When we started Substack, we didn’t know if the model would work. Today, more than half a million people pay to subscribe to a publication on the platform.
Well it's working, I know spend more per month than I soent per year on my old magazine subscriptions. My only real complaint is there are just too many damm good writers 😁 and to be honest it is a nice problem to have!
GIVING A DONATION TO AN AUTHOR (other than the exceedingly restrictive subscription choices)
Substack does not have a means of giving a donation of $10, $20, $50 or whatever to an author. I’ve communicated with Substack and they don’t seem to think that’s a priority. You can’t send a donation to an author. It’s lifetime subscription (only one numerical figure available), monthly subscription (only one numerical figure available), or nothing. This is a for-profit business, at least I thought so. They would get a percentage of that if it went through them. But noooooo, that’s not an option they think merits their time or attention. Substack and one of my authors (I subscribe to 3) have already lost out because a month ago I was moved to send a largish donation but was unable to do so because I am already at lifetime subscriber level with this person, and I was unable to send an additional donation. The moment has passed, but it left me with a cranky feeling.
Isn’t there a way to provide at least a little more versatility, so that if a subscriber is moved to do so, they can send money? I have the authors email address and we converse by email, but I haven’t raised the possibility of him giving me his financial info so I can send him money.
Subject has a system of sending money from reader to Substack author, but I find the choices so restrictive as to be stifling.
I echo this! I really wish Substack had this option. I write a newletter for Covid long-haulers, many of whom are in dire financial straits. I don't want to prevent people from accessing content because they can't afford to pay for a subscription, so after several months with the subscription model, I made it free to everyone. (I found that just telling people they could email me and I would give them a free subscription wasn't enough. Many people don't feel comfortable doing that.) I created a 'buy me a coffee' page, and though I still do all my writing through Substack, I add a 'buy me a coffee' button to the bottom of my newsletters. I've been surprised by the generosity of readers, and I love that everyone can access it, whether or not they can help me get a caffeine fix. I wish that the donation option was built seamlessly into Substack, though. It would be easier for me, simpler for my readers, and financially more beneficial for Substack.
From my first introduction, I was attracted to the “why” behind Substack’s model. When you give people an opportunity to create, grow and share — amazing things happen. Congrats Substack/founders. I am delighted to be one of your writers.
Guys, don't leave the non USA writers alone. I write my newsletter in Italian language and it is impossible to get paid for a newetter. You should have national references (I candidate myself for Italy) to help all the writers and you to be really a world platform
A lot of us have blogged on other platforms. Blogger has become a messy place plus all the sales pitches and odd things that appear in comments. Word Press became very complex and not handy. You provide a sleek platform, easy to learn. Thx for the effort.
This all sounds great, but where does the “little guy or girl” fit into these plans. I put out a daily melange of commentary, poetry, photography, and art. Working hard at blog and on Twitter, but slow to build by myself.
I am putting together a living thanks to Substack, as well as a combination of other sources. I produce a newsletter and podcast on public affairs in Charlottesville, and tomorrow the 169th edition since mid-July will go out. I believe my version of journalism can help my community, and I am growing an audience thanks to Substack. I am interested in learning more about some of these ventures, as my goal is to hire people once I am able to do so. I'm providing a service and I look forward to the future for the first time in a long while.
Your plans for the future sound exciting. I've been publishing here since Oct. 2020, and have found the platform to be trouble-free and easy to use. I hope to be here for a long time with a second newsletter in the planning stages. Thanks for creating a great product.
Well it's working, I know spend more per month than I soent per year on my old magazine subscriptions. My only real complaint is there are just too many damm good writers 😁 and to be honest it is a nice problem to have!
GIVING A DONATION TO AN AUTHOR (other than the exceedingly restrictive subscription choices)
Substack does not have a means of giving a donation of $10, $20, $50 or whatever to an author. I’ve communicated with Substack and they don’t seem to think that’s a priority. You can’t send a donation to an author. It’s lifetime subscription (only one numerical figure available), monthly subscription (only one numerical figure available), or nothing. This is a for-profit business, at least I thought so. They would get a percentage of that if it went through them. But noooooo, that’s not an option they think merits their time or attention. Substack and one of my authors (I subscribe to 3) have already lost out because a month ago I was moved to send a largish donation but was unable to do so because I am already at lifetime subscriber level with this person, and I was unable to send an additional donation. The moment has passed, but it left me with a cranky feeling.
Isn’t there a way to provide at least a little more versatility, so that if a subscriber is moved to do so, they can send money? I have the authors email address and we converse by email, but I haven’t raised the possibility of him giving me his financial info so I can send him money.
Subject has a system of sending money from reader to Substack author, but I find the choices so restrictive as to be stifling.
Any chance of adding real versatility?
Roland
I echo this! I really wish Substack had this option. I write a newletter for Covid long-haulers, many of whom are in dire financial straits. I don't want to prevent people from accessing content because they can't afford to pay for a subscription, so after several months with the subscription model, I made it free to everyone. (I found that just telling people they could email me and I would give them a free subscription wasn't enough. Many people don't feel comfortable doing that.) I created a 'buy me a coffee' page, and though I still do all my writing through Substack, I add a 'buy me a coffee' button to the bottom of my newsletters. I've been surprised by the generosity of readers, and I love that everyone can access it, whether or not they can help me get a caffeine fix. I wish that the donation option was built seamlessly into Substack, though. It would be easier for me, simpler for my readers, and financially more beneficial for Substack.
I agree. I need more pricing tiers, and if I can’t get them I’ll have to create an off-platform way to gather that extra revenue.
“SUBSTACK has a system of sending money from reader to author . . . “
???
From my first introduction, I was attracted to the “why” behind Substack’s model. When you give people an opportunity to create, grow and share — amazing things happen. Congrats Substack/founders. I am delighted to be one of your writers.
Guys, don't leave the non USA writers alone. I write my newsletter in Italian language and it is impossible to get paid for a newetter. You should have national references (I candidate myself for Italy) to help all the writers and you to be really a world platform
A lot of us have blogged on other platforms. Blogger has become a messy place plus all the sales pitches and odd things that appear in comments. Word Press became very complex and not handy. You provide a sleek platform, easy to learn. Thx for the effort.
This all sounds great, but where does the “little guy or girl” fit into these plans. I put out a daily melange of commentary, poetry, photography, and art. Working hard at blog and on Twitter, but slow to build by myself.
It's like the music industry only a tiny percentage can make a decent living at this. Sad but true.
Bravo amd many thanks for daring this innovative venture which allows a nez type of conversation
Congratulations! Great to see so many high quality publications on Substack!
Substack is un-cancellable. Good.
I am putting together a living thanks to Substack, as well as a combination of other sources. I produce a newsletter and podcast on public affairs in Charlottesville, and tomorrow the 169th edition since mid-July will go out. I believe my version of journalism can help my community, and I am growing an audience thanks to Substack. I am interested in learning more about some of these ventures, as my goal is to hire people once I am able to do so. I'm providing a service and I look forward to the future for the first time in a long while.
Your plans for the future sound exciting. I've been publishing here since Oct. 2020, and have found the platform to be trouble-free and easy to use. I hope to be here for a long time with a second newsletter in the planning stages. Thanks for creating a great product.
Provide transparency around who you're paying via Substack Pro. Transparency is critical to building trust.
Congrats on closing the B Round!
Thank you for your continued improvements.
Interesting stuff.
Great news! I can't wait for substack to take off also in Italy. Well done !