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.
That's awesome, Michael. I'm particularly excited by the new video features here on Substack, and I'm looking forward to uploading some of my own video content in the coming weeks and months. I gather you've had a good experience with the video feature so far?
I agree with you completely. The fact of the matter is there is no end to control of big industries. The equation as of now has completely changed. At the surface it seems like a Russia or USA war. But we know where the guns and bombs coming from. And throughout the rise of any ideology corporates can change in seconds.
Substack is a community of talented people from all walks of life, wether it be writing or video you can always find something of interest here. Yet, the best part..... no ads, no censorship and you can communicate with the author’s.
It’s up to date real information with a real community of everyday people.
I’m a newbie here and am learning more and more everyday. My only complaint is that it’s addicting, lol 😂. I love interacting with like minded people and having respectful conversations with others like myself. Even if we don’t agree.
Hey Donald, Substack allows potential readers and writers to get connected, the writer has a subscription based service that allows access to these news letters. He can even charge for it depending on his choice. You can choose a publication or publications of your liking andyou will get newsletters at the frequency that a writer provides..
For instance, I have written this post, I agree with you completely. The fact of the matter is there is no end to control of big industries. The equation as of now has completely changed. At the surface it seems like a Russia or USA war. But we know where the guns and bombs coming from. And throughout the rise of any ideology corporates can change in seconds.
Substack is a way for people to write articles, and for people to read them. The authors can charge for yearly or monthly subscriptions and have some articles only appear to paid subscribers.
Or you can just hang out and read various articles if you want.
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
Huh? This email went to the subscriber list of substack. What does that have to do with customer acquisition. Regardless there should be a balance. Maybe talk about emerging writers rather than the biggest writers. It always feels like I'm on a media platform where I'm allowed to scribble next to some vaulted talent. They will attract more writers with my recommendation if they can prove ppl with smaller audiences can be supported here to find financial freedom. This has eveything ti do with having a heart
So true... every platform is always having us compete with people with “clout”. Show us people who don’t have enormous audiences Faron writing in Hollywood who can make a living on this platform. THATS why we’re here
I'm sure she has a heart, but many of the people who've lost their jobs in the media were pulling in very nice salaries. Additionally, they have networks that people like me can only fantasize about.
I write sonnets and essays, so I'm not so optimistic on ever making five figures on here, let alone the millions some can expect. It took me over 50 years to realize that I'm a writer. Putting food on my table? Well, I can still swing a hammer and saw wood.
This is heart breaking. Making money through writing is very difficult. I agree with you completely. The fact of the matter is there is no end to control of big industries. The equation as of now has completely changed. At the surface it seems like a Russia or USA war. But we know where the guns and bombs coming from. And throughout the rise of any ideology corporates can change in seconds.
And yet every corporate email feels like this. I want to believe but practically every email is simply about growth for big talent on the platform. It's not about promising us money as some ppl have suggested, most of us don't need that, it's about being seen and heard and getting help with exposure and occasionally talking about the little guys
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.
I strongly suggest a “tip jar” that uses a variety of payment options. One specific option should be the Lightning Network for micro payments in BTC. A few Satoshi would equate to a few pennies, yet those could really add up and make transactions a win-win, per submission, without a larger subscription commitment. I’d be so pleased to name my micro transaction, not unlike pushing a tip button on a service transaction. For giving an acknowledgment of quality, that would be my ten cent (equivalent) opinion.
I "installed" a Become a Patron button on my website. What the hell, it didn't cost me anything and only took me 10 minutes to figure out. Qui onques rien n'enprist riens n'achieva.
I was just debating about whether to bother commenting about this, because no one appears to be thinking it through.
Rumble, for example, seemed like a wonderful alternative to YouTube until everyone providing content limited what you can hear on a podcast. Now, it’s “Just pay us on Locals, and we will tell you the rest of the news story.”
YouTube is a jungle of subscriptions, merchandizing, ads, and “Super Chats” which interrupt the content and waste the listener’s time.
Now the written word is also hostage to paywalls. My pension doesn’t accommodate paying dozens of writers in niche interest areas, and frankly, most Americans who are using subscription services can’t afford what they are purchasing. It would be interesting to know how much of the current record-breaking American credit card debt has resulted from subscription services.
