks | FLO.W Notion template Modules |
|---|---|---|
| Validation Phase | Clarify what to write, who to write for, and why you're qualified | Notes (idea clarification), Web Clipper (competitor research) |
| Planning Phase | Design newsletter structure, draft the outline | Topic Notes (knowledge framework) |
| Execution Phase | Write articles one by one, maintain consistent output | Project (overall progress), Tasks (individual articles) |
| Launch Phase | Go live, promote, collect feedback | Milestone (record achievement), follow-up Projects (promotion plan) |
| Long-term Phase | Continuously operate your content creation business | Area (long-term direction) |
The core of this approach is: Each phase of the newsletter is a Project, but content creation is a long-term Area.
When the Idea Appears: Don't Rush to Start
The thought "create a paid newsletter" might come from many places: seeing peers selling courses, feeling you have something to share, wanting a passive income source...
Regardless of where it comes from, hold back the impulse and don't start writing immediately.
Why? Because many people stumble at this step: they excitedly write three articles only to find the direction is wrong; or they finish writing only to discover no one wants to pay; or they get stuck halfway not knowing what to write next.
Before you start, you need to answer three questions:
- What topic to write about? Not "what do I want to write," but "what content is worth paying for"
- Who are you writing for? Who is your target audience? What would they pay for?
- Why should it be you? What unique perspective, experience, or methodology do you have?
There's no standard answer to these questions, but you need to think them through seriously. The following steps will help you clarify these thoughts.
Step 1: Use Notes to Clarify Your Thoughts
Open FLO.W Notion template, create a new Note in the [Notes] section. The title can be "Newsletter Idea Clarification" or directly use your intended newsletter topic.
In this Note, try to answer the following questions (no need for perfection, just write them down):
About the Topic
- What do I most want to share?
- What unique experiences or insights do I have in this field?
- How much content can I consistently produce on this topic? (10 articles? 30 articles?)
About the Audience
- Who would be interested in this content?
- What challenges are they currently facing?
- How much would they pay to solve these challenges?
About Me
- What qualifies me to speak on this topic?
- How am I different from existing content on the market?
- If someone questions me, how would I respond?
Step 2: Research Existing Content in the Market
Before deciding to proceed, you need to know what's already out there.
This isn't for copying—it's for:
- Confirming the demand actually exists (if people are selling, people are buying)
- Finding your differentiation (how are you different from them)
- Learning from others' product design (outline structure, pricing strategy, marketing copy)
Where to Research?
- Substack: A dedicated paid newsletter platform where you can see various newsletter outlines and pricing
- Medium: Has paid member-only content, good for studying structure and engagement
- Gumroad: Many creators sell digital products here, search your topic for competitors
- Twitter/X: Many creators promote their newsletters here, search for "newsletter" + your topic
- LinkedIn: Professional newsletters are gaining popularity, search your topic for competitors
- Patreon: See how creators structure their paid tiers and content offerings
Use Web Clipper to Save Research Materials
When you find valuable competitors, save them using FLO.W Notion template's Web Clipper.
Install the FLO.W Notion template Web Clipper extension (if you haven't already)
While browsing competitor pages, click the clip button to save
Add notes on the clipped page, recording:
- What's the pricing?
- What's the outline structure?
- What's their selling point?
- How am I different from them?
Step 3: Design the Newsletter Structure
After the thinking and research in the previous two steps, you should have a clearer positioning for your newsletter. Now you can start designing the structure.
How Many Articles Does the Newsletter Need?
There's no standard answer, but here's a reference:
| Newsletter Type | Suggested Articles | Pricing Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner's Guide | 10-15 articles | $19-49 |
| Systematic Methodology | 20-30 articles | $49-99 |
| In-depth Case Studies | 30-50 articles | $99-199 |
Too few articles, and readers won't feel it's worth it; too many, and you might not finish. Start with a completable number.
What's the Relationship Between Articles?
Newsletter structures typically follow three patterns:
- Independent Parallel: Each article stands alone, readers can skip around (e.g., "100 Copywriting Tips")
- Progressive Layers: From basic to advanced, must be read in order (e.g., "Python Beginner to Expert")
- Modular Combination: Several modules, sequential within modules, skippable between modules (e.g., "Writing Course: Mindset + Techniques + Monetization")
Different structures affect your writing order and reader experience. Think clearly about which one to use.
