StretchLearn Course

Launch and Grow a Paid Newsletter on Substack

From blank page to paying subscribers — a practical system for solo creators.

Beginner9 hrSelf PacedRegistered

Course Overview

What this course is designed to develop

This course walks you through the full lifecycle of a paid newsletter business on Substack, from positioning and first-issue structure to sustainable publishing cadences and conversion funnels. You will apply proven frameworks — StoryBrand, the Hook Model, and Jobs-to-Be-Done — to every writing and growth decision. By the end, you will have a live newsletter with a clear value proposition, a 90-day editorial calendar, and a working free-to-paid conversion system.

Learning Outcomes

What the learner should be able to understand, build, or execute.

Define a defensible newsletter niche using Jobs-to-Be-Done positioning

Write issues that follow a repeatable structure generating 40%+ open rates

Build an email list from zero using referral loops and cross-promotion

Set up Substack's paid tier with pricing, perks, and upgrade prompts

Analyse open rate, churn, and MRR metrics to iterate your content strategy

Convert free subscribers to paid using a 7-email welcome sequence

Curriculum Preview

Inside the curriculum: a structured path from fundamentals to execution.

Preview the course structure, see how the modules build on one another, and understand the path this program is designed to take you through.

Module 1

Module 1: Positioning and First-Issue Architecture

Choose a niche that attracts paying readers and structure your first issue so subscribers immediately understand why they should stay.

3 lessons

Finding Your Defensible NicheContent · 45 min

Preview Enabled

Structuring the Perfect IssueContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Writing Consistently Without Burning OutContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Module 2

Module 2: Building Your Subscriber List From Zero

Use referral loops, cross-promotions, and content seeding to grow from 0 to 1,000 subscribers before spending a dollar on ads.

3 lessons

The Zero-Budget Launch PlaybookContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Referral Loops and Viral Growth MechanicsContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Content Seeding and Cross-Platform DistributionContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Module 3

Module 3: Launching and Optimising Your Paid Tier

Configure Substack's paid subscription system, set pricing that converts, and write the welcome sequence that moves free readers to paying subscribers.

3 lessons

Setting Up Substack Payments and PricingContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Writing a Free-to-Paid Welcome SequenceContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Upgrade Prompts, Paywalls, and Upsell MomentsContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Module 4

Module 4: Analytics, Retention, and Scaling Revenue

Read your Substack metrics with precision, reduce churn, and add revenue streams beyond subscriptions to build a durable creator business.

3 lessons

Reading Your Substack Dashboard Like a ProContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Reducing Churn and Reactivating Lapsed SubscribersContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Revenue Diversification Beyond SubscriptionsContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Built for Application

A complete learning path, not a one-off inspiration hit.

This program is designed around progression: focused lessons, structured modules, applied resources, assessments, and a course rhythm that turns information into usable capability.

substacknewsletteremail marketingcontent strategymonetizationaudience buildingpaid subscriptionscreator economy