The market for subscriptions services is about to crash.
The market for subscription services will crash each time there's a recession. It's one of the first things many people cut to save money. They won't cut their $7 coffees, or having lunch delivered even though delivered lunches are now $20 per person in my area!
That reminds me of being a broke entrepreneur but after ten meetings I'd sacrifice eating to take a taxi home and rest versus subway. My cofounder and I were on the same page and is why we are partners a decade later. Strange but yes there are certain conveniences that seem to help you rise and perform better and this varies from person to person
The problem for Americans is that “recession” is about to change to a permanent devaluation of personal assets as the dollar loses standing. Penny pinching will soon replace dieting as the lead obsession in the US.
I think many people would just be happy to see a decently growing base. This is a technical feature and a platform promotion component as well as support by substack staff or else WHY spend time writing here?
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.
My point exactly!!! These ppl can launch their own websites and be just fine. Why not mention one newbie? How are we supposed to relate to established journalists? That would be like inviting me to guest blog on the New York times
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.
I agree with those who would like to offer their readers an alternative to the current pricey subscription system like a “tip jar”/micropayment approach. I love reading other writers but I can’t pay for more than a couple subscriptions. A micropayment option would allow more of us to get paid AND get readers. Not everyone here is a stadium act; support the buskers!
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.
The goal of the post is not to promote well established authors over emerging authors, but to present Substack as an alternative for legacy media. To me all this screening in the comments is silly.
As a first generation Russian I understand your position. It is predictable. If Substack is alternative to legacy media - no problem. As I've said - it's becoming a media platform. This is not a 10x opportunity and does not match the rhetoric of its fundraising content. Par example- "the company says it’s on a mission to build a new “economic engine” for culture, and that to do this, it needs to build a kind of network that is based on principles that give control to writers and readers. Substack is focused on building a subscription network founded on creator ownership." As for commenting on my screaming, I already have a father for lectures.
Everyone has to go out and promote their site. Substack is not a place for the unmotivated or people without a lot of energy. I only do this as a hobby, not for income, because I have limited time and a full time job.
Oh lord not that argument. Substack doesn't need you to defend it is a multimillion raise company that currently crowdsourced funds from its users, but it must help its writers gain exposure, not money. All the big platforms ALGORITHMICALLY do this or else what are funds sort on, and yeh a few ppl on staff could help emerging writers too, wouldn't break the bank. Focusing on A listers should be a growth stage play, and as far as I can tell we are still early days revenue. This is coming from a tech founder well versed in the vc space.
Yeh in some case worse - trying to be an app of all trades at 10M revenue shows total amateur hour. Notes that flush down a feed bc the ui makes no sense instead of just focusing on how to help people become writers
What I like most about Substack is that it attracts the kind of people I wanna be surrounded with. I never really used Twitter or Reddit, but just reading the posts and comments on these platforms gives me a very bitter taste in my mouth. Here on substack one the other hand I'm dealing with mature adults, who are free to express themselves without any censorship. Finding substack was one of the best things that happened to me in 2023.
This is why I love Substack. They’ve built an inclusive community with support systems in place to help writers build a following and monetize their work. I’ve only been on Substack a few weeks and I’ve already met more wonderfully helpful colleagues here than from years of freelancing. Thank you Substack for making this a people first platform.
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.
That's awesome, Michael. I'm particularly excited by the new video features here on Substack, and I'm looking forward to uploading some of my own video content in the coming weeks and months. I gather you've had a good experience with the video feature so far?
Yes, I have. Plan on writing about it at a later time when I have had more time to think about it.
Excellent! It seems like a great feature.
I agree with you completely. The fact of the matter is there is no end to control of big industries. The equation as of now has completely changed. At the surface it seems like a Russia or USA war. But we know where the guns and bombs coming from. And throughout the rise of any ideology corporates can change in seconds.
Do check out my newsletter here and subscribe if you like it. https://kallolpoetry.substack.com/p/he-consumed-me-everyday-so-i-devoured
Substack is a community of talented people from all walks of life, wether it be writing or video you can always find something of interest here. Yet, the best part..... no ads, no censorship and you can communicate with the author’s.
