Introducing Substack Creator Studio, a fellowship for the next wave of video stars
We’re embracing video’s urgent need for a new business model
Today, we’re excited to open applications for Substack Creator Studio, a fellowship for the next wave of video stars to turn their TikTok channels into Substack shows and communities. This is an opportunity for video-native creators who want a more direct, intimate relationship with their audience and to make money from subscriptions.
We’ll select 10 fellows who cover a wide range of subjects and give them access to world-class strategic support and promotion. We’re thrilled to partner with Adam Faze and the team at Gymnasium, the short-form television studio behind the hit show Boy Room, as part of this program. Each creator will receive consulting and production support from the Gymnasium team, which has a track record of developing innovative, original series that have been watched more than 250 million times. On top of that, these 10 winners will get white-glove technical support during their launch process, a robust marketing commitment, and a program-culminating event to celebrate their work.
The deadline to apply is May 17. Find out more with our FAQs here, or head straight to the application form:
Substack is evolving into video and beyond, because the people who want to benefit from this model are pushing us forward.
Substack will always remain the destination for the internet’s best writing. The Substack model—where writers have a direct relationship with subscribers, while maintaining ownership of their work and mailing list—has proved to be a boon for independent writers, who make up the backbone of this platform. But we’ve also seen this model work well for audio. While the ad-based podcast industry fell into disarray, the secret got out that Substack is a thriving alternative for audio shows and their communities.
Now the best video creators are exploring how they can build their home on Substack, too. As instability hits their medium, they’re looking for a reliable platform where they can grow a business and have complete ownership over their work.
We’re not introducing this fellowship because of panic over a TikTok bill or ever-changing algorithms. This is about helping creators get ownership, money, and peace of mind. While they are extremely powerful for building audiences, ad-based platforms—controlled by a central authority that determines the viewer experience and how creators make a living—are unreliable partners. They can’t provide a true home for creators; they merely offer rentals with unfriendly leases. At the same time, their business models can’t deliver the stability and predictability that creators need to produce their best work. It is hard enough for creators to get by without having to worry about constant fluctuations in viewership and brand partnership revenue.
“I’ve been a content creator on TikTok and Instagram for four years now. It’s been amazing building an audience but at times difficult to monetize,” says
, who has more than 2 million followers across those channels and runs a food Substack with thousands of paid subscribers. “Revenue ebbs and flows with the economy and brands’ budgets, which makes it harder to reinvest in my content and scale long-term. But Substack has fixed the main problems that full-time creators face. It’s given me consistent income the way a W-2 job would, and allows me to connect directly with all of my followers via email. It’s become the first app I reach for in the morning.”Substack is already proving to be a stable place to start a video- and community-based subscription site. Here,
can launch and build a news organization where he isn’t censored or throttled. of can increase his revenue by 60% in five months through insightful football breakdowns behind video paywalls. Michelin-starred chef can create stunning cooking demos with premium recipes.
“Even though I just launched my Substack a month ago, it’s already clear that the possibilities are endless in terms of income and growth with my community,” says
, who has more than 650,000 followers on TikTok and runs . “After being active nearly every day on TikTok and Instagram for two years, I am more excited and thoughtful about posting on Substack. And that’s because I feel like it’s my own slice of the internet where I can cultivate my community in a more meaningful way, while simultaneously paving a path for financial freedom—a goal for any creator and business.”Over the past few months, we’ve rolled out new product features to accelerate this push at Substack: next-level recommendations, robust Chat, essential upgrades for shows, beautiful themes, DMs, and improved search. These tools help every kind of creator grow, while providing a better experience for the subscribers who pay them for their work.
We’re developing all these features for creators with the same goal in mind: Build a bigger, better version of what you do, right here on Substack. Make money more reliably, and have a better time doing it.
 | A guest post by
|
Former (moderately successful) Youtuber and Instagrammer here. I left the former because long-form, heatfelt videos went the way of the dodo and I left the latter because I was sick of being force-fed short-form video content when all I wanted to do was read people's heartfelt words. Looks like Substack is doing what every other platform has ever done, which is hop on the short form video band wagon and drag everyone who loves (or is addicted to) short form video along for the ride.
I came to Substack because I was sick and tired of overloading my brain on digital crack. Can we not just have one place where we can connect with others on a deeper level?! Can we just leave TikTokers to TikTok and Youtubers to Youtube? I'm not knocking them--some of them do beautiful and amazing work on their platforms. I'd just like to read and write on a reader's and writer's platform if it's not too much to ask.
I'd also like to add that video doesn't really have an urgent need for a new business model--Patreon fits this bill perfectly. I was on Patreon once upon a time too, and I was excited by Substack because it largely attracts writers and readers in a way that Patreon doesn't seem to do.
This is so thoughtful. My fear is that there is very little that is intentional or deep about short-form. I think video can belong on Substack, for sure, but the specific call-out for short-form (and the hackles-raising caveat of "pre-existing, engaged communities") feels so antithetical to what is fostered here. Like you say, digital crack. I want to be the Cure for the Common Content, not doggy paddling in ANOTHER ocean of derivative attention-bait.
I have over 34,000 followers on TikTok and I agree with you 1,000,000%. I thought the voiceover/podcasting for the Substack was amazing because it opens up opportunities for people to “read“ while they’re cleaning their kitchen as well as people with disabilities to hear your voice read your own story.
But trying to “duplicate” a competitor that set the stage for video this is both stupid and is going to piss off every Substack user before it makes them excited. I know very few people that actually enjoy reels on Instagram. They felt obligated to perform, not excited to create.
Like I said, I have 34,000 followers on TikTok and I think this is a bad, BAD idea.
"obligated to perform, not excited to create"--this is IT.
Amanda I wish this were louder for the people in the back row. I'm a recovering performer and I hate feeling like a post's analytics are tied to my worth. I transitioned to audio fiction and full time storytelling and it was marvelous for my work ethic and mental health - better than sketchy burlesque venues and long days on set - I thought Substack valued community, not followers. Your POV is so important here, thank you for sharing it.
I wrote this less than a month ago.
I think Substack better fix their neo-Nazi problem before they worry about bringing over TikTokers.
If you don’t get rid of the pests, they will destroy your house. And this house is FULL of cockroaches.
“read” in air quotes, yo get a second look before u post stuff
Oh I apologize. I thought you knew how audiobooks and voiceovers worked.
Totally agree with you!!! Why does everything have to be about making a fortune!!! It’s a BIG turn off! The advertisers ruin everything, interrupting shows, movies, YouTube etc. So sick of having ads shoved down my throat!
I very much agree. I was going to state these exact points, but you beat me to it and articulated them better than I ever could. I am dreading this.
