Substack Monetization Launch Strategy for Dr.
Carosso
Primary Goal:
Turn 20+ years of expert content into a profitable Substack ecosystem with paying subscribers,
strong eBook sales, and long-term audience growth.
1. Content Audit & Categorization
Objective: Identify which content themes are high-value and monetizable.
Group existing content into themes (e.g., Autism parenting, ADHD tips, family therapy,
school support).
Flag cornerstone content pieces to feature or expand.
Identify evergreen vs. time-sensitive pieces for repurposing.
2. Substack Editorial Plan
Objective: Consistent weekly content that blends free value + paid content.
Free Posts (Teasers/Stories/Insights): Short, practical, emotion led.
Paid Posts (Deep Dives): Long-form advice, case studies, exclusive guides.
Schedule 1 to 2 free, 1 paid post weekly for 90 days.
Create a “Start Here” welcome post for new subscribers. (applies if account is new)
3. Subscription Funnel Setup
Objective: Move readers from free to paid using trust and value.
Add a freebie incentive (e.g., “Free ADHD Strategies Checklist” or mini eBook).
Use storytelling and transformation-based testimonials in emails.
Set up Substack’s welcome email + subscriber journey (automated).
Price tiers: e.g., $5/mo, $50/yr, plus optional premium tier ($99/yr for webinars or
consults).
4. eBook & Product Sales Strategy
Objective: Leverage existing material to create instant revenue.
Package series into eBooks or mini courses (PDFs, videos, or guides).
Promote via email, Substack posts, and social media.
Use limited time offers or bonuses to boost conversions.
5. Social Media Content Engine
Objective: Drive attention to Substack with high-emotion, short-form content.
Platforms: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok
Teaser formats: “Did you know…”, carousel tips, parent quotes, client transformations.
CTA every time: “Full story and solution on my Substack link in bio.”
6. Long-Form Interview Series
Objective: Build authority and expand reach.
Launch monthly Zoom interviews with professionals or parents.
Repurpose into Substack paid content + social clips.
Upload to YouTube or podcast format for additional exposure.
7. Metrics to Track (First 90 Days) KPI’s
Substack free vs. paid subscriber growth
Email open & click rates
eBook sales and conversion rates
Top-performing social content by reach/engagement
My Role as the Digital marketing Manager for this Project:
Content strategy & calendar
Social media content creation & scheduling
Teaser copywriting and repurposing
Funnel setup and email sequences
eBook formatting and promotion
Interview facilitation & post-production coordination
Now, Since this project is ongoing, multi-channel, and revenue focused, I’ll want a budget that:
1. Covers My time and expertise
2. Reflects the scope (Substack + social media + product sales funnels)
3. Shows ROI potential so he sees it as an investment, not an expense
Here’s a budget structure for this Project, Starting off
Proposed Budget for Substack Monetization & Social Media
Growth
“Given the scope and the ROI goal, my approach is to combine a strong organic content plan
with sales funnels and optional paid ads. The first month is higher because of the setup and
system building, then the cost drops to monthly management. With consistent promotion, the
subscription revenue and eBook sales can quickly offset this investment.”
1. Setup & Strategy (One-Time Launch Phase)
Content audit & categorization: $250
Substack optimization & funnel setup (freebie creation, welcome email, paid tiers): $350
eBook packaging & sales page setup: $200
Social media branding assets & templates: $200
Subtotal: $1,000
2. Monthly Ongoing Management
Substack Management
o Weekly content formatting, posting (free + paid)
o Paid subscriber conversion campaigns
o Analytics & performance reports
Social Media Marketing
o 12–16 posts/month (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram)
o Short-form video teasers from content
o Engagement monitoring & audience replies
Product Sales
o eBook promotion campaigns
o Long-form interview promotion & repurposing
Rate: $1,200/month
3. Optional Paid Advertising Budget (Recommended)
Facebook/Instagram ads to promote Substack & eBooks
Starting suggestion: $300–$500/month (billed directly to client’s ad account)
Total First Month Investment:
$2,200 – $2,500 (includes setup + first month management)
Ongoing Monthly: $1,200 + optional ad spends
CONSIDER ASKING THESE QUESTIONS AT THE START OF THE MEETING
1. Current Monetization & Audience
“How many active readers or followers do you currently have across Substack, your website, and
social media — and have you monetized any of them before?”
(This tells you his starting point and what’s already working.)
2. Revenue Targets
“What’s your ideal monthly income from Substack and related products in the next 6–12
months?”
(Helps you link your fee to hitting his financial goals.)