It’s up to date real information with a real community of everyday people.
I’m a newbie here and am learning more and more everyday. My only complaint is that it’s addicting, lol 😂. I love interacting with like minded people and having respectful conversations with others like myself. Even if we don’t agree.
For me, it’s home 🏡.
Hey Donald, Substack allows potential readers and writers to get connected, the writer has a subscription based service that allows access to these news letters. He can even charge for it depending on his choice. You can choose a publication or publications of your liking andyou will get newsletters at the frequency that a writer provides..
For instance, I have written this post, I agree with you completely. The fact of the matter is there is no end to control of big industries. The equation as of now has completely changed. At the surface it seems like a Russia or USA war. But we know where the guns and bombs coming from. And throughout the rise of any ideology corporates can change in seconds.
Do check out my newsletter here and subscribe if you like it. https://kallolpoetry.substack.com/p/he-consumed-me-everyday-so-i-devoured
You can read it or you can subscribe to get all updates when a writer publishes something.
Substack is a way for people to write articles, and for people to read them. The authors can charge for yearly or monthly subscriptions and have some articles only appear to paid subscribers.
Or you can just hang out and read various articles if you want.
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
These people lost their jobs! Have a heart.
Huh? This email went to the subscriber list of substack. What does that have to do with customer acquisition. Regardless there should be a balance. Maybe talk about emerging writers rather than the biggest writers. It always feels like I'm on a media platform where I'm allowed to scribble next to some vaulted talent. They will attract more writers with my recommendation if they can prove ppl with smaller audiences can be supported here to find financial freedom. This has eveything ti do with having a heart
So true... every platform is always having us compete with people with “clout”. Show us people who don’t have enormous audiences Faron writing in Hollywood who can make a living on this platform. THATS why we’re here
We were over the “cool kid” games of instagram
Seriously so much glad handling cool kids except here it's like even more elitist where's there you can just be funny
*from writing in Hollywood
I'm sure she has a heart, but many of the people who've lost their jobs in the media were pulling in very nice salaries. Additionally, they have networks that people like me can only fantasize about.
I write sonnets and essays, so I'm not so optimistic on ever making five figures on here, let alone the millions some can expect. It took me over 50 years to realize that I'm a writer. Putting food on my table? Well, I can still swing a hammer and saw wood.
No reply from author despite prob 50ish comments like mine
oopps---thanks for your support. My comment was not based on this article alone, and I will check out your sonnets!
This is heart breaking. Making money through writing is very difficult. I agree with you completely. The fact of the matter is there is no end to control of big industries. The equation as of now has completely changed. At the surface it seems like a Russia or USA war. But we know where the guns and bombs coming from. And throughout the rise of any ideology corporates can change in seconds.
Do check out my newsletter here and subscribe if you like it. https://kallolpoetry.substack.com/p/he-consumed-me-everyday-so-i-devoured
And yet every corporate email feels like this. I want to believe but practically every email is simply about growth for big talent on the platform. It's not about promising us money as some ppl have suggested, most of us don't need that, it's about being seen and heard and getting help with exposure and occasionally talking about the little guys
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.
I strongly suggest a “tip jar” that uses a variety of payment options. One specific option should be the Lightning Network for micro payments in BTC. A few Satoshi would equate to a few pennies, yet those could really add up and make transactions a win-win, per submission, without a larger subscription commitment. I’d be so pleased to name my micro transaction, not unlike pushing a tip button on a service transaction. For giving an acknowledgment of quality, that would be my ten cent (equivalent) opinion.
I "installed" a Become a Patron button on my website. What the hell, it didn't cost me anything and only took me 10 minutes to figure out. Qui onques rien n'enprist riens n'achieva.
Reminds you just how centralized this is
I was just debating about whether to bother commenting about this, because no one appears to be thinking it through.
Rumble, for example, seemed like a wonderful alternative to YouTube until everyone providing content limited what you can hear on a podcast. Now, it’s “Just pay us on Locals, and we will tell you the rest of the news story.”
YouTube is a jungle of subscriptions, merchandizing, ads, and “Super Chats” which interrupt the content and waste the listener’s time.
