Substack is an increasingly popular platform where creators—especially writers—can publish their work, both online and through email newsletters. It offers an easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for both seasoned professionals and beginners to start engaging with audiences directly.
How Substack Works:
To get started, creators sign up and customize their newsletter by selecting a name, setting up a profile, and branding their page. They can import existing mailing lists or build one from scratch by encouraging readers to subscribe via email or through a public URL. Creators can publish posts directly to their subscriber base, and Substack distributes these through email and the web. Importantly, Substack supports various formats, from text to audio and even podcasting.
Monetization Options:
Substack allows creators to monetize their work through subscription models. Writers can offer free newsletters to grow an audience and later transition to paid content. They keep around 90% of the subscription fees, while Substack takes a 10% cut, plus additional payment processing fees (handled through Stripe)
Analytics and Engagement:
Substack provides built-in analytics that allows creators to track metrics like subscriber growth, engagement rates, and earnings. Creators can use these insights to refine their content strategy, ensuring their posts resonate with their audience. In addition, Substack encourages community-building through direct engagement features like comments, polls, and email interactions. This sense of community is often key to retaining subscribers
Detailed Post Analytics: Substack provides a broad range of analytics on each post, including metrics like:
Page Views: Track how many times your posts have been viewed.
Open Rates: Measure how many of your subscribers opened the email version of the post.
Engagement Metrics: Creators can see the number of likes and comments on each post, allowing for a direct measure of reader interaction
Subscriber Overview: Substack divides subscribers into distinct categories, offering detailed tracking of:
Paid and Non-Paid Subscribers: This distinction helps creators understand their audience's composition and track the conversion from free to paid subscriptions
New Subscribers: Insights into how many new subscribers joined after a particular post or within a specific timeframe, helping measure the impact of content
Subscriber Actions: Information on which posts led to new subscriptions or cancellations provides critical insights for refining content strategy
Time-Based Metrics: Substack also tracks engagement over time, showing when posts are opened and read, which can help creators determine optimal publishing times
The Substack Advantage:
One of Substack’s standout features is its simplicity—creators don’t need to be tech-savvy to build a brand. The platform handles the technical aspects, including payment processing, email distribution, and analytics. Moreover, the flexibility of publishing both free and paid content allows creators to start slow and gradually monetize as their audience grows.
However, some creators may find the platform's customization options limited compared to other platforms like Medium or Patreon. Still, its simplicity and robust email-first approach make it a powerful tool for writers looking to build and maintain a loyal audience.
Substack is particularly suited for creators looking for independence, giving them full ownership of their work and direct control over their subscriber relationships
Substack's clean, simple interface and focus on direct-to-inbox content delivery have made it a favorite for writers and creators. Its monetization and engagement features are easy to use, making it an excellent choice for those looking to build a loyal audience and generate income from their writing.
While the platform shines in its simplicity, the limited customization options and reliance on Substack for payments and growth tools may not suit creators seeking more advanced features or external integration. Nevertheless, Substack continues to evolve, offering more ways for creators to grow their brand and reach their audience.
If you're a creator looking for a straightforward, user-friendly platform to share and monetize your work, Substack could be the perfect fit.