3. Content Licensing & Repurposing
“Are there any restrictions on how I can repurpose your existing 20 years of content — for
example, turning it into eBooks, courses, or video material?”
(Ensures you have creative freedom.)
4. Marketing Scope & Budget
“Beyond my fee, are you open to investing in paid promotion — like targeted social media ads
— to accelerate subscriber growth?”(Determines whether you’ll have resources for faster ROI.)
5. Success Measurement“How will you measure whether this partnership is successful in the
first 3–6 months?”(Sets clear performance expectations and lets you tie your work to measurable
wins.)
Call Flow Structure – Saturday
(Target: Build trust → Show value → Position fee as an investment → Close with confidence)
1. Warm Connection (2–3 mins)
Greet warmly, thank him for the opportunity to talk.
Briefly acknowledge his project and experience.
“I’ve looked over your website and the incredible amount of content you’ve built over the years
— it’s a goldmine for monetization.”
2. Discovery (5–7 mins)
Ask your Top 5 questions (from earlier) to gather insights:
1. Audience size & engagement
2. Revenue goals
3. Content repurposing rights
4. Marketing budget beyond your fee
5. Success metrics
(Take notes — you’ll refer to his answers when presenting your plan.)
3. Solution Vision (5–6 mins)
Summarize what you heard.
Paint a clear picture of what working with you would look like.
“So, based on your goal of [his revenue target] within 6–12 months, here’s the plan I’d execute:
– Monetize existing content on Substack with subscription models
– Create and launch eBooks from your 20-year archive
– Develop long-form interviews for premium members
– Run strategic social media campaigns to drive traffic to Substack
– Repurpose content into high-converting social posts to build audience trust and urgency”
4. Value Positioning (2–3 mins)
Link your work directly to ROI.
“The aim is to turn your archive into a steady, growing subscription income. If we can get even
[X number] of paying subscribers at [X price], you’ll already see multiples of your investment in
me.”
5. The Offer (1–2 mins)
Deliver with calm confidence:
“To deliver this at a high standard and ensure we hit your goals, my professional fee is
$3,000/month. This covers strategy, content repurposing, marketing execution, and analytics
tracking. I see this as an investment — not just in marketing, but in building a reliable revenue
engine for you.”
(Then pause — let him respond.)
6. Close & Next Steps (1–2 mins)
If he’s interested:
“Great — I can send over a proposal with the first 90-day roadmap and milestones so we can get
started right away.”
If he hesitates:
Bring it back to ROI and possible phased options (but don’t drop your price too fast).
I can also give you a scripted answer for when he asks “Why $3,000?”
TAKE THIS PART SERIOUSLY
Here’s how you can confidently answer those top five questions so you position yourself as
highly capable and worth your proposed $3,000/month:
1. "What’s your experience with monetizing content?"
Answer:
I have over 5 years of experience in digital marketing and content monetization, working with
brands to turn visibility into profit. This includes building subscription models, launching eBook
sales, creating lead magnets, running social media campaigns, and optimizing funnels for
conversions. I also specialize in repurposing long-form content into engaging micro-content that
drives traffic to revenue-generating platforms like Substack.
2. "How will you approach growing my Substack subscribers?"
Answer:
I’ll use a multi-channel strategy that includes:
Repurposing your 20 years of valuable content into high-value posts, teasers, and email
newsletters.
Leveraging social media to build curiosity and direct traffic to Substack.
Creating lead magnets and special offers (like free chapters from your eBooks) to
encourage sign-ups.
Running targeted ads to your ideal audience to accelerate growth.
Using data analytics to optimize campaigns for conversions.
3. "How do you plan to sell my eBooks?"
Answer:
I’ll develop a targeted sales funnel for each eBook:
Eye-catching landing pages with compelling copy.
Limited-time offers and bundles for urgency.
Social media storytelling to highlight the problems your books solve.
Email marketing to warm leads into buyers.
Partnering with relevant influencers or groups for cross-promotion.
4. "What kind of ROI should I expect?"
Answer:
Based on the size of your existing content library and my marketing approach, we can expect
steady growth in paid subscribers within the first 2–3 months, with sales from eBooks and
upsells following shortly after. While exact ROI depends on audience size and ad spend, my
focus is on making the monthly revenue from Substack and eBook sales exceed the cost of hiring
me within the first quarter.
5. "Why should I choose you over someone else?"
Answer:
I bring a rare combination of strategy, execution, and proven results. I’m not just managing
social media—I’m building a revenue engine. My background in SEO, digital marketing, and
content strategy means I can take your existing assets and turn them into consistent, predictable
income streams. Plus, I work with a results-first mindset, so my success is tied to yours.