SUBSTANK
The art is all fake, the sincerity is plastic,
the fitness tips are lame, the life advice trite,
the quotes are all regurgitated,
the jokes are all plagiarised,
the bro-marketers keep bro-marketing.
The coaches keep coaching, the hacks keep hacking,
the memes are a virtual showcase
of the wide and enduring truth
that quantity is a poor substitute for quality.
Originality is raped, the message is noise,
the ethic is cringe, the aesthetic is synthetic,
the wisdom is stale, and it is all passed off as fresh;
The flesh is flashed. the small-minded are entertained.
The rest of us?
we’re settling,
for this.
please click like and share.
© Rocco Jarman
Thank you!
https://eyeswideopenlife.substack.com/p/the-cost-of-our-allowing
We came here for ESCAPING the video on Instagram. Didn’t anyone realize it?
I’m thinking I can pack my bags and move somewhere else (video-less) if this trend continues…uff.
Yeah, I tend to agree. Substack has always felt like a place to slow down, be immersed in longer-form written content that is ad-free. That's what I've loved most about this platform.
Same. I haven't opened paid subscriptions yet, and I might not even do it now.
Me too!!!!
I agree!!!!
This platform feels so much calmer than other places to be on currently. I really don't see the introduction of short form videos as a positive direction to be honest. I like how quiet and thoughtful it feels now. I don't want it to become another platform that fries my attention span
Why not do this for writers instead? It would take a lot less money and reflects the vast majority of people on the platform.
We literally asked to allow the possibility to charge certain little amounts to readers, and we were met with silence. We didn’t ask for Substack to become a video outlet and…
Yeah, I’m not against the platform offering video as an option. But the obsession with making it YouTube is not beneficial.
I have often said that Substack should embrace the early YouTube model of the platform. But I didn’t mean go full on into video. What I meant is that they built an organic audience of non-famous people who went viral. To the point that when they tried to attract celebrities, it didn’t work.
Substack has embraced what I call the “popular high school kids” model. They love that establishment writers have come to the platform. What they need is to build writers who owe their success to the platform. Not attract already well known writers who can leave whenever they want.
I've been paying for the pleasure of reading for a long time and I'm going to get a chance to view the Resolute Square soon, without having to wade thought writers I'd prefer not to read. That is a great benefit to me. Best, Leigh
What do you mean by little amounts? Something different from subscriptions? Like donations??
Subscriptions cost more than a magazine. I would LOVE to be able to charge fractions of a dollar per article. This would hugely increase the likelihood of getting paid readers PER ARTICLE!
I feel like paragraph might be worth a gander if you're seeking pay per article possibility (https://paragraph.xyz/vs-substack) but only if you're not allergic to Web3/crypto payment models.
This is not exactly what you want, but it's kind of an in-between option that Substack offers:
https://on.substack.com/p/pledges
Well I don’t know what they might be talking about. But for me, I have a comic book that I’m writing. I would love to have people be able to buy a copy of the comic by only purchasing a single post. Rather than sign up for a monthly or annual subscription.
I would love it if people could buy one article for 10 cents. I would get more money like this than have to rely on fewer buying faithful subscribers that have to lash of 5 dollars a month...
Yep.
I don’t know if I would go as low as 10 cents, but I definitely agree with needing a smaller commitment option. I have seen a few people offer things like “buy me a coffee”. Instead of getting people to move to another platform to get money, they should try and get it all in one place.
I would because this is what the market I am in would pay for my writing. I live and write in a country whose basic salary is 750 euro. 5 euro per month is A LOT.
Unfortunately, I am no established writer and write in an underpaid niche. I am giving out a free subscription to ensure my articles are read, but my reading pool does not have 5 euros to lash on every fantastic newsletter. For instance, I don not read many of you because I would have to spend hundreds a month just to read an article here and there.
Well you're very welcome to read me - my publication full of Fiction is completely FREE! Haha... 😎
My nonfiction is too!
Mine is completely free too!
Well as the old Oasis song once said: "It's good, yes it's good, it's good to be free". Haha... 😎
couldn't resist and loved your notion of free! so I subscribed and read about the marathon! as a marathonista my self, I totally relate!
Thanks Bidi! That is much appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed it... 😎
Well there are plenty of writers who are making free posts for anyone who’s interested. But I can understand where you’re coming from.
I also do free posts, but I am a paid subscriber only to two newsletters, and it is because it really would be too much. If I could pay per article, I would read so much more. Sometimes I feel real pity that I cannot read the article so carefully crafted by someone because it is behind a hefty paywall - more expensive than signing up for The Guardian, and with much less to read...
I think maybe what you are asking for is pricing that's geographically relevant? I know it can be done! So cheaper pricing outside the U.S.
And also single issue pricing. There are writers whose pieces I’d love to read but not really subscribe and commit to read everything all the time. I have a beauty author I’d like to read but only in issues that are interesting for me and I assume the same applies to my writings!
Maybe you could do something like post part of the comic, and then provide a link to Gumroad (or similar) where people could buy the whole thing? I'm thinking about trying something like that when a project I'm working on is ready.
Oh I am. The comic is available on Lulu and Amazon. But I don’t really like those platforms. It also brings people away from the Substack, which makes it harder to gain subscribers.
What I am doing is that my posts are the black and white versions of the pages. I also have versions of it without the text but fully coloured. So I have content I can share on Substack. But I would really like to be able to make sales directly on the Substack platform. That way I don’t have to rely on the whims of Amazon or other places.
Yes, I see where having it directly on Substack would be helpful. I think I'm going to try the outside approach, but I'm not sure what'll happen, obviously. An experiment, but if folks don't want to go to another site....
Might as well. I would use the Substack to increase visibility for the project.
That is a great point. I can completely understand how bringing over video creators who already have a huge following is going to generate money and bring a new audience to the platform, but at the same time those people don't necessarily need the promotion and support this opportunity is offering. It would be amazing if they directed this energy into mentoring a group of writers who show promise and need a break. I would love to see that happen. Maybe one day it will... 😎
For sure, it just makes economic sense. If you’ve staked your company on a small number of writers who make millions of dollars each, any of them leaving can devastate the company’s ability to function.
But if you have hundreds or thousands of small creators making just enough to write on Substack as a living, you don’t put your company in jeopardy of going under of one leaves.
That is very true. It does make things somewhat precarious to be so reliant on a handful of people to generate most of the income. It would make much more sense to balance that out more, and focus on building up some new talent on the platform, which in turn would help more people get the uplift they deserve. It would benefit everyone in the long run... 😎
"It would be amazing if they directed this energy into mentoring a group of writers who show promise and need a break"
They did do that, at the very beginning—but they dropped that kind of thing quietly then leaned hard into attracting bigger names. It was a very sudden shift in tone here.
