If you’re a writer who has had enough of the turbulence of ad-supported media, and you’re sorting through your options for what’s next, we’re here to help you explore independence.
Substack isn’t just the future of writing - but for all media.
Surveillance capitalism and advertising are failing. We are sick and tired of our data being harvested, and being bombarded with ads.
It’s not just writers. I am a video creator who is building on Substack first. I’m releasing my first video on Substack this week and it feels liberating to know that I alone control my distribution - not depending on the whims of the YouTube algorithm.
Massive shoutout to the many brilliant folks @ Substack who bust their ass every day to enable creators to have a real relationship with their audience. You folks are doing important work & im excited to see what you ship next.
If you forget about the little guy substack is going to turn into a media publication and not an sns. Still valuable but not 10x. Help the little guy and stop promoting all the big accounts, we know about them and we follow them so who is this for! Sorry just passionate about this, and care about Substacks soul
Established popular writers get the offers, publicity and sympathies while the majority of Substack writers get... “write more and be consistent!” advice😭
As more and more talented writers join Substack, it's possible that the platform's earning potential could hit a wall. With readers having a limited budget for subscriptions, competition for their financial support will become increasingly intense. Subscribing to just five writers already costs $250 annually – more than a New Yorker subscription. Incidentally, great writing may become inaccessible to many readers who have exhausted their subscription budget.
What distinguishes the above-mentioned people from the rest of us is that they had options: more than being laid off, they did not like their current work situation, already had a wide readership, and decided to go solo. Unfortunately, that's hardly an option for most writers who are struggling to stay afloat.
I mean, look at one of their resumes:
***** is a Canadian writer and podcaster, and the author of the national bestseller *****. Over the past two decades, her work has appeared on CBC Radio and TV, and in dozens of newspapers and magazines across the country and around the world.
I am a writer who is sorting through options, which involves getting a day job not as a writer, so I can keep writing! Anyone in the same boat? We need a bigger boat?
Are there plans to add micropayments to substack? I cannot afford to subscribe to more newsletters, but I am happy to pay for single posts that I do read.
All very well assuming anyone wants to read what one writes, I suppose. If a million disillusioned voices shout at once, each saying something different in an already over-saturated media landscape and attention-span audience economy, who is hearing any of it?
Some people here wonder who is going to read if so many people start writing on Substack. I think of Instagram where every follower is a creator as well. I know that we Substackers hate comparing this platform with social media. But there are similarities. And with ChatGPT we’ll see even more aspiring writers turning to Substack. But just as not all the creators on IG are accomplished photographers, not all aspiring writers turning Substack will be accomplished writers. The good writers will naturally attract a bigger audience. But just like professional photographers were outcompeted by amateurs on IG, so will professional writers be outcompeted in the future by amateurs on Substack. Platforms like IG and Substack help amateurs become professional. This is just the beginning. I’m not worried about big names switching to Substack, I’m not worried about ChatGPT writers. This new boom in writing will open new possibilities for everyone else. And the ones who will learn to use this medium the best will ultimately be successful. The exciting thing is how Substack will evolve with ads out of the equation. As we’ve seen, ads ruined IG and many other platforms. An ad free platform might still thrive.
So this is just for established writers? What about helping someone who has done 50 posts on your platform, even when super sick, and now can't promote anywhere? How come you guys only talk about helping big writers. The rest of us frequently left in the dust.
I believe Substack should support new writers and not just promote their ‘golden goose’. As a business owner and investor, I understand and appreciate the science behind this but if Substack truly wants to differentiate itself from other platforms, the. Push love all your children the same and promote your new writers too. Pick 3 writers daily and send out a newsletter about their work. Or promote up and coming writers who are trying to get more readers. I am tired of most platforms who Leah’s push their best performing child and forget the rest. Do you agree ?
To writers impacted by layoffs
Substack isn’t just the future of writing - but for all media.
Surveillance capitalism and advertising are failing. We are sick and tired of our data being harvested, and being bombarded with ads.
