Your First 100 Paid Subscribers Are Closer Than You Think
3 Steps You Need to Hit 100 Paid Subscribers Faster
There’s a lot of questionable advice floating around on how to “build an audience” and “grow your list.”
Most of it makes it sound like you need six years, a PhD in marketing, and a wizard hat.
You don’t.
Here’s the truth nobody’s screaming from the rooftops (but should):
If you want your first 100 paid subscribers fast, you need to stop writing like you’re trying to get a gold star in English class and start writing like your rent depends on it.
Like it’s your job.
Because it kind of is.
I’m giving you the ONLY thing you need to know to start a profitable and fast-growing paid newsletter.
These 100 paid subscribers? They’re closer than you think.
I got them in about 3 months after implementing what I’m about to share. Many others did the same.
But still 99% of the people find it hard. The reason? They skip at least of the 3 steps below (or are doing them wrong).
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Write Short-Form Content So Good People WANT to Follow You
Notes or social media posts aren’t an afterthought. They’re your handshake, your business card, your billboard.
The top of your funnel.
The bring subscribers on your list.
Most writers treat those like diary entries. You can literally smell the boredom.
Instead, treat every Note like a $1,000 ad campaign for your brand.
Short. Punchy. Sharp.
Something that punches your reader in the face (the good kind) and makes them say: “Oh, I need more of this.”
You know what comment I got today (it melted my heart)?
“I want to be like you”.
and some of the type “I needed to read that today”.
That’s the sign you need to know that you’re on the right path.
Ask yourself every time you post:
Would I follow me?
Does it make me feel anything?
Would I share this with my friends?
If the answer is no, congratulations. You found your problem. Improve your Notes.
How I solved this?
I created a custom GPT, trained to write viral Notes out of the tons of knowledge I gave it about me.
I basically automated my short-from writing.
I used it to implement a system that takes me less than 15 minutes per day to write 3 to 10+ pieces of punchy short-form texts.
Step 2: Write Posts So Good They Can’t Believe It’s Free
There’s a rule in online writing that never gets old:
Give away 99% of the good stuff for free.
That’s how you showcase your expertise.
And before you roll your eyes and mutter, “But then why would they pay me?” — here’s the truth:
If your free stuff feels premium, your paid stuff will feel like a steal.
Nobody wants to pay for leftovers. They pay for MORE of what already wowed them.
How?
Sell the same, only personalized ;) Build a service out of your knowledge.
You’ll be amazed how many people actually need someone to take them by the hand and show them the fastest path, saving them tons of time (and money).
It does feel like a steal. That’s why they’re ready to pay for it.
When people read your free posts and think, “Wait, this is free?!” you’ve already sold them.
You’re just waiting for them to swipe their card.
And that’s only one way to do it.
Step 3: Lock the Gold Behind Your Paywall
Here’s what most people don’t get.
The ususal question: “But what to paywall when I’ve gave almost everything for free?!”
That 1% left, plus:
A community around your free content.
A personalized service based on your free content
A tangible asset based on your free content (a course, a book, a template, a research, etc)
Or simply earn with affiliates and sponsorships. When you have a high-quality newsletter, it’s easier than you think. You can start with passionfroot.
Then next false belief: “Locking content will scare people away.”
It doesn’t.
It builds mystique. Curiosity. Urgency.
It shouts “high quality”.
Your free content should make readers fall in love with you.
Your paywall should make them realize they can’t live without you.
Simple. Ruthless. Effective.
The Shortcut Nobody Talks About
If you’re still sitting there thinking, “But what if I’m not good enough yet?”, listen carefully:
Nobody was “good enough” when they started.
You get good by shipping.
You get paid by daring.
You won’t earn a dime hiding behind “perfect.”
So start today.
Write one killer Note.
One punchy Post.
Put one gold bar behind your paywall.
Then do it again. And again. And again.
Consistency is the only “algorithm” that actually matters.
Bottom Line
Your first 100 paid subscribers are closer than you think.
If you want your first 100 paid subscribers, this is your playbook:
Write like your life depends on it (because it does).
Sell like your readers’ lives get better because of it (because they do).
And do it consistently.
The rest will take care of itself.
Stay Unplugged!
Yana
👉 Find my story along with a dozen other stories from creators who built their own path to consistent $10k+ months through newsletters, courses, communities, consulting, and more, in this FREE 10k Secrets Book!
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