Ahh, well I've only been here about eight months so I missed all that. There's just so much incredible new talent floating around that could really benefit from being mentored and supported with a programme like this. So it definitely seems like the right time to perhaps try something like that again! 😎
if you are a writer - I'm hearing you here, so maybe it's meeting your goals. Just a thought. Best, Leigh Silverton.
What's meeting your goals?
I’d like to be known internationally as a psychologist-writer, philanthropist, Jew, democrat, woman etc. This is Leigh Silverton, Ph.D.
That is true. New writers have a chance to be seen and heard here and build a community around their work, which is, in itself, a wonderful opportunity. However, it would still be nice if programmes like this that offer mentoring and promotional support, were also available to help nurture fresh voices who show promise and deserve a break, rather than just those who are already well established with large fanbases... 😎
Yes but the ultimate end to that strategy is for the company to collapse under its own weight financially.
It's a writer's platform that doesn't really want to be a writer's platform (anymore) because we're not making it the money it thought we would.
Faaaaaaaaaaack. We don’t need more short attention span spam - we came here for LONG FORMAT WRITING. WRITING. BY WRITERS.
AGREED!! Substack you will loose valuable writers!!!!
Ok thought about it a bit….I always release a reel with my story so maybe I’m already there…and I believe there’s more than enough creative to go around. I bet there are a whole new genre of multi-media storytellers who emerge. I am excited that Substack has such a cool rep right now. We “the writers” just have to keep...actually writing.
Ugh. I honestly just moved over here to get AWAY from the frenetic world of video above everything. Maybe I should focus my energy on my own website and newsletter instead.
I came here after trying to breathe life into my own website just a heads up. Not trying to be a party pooper but building a website can have its own set of difficulties.
No you're right, I'm sure that's a realistic take, especially with all the Google changes. I guess there's no perfect option really, just gotta make the best of what we can
This is lame, guys. This seals the deal on my choosing to spend my time and effort on developing my website blog instead of my Substack newsletter. The world does not need more competitive garbage video content.
Exactly.
I AGREE!!!
Tik Tok creators? Ugh. The last thing I want to see on Substack is some clout chaser making hideous recipes with Prego and Velveta.
The Instagram and TikTok video crowd is DESPERATE to get onto Substack, so do exactly the same. How long till the plethora of "I tell you 10 tricks to improve your reach" posts will flood this space alongside "mindful coaches" and crypto bros?
UGH. I unsubscribed from a (rather famous and Substack-sponsored) author because all they were writing about was...how to grow on Substack (without telling me about the being paid by Substack part....).
I could not tolerate anymore this kind of content, and by removing this source I basically wiped most of the notes coming this way. Cool.
Could not agree more. This is exactly how I feel about notes. It's LinkedIn 2.0.
NOOOO PLEASE, I JUST GOT HERE! Don't make me leave already. I came here to run away from the videos on other platforms!
Same! Substack and Spotify is the only social media i don't block
Hopefully this whole idea doesn't catch up, hahaha.
Substack used to be about writers, and in fairness, I guess it still is, at least to some extent. We’re simply no longer their main concern. And you can be sure that the large number of criticisms from writers on this thread will be ignored. Substack wants to become all things to all people, but is especially focusing now on the quick distractions (and addictions) of short videos and notes that they at first were so uprightly against.
Substack raised noble and beautiful ideas (not snarking here, folks) of how social media, as it existed, with its focus on drivel, needed a new path forward. I sure was sold, as were many others, I’m sure.
We were pretty tired of platforms that have as their main goal to keep users scrolling, and scrolling, with endless inane vids of how far a handful of Cheerios blows in the wind, or whatever.
And now? Do you really think that the TikTok creators who are being courted to come over to Substack are actually going to do something different?
As much as I enjoy Substack for its variety of talented writers, and without meaning a pun, I see the writing on the wall. Substack has moved into the heavy monetization phase that ignores the writers who helped make it. It’s too bad that the cycle appears so inevitable, because it *is* possible to maintain your founding ideals.
Harder, yeah, but possible. Easier to invite TikTok into the house, I suppose.
Yeah, a popularity contest. Bit by bit, Substack is converting itself into the very things it was so articulate in expressing were wrong with platforms these days. They proclaimed that the prevalent dynamics of social media weren't good for the soul, so to speak, and then began to implement various features that promote those very dynamics.
I still find a lot of value in Substack, but as they continue to dilute their core mission, they're going to cause more people to reconsider their options, both for publication, and for finding articles to read.
Too much on the Substack plate. Writing and writers getting paid was your unique brand. Audio is one thing but there are already too many social media video sites - there's not a need for another one! Careful or Substack may quickly become jack of all trades - master of none. Maybe just fix the Notes user experience first. Sheesh.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. Substack has ux problems as it is and instead of working on them, it keeps creating more and more features shooting everywhere. I do not understand the thinking behind of this, as it cannot be to become an all inclusive platform: a mix of ig, tik tok, twitter, youtube and spotify (for the podcasts). Wasnt it about WRITERS?
Everything’s about a niche until there’s money to be had. 🙃
I was originally excited to read this until I read the full article and FAQ. What I would have been excited about would have been:
1. A fellowship for unknown creators with no following but important things to say to get the mentorship, support etc. to build a new following on Substack.
2. A focus on thoughtful, long-form content, in line with what Substack has stood for so far - i.e. the place where creators can focus on quality over quantity.
We don't need another TikTok/Instagram/Shorts. There's no need for a new business model for video creators. There's already Patreon.
This move makes me very sad, because the way I interpret it is that corporate greed has corrupted Substack. I decided to write on Substack and subscribe to newsletters here because I genuinely believed you all were different from other social media, but this move proves otherwise. I also wanted to highlight two things that left a particularly bad taste in my mouth:
1. "investing in the next wave of video stars" feels misleading. What you are doing is investing in Tiktokers that have a "large, engaged following", and leveraging their fame to bring success to Substack.
2. You mention "This is about helping creators get ownership," but then explicitly set constraints on what these creators will be able to do with their content: "You’ll absolutely still use platforms like TikTok and YouTube for top-of-funnel growth, but Substack should be the destination everything points toward."
man people are always gonna piss on your leg and tell you it’s raining, shit is sad
This ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️
I don’t make videos but I love how Substacks model is based on valuing writers and creators. It should always have been this way but glad it’s happening here!
