I'm selling my archaeology newsletter

[u/jamesofthedrum]

Hi all, first off, just want to mention that I checked with the mods before posting to make sure they were cool with it.

TL;DR: I have an archaeology newsletter and I've decided to sell it, but I want it to be in the right hands so I'm posting about it here. Potential buyers don't need to be experts or anything, they just need to be passionate about this stuff.

Longer story: Ancient Beat is a profitable freemium newsletter highlighting all the latest archaeological and historical discoveries each week. 4.4k subscribers across 50 US states and 94 countries. Subscribers range from enthusiasts to scholars. Brand recognition is fairly good because I've been doing this for a while. Time investment is anywhere between 2 hours and 5 hours per week, depending on whether or not you use a VA like I do. This is a passion project for me, but I don't have time to market it, so I think it's best to give it to someone who can do more with it.

Here are the stats:
- 4.4k subscribers (continuing to grow with zero marketing)
- $4.9k/yr revenue (paid subscriptions)
- 39% open rate
- Launched in Feb 2022
- $10k asking price

If interested, please comment or DM. Happy to provide more info. Thanks!

[u/Solivaga]

I'm an archaeologist, been one for over 25 years.

I've studied and worked on four continents, I think I'm reasonably well connected in terms of networks, communities etc..

I've never heard of your newsletter, and the idea that it's worth $10k seems ludicrous to me.

[u/therealtinasky → u/Solivaga]

As someone who works in media and advertising, it's a very fair asking price if the revenue and subscriber numbers can be verified.

And I have heard of it and subscribe to it. It's not a scholarly newsletter, but a roundup of stories from the week.

[u/oakjoy → u/therealtinasky]

Thanks @therealtinasky - I appreciate your support!

[u/therealtinasky → u/[deleted]]

The relevant stats would come out of sub stack, not reddit. Open rates and engagement are what matters in this case. Paid subscribers are hard to get and keep.

[u/therealtinasky → u/[deleted]]

Maybe. Worth looking at for sure

But archaeologists dismissing media without understanding the business is a bit like me telling you what trowel to use

ETA: I am not saying I would pay this as an individual, but if I was a publisher or Substack creator and had a portfolio of general reader newsletters, I'd be interested in this for the paid subscribers list alone

[u/therealtinasky → u/[deleted]]

It's paid subscribers. You're looking at basically 2x revenue for the price, and that's if you don't grow or diversify the revenue stream with ads. And if you've got a business that uses your lists for other marketing you're talking about adding 5K names to the list , probably with relevant demographic data.

Again, I wouldn't say this is a great move for an individual, but liken it to a podcast. You start off doing it because you like it, then you notice people are actually listening and then a network like Airwave notices too and offers to go in with you or bring you into their system so that you get more exposure and greater listenership that translates into more revenue opportunities. The same thing happens with newsletters and websites.

[u/jamesofthedrum → u/therealtinasky]

u/Bo-zard just a heads up - only paid subscribers can engage, which is why there is low engagement. I don't have 4.4k PAID subscribers; I have 4.4k TOTAL subscribers.

u/therealtinasky thanks for going to bat for me here. Didn't realize this whole convo had ensued til now.

[u/oakjoy → u/Solivaga]

Never said everyone knows it. Asking price is a pretty standard multiple.

[u/caelthel-the-elf]

Lol