Substack is a platform for turning your thoughts, expertise, and experiences into income by simply pressing “send.” Sounds easy, right? Well, it is. but there’s a difference between easy and automatic.
Substack takes care of the tech and logistics, but the hustle?
That’s all you. Do you want to make a living doing this?
Time to put in the work. This is everything you need to know about Substack, expanded, no fluff.
What Is Substack?
Substack isn’t just a place to post your thoughts and hope people notice.
It’s a direct line to your audience straight to their inbox.
Think of it like this: you write something, hit publish, and your audience gets an email with your newsletter.
If they like it, they stay. If they love it, they pay for more.
The platform launched in 2017 and immediately took off because it solved a huge problem: creators needed a way to get paid for their writing without needing to learn web development or mess around with a million tools.
Substack gives writers, journalists, podcasters, and creatives the ability to do that in one place.
But, Substack isn’t magic.
Yes, the tools are simple and easy, but the challenge is in consistently delivering something your audience can’t live without.
You need to be giving value with every post, otherwise, people stop paying attention (and paying you).
Why Substack? Why Not Something Else?
Here’s why Substack works for so many creators and why it might work for you:
- Simple Setup: You’re not spending weeks figuring out how to launch a website or integrate payment systems.
Substack handles it. In five minutes, you’re live. - Direct Payments: Instead of relying on ads, algorithms, or some elusive “partnership program,” you get paid directly by your subscribers. They pay for what you write. Substack takes a 10% cut, and Stripe (which handles payments) takes around 3%. It’s simple: you create, they pay.
- Not Just for Writers: Yeah, it’s marketed to writers, but podcasters are cashing in here too.
You can offer bonus podcast episodes, exclusive content, or early access to your regular shows all through the Substack platform. - Full Control of Your Audience: Here’s a big one, Substack gives you control of your email list.
That’s powerful. You’re not at the mercy of a social media algorithm deciding who sees your content.
Your readers get your content directly in their inbox.
The reality? Substack lets you cut out the middleman.
No more relying on advertising revenue or hoping someone stumbles upon your content.
It’s just you and your audience. If you build a loyal following, you get paid. If you don’t, you won’t.
Who Is Substack For?
Substack isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a get-rich-quick solution, this isn’t it.
But if you’re ready to put in the effort, create consistently, and deliver value, Substack can be a goldmine.
Here’s who it works best for:
- Aspiring Writers: If you’ve got stories to tell, opinions to share, or expertise in any area, Substack can be your outlet. Whether you’re journaling your life, sharing advice, or writing fiction, there’s an audience out there.
- Journalists: Many professional journalists are ditching traditional media outlets and going solo.
Why? Freedom. You write what you want, how you want.
You’re not beholden to an editor or a company’s agenda. - Podcasters & Creators: Podcast creators are getting serious about Substack.
Not only can you deliver newsletters to engage your audience, but you can monetize it by offering exclusive episodes, transcripts, or early releases.
Bottom line: if you have something to say, Substack gives you the mic. It’s up to you to make it worth listening to.
Starting a Substack Newsletter: Step by Step
Alright, you’re sold on the idea. Now, how do you actually get started? Here’s how simple it is:
- Sign Up: Go to Substack.com and sign up. There’s no barrier to entry here. Create your account in minutes.
- Set Up Your Newsletter: Choose a name that reflects your niche, style, or tone. Write a clear, concise description of what your readers will get. Make it snappy, because this is where you capture attention.
- Decide on Pricing: Here’s where it gets interesting. You can offer your content for free, or you can start charging.
Substack lets you set a minimum of $5 per month or $30 per year. You can also offer different tiers of content. - Write and Publish: Start writing. Your first post is important, it sets the tone.
Substack will automatically email it to your subscribers and post it online.
The platform handles all the tech; you just focus on writing. - Promote Your Newsletter: Don’t wait for people to stumble upon your work.
Share your newsletter on social media, reach out to friends and colleagues, and get the word out wherever you can.