I don’t like scrolling through a quiet feed and suddenly being blasted with something loud and unfamiliar, or just hooky. Will the shorts be separate to notes? 🙏🏻
Great feedback, Kate! We just launched video on Notes and we're iteratively making the experience better. I'll share your comment with the team. In the meantime, you can read more here: https://on.substack.com/p/video-on-substack-notes-examples
Great Feedback? What about the hundreds of other comments you didn't reply to ? Are they irrelevant feedback? Can you please share all comments 'with the team'? You learn more from those who hold an opposing view than from those who mirror you!
I agree with Kate and noisy video in a still feed is a nightmare for neurodivergent people - I’ve made this point before…. I know we can curate our notes feed to a degree but I would stop all autoplay video if I could. Maybe you could make a button?
I just posted my first video yesterday of foxes playing in the yard but somehow I don't think that's what you're looking for😆
Hey if you have an engaged audience of fox lovers, we're here for it ;)
Then you are making Substack into Instagram. Nooooooo😳
Well, I'm a writer, not a videographer, so for me to pull something like that off, it would have to be in accompaniment to a nature journal of essays.
I thought Substack was for WRITERS, not videographers. Why can’t they just focus on writers and writing. They are going to dilute and copy Instagram and Tik Tok. Why? For the advertising, for the billions? 😳
Oh, that would be very, very fun! I might have to improve my video skills.
Hi Randa, thanks for your response! I have noticed videos appearing on notes. I love Substack and the notes feature for connection. I like video too and many of my friends use it here. I guess what’s been refreshing here is that there is no sense of intrusion so I hope that will remain 🙏🏻
Great to see this response :)
This makes me furious. Before Tik Tok launched, the US government warned citizens not to join because it's an arm of the Chinese government collecting data for unfriendly purposes, so people who don't like being gamed by our enemies didn't join. Now those who ignored the warning due to greed and lack of conscience, and who have already made bank at the expense of their fellow Americans are being courted to pollute Substack. How about helping the people who helped you build Substack to be the respected platform it is instead of courting the shameless who are destined to destroy it? Oh yeah: greed and lack of conscience.
I am a multi-disciplinary artist and writer who enjoys making work in all kinds of media, including video. I appreciate the efforts Substack has made to expand and improve the platform, and I can definitely see the need for video creators to have more independence and opportunity. These creators do deserve a place where they can make what they want and earn a living. But Substack isn't that place. I personally don't want Substack to be that place. I come here to read and write things that I hope others want to read. And when I want to create videos and share them, I have TikTok, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and far too many other options to choose from. Call me old fashioned, but I feel Substack should be first and foremost a home and a haven for writers and readers.
I feel the same
There's a real need to figure out a way to keep writing, audio, and video as separate options especially on Notes. If I start seeing nothing but video on Notes I'll probably just stop using it.
It's already VERY difficult to actually find substacks I'm interested in. Part of the reason for that is the inability to truly label our newsletters. We're going to need some sort of search that will help us and that allows us to omit podcasts or video or whatever from the results.
Great comment
I love Substack and spend all my online time here, but more videos is a pass for me. I guess I’ll just start muting any that appear in my Notes feed, but that’s a bummer because it also means I’ll be muting some writers whose presence I enjoy in the form of, well, writing.
Why would they resort to this I can't comprehend. They say they're here for the writers but it seems writers have to show up with video as well. Well, not every writer wants to face the camera and video content is not what I associated Substack with in the first place. It now seems to be careening towards a model that has all of everything making it far less the simple-yet-effective newsletter/writing site I thought it would remain over time.
Video killed the radio star. Love how Substack empowers creators for all forms of media. I started in writing but am now dabbling in struggle session videos: https://yuribezmenov.substack.com/p/struggle-session-parody-3bodyproblem-harvard
Video content does not need a business model. We have seen what video content turns into. To think you're going to be the ones to change that strikes me as arrogance, not innovation.
Leave video alone. People are here for writing. This is the only popular adult space on the entire internet.
If you turn this into a video platform, I will bet you $10,000 that the platform will be irrelevant in 4 years.
Lmao guys. Read the room. The enshitification has BEGIN
This sounds like a grab for outside "talent" to raise curb appeal rather than an effort to promote from within. I hope I'm wrong.
I'll still apply because I think a small production company owned and operated by 5 left handed writers trying to navigate the turbulent entertainment landscape is something that could thrive on Substack video, but the proof will be in who gets selected. My money is on existing juggernauts who wouldn't even need Substack, but maybe I'm jaded.
They've already declared that only folks with with pre-existing, large followings are eligible. Juggernauts, as you say.
https://on.substack.com/p/substack-creator-studio-faq
| What are you looking for in applications?
| Social-first creators who have large, engaged followings for their video content and want to create a meaningful home for their work and their subscribers.
I saw. I think it's important Substack sees all the people they are leaving in the dust while they scout for their next figureheads.
Well how else could Substack sell itself when the growth stagnates unless they have cash cows?
Fascinated to see where this goes!
can someone please explain to me why every social media that starts with a simplicity thin structure - like - twitter- only text / instagram - only pics ... youtube - only videos ... and so on ... why do they have to adopt and expand and make things more complicated? why add more medium and expression options while we actually want something simple and monochromatic? I believe the secret of substack is not in their "notes feed" that resembels facebook that I left happily a long time ago. the success of substakc is going out of the platform - is about people recieving stories and posts, to their emails, with prior consent. this is an intimate bond of the readers and writers. why ruin it?!
sadly, VC-backed startups will always do this. the thirst for more is too difficult to overcome
I must admit I’m a bit disappointed. What I enjoy most about this platform is the community and focus on written content. There’s no pressure to edit videos and compete with set up aesthetic - instead you find your tribe through the authenticity of your words.
This feels like a slap in the face, because aren’t writers also content creators? We couldn’t create a program where we showcased and interviewed the writers here on Substack? From what I gather you’re taking advantage of the possible TikTok dissolution for the sake of quantity over quality. I would expect this from Beehiv to be honest.
If Notes turns into a video feed the way Reels ruined Instagram, I will simply stop using it.This was my safe space from the mind-numbing scroll.
"We're embracing our investors' need to find more people who monetize their content since we don't run ads"
Substack gets more and more like a social media platform everyday.
What's great about Substack is that you control what comes into your email inbox. There's a level of control here, for both creators and consumers, that can't be found elsewhere. Notes are fun, useful for discovery, and add great flavor—but the best stuff comes to me via email. So I'm not worried about my attention getting hijacked by videos, because I start in the essential inbox, not the optional feed.
It is easy to forget that what differentiates Substack is the underpinning creator-respecting model, not the content forms being delivered.
Some folks are saying they are going to head to different platforms. Ghost, Medium, etc. Lots of good options. But you'll lose a massive network effect if you do. Network effect, creative community, Substack's commitment to open expression, unparalleled pace of new features, etc. That's a lot to walk away from.