It’s not just writers. I am a video creator who is building on Substack first. I’m releasing my first video on Substack this week and it feels liberating to know that I alone control my distribution - not depending on the whims of the YouTube algorithm.
Massive shoutout to the many brilliant folks @ Substack who bust their ass every day to enable creators to have a real relationship with their audience. You folks are doing important work & im excited to see what you ship next.
If you forget about the little guy substack is going to turn into a media publication and not an sns. Still valuable but not 10x. Help the little guy and stop promoting all the big accounts, we know about them and we follow them so who is this for! Sorry just passionate about this, and care about Substacks soul
Established popular writers get the offers, publicity and sympathies while the majority of Substack writers get... “write more and be consistent!” advice😭
As more and more talented writers join Substack, it's possible that the platform's earning potential could hit a wall. With readers having a limited budget for subscriptions, competition for their financial support will become increasingly intense. Subscribing to just five writers already costs $250 annually – more than a New Yorker subscription. Incidentally, great writing may become inaccessible to many readers who have exhausted their subscription budget.
What distinguishes the above-mentioned people from the rest of us is that they had options: more than being laid off, they did not like their current work situation, already had a wide readership, and decided to go solo. Unfortunately, that's hardly an option for most writers who are struggling to stay afloat.
I mean, look at one of their resumes:
***** is a Canadian writer and podcaster, and the author of the national bestseller *****. Over the past two decades, her work has appeared on CBC Radio and TV, and in dozens of newspapers and magazines across the country and around the world.
No wonder she has "thousands of paid writers."
Wow, this post just restored my faith in humanity.
I am a writer who is sorting through options, which involves getting a day job not as a writer, so I can keep writing! Anyone in the same boat? We need a bigger boat?
Thanks for this platform. Joining the Substack community is one of the best decisions I’ve made!
Thank you for sharing this and providing a platform for so many wonderful creators and writers!
Are there plans to add micropayments to substack? I cannot afford to subscribe to more newsletters, but I am happy to pay for single posts that I do read.
All very well assuming anyone wants to read what one writes, I suppose. If a million disillusioned voices shout at once, each saying something different in an already over-saturated media landscape and attention-span audience economy, who is hearing any of it?
Some people here wonder who is going to read if so many people start writing on Substack. I think of Instagram where every follower is a creator as well. I know that we Substackers hate comparing this platform with social media. But there are similarities. And with ChatGPT we’ll see even more aspiring writers turning to Substack. But just as not all the creators on IG are accomplished photographers, not all aspiring writers turning Substack will be accomplished writers. The good writers will naturally attract a bigger audience. But just like professional photographers were outcompeted by amateurs on IG, so will professional writers be outcompeted in the future by amateurs on Substack. Platforms like IG and Substack help amateurs become professional. This is just the beginning. I’m not worried about big names switching to Substack, I’m not worried about ChatGPT writers. This new boom in writing will open new possibilities for everyone else. And the ones who will learn to use this medium the best will ultimately be successful. The exciting thing is how Substack will evolve with ads out of the equation. As we’ve seen, ads ruined IG and many other platforms. An ad free platform might still thrive.
So this is just for established writers? What about helping someone who has done 50 posts on your platform, even when super sick, and now can't promote anywhere? How come you guys only talk about helping big writers. The rest of us frequently left in the dust.
Wow, what a really person and thoughtful Substack. This really resonates with me as a new writer and Substack-er. Really appreciate this.
can i pay for placement in the next bottom writers plug??
I believe Substack should support new writers and not just promote their ‘golden goose’. As a business owner and investor, I understand and appreciate the science behind this but if Substack truly wants to differentiate itself from other platforms, the. Push love all your children the same and promote your new writers too. Pick 3 writers daily and send out a newsletter about their work. Or promote up and coming writers who are trying to get more readers. I am tired of most platforms who Leah’s push their best performing child and forget the rest. Do you agree ?