The Earnings Potential on Substack
Let’s get real about the money. How much can you actually make?
Yes, some outlier writers rake in $30,000 a month. But for most people, especially starting out, it’s going to be less.
That’s not a bad thing, though. Building an audience takes time. Focus on that first.
Here’s how it typically looks:
- Top Writers: The best in the game can make anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 monthly.
These people have large, loyal audiences. They didn’t get there overnight, but the earning potential is real. - New Writers: Starting out, you might make a few hundred bucks.
That’s fine. The goal is to grow consistently. Keep delivering value, and your audience and your income will grow.
Consistency is key. No one is going to pay for a one-hit wonder.
But if you’re committed to regularly publishing content that people find valuable, the sky’s the limit.
Pricing Strategies: How to Charge
Setting your pricing is a balancing act. Charge too much, and people may not subscribe.
Charge too little, and you leave money on the table. Here’s what to consider:
- How Often You Publish: Are you cranking out a newsletter daily? Weekly? Monthly?
Frequent content gives you more room to charge a higher price.
If you’re only writing once a month, it’s harder to justify a premium price. - Your Audience’s Willingness to Pay: Look at what other newsletters in your niche charge.
Don’t overprice yourself just because you feel like your content is “premium.”
Your pricing has to make sense for your audience. - Offer Discounts for Annual Subscriptions: Encourage commitment by offering a discount for those who pay for a full year upfront. It’s a great way to lock in subscribers for the long haul.
Substack vs. Other Platforms: What’s the Difference?
You might be thinking, “Why not just use Medium or Patreon?” Fair question. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Platform | What It Does | How You Get Paid | Audience Engagement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substack | Newsletters direct to email | Subscription-based | Direct email |
| Medium | Blogging platform | Partner program (limited) | Comments and claps |
| Patreon | Membership-based content | Tiered subscriptions | Community engagement |
With Substack, the focus is on email newsletters, and the money comes directly from subscriptions.
Medium is more about visibility, and Patreon is all about membership tiers.
If you want to write and get paid without overcomplicating it, Substack is the simplest option.
The Pros and Cons of Using Substack
Let’s talk about the pros and cons. Because while Substack is great, it’s not perfect.
The Pros:
- Easy to Set Up: No coding, no web development. It’s as simple as it gets.
- You Control Your Audience: This is huge. You own the email list, so no algorithms are standing between you and your readers.
- Flexible Pricing: You can experiment with pricing and tiers, adjusting as you go. There’s no set formula—do what works for your audience.
The Cons:
- The Fees: Substack takes 10%, and Stripe takes another 3%. So, roughly 13% of your revenue is gone before it hits your account.
- Limited Features: If you’re looking for advanced customization or in-depth analytics, Substack might feel basic.
- Discovery Can Be Challenging: Unlike platforms with built-in audiences, Substack relies on you to promote yourself.
There are discovery tools, but it’s not like YouTube or Instagram.
You’ll need to market your newsletter to grow your audience.
FAQs
Can I customize my Substack newsletter design?
Not really. Substack is text-focused, and customization is minimal. You can add images, and audio, and format the text, but if you want full control over the design, you’ll need another platform.
How much of my earnings does Substack take?
Substack takes a 10% cut of your subscription revenue, and Stripe takes another 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction. It adds up, but it’s a fair trade for handling all the technical headaches for you.
Is writing every day necessary to make money?
No, you don’t need to write every day, but consistency is essential. Whether it’s weekly or monthly, pick a schedule and stick to it. Your audience needs to know when to expect content, and consistency is what builds trust.
Can I switch from free to paid later?
Absolutely. Many writers start with a free newsletter to build an audience and then introduce paid tiers once they’ve got a following. This strategy helps you grow your base without immediately scaring people away with a paywall.
How do I grow my Substack audience?
It’s all about promotion. Leverage your social media, encourage word-of-mouth, and keep producing valuable content. Don’t be afraid to ask your subscribers to share your newsletter. Growth is slow at first, but if you keep at it, it compounds.
One Comment