Today my teenage daughter sent me a video—via a Google Drive link—that she made about her favorite water bottle. She wisely avoids all social media. I replied that she should post it to her Substack. She doesn't have a Substack yet, but I'm hoping.
On that note: I really don't want my kids on social media. The harms to young people (and all) are abundant and well-documented. But Substack is clearly different. Anecdotally: this platform improves mental health instead of the opposite. So let's make the world a better place, save our country, and rescue more kids away from TikTok!
Yes, this. As I can curate my feed to only show people I’m interested in reading or following, I can do the same with video and only follow or subscribe to those.
And this development sounds like they might be testing piecemeal paid content? If that is shown to work out for the videographers, it may trickle down to those who have been asking for more granularity there.
Omg. The timing of this! In a newsletter I sent out yesterday, I was JUST writing about how it feels like I’m the only video creator (of my type) on Substack, which made me second-guess uploading & sharing a recent YouTube vlog natively on Substack instead. And then boom - this news!
I stopped making short form content for Insta and TikTok a while ago to stay in my creative and expressive integrity, much preferring the slow burn of quality over quantity in the content landscape but… I LOVE the more artistic and nuanced side of normal video as a creative medium of expression so this is wildly exciting!
I get that a lot of writers-at-heart won’t be particularly happy with this idea (I’m a writer at heart too), but I’ve fallen absolutely in love with longer form video as a complimentary creative medium over the past few years and I’m so stoked to know that “YouTubers” are welcome to apply as well! Yay!
Oh NOOOOOOO!!!!! I just learned moments after commenting that it’s not open to us lowly Canadians, as usual with all of the cool things 😩😩😩
Hi Brandy - we're always looking for ways to better support non-US based writers/creators, so stay subscribed to On Substack to hear more about future fellowships/programs/product announcements. In the meantime, love the idea of adding longer form content natively to your Substack. Check out https://on.substack.com/p/substack-podcast-spotify for a few more video-specific tips!
Thanks Bailey 💙🎥
Substack is trying to be classy OnlyFans (or what OnlyFans originally tried to be)?
Does it have to be short form? What about capturing creators from YouTube?
Great question! Exclusively short-form is not a requirement — if you have a YouTube, please feel free to apply.
Hi Bailey! I want to take a moment to acknowledge your work in moderating a comment section with so much dissension. I'm definitely among the dissenters, but I've also been in your exact position many times, and it was really hard for me not to take it personally. Well done you for showing up and digesting this madness, and I hope the rest of your day goes well!
Thanks Jessi, this is so nice. Hope you have a great rest of your day too!
Thanks for being such a good human in this moment, Jessi! I think it's what we appreciate most about this platform and why many of us are so unnerved by these proposed changes.
Perhaps video can be housed in a separate feed for those who want to consume that type of content? but I love how simple it is over here. I don’t know if I need to have video here. I make YouTube videos and I watch YouTube videos. I’m quite happy keeping that separate from the content I create here. i also fear how things will progress once ads on videos are introduced bc we all know advertisers will want to get their piece of the action. “Maybe if it ain’t broke, don't fix it” is the answer.
Right? This is a safe haven for a lot of folks. I'd hate to see it turn into every other crowded market square.
Exactly! I came over here bc it’s so different from all the other platforms. Yes I love making videos but this place feels more free. I’m not constantly wondering about “the algorithm” or “views” or being drowned in the same trending song over and over. I can come here and do whatever I want. If people want to engage, they engage. I’m getting blogspot nostalgia in the best way. Please don’t take that away from us.
I nominate Chris Hedges, whose show was just canceled by The "Real" News:
• https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/thank-you-for-your-support-following
P.S. I just noticed the TikTok requirement—I hope this can be expanded to include YouTube and other platforms so people like Chris can qualify.
Hi Margaret! All kinds of video creators are welcome to apply, no TikTok channel necessary.
Excellent, thank you for clarifying, Randa!
Not stoked, Substack. You're showing some true colors that don't flatter. Let's see how this goes...this supposed refuge for indie writers...let's see how this goes...
Too much on the Substack plate. Writing and writers getting paid was your unique brand. Audio is one thing but there are already too many social media video sites - there's not a need for another one! Careful or Substack may quickly become jack of all trades - master of none.
Just here for the comments 🍿
I think we know what's really going on here.
I think this makes a lot of excellent points. Substack does provide stability in a way that other platforms don't, and you have much more control over everything. Ad Revenue is very hit and miss and can go rapidly up and down, whereas here you can potentially generate a more consistent income. This is an incredible opportunity you're offering here for video creators. Especially with the support and mentoring they'll be receiving, which is going to be hugely valuable. Good luck to everyone who is planning to apply... 😎
I love video, but if this endeavor comes down to Tik Tok dipshits showing their assholes for likes, it's not cool. I mean, at least make them create burlesque routines to show them. Feature comedy sets and sculptors and musicians and dancers. Show people reading their writing or having actors read it if they write fiction, plays, and/or movies. I don't want to see a bunch of hot garbage videos about 18-year-olds getting offended over this n' that or discussing the Kardashians. Also, you need to make it easier for people to buy our stories as one-offs in addition to having the option to subscribe to our newsletters. Make it possible to sell fiction shorts and books.
All of this is in the “wishlist queue”. In the “to do queue” is: video!
Substack is still missing pretty basic functionality, and you want to make it into a TikTok clone? Are you crazy? Either add the ability to edit articles on the mobile app, or remove it from the mobile website. Make it so that the mobile app displays the theme of the substack you're viewing by default. And please, please, make it so that substack links clicked within the substack app open within the substack app, not in a browser.
Considering all the criticisms in here, I'll add mine too.
You won't grow any part of your writing culture if all that you're doing is a "jack-of-all-trades" solution. Algorithms have an unhealthy truth to them. Doomsurfing videos do not show deep and intimate connections with knowledge. They merely regurgitate trivial information. As such, there is an oversaturated market of information, and if Substack continues this direction, there won't be any fulfillment of those "dreams" Substack often spoke of. I think If Substack truly believes in its fight for a better writing culture, then perhaps emulating TikTok isn't the right decision.
Please do not move into video. As can clearly be seen here, your community of writers has no interest in seeing more video on the platform.
Where are you going to go? Curious.
This is incredibly disappointing. Many of us were optimistic that Substack would be different than the noisy, monetization-led platforms that dominated the 2010s and early 2020s, yet clearly our optimism was misplaced. Thank goodness we can move our subscriber lists elsewhere.
