The 2025 Webby Awards: Fresh Inspiration for Newsletters, Websites, and More

The ​2025 Webby Awards​ were announced on April 23.

Running since 1997 (!!), the Webbys are one of the longest-standing and most respected awards for online creativity — launched before Google existed, before YouTube, and before Amazon was a household name.

They recognize excellence across websites, podcasts, newsletters, videos, and more, with hundreds of categories each year.

The Webby winners are a great source of fresh ideas and inspiration. You can see some of the best creative work happening across the internet today — not just in big companies, but in smart writing, thoughtful community-building, and small businesses doing interesting things.

It is also a reminder to me that the web is still creative, wild, artistic, and fun. There is still plenty of room for imagination, play, and connection. (I came across ​this today​ and loved it!)

What Stood Out This Year

I spent time exploring the blogging, content creator, food, and business categories, and took a closer look at newsletters, too.

Some of the most engaging newsletters recognized this year are simple but deeply consistent in how they serve their readers.

For example, this year’s newsletter honorees included Cooks without Borders by Leslie Brenner and A Newsletter by Alison Roman.

Paid Newsletters Are Growing

Many food bloggers are branching beyond traditional blogs into paid newsletters — using platforms like Substack or building memberships directly into their websites.

One example is our client David Lebovitz, who now has one of the largest food and drink newsletters on Substack — currently ranked #6. His writing has always been brilliant.

When another of our clients, Brooke Eliason, launched her ​Substack​ last year, I told her it felt like it had that warm, old-school blogging vibe — like a personal update from a friend — rather than most newsletters I get.

Great newsletters feel like a real person is talking to you, not a corporation or a bot.

The structure matters. Whether they are leading with a strong story, a practical tip, or a surprising insight, good newsletters hook you in from the first few lines.

The consistency matters. Showing up regularly builds trust and keeps the relationship alive.

You do not need a huge team or a giant audience to create something thoughtful and meaningful.

Thinking About Subscription Models

Substack, sitting alongside WordPress, is not the only option if you want to add a paid subscription model.

Some sites use MemberMouse or MemberPress to add paid membership areas directly inside WordPress.

If you are already using Kit for your newsletters, their paid newsletter tool is an easy way to manage subscriptions within the same platform.

This way, you do not need to grow two lists.

Many creators use Substack alongside WordPress, but it has some integration limitations — it does not allow much customization of sign-up forms on your website, and there is no API for deeper integrations. We have been working with ​Rachel Mansfield​ on integrating her Substack opt-ins into her website.

Each option has trade-offs depending on how much control you want and how you plan to grow over time.

One of the biggest advantages of building a subscription model — whether through a paid newsletter or membership — is that it gives you back the freedom to focus on thoughtful content, not algorithms.

Instead of chasing rankings or reach on shifting platforms, you can create content for people who have chosen to hear directly from you.

Blogging Is Not Dead

This ties into something I hear often: that blogging is dead. It is not.

More people are writing and sharing online than ever — across blogs, newsletters, and new platforms.

Content creation has never been more widespread.

WordPress remains the key foundation for blogging because it is open-source: you fully own your content and control your platform.

Platforms like Substack are proprietary systems, meaning you are building on someone else’s rules and infrastructure, not your own.

Building Something Solid

The internet keeps changing, but the essentials do not.

Thoughtful content. Real connection. Owning the platform you build on.

If you are thinking about what comes next for your website, newsletter, or membership, you are in good company.

There has never been a better time to build something solid and meaningful.