When I first turned to Substack about 9 months ago, my aim was to create a newsletter I could send to my existing customers as a tool to keep them engaged and up to date with my latest material on my subscription-based site. In other words, I viewed Substack as a replacement to MailChimp…it was my newsletter tool that I wanted to use to …
When I first turned to Substack about 9 months ago, my aim was to create a newsletter I could send to my existing customers as a tool to keep them engaged and up to date with my latest material on my subscription-based site. In other words, I viewed Substack as a replacement to MailChimp…it was my newsletter tool that I wanted to use to increase subscriptions on my own site.
Fast-forward 9 months…and things have changed considerably!
My strategy to increase subscribers didn’t pan out like I wanted. Instead…and this was a big surprise to me…I attracted a number of new subscribers to my newsletter. And Substack kept adding attractive features I either wanted on my website or considered as a future addition. And then I realized – the Substack platform and backbone is doing exactly what I wanted from my website without the hassle and cost of dealing with my web developer. Substack is not a perfect fit but it is damn close, and that has given me the space to reconsider my business and focus going forward.
I now view my substack newsletter as my main focus and my website is rapidly turning into a place I can archive my material. So, here’s my question…has anyone successfully migrated their subscriber base from a subscription-based website to the Substack platform? If so, I would happily like to hear more about your experience or get any advice you would like to share. Ideally, I would like to be able to seamlessly transfer accounts (my site uses Stripe for payment and subscriptions) without having my readers cancel on one end and re-subscribe on another end.
Thanks for all input…and thanks Substack team for your continued hard work and bringing us helpful and cool features.
I haven't migrated paying subscribers but have to say it's great not to have to pay Mailchimp to send out my newsletters. Like you I'm wondering if Substack is the future and the website (matchingfoodandwine.com) more of a static resource.
Also cool to meet you here - I subscribed to your newsletter as well...perhaps some time in the future we can discuss a collaboration of sorts (my wife is also quite into wine - she is level V WSET and she has read your work in the Guardian)...Matching food and wine was always one of our top courses back in the day when we were doing that sort of thing... Feel free to reach out to me on my website contact (https://myfreshattitude.com/)
It is interesting how quickly thinks have flipped in my mind...and yes, I can see a future where sites like yours and mine are static archives and the real engagement and information exchange takes place on Substack...
When I first turned to Substack about 9 months ago, my aim was to create a newsletter I could send to my existing customers as a tool to keep them engaged and up to date with my latest material on my subscription-based site. In other words, I viewed Substack as a replacement to MailChimp…it was my newsletter tool that I wanted to use to increase subscriptions on my own site.
Fast-forward 9 months…and things have changed considerably!
My strategy to increase subscribers didn’t pan out like I wanted. Instead…and this was a big surprise to me…I attracted a number of new subscribers to my newsletter. And Substack kept adding attractive features I either wanted on my website or considered as a future addition. And then I realized – the Substack platform and backbone is doing exactly what I wanted from my website without the hassle and cost of dealing with my web developer. Substack is not a perfect fit but it is damn close, and that has given me the space to reconsider my business and focus going forward.
I now view my substack newsletter as my main focus and my website is rapidly turning into a place I can archive my material. So, here’s my question…has anyone successfully migrated their subscriber base from a subscription-based website to the Substack platform? If so, I would happily like to hear more about your experience or get any advice you would like to share. Ideally, I would like to be able to seamlessly transfer accounts (my site uses Stripe for payment and subscriptions) without having my readers cancel on one end and re-subscribe on another end.
Thanks for all input…and thanks Substack team for your continued hard work and bringing us helpful and cool features.
Hi Jack,
A number of writers have come over from Patreon and other subscription sites. Here is an announcement posts from two writers who came from patreon:
https://twobossydames.substack.com/p/coming-soon
And bloggers have come over too! More on that here: https://substack.com/for-bloggers?utm_source=menu-dropdown
Thanks Katie... I will dive in and check the links...
I haven't migrated paying subscribers but have to say it's great not to have to pay Mailchimp to send out my newsletters. Like you I'm wondering if Substack is the future and the website (matchingfoodandwine.com) more of a static resource.
Also cool to meet you here - I subscribed to your newsletter as well...perhaps some time in the future we can discuss a collaboration of sorts (my wife is also quite into wine - she is level V WSET and she has read your work in the Guardian)...Matching food and wine was always one of our top courses back in the day when we were doing that sort of thing... Feel free to reach out to me on my website contact (https://myfreshattitude.com/)
Yes, definitely! We should try and work out a way to do that!
I will reach out to you during the coming weeks...great to meet you here!
It is interesting how quickly thinks have flipped in my mind...and yes, I can see a future where sites like yours and mine are static archives and the real engagement and information exchange takes place on Substack...