The Art & Business of Writing Podcast with Nicolas Cole

How to Start and Sell a Paid Newsletter That Works

This episode features a clip from our Premium Ghostwriting Academy Hot Seat live session, where we break down how to launch a paid newsletter in a way that works. Many people rush into charging for content without knowing if there’s real demand. The key is understanding what makes people willing to pay—not just information, but insight, perspective, and personal experience.

We’ll cover why testing your audience first is important, how to sell a small paid product before committing to a full newsletter, and how to structure content so subscribers stick around. If you’re thinking about monetizing your writing, this episode will help you take the right steps.

(0:00) Introduction and question recap: How to structure a paid newsletter
(1:31) Why free content helps build demand before launching a paid version
(4:13) The difference between what people consume for free vs. what they’ll pay for
(7:06) Testing demand by selling a one-time product before committing to a subscription
(10:23) How to turn a successful book, report, or product into a paid newsletter
(13:16) The challenges of recurring revenue and why retention matters

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

Why Follow-Ups Are Actually An Act of Kindness

This episode is an excerpt from our Premium Ghostwriting Academy Hot Seat live session, where we discuss why follow-ups are more than just a sales tactic—they’re a way to help clients make decisions. Many people hesitate to follow up because they don’t want to seem pushy, but in reality, most clients are just busy or unsure about the next step.  

We break down how to follow up in a way that adds value, why repetition builds trust, and how to position yourself as a trusted expert rather than just another service provider. Whether you're writing email courses, marketing your services, or selling a product, this episode will help you rethink how you approach follow-ups.

(0:00 - 1:38) – Introduction and discussion on explaining the value of educational email courses
(1:39 - 3:49) – Why reframing a client’s question is more effective than just answering it
(3:50 - 5:57) – How follow-ups help clients recognize their own challenges and make better decisions
(5:58 - 8:12) – The role of mistakes and objections in structuring effective email courses
(8:13 - 10:24) – Why practicing on yourself builds trust and credibility with clients
(10:25 - 13:02) – How marketing is about experimenting, learning, and sharing insights
(13:03 - 16:00) – The value of persistence and why follow-ups help clients, not pressure them

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://yt.premiumghostwritingbluepri...

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://yt.startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://yt.startfictionwritingwithai....

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Ready to start ghostwriting? Click here for a FREE 5-day EEC: https://yt.premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=SubstackGrowthMasteryYT&htrafficsource=youtube_organic

Are you a beginner to the newsletter world? Start here: https://youtu.be/GrfO_bRprE0?si=e6XR_13AIgEcSEGD

Want to grow your paid Substack newsletter to six figures? In this video, I break down the five key growth strategies that took Write With AI from plateauing at $300K ARR to nearly $400K in just a few months. These include quarterly digital product drops, a high-value founding member offer, an optimized welcome email sequence, and leveraging Substack’s built-in features like Notes. Plus, I reveal the "flywheel" strategy that could push your newsletter to six, eventually seven figures in 2025. If you're serious about monetizing your newsletter, watch this to learn what’s working right now! 🚀

(00:00)  5 Growth Strategies to Build a Multi 6-Figure Newsletter
(01:58)  Quarterly Digital Product Drops
(05:04)  Founding Member Offer
(07:14)  Master Prompt Library
(09:37)  “Value” Welcome Email Sequence
(13:05)  Substack Notes

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

How to Educate Clients Instead of Convincing Them

This episode features a clip from our Premium Ghostwriting Academy Hot Seat live session, where we break down why educating potential clients is more effective than trying to convince them. People don’t always see the value of good writing right away, and pushing too hard can backfire. Instead, the key is to ask thoughtful questions, highlight gaps they might not notice, and help them recognize why they need your help. We’ll talk about how to guide these conversations so they lead to better client relationships and more business.

(0:00 - 1:38) – Introduction and the challenge of convincing clients who think their content is good enough

(1:39 - 4:05) – Why educating clients works better than trying to convince them

(4:06 - 7:46) – How asking the right questions helps clients see gaps in their strategy

(7:47 - 12:00) – Why strong writing alone isn’t enough—other skills that make writers more valuable

(12:01 - 17:02) – How focusing on one problem builds trust and leads to more opportunities

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://yt.premiumghostwritingbluepri...

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://yt.startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://yt.startfictionwritingwithai....