Use Topic Notes to Build Knowledge Framework
In FLO.W Notion template, use Topic Notes to build your newsletter outline:
Create a main Note in [Notes], with the title being your newsletter name, such as "Personal Finance Practical Course for Beginners"
On the main Note page, list your outline:
- Chapter 1: Why Personal Finance Matters
- Chapter 2: Basic Financial Concepts
- Chapter 3: How to Allocate Assets
- ...
Create sub-Notes for each chapter, filling in specific content points
This way, you have a complete knowledge framework that you can reference and adjust during writing
Step 4: Think About the Newsletter's Area Placement
Before creating the Project, you need to think about a question: Where does this newsletter fit in your life's landscape?
In FLO.W Notion template, Projects belong to sub-Areas. The newsletter as a Project needs an Area placement.
If This Is Your First Time Creating Content
You might not have a "Content Creation" related Area yet. Now is a good time to set one up:
- Create an Area: "Content Creation" or "Side Business" or "Knowledge Monetization"
- Create a sub-Area: "Paid Newsletter" or more specific like "Finance Newsletter"
This way, your newsletter Project has a clear placement.
If You Already Have Content Creation Related Areas
Just place the newsletter Project under your existing sub-Area. For example:
- Area "Content Creation" → sub-Area "Newsletter" → Project "Personal Finance Beginner Course"
- Area "Side Business" → sub-Area "Knowledge Products" → Project "Writing Course Newsletter"
Why Set Up an Area?
Because the newsletter isn't isolated. It might be the beginning of your content creation business:
- After the first newsletter succeeds, you might create a second one
- The newsletter will generate readers, you might build a community
- The community will generate interactions, you might do consulting or live streams
The newsletter is a Project (it ends), but content creation is an Area (long-term operation). Setting up the Area gives all your content creation Projects, Notes, and Milestones a home.
Step 5: Create the Newsletter Project
Now you've clarified your direction, done research, designed the outline, and determined Area placement. It's time to officially create the Project.
Project Boundary: Launch Means Complete
Before creating the Project, clarify one thing: This Project's goal is "newsletter launch"—launch means the Project is complete.
Why define it this way? Because:
- "Launch" is a clear Milestone, easy to track progress
- "Continuous updates" after launch is a different approach, should be a new Project
- Promotion work can proceed in parallel with planning, no need to wait until launch
From the top navigation, enter the [Projects] center. In the [Project Category - Creation] view, click New
Enter the Project name. I recommend including the newsletter name, such as "Create 'Personal Finance Practical Course for Beginners' Newsletter"
Set [Project Type] to "Creation"
Set [sub-Area] to the Area you planned earlier (such as "Paid Newsletter")
Set [Project Schedule Date]:
- Start date: Today
- End date: Expected launch date (e.g., 3 months later)
Step 6: Write Your First Article
The Project is created. Now comes the hardest part: starting to write.
Why Is the First Article the Hardest?
Because the first article carries too many expectations: you want it to be good enough, to represent the entire newsletter's quality, to attract readers to continue...
This mindset makes it hard to start writing.
Choose the "Easiest to Write" Article to Start
The first article doesn't have to be the first one in your outline. Pick the content you're most confident about:
- A topic you're most familiar with
- Something you've written about before
- One with the most abundant cases and materials
Complete one first, build confidence, then write the others.
Use Tasks to Manage Single Article Writing
On the Project page, create a Task for this article:
In the Task area on the Project page, add Task "Write: Chapter X XXXX"
In the Task details, list the writing steps for this article (write in the body, no need to create sub-Tasks):
- Organize outline and key points
- Write first draft
- Edit and polish
- Add cases/images
Set [Schedule Date], giving yourself a deadline to complete this article
Check off the Task when complete, and Project progress will update automatically
Step 7: Establish a Sustainable Writing Rhythm
One article is done, but there are still ten or twenty more waiting. How do you maintain the rhythm and not give up halfway?
Set a Reasonable Writing Frequency
Based on your time and energy, choose a sustainable frequency:
| Available Time | Suggested Frequency | Estimated Timeline (20-article newsletter) |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time creation | 1 article per day | 1 month |
| Part-time creation (2-3 hours daily) | 2-3 articles per week | 2-3 months |
| Hobby creation (mainly weekends) | 1 article per week | 5-6 months |
The key is choosing a frequency you can sustain. Writing is a marathon, not a sprint.