Can they just like, I dunno, go back to writing only on here 🙂↕️
Off topic feature request: I have lots of old evergreen content my subscribers could get value out of. Currently the only way to get that to new subscribers is to include it in the welcome email or for them to find it on their own. I think a feature that is similar to an old school email marketing funnel but within the Substack network would be amazing.
I could take my 52 best posts (one a week for a year) and all new subscribers would get one of those emails with the specified content throughout the year. This would keep my older posts useful and help add traffic and drive subs by showing new subscribers how valuable I’ve been over the years.
In addition to that, they’d get the new editions of the newsletters as well. Email marketing has a bad stain from sucking for so long. But with substack’s content-only model, this could be very useful.
I'm all for change... maybe it's time to rethink the tagline though?
"Substack
A home for readers"
Substack is trying to offer a path for video content creators to make income from their audiences—just like the writers on here do already. TikTok creators are not your enemy. Lighten up!
It does not, apparently. And unfortunately.
I get the adaption of video, but let me add a word of caution. Sometimes when a business puts too many different types of oars into the water, instead of thinking they will accelerate the trip, they more often than not only make for spinning in circles.
This is especially true when trying to get a lead in something like video social media, which already is flooded with competitors, and is way outside the medium that the majority of one's users have chosen, that being the written word.
That said, I welcome more video tools since I've been delving more into animating my cartooning work.
Can we do a Susbtack Photo Documentary Fellowship next?! I am sorry to say this but even free website builders have beeter options for editorial photography content...I might be quite lonely right now, but I do create editorial photo content and would really love more layout, gallery, title and text options! Maybe even magazine or true documentary style :) Okay, I am getting carried away.
So...I am still getting started with my Substack game, but feeling the anxiety creeping up in some of the comments, here are my thoughts: Substack supports online creators in building an audience, earning money and creating content by providing a platform that enables independence, ownership and financial stability in a way that no other platform does. The business model is based on and targeting "creators who want a more direct, intimate relationship with their audience and to make money from subscriptions". Content style started with writers, but the mix of media is providing creative solutions not only for writers. And in the end, Substack is a business itself and wants to evolve. So I am excited which other creators and content elements will come to the platform.
As the announcement states - while targeting some of the TikTok creators, the idea behind the new video features is to give them the ability to turn their content into "shows and communities" which I would define as longer video content - and there is probably only some of TikTok'ers who are aiming for something like this.
One thing I am wondering though is if something will change about the categories since it might get even more difficult for people with diverse content to select from the current ones.
*Cries in Canadian* 🇨🇦
Gutted this is only open to US creators. Maybe next time...?
Hi Emma! We're always looking for ways to better support non-US based writers/creators — we've been rapidly expanding our global tools, so we'll keep you posted if we launch similar programs down the line that you might be eligible for!
https://on.substack.com/p/internationalization
Thanks so much! I'd love to have a quick chat with someone about my plans for my Substack. If you'd be interested, just drop me a line. :)
I second this! 🇨🇦😔
"Substack is evolving into video and beyond, because the people who want to benefit from this model are pushing us forward." = "We're doing this because our stakeholders are greedy and short-sighted and we can't argue with them because they own us."
I only JUST got here about a month ago because I was looking for the readers and producing video content (like for TikTok) uses up more spoons than I have to spare — plus it detracts from the time I can spend on my craft.
Maybe it’s time for us to just copy what Substack tried to do and create our own space. The market just opened up.
How about you make substack more media friendly first for all of us already here? I can’t even post GIFs in my newsletter that don’t look like a snowy television because the platform just doesn’t support it.
this fucking hurts, I thought this was the only place on the internet where long-form thoughtful content was still prioritized, but now you're just slowly becoming a worse version of tiktok and twitter mashed together.
"Substack is already proving to be a stable place to start a video- and community-based subscription site."
yeah how about proving to us that this is a stable place to write first? How many bugs appear last month? How many necessary features for writers are still non-existent?
you lasted all of 2 years before you became TikTok for profit. and it disgusts me. Stop trying to make your greed-motivated moves sound like a fun evolution for everyone. It’s insulting to my intellect, and plenty of other people here I’m sure; I was thinking of starting up a writing platform here, and this instantly changed my mind—gross.
I have a purple badge from the LA Times which helps with publicity. Right now my primary object is to build an entertainment center in Los Angeles that will have national prominence. Any major donor - over a million (I'm hoping it will be Steve Martin - comedian, writer, art collector etc, will get top billing. for just 500 you can probably be a friend of the entertainment center 1000 will give you a higher level - the name we haven't decided yet. But, as publicity is important in whatever one does I recommend giving at whatever level you can, as I did, as its founder=LeighSilverton, PH.D. You can catch me on Facebook. It's been a pressure/pleasure (just a little joke in honor of Steve Martin, comedian). Not intended as clinical advice - just general wisdom. (there's a fast grapevine between LA and New York and that gets back to Waschinton, DC as Rick Wilson knows because I told him
I’m interested to see where this goes!
Great. Next stop - acting class 😅
It was stunning how successful Internet Princess became when she made a substack. Honestly if the TikTok app is banned which looks probable now, there are thousands of genZ video creators there that could use another income source. I really respect this idea.
By the way, LinkedIn is also releasing a TikTok like feed soon. Honestly I wish Pinterest did as well. Creators need to embrace multimedia, some of the AI folk I know embrace YouTube and never really looked back.
Because of the constant changes in the algorithms of video hosting platforms, for me Substack is a thriving alternative for video programs. The future of subscription video content lies with Substack.
This is the one that will pass me. Anything video is not for me: if you love early investment along side top venture and angel investors, subscribe to Cryptofada research https://cryptofada.substack.com/
We are the news now.
Goodbye and good riddance MSM
Canned journalism and entertainment.
Wow 🤩
This sucks! 👎
I'm not against expanding the platform BUT I think it will disrupt the peacefulness and creative energy here. It feels like clearing forest area to expand the city. A toggle in profile settings would be a wonderful feature so we have the option to turn off the noise. As a whole, we are overstimulated.
never thought i would see the tiktokification of substack
Meh. Not feeling jazzed it's a competition. Why not open the door to EVERYONE? For a moment, I thought you folks were gonna usurp YouTube. Disappointed you're launching this way. Feels exclusionary, and a bit juvenile. Good luck with this Maiden Voyage, Substack... in reading others' comments about your newest "ta-dah," seems to me, ya shoulda taken a poll or put this 'revolutionary' idea (NOT) to a vote~ you remember what VOTING was like once upon a time, don'tcha?? What's that old saying... oh yeah: "Newer ain't necessarily better."
How fucking sad and egalitarian is THAT? I mean, WTF!
Any chance some of the profit from this new revenue source could be turned into scholarships for up-and-coming writers?