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

If you've ever wanted to self-publish a book and actually make money from it, this is your ultimate guide. In this video, I break down the entire self-publishing process, from testing and outlining your book idea to publishing on Amazon and making six figures in royalties—without spending a dime on ads. You'll learn the five essential tools for self-publishing success, how to position and edit your book for maximum impact, and the simple, evergreen marketing strategy that generates consistent sales. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, this step-by-step guide will help you turn your book into a profitable asset.

(00:00) Make 6-Figures Self-Publishing Books on Amazon

(13:29) How to Self-Publish Your First Book

(52:04) Self-Publishing Fiction on Amazon (5 Tools to Success)

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

Don't Be Afraid To Burn The Boats.

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://yt.premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=SecretIndustryYT&htrafficsource=youtube_organic

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://yt.startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://yt.startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

You aren't asking for help, and that's why you're failing.

Let me know in the comments if you get value out of this direct/brutal life advice. I'll share more of it!

(00:00) Overcoming the Fear of Asking for Help
(01:15) Networking and Knowledge Sharing at Events
(02:21) Overcoming Faulty Beliefs When Building an Audience 
(03:26) The Power of Asking for Help and Learning from Others
(04:37) The Art of Attracting Mentors Through Genuine Curiosity
(05:45) The Power of Asking for Help and Listening
(06:52) The Power of Silence: How Listening Encourages Others to Share

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://yt.premiumghostwritingbluepri...

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://yt.startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://yt.startfictionwritingwithai....

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

8 Reasons Why AI Won't Ruin The Ghostwriting Industry

Is AI going to ruin the ghostwriting industry?

Of course not! (And anyone who says it will has a SEVERE misunderstanding of how AI works, and the value a ghostwriter provides.)

There are so many faulty beliefs around the impact AI will have on the writing space, so I wanted to tackle them all.

Enjoy :) And I hope this helps you get out of your own way & get started ghostwriting ASAP!

(00:00) Introduction to AI in Writing

(01:40) Misconceptions About AI

(03:20) Building Confidence in Ideas

(05:00) The Value of Personal Narratives

(06:40) AI's Role in Efficiency

(10:00) Conclusion on Ghostwriting Skills

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://yt.premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=SecretIndustryYT&htrafficsource=youtube_organic

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://yt.startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://yt.startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Ready to start ghostwriting? Click here for a FREE 5-day EEC:https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=SecretIndustryPD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

Want to make six figures as a writer? Social media ghostwriting is the "new secret industry" where 20-somethings are earning upwards of $700 per hour writing content for business owners, founders, and executives. In this video, I break down exactly what social media ghostwriting is, why it’s in high demand, and how you can get started—even if you have no experience. I’ll share lessons from my own journey from making $15 an hour to earning over $3,000,000 in revenue ghostwriting for Silicon Valley founders and billionaire investors. Plus, I’ll give you my proven content strategy that keeps clients paying you month after month. If you want to get paid to write, learn, and build your network while working from anywhere, here is the ultimate beginner’s guide.

(00:00) Intro

(01:49) How Ghostwriting Pays You

(02:27) What is Social Media Ghostwriting?

(03:45) Why Ghostwriters Are So In-Demand Right Now

(06:15) How You Can Get Started as a Social Media Ghostwriter (5 Step Roadmap)

(06:43) Step 1: Be Your Own Case Study

(07:54) Step 2: Comments As Consulting

(09:59) Step 3: Pitch in Public

(11:34) Step 4: Follow Up Until They Call The Cops

(13:45) Step 5: Anonymous Case Studies as Content

(15:14) How Much Can You Charge as a Ghostwriter?

(16:13) BONUS: My Social Ghostwriting Content Generator

🔗 Other videos I think you'll enjoy:

Free Ghostwriting Masterclass (from $0 to $10k/mo): https://youtu.be/1wFHDOWr2os

Why Ghostwriters Make More $$$ Than Freelance Writers: https://youtu.be/3JFHavYOqdc

The Fastest Path to Make $3,755,972 as a Writer: https://youtu.be/TOMbKs4NJBU

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

How to Give Clients Useful Feedback Without Pushing Them Away

This episode features a clip from our Premium Ghostwriting Academy Hot Seat live session, where we discuss how to give clients clear, constructive feedback. Many people avoid telling clients what’s not working because they don’t want to risk upsetting them. But good feedback, shared the right way, builds trust and leads to better results. We’ll cover how to present your ideas, why making your suggestions tangible matters, and how to position yourself as a helpful partner rather than just another service provider.

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com