Today we’re rolling out the beta version of a new feature for everyone with a Substack newsletter: community threads. On top of the ability to create newsletter and audio posts, Substack publishers can now also create public or subscriber-only discussion threads.
In other words, Substack now makes it simple for anyone to start a paid community.
Here’s an example of a public thread about the Game of Thrones finale from Nicole Cliffe’s publication, and a public AMA by Bill Bishop in Sinocism.
Paying subscribers can participate in subscriber-only threads like this one on Daniel Ortberg’s The Shatner Chatner, where non-subscribers can see how many comments have been posted and how many likes have been given to each thread and comment.
This feature is still in beta and will evolve over time – we will be responsive to feedback – but we do have good evidence now that three behaviors in particular help ensure successful threads:
The post that starts the thread should be short (tweet-length is good).
The publisher should choose the “Publish & Send Email” option, so everyone on their mailing list is alerted to a new discussion.
The publisher should participate in the thread for some period of time (even if it’s just 30 minutes).
Threads help publishers tap into the energy of their readerships and foster active communities. Unlike other places where communities gather online, Substack publishers owns their member lists (in the form of a mailing list) and can monetize directly through subscriptions.
We’ll start a new thread soon to solicit further discussion. Until then, please leave your feedback in the comments!
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Hi! Do we have the ability to moderate these discussions? I know from elsewhere on the internet that moderation can be, er, necessary sometimes....
Right now there are basic moderation tools (e.g. the author can delete things) but we will definitely be adding further control. Also note that you can make threads subscriber-only, which in our experience is a huge help in keeping the trolls at bay.
Thank you!
What's the difference between a comment and a discussion thread?
Hi Evan...In my experience, comments are only an option for newsletters with paid subscriptions. Discussion threads are available on all newsletters, with the newsletter’s publisher having an option of opening the discussion to the general public or subscribers only. Do you publish a newsletter on Substack?
Hi Gail, I know this is old, but... in fact, free newsletters have comments too. 🙌🏻
Hi Rodrigo....What prompted your response today? Yes, I'm aware Substack opened up comments on unpaid subscriptions some time back and I'm appreciative of the opportunity to engage with my readers. Do you write a Substack Newsletter? Do you enable comments? What is that emoji you used?....I'm unfamiliar.
Hi Gail, thanks for replying. I am trying to recall what brought me here and I think it was research on the community bit of Substack. I do write https://cabramail.substack.com (would be honored to have your eyes there). I use this emoji all the time and I, myself, have no idea what it means. Living dangerously. 😬
hahahaha! To my old eyes, it looks like two hands with beads or balls between them. Or...is it people profiles with ideas passing between?
I always thought it was some sort of "bless you" emoji. Our conversation made me find out that there's an Emojipedia out there. And this is what they say: https://emojipedia.org/raising-hands/
Hands raised in celebration. Interesting that each operating system has its own version—similar, yet different.
https://setu.substack.com/p/are-you-using-insta-till-date-grow?r=7riec&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy
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Can you start a community thread if you don't have paying subscribers.