When it comes to business, video will always make more $ than writing. This does not mean that writers need to be different or change who they are and the way they work. We need investors and visionaries who are willing to create a platform that's built for writers and built for the long game. We need people who can accept that writing alone doesn't attract big audiences (compared to video) and be ok with that, accept it as it is without making it mean anything bad.
I hear you, that too. And very true. Hopefully Substack hears and more importantly listens to the writers who are the backbone of this platform calling for better editing tools etc.
Hmmm, this is getting really interesting now. I may even have to show my face on here (well maybe as the masked poet. Not a mask over my mouth per se—I’m not a covidiot—but something along the lines of maybe Zorro, the Lone Ranger or the Green Hornet, 😉😂).
The Phantom Of Substack
“We’ll select 10 fellows who cover a wide range of subjects and give them access to world-class strategic support and promotion.“
Substack should not be in the business of picking winners and losers. That’s for readers, listeners and viewers to decide. Culture is badly in need of more meritocracy, not any more stupid micro-celebrity/reality-show drivel.
There is a lot of anxiety here over this news.
I am naive, and I do not have a deeper understanding because I have a few subscribers and do not rely on substack financially, nor have I ever monetized other social media, so I can have the privilege to “hope this turns out well” as I have not much to lose.
But in my optimism I am wondering, perhaps this will not necessarily be like tik tok and youtube. Short reels are an extreme. They are shallow and never satisfying.
But there is video as a tik tok reel and there is video as The Sopranos. And the same is with twitter as a form of writing and classical novels as a form of writing.
Both writing and the video are mediums of art at the end of the day.
I hope substack finds a nice balance (hopefully to the Sopranos side of the spectrum 🙃)
A shame you're only taking applications from US-based applicants.
That said, I am excited to get back into longer videos, as I've made a space for myself as a streamer and with reading stories to my audience, each video is about 8 minutes long
Looking forward to this being in the UK
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." -
1st Amendment U.S. Constitution
We need more options other than textual content. Lets face it, the attention spans of modern people are almost none. Adding video, even video shorts is a great idea. Having announcement videos with descriptions for certain events is eye-catching. Those that are Written Word Only are going to get stuck in the past and will not grow. Substack and all of us need to have all the tools of modern production, press, and expression available. Recorded Video & Text, Audio for podcast are great. Having LIVE-streams will make Substack a venue to chose when all others are very limited. Most that are not American wish they had a venue like Substack and even some that are American really take a Right they have for granted. Substack is the only venue to have everything all under one roof. The only thing missing is LIVE-streaming. Integration of Zoom or Streamyard into Substack would make Substack the Paramount Pinnacle of the First Amendment to our American Constitution. I'm all for everything.
not reading the paragraph of someone who quotes the constitution first; you think our politicians are living by that crusty ol’ rag? lmao c’mon bud
Others might like it an dread it. What do you want? Full on Communism? I swore an Oath to defend that "crusty ol' rag" you speak of. Without it, especially 2A you ain't got no Rights. Might want to think long and hard.
Just clicked into Nick Curtola's cooking Substack. How cool. Show the recipe being made in a 90 second short form video, then offer the recipe to paid subscribers.
The viewing experience was peaceful, non-urgent, and pleasant. Nothing like any of the other platforms.
What a great use of video!
Muchas gracias pero no soy residente de los estados unidos
I notice the videos in this thread are longer than 1 minute. Is that limit only for Notes, not posts? I've been posting daily 1 minute vids in Notes: https://substack.com/@templeofartists/note/c-55725465
Still hoping for RTMP integration with ECamm Live and Streamyard. Then I can ditch YT and house everything here.
Gotta say, I don't find the concerns about short form video too credible given how enthusiastically so many Substackers have embraced short form text. Notes, Chat, blog comments, this thread, this post, all overwhelmingly short form.
The end is near
Mmmmm only in US based applications..... sad! very sad!
I was about to start doing my thing on Substack UNTIL I was interviewed by John B. Wells, formerly of Coast to Coast AM Radio, now his own show Caravan To Midnight. Stripe, the ONLY payment processor used by Substack, CANCELED MY ACCOUNT. I'm providing the link to that interview so you can hear the content. I am not a charity. I wrote a book and some saw me injured by wireless tech and wanted to help sustain the websites, domains etc but I'm not "doing charity work" and there is NOTHING political. Those were the accusations made. I went to read their policies, they can cancel you for any/no reason or BECAUSE A GOV'T AUTHORITY ASKS THEM TO. A review was requested but they're standing their ground. I supsect the state of Arkansas may have complined because I'm bringin out what they're doing to us here and I've been begging for justice/help for 4 years. 3 women dead, deadly readings all over town, Ozarks and wildlife being damaged. THAT is the issue so I've made Substack aware and I'm asking all of you contributors to get on board.
STRIPE HAS SHOWN WHO THEY ARE PLAYING FOR and it is NOT, WE THE PEOPLE.
I told them I would be sharing their UnAmerican stance widely. I also don't do business with PayPal as they've literally stolen money from 3 friends and then announced their new policy sometime back that they will dock your bank account $1200 if you spread "misinformation", a subjective term. I will say that I was treated very well when I switched to GoCardless.com and they have no issue with what I'm doing! Blessings on your journey. Please help change the course we're on even if it's
a bit inconvenient. Thank you! https://neighborsorganizingagainsttrespassingtechnology.blog/2024/05/04/stripe-pymnt-co-canceled-my-account-after-my-interview-w-john-b-wells/
tfw Substack pushes short-form video but you only do long-form vids 🥹
Hey Max – we'll be considering long form video too! Would definitely encourage you to submit your app. We added this question to the FAQ doc (it's a good one): https://on.substack.com/i/144373760/can-long-form-video-creators-apply
omg thanks so much Bailey! Sorry for being a doofus that didn’t read everything before commenting 🫠
No worries, here to help!
As long as we all here on the internet - maintain free speech and a real genuine feeling for our readers, or viewers - or listers - and for what is needed in this world - as opposed to what is not desired or needed - we will prevail.
The internet is now a sophisticated - instant feedback - free speech vehicle - for those who dare to tell and imagine and share the truth we each instinctively are capable of comprehending.
Be ourselves 100% - and be our best selves together.
Each of us the change we dare imagine and wish to see in this world!
Finally, a comfortable, reliable platform that welcomes short form video content without algorithms firings ads at you.
Oooooo will all these 10 people be fairly established or???
Hi Rae, good question! Here, we're looking for creators who have large, engaged followings for their video content and want to create a meaningful home for their work and their subscribers. Please feel free to check out our FAQ doc, which outlines criteria: https://on.substack.com/p/substack-creator-studio-faq
Rather than amplify creators who are starting out and need support?
