232 Comments
User's avatar
The Merc's avatar

Okay I am sure many will hate this feature but it is a game changer for me. I am a writer but also work extensively with video content and most of my following came from YouTube TikTok and Instagram so to be able to broadcast to them without the horrendous algorithm issues on traditional social media is the best thing Substack has done

Expand full comment
Zach @ Substack's avatar

Hey The Merc 👋 We've very excited to see you go live soon. Today we are rolling out live video to Substack bestsellers. It will soon be available for all Substack users, but if you'd like to request early access you can here: https://on.substack.com/survey/1034033

Expand full comment
The Merc's avatar

is there a timeline on this?

Expand full comment
The Merc's avatar

When will I get the feature? Will it be before Sunday evening which is when I usually go live on my platforms?

Expand full comment
The Merc's avatar

I already requested it

Expand full comment
Andy Adams's avatar

So cool. I watched Chris and Hamish yesterday and love this addition. You just keep innovating. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Zach @ Substack's avatar

I'm excited to tune into your first live video Andy!

Expand full comment
Andy Adams's avatar

Sounds fun!

Expand full comment
Christine Wolf's avatar

I’ve been waiting for this since I joined in 2022! Best news ever. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Christina Loff's avatar

Can't wait to see what you do with it Christine!

Expand full comment
Robin Wilding's avatar

Ooh la la--love that we can collaborate on video! I'll start making a list of victims...err friends... to have on video chat with me.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

Heehee...am I on that list? Two Canadians running "wild" on live video

Expand full comment
Smillew's avatar

I’d watch that

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

Wilding Out meets Wildhood Wanted. We could roll around in maple syrup on a live feed 😂

Expand full comment
Smillew's avatar

😆 you’re going to break Substack

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Expand full comment
Robin Wilding's avatar

😆😆 This already sounds amazing

Expand full comment
Robin Wilding's avatar

You're not 'on' the list--you're top of the list. Let's do this hehe.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

I really think we should. It only makes sense...except the syrup part 😁

Expand full comment
Robin Wilding's avatar

But...but...the syrup part is my favourite part.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

I wonder if Hamish will like it 🤣

Expand full comment
Robin Wilding's avatar

I won over Tony, I’ll win over Hamish too.

Expand full comment
Melissa Scala's avatar

oh Robin... I am not the only one who writes "ohhh la la" all the time!

Expand full comment
Robin Wilding's avatar

Nope, have you not been to the Ooh La La meetings? We meet on Thursdays behind the Taco Bell.

Expand full comment
Issa A.'s avatar

;)

Expand full comment
Ezekiel Ifeoluwa's avatar

I think this app is getting better now ✅

Expand full comment
Zach @ Substack's avatar

We do too :)

Expand full comment
Max Ryan's avatar

I am so incredibly excited about this feature! I do live streams on other platforms and I would love to bring them over here to Substack. But I just looked and when I click the orange plus there’s no option for live video. Do I need to delete andupload the app? Does anybody know? Thanks so much!

Expand full comment
Zach @ Substack's avatar

Hey Max Ryan - Today we are rolling out live video to Substack bestsellers. It will soon be available for all Substack users, but if you'd like to request early access you can here: https://on.substack.com/survey/1034033

Expand full comment
Max Ryan's avatar

Ty so much Zach. I just filled it out. 👍🏻🤞🏻

Expand full comment
Casual-T's avatar

And just like that Substack becomes less like Substack and more like any old run-of-the-mill social media platform. The same social media which I, as well as many others here, have left for a reason. I came here for a quieter, slower, and less "attention economy" driven experience; an experience where writing and reading is the driving force. As of this writing (83 comments), the response to this new feature seems almost all positive--and very enthusiastically so--with only one or two dissenting voices. As usual, I find myself firmly attached to the minority opinion.

Expand full comment
Ren (they/them)'s avatar

I'm really not happy with this. We need less video. Not more.

Expand full comment
Katie Gallanti's avatar

I feel the same. I moved to substack to write. Every time a platform introduces video, video becomes dominant. Look at what happened to Instagram. Used to be a platform for photographers. I am really unhappy that these changes are happening here.

Expand full comment
Ren (they/them)'s avatar

Ugh we need less video not more. More writing please.

Expand full comment
LIVE WITHOUT LIMITS with Klaus's avatar

You observe the dying of the platform. Another junk like Fuckbook and CensorTube is coming.

Expand full comment
Alyssa Polizzi's avatar

Excited to try this feature as a paid benefit as well as an option to connect with all subscribers to explore upcoming workshops I am teaching, deep dive on an article I've released, etc. Thanks for all the hard work, Substack team!

Expand full comment
Seth Werkheiser's avatar

Yessss, deep dives on recent articles is something I've been thinking of doing, too.

Expand full comment
Alyssa Polizzi's avatar

Nice!! Any ideas of how you plan to do that, Seth? I think an AMA could be fun, exploring a theme more deeply, etc.

Expand full comment
Seth Werkheiser's avatar

I'd probably do that by taking screenshots of some of the comments that people have left, or notes that people sent me via email (with permission of course). I get a handful of follow up comments like, "yeah, but... how would that work for me?!?!" and I could then reply to their question and everyone could benefit from that. Encourage even more discussion!

Expand full comment
Alyssa Polizzi's avatar

Love this idea, thanks for sharing :)

Expand full comment
Melissa Scala's avatar

Inspired by this Alyssa!

Expand full comment
Arturo Dominguez's avatar

Nice! I'm gonna enjoy this as an addition to my writing. We can discuss latest posts, etc. I love it!

Expand full comment
Julie Diebolt Price's avatar

i’m a newbie on Substack. However, my subscriber base and follower base is growing quickly. I’m going to run monthly AMA - Ask Me Anything sessions behind a paywall after a little practice.

Expand full comment
Zach @ Substack's avatar

This is a great idea! I would recommend doing your first and second AMA to all subscribers. If you then paywall future AMAs, it may be an enticing opportunity to convert your free audience to paid

Expand full comment
Julie Diebolt Price's avatar

Exactly!

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

Julie, this is a great idea and one I'm thinking of as well!

Expand full comment
Wendy Scott's avatar

Looking forward to it :-)

Expand full comment
YZ's avatar

This is freaking awesome!!!! I love it and looking forward to using it! Thank you Substack!

Expand full comment
Reda Rountree (she/her)'s avatar

Now the live video party I crashed in Notes makes total sense. Hi, guys!

Expand full comment
Zach @ Substack's avatar

Thanks for crashing and helping us test the feature :)

Expand full comment
Illyria's avatar

Live video, I think, could be fun, but I pray it stays prioritising writers and the written word

Expand full comment
Melissa Scala's avatar

I am excited about LIVE video, but your point is super valid ---- surely need to keep writing prioritized. A good balance at minimum.

Expand full comment
Ventonia.'s avatar

It's an amazing decision to enable amateur journalist and writer engage more and upskill. Excellent 👍 well done. The more, the merrier.

Expand full comment
May Morris-Kawel's avatar

Yay! Substack a gift that keeps giving!!

Live video on subdtack sure sounds like fun.

Expand full comment