Use Task Schedule Dates to Maintain Rhythm
In the Project, create Tasks for each article and set Schedule Dates:
- Chapter 1: Complete by January 28
- Chapter 2: Complete by February 4
- Chapter 3: Complete by February 11
- ...
This way, you can see this week's writing Tasks on the [Home] page, maintaining continuous progress.
After Launch, This Is Just the Beginning
When you finish the last article, set the pricing, and click publish—congratulations, the "Create Newsletter" Project is officially complete.
Project Complete, Record the Milestone
Newsletter launch means this Project's goal is achieved. In FLO.W:
- Change the Project status to [Complete]
- In your "Content Creation" sub-Area, create a Milestone
Recommended Milestone content:
- Milestone name: "'Personal Finance Practical Course for Beginners' Newsletter Launch"
- Achievement date: Publication date
- Record on the page: How long it took, how many articles, pricing, first week sales
This is a stage achievement worth celebrating. You'll thank yourself for recording this moment when you look back.
Start New Project: Newsletter Continuous Updates
After launch, if you plan to continuously update content, this is another Project following a different approach:
"Create Newsletter" Project: Clear goal (launch), has deadline, sprint to complete "Continuous Updates" Project: Long-term operation, steady rhythm, continuous iteration
You can create a new Project "Personal Finance Newsletter Continuous Updates" to manage:
- Regular new chapter updates
- Revision Tasks based on reader feedback
- Supplementary content planning
This way, two Projects have clear boundaries and won't get mixed together.
Other Possible Supporting Projects
Based on your goals, you might need these Projects after launch (some can run in parallel with planning):
Promotion Plan (can run in parallel with planning)
- Which channels to promote on?
- How many promotional pieces to write?
- Should there be pre-launch teasers, launch events, limited-time discounts?
Reader Community Operations (Project)
- Build a community or not?
- What services to provide in the community?
- How to maintain engagement?
Next Newsletter (Project)
- Experience from the first newsletter can be applied to the second
- If the reader base is similar, you can cross-sell
Evolution from Project to Area
After you've done 2-3 newsletters, "Content Creation" becomes not just a few Projects, but a long-term Area.
At this point, under your "Content Creation" Area you might have:
- sub-Area "Paid Newsletter" → Project A, Project B, Project C
- sub-Area "Community Operations" → Project D
- sub-Area "Live Streams/Consulting" → Project E
All Notes, Milestones, and Projects belong to this Area system, forming your "Content Creation Portfolio."
This is the value of FLO.W's design: Tools grow with you, the system evolves with your needs.
Complete Structure Overview
Finally, let's summarize the complete structure of newsletter creation in the FLO.W Notion Template with a diagram:
Area: Content Creation
│
├── sub-Area: Paid Newsletter
│ │
│ ├── Project: Create "Personal Finance Practical Course" ← Complete at launch
│ │ ├── Task: Write Chapter 1
│ │ ├── Task: Write Chapter 2
│ │ ├── Task: Set pricing
│ │ └── Task: Publish and launch
│ │
│ ├── Project: "Personal Finance" Promotion ← Can run in parallel with above
│ │ ├── Task: Write pre-launch copy
│ │ ├── Task: Plan launch event
│ │ └── Task: Channel distribution
│ │
│ ├── Project: "Personal Finance" Continuous Updates ← New Project after launch
│ │ ├── Task: Update Chapter 21
│ │ ├── Task: Revise Chapter 5 (based on feedback)
│ │ └── ...
│ │
│ └── Milestone: Newsletter Launch (2026-04-01)
│
├── Note: Newsletter Idea Clarification
├── Note: Competitor Research Records
└── Topic Notes: "Personal Finance Practical Course" Outline
├── Sub-Note: Chapter 1 Knowledge Framework
├── Sub-Note: Chapter 2 Knowledge Framework
└── ...
Web Clipper
├── Competitor A's product page
├── Competitor B's product page
└── Industry reportsFAQ
Related Features
- Project Management - Learn complete Project features
- Area Organization - Understand the Area design philosophy
- Topic Notes - A powerful tool for building knowledge frameworks
- Milestone - Record stage achievements
- Web Clipper - Collect research materials
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