Now the written word is also hostage to paywalls. My pension doesn’t accommodate paying dozens of writers in niche interest areas, and frankly, most Americans who are using subscription services can’t afford what they are purchasing. It would be interesting to know how much of the current record-breaking American credit card debt has resulted from subscription services.
The market for subscriptions services is about to crash.
The market for subscription services will crash each time there's a recession. It's one of the first things many people cut to save money. They won't cut their $7 coffees, or having lunch delivered even though delivered lunches are now $20 per person in my area!
That reminds me of being a broke entrepreneur but after ten meetings I'd sacrifice eating to take a taxi home and rest versus subway. My cofounder and I were on the same page and is why we are partners a decade later. Strange but yes there are certain conveniences that seem to help you rise and perform better and this varies from person to person
The problem for Americans is that “recession” is about to change to a permanent devaluation of personal assets as the dollar loses standing. Penny pinching will soon replace dieting as the lead obsession in the US.
Oof I hope America can pull through one more time ;)
There are a bunch of payment services and fundraising services here to use as a tip jar if you wish. https://wordsalad.info/storesharing.html#payment-services
So, you would like to be a writer?
I think many people would just be happy to see a decently growing base. This is a technical feature and a platform promotion component as well as support by substack staff or else WHY spend time writing here?
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."
My point exactly!!! These ppl can launch their own websites and be just fine. Why not mention one newbie? How are we supposed to relate to established journalists? That would be like inviting me to guest blog on the New York times
No reply from author
Wow, this post just restored my faith in humanity.
I second/third/fourth this!
That's a good topic
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?
I'm in a boat, just not sure which one.
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!
Interesting-------
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.
I agree with those who would like to offer their readers an alternative to the current pricey subscription system like a “tip jar”/micropayment approach. I love reading other writers but I can’t pay for more than a couple subscriptions. A micropayment option would allow more of us to get paid AND get readers. Not everyone here is a stadium act; support the buskers!
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.
Thank you ☺️
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.
The goal of the post is not to promote well established authors over emerging authors, but to present Substack as an alternative for legacy media. To me all this screening in the comments is silly.
As a first generation Russian I understand your position. It is predictable. If Substack is alternative to legacy media - no problem. As I've said - it's becoming a media platform. This is not a 10x opportunity and does not match the rhetoric of its fundraising content. Par example- "the company says it’s on a mission to build a new “economic engine” for culture, and that to do this, it needs to build a kind of network that is based on principles that give control to writers and readers. Substack is focused on building a subscription network founded on creator ownership." As for commenting on my screaming, I already have a father for lectures.
Everyone has to go out and promote their site. Substack is not a place for the unmotivated or people without a lot of energy. I only do this as a hobby, not for income, because I have limited time and a full time job.
Oh lord not that argument. Substack doesn't need you to defend it is a multimillion raise company that currently crowdsourced funds from its users, but it must help its writers gain exposure, not money. All the big platforms ALGORITHMICALLY do this or else what are funds sort on, and yeh a few ppl on staff could help emerging writers too, wouldn't break the bank. Focusing on A listers should be a growth stage play, and as far as I can tell we are still early days revenue. This is coming from a tech founder well versed in the vc space.
Yeh in some case worse - trying to be an app of all trades at 10M revenue shows total amateur hour. Notes that flush down a feed bc the ui makes no sense instead of just focusing on how to help people become writers
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??
How much would you pay?
What I like most about Substack is that it attracts the kind of people I wanna be surrounded with. I never really used Twitter or Reddit, but just reading the posts and comments on these platforms gives me a very bitter taste in my mouth. Here on substack one the other hand I'm dealing with mature adults, who are free to express themselves without any censorship. Finding substack was one of the best things that happened to me in 2023.
Likely because it is infested by bots, and your tweets get lost in their onslaught. I gave up on Twitter, it isn't worth the bother.
This is why I love Substack. They’ve built an inclusive community with support systems in place to help writers build a following and monetize their work. I’ve only been on Substack a few weeks and I’ve already met more wonderfully helpful colleagues here than from years of freelancing. Thank you Substack for making this a people first platform.