The Notes section has degraded Substack to becoming just a slightly more enlightened version of Facebook. I joined Substack to get away from seeing people’s shit posts and pictures of their cats. Substack was a refuge for that for a long time (been here since 2021). But it ruined it and brought over the “influencers” to tell us all about how they’ve overcome their personal anxiety (who gives a flying fuck?). Thankfully my algorithm might be sensing my annoyance and has been feeding more notes linked with people’s long form posts. But hey, if they bring in money, and don’t try to shut down free speech, they can sleep outside. But you need make clear to them that their censorship tyranny is not going to fly here on Substack.
Here to support the folks who'd rather not turn Substack into another video-frantic hook-obsessed culture.
The writing will become secondary. Y'all are fucking up the foundation. "Instability hits their medium"?
With this move, instability is hitting our medium. Substack sellouts!
This is a horrible idea. Some of us are here as refugees from META and X. PLEASE STOP!!
This sounds fantastic! I'm quite new to substack but have YouTube channels, webs with blog, etc. Launching a new brand now on more "spiritual / personal development" and I'm curious whether Substack might be the medium for me. Being able to add video seems perfect!
SUBSTANK
The art is all fake, the sincerity is plastic,
the fitness tips are lame, the life advice trite,
the quotes are all regurgitated,
the jokes are all plagiarised,
the bro-marketers keep bro-marketing.
The coaches keep coaching, the hacks keep hacking,
the memes are a virtual showcase
of the wide and enduring truth
that quantity is a poor substitute for quality.
Originality is raped, the message is noise,
the ethic is cringe, the aesthetic is synthetic,
the wisdom is stale, and it is all passed off as fresh;
The flesh is flashed. the small-minded are entertained.
The rest of us?
we’re settling,
for this.
please click like and share.
© Rocco Jarman
https://eyeswideopenlife.substack.com/p/the-cost-of-our-allowing
This is what it looks like when a business can't endure the discomfort of it's own FOMO.
More synthetic content = more synthetic people. To emulate the most soul-dead platforms is to make Substack worse.
How disappointing and depressing in equal measure.
Just applied! I joined Substack just a few months ago to expand my written footprint online as a fashion editor turned freelancer, but making content on TikTok and Instagram is currently my full-time job. It will be interesting to see how these video skills can be utilized on a platform I've been loving so much! Hopefully smaller creators (I have 124K followers on TikTok and 19K on Instagram) will be considered in addition to those with larger digital followings.
Amazing how every nice thing in this greedy world eventually mutate into some boring, mundane for profit crap. No matter where you go, everything is the same.
I have to say this again, I am so turned off of Substack wanting to go “the way” of the “insta” of instagram and Tik Tok, addictive apps. I guess it’s all about money, money, money. Is there not another way?
I came to substack, to be myself, with the many hats I wear, to look at an 'out of the box' way to be paid as a musician, singer songwriter with subscriptions eventually - Yes I love that you can have more in depth 'relationships' real writing - but, to be an artist you need to also be totally free to create
I haven't seen many videos in Notes. I think it poses an opportunity for writers as well. Of course, there are always bad actors and content you don't want to see. Maybe give the user the choice to filter out videos on notes, or simply not display them unless they click on it.
I have been doing videos for lore and world-building for my upcoming novel for a while now. I haven't posted any of it on Notes yet (was before that feature launched).
https://alexanderipfelkofer.substack.com/p/in-gain-we-trust
This could either be a great new opportunity or the death knell to the platform.
Hoping it’s the former. Don’t fuck this place up Substack.
I'm already a paid subscriber ,I just don't login.
I've never created on Tiktok, so I don't have a reference there, but I do see a benefit for me here on Substack. I thinks there's a lot of potential and benefits for me and my audience for video content delivered to an inbox.
I'm interested to know if you're planning anything in the music space. Music is intricately woven into what I write about. I'd like to see more than just the ability to embed my music. I'm not sure what that would look like, just curious.
I am a new writer here on Substack and I'm loving the features, the content, and the community I see. It is a great tool for content creators, writers, and creatives to express themselves, share their passions, and monetize without all the downsides of other social media platforms who are making it increasingly harder for small business owners and creators to grow. Grateful for the opportunities and the blessings I know we will all experience here on Substack. Many blessings to you all!
Reactions are expected. However, it is important for Substack to try their luck in videos. People prefer videos over reading text or listening to podcasts.
then they can go to a fucking video platform and watch it; to say a reading platform HAS to do this is so dumb i don’t even want to finish this comme-
Is there a single place where Substack has a list of all fellowship opportunities? Not just video but everything.
Hi Ben, this is the only active fellowship at the moment. We have run a number of fellowships in the past, and certainly expect to run more in the future. If you stay subscribed to on.substack.com, you'll hear the news first.
Ok. That’s what I thought. I was wondering about a roundup of all the ones you’ve done.
Totally, you can check out past fellowships here: https://substack.com/fellowships
Thanks!
I refuse to use Tik-Tok and all my (our) IRL Media podcasts have been banned on YouTube since 2022 but I love this idea.
https://youtu.be/253JId1MBDc?si=HUKvIb_BnS9VKKmB
No sound. Thanks YouTube. 🙄. We built a media company on Discord. 😎
The only one left on YouTube https://youtu.be/lFk0w_SGCWo?si=REKKr-uGpHErLc8f
Globalism needs new ways to connect with the billionaire world-ruling class, so this is s very welcome development indeed. King Charles will be most chuffed! 😊
I’m writing music for substack now and look forward to partnering with a video artist
Hi there — we've seen lots of writers & creators actually meet collaborators via Substack :) I'd definitely encourage you to post on Notes about what you might be looking for, or you can DM other writers/creators directly to see if they might be interested in working with you.
Thanks - will do
Exactly
this is a thoughtful comment, Van. i think a big concern is dilution and oversaturation of the platform. while you can control what content you consume here, it dilutes the engagement when someone subscribes to +200 newsletters, which is impossible to keep up with and engage with thoughtfully. i think the idea that a space primarily for writers could be overridden by video content creators is sad to a lot of us, as well as frustrating, and writers feel like they will get lost. and then will they be pushed to create that video content in order to be found? when that isn't their primary medium? that feels unfair and not what the original intention of this platform felt like.
i actually wrote about this on sunday and the post has some comments from writers who have been feeling the same, even before this announcement from the substack team.
It just doesn’t seem to stop.
It is such a pity because, MY GOD, the writers on this platform are pure gold. One could read for hours on end and always find interesting things.
Certainly doesn’t come across that way.