4 Surprising Ways Newsletters Unlock Location Independence

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What do Tim Ferriss, Pieter Levels, and Matthew Kepnes have in common?

Aside from being super successful solopreneurs millionaires, they all share a core belief in the importance of location independence. And as digital nomads, each owns a huge newsletter and mailing list only they control. What is often overlooked is that although they have a huge following, they do not depend on social media, where big tech employees can snuff out all your work in an instant like they did to my former company because they think your politics don’t align with theirs or because they flagged it as "misinformation.”

I lost my company Nano Depot Facebook ad account, which had over 200K USD spent, due to the misinformation spread by authoritarian politicians during the COVID pandemic in 2021.

But make no mistake; this can happen to anyone!

Before we begin, I want to highlight this week's sponsor—1440, one of the few news outlets truly committed to unbiased reporting. Unlike the usual media propaganda, 1440 offers refreshing, honest content.

Elon Musk thinks it is an existential threat to democracy and society and I agree 100%.

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Rented Space vs. Owning Your Audience

A newsletter is different from posting on social platforms.

When you build a newsletter, you own the connection between you and your readers. No one can step in and cut off your communication, and no one can censor your message.

And it is direct. In fact, email is still considered the directest of all forms of communication.

This is why newsletters are becoming a lifeline for those of us tired of jumping through the hoops of Big Tech.

Why Writing a Newsletter is Perfect for Location-Independent Living

Writing a newsletter is one of the simplest, low-cost, and profitable ways to achieve time and location freedom.

Unlike other online ventures—such as dropshipping, crypto, or video production—starting a newsletter requires minimal setup and no costly equipment.

Here’s why it stands out:

1. Newsletters as Mental Real Estate

A consistent newsletter embeds itself in the reader’s mind, forging a lasting psychological connection that outlives the fleeting noise of social media.

There are 2 types of newsletters that do well as business models.

1) The curated research-based newsletters where you share the best content from around the web on a specific topic.

Here are some examples:

• Creative Automation: Get the 5-minute newsletter keeping 25K+ creatives in the loop on AI.

• Techpresso: Keep up with AI & Tech in 5 minutes

• Books & Biceps: Get Your Next Book & Weekly Gym Motivation

For more variety, you can also check this list here.

2) The original thought-based newsletters. These newsletters focus on delivering unique insights, personal reflections, and unconventional perspectives that challenge mainstream narratives and spark deeper thinking.

This one you are reading fits into category two.

Whether you focus on curating valuable content or sharing original ideas, both newsletter models build lasting audience connections and long-term value. This isn't a quick-money scheme—it requires consistency, creativity, and patience. But if you're committed to improving your writing and willing to embrace delayed gratification, a newsletter becomes a powerful asset.

Over time, it builds intellectual capital, opens doors to new opportunities, and secures your future with an engaged audience that grows with every email you send.

2. Minimal Startup Costs

Starting a newsletter business is incredibly affordable. Here’s all you need to get going:

• Email platform (like Beehiiv): Free to start and low-cost

• Social media presence (LinkedIn or X): free!

• Landing page (via like Systeme or Carrd): Free!

• Creative Writing and Ideas: Free!

Unlike most businesses, which require upfront capital and specialized skills, writing a newsletter is truly accessible to anyone.

All you need is your brain, an idea, and the willingness to express it consistently. Just like fitness, writing improves with daily practice—if you show up and write every day, your skills will naturally evolve over time. The beauty lies in its simplicity: no complicated setups, no hefty investments—just patience, consistency, and effort. And the best part? It’s practically free to start.

This is one of the rare business models where the barriers are mental, not financial. If you're willing to commit and trust the process, you will see results.

3. Earn More—From Anywhere

Newsletter writing isn’t just flexible—it can be very lucrative. As your subscriber base grows, so do your income opportunities.

• Premium subscriptions: Charge readers for exclusive content with a paywall.

• Multiple income streams: Add sponsorships, affiliate links, or product launches. For example, Beehiiv just released CPM Deals with guaranteed payouts based on impressions from top global brands, which means that you get paid for each email that is opened!

• Location independence: Your earnings depend on your content, not where you live.

Newsletter writing isn’t just flexible—it’s an incredibly scalable opportunity with limitless potential.

Take Morning Brew, for example, which scaled from a small project into a media powerhouse, thanks in part to the efforts of people like Tyler Denk. Now CEO of Beehiiv, Tyler, who was a key player in Morning Brew's success, continues to push boundaries by regularly updating us with new features designed to help creators monetize effectively.

In fact, just yesterday I received an email from Tyler introducing CPM Deals—guaranteed payouts based on impressions from top global brands like Netflix, Hubspot or Hims!

This personal touch from a CEO who deeply understands the creator economy reflects their commitment to helping us thrive.

Beehiv’s evolving features demonstrate that with the right tools and vision, your newsletter has no ceiling—it can grow into something truly extraordinary.

4. Demand is Exploding

The rise of personal brands and niche communities has fueled an explosion in demand for newsletters.

Businesses, creators, and thought leaders now rely on newsletters to engage their audiences, but many struggle with consistency, clarity, and building loyal followings.

This demand signals more than a trend—it reflects a shift toward independence from the volatility of social media.

Platforms like Beehiiv and ConvertKit have grown rapidly, offering creators a way to bypass algorithm changes, misinformation, and censorship. Newsletters have become the go-to channel for those seeking control over their audience and income streams through memberships, digital products, or coaching offers.

Creators increasingly recognize the risks of relying on social platforms, vulnerable to bans, policies, or political constraints.

Newsletters provide a future-proof way to connect directly with audiences—unfiltered and free from third-party interference.

With demand rising, high-quality newsletters are more essential than ever.

But success requires more than just sending emails—it takes strategy, clarity, and consistent effort to engage readers, retain subscribers, and generate meaningful income.

Thank you for reading !

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