The new subscriber referrals feature is a simple way for you to grow your audience on autopilot. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up referrals for success.
I'm curious if anyone is doing this for entirely free Substacks, and if so what have you created as your rewards?
I think it makes sense as a good way to boost Paid growth, but I'm still not sure if I'm on board with a Leaderboard. It sort of emphasises a need to share share share, without necessarily wanting to share because you felt a post held true value. I don't know, a bit cynical of me maybe.
I'm curious, I might switch it on (as an entirely free Substack), but I'm going to spend time thinking about some weird and silly rewards first.
I’m an avid reader but not an author on Substack. However, I’ve noticed that many writers with tiny subscribers numbers don’t allow non-paying readers to either finish the whole article or, more commonly, write or read the comments UNLESS one is a paying subscriber. Do these writers not realize that sophisticated readers of articles are also interested in the Comment section to see the overall quality of the subscription? If I find a writer who puts together intelligent articles, and sometimes has guest writers, and the commentators are informed, intelligent, challenging, and so forth. It is highly likely I will become a faithful PAYING subscriber. If writers think that sophisticated readers are going to buy their subscriptions without the reader, getting enough opportunity to see the full array of what the writer and the commentators have to offer, forget it. I am willing to pay to encourage the writer to continue writing. This is no different than buying something to encourage the seller to continue making and selling their product. I hope this helps.
I like this feature and hopefully it will be useful. The article helped me understand how it all works.
I don't have paid turned on, but will be offering something that I believe my readers would enjoy: PDF and EPUB copies of other stories of mine that would normally cost some money. I like the idea that I can get it set up and then just let it keep ticking.
Hiw do you prevent people gaming the system. Every time I’ve tried this in the past, everyone just “refers” themselves at a different email address and most of these programs have substantial anti-gaming detection algorithms. Does yours? Or are we just going to give away paid subs to people for referring themselves?
I'm an entirely free Substacker just publishing poetry (who still cares about poetry these days?). Not really sure what else to offer for rewards. Maybe an in-person recitation of your favorite poem of mine? (that would require a LOT of subscribers and some income for the flight/hotel/rental car, etc. LOL...Anyhoo, I'll have to think about it to see what makes sense (if anything). I'm open to any creative suggestions. 1k thanks.
I think Substack needs to integrate a way to reach out to paid subscribers and tell them to "introduce a friend." The referral program understood as launching an active email the leaderboard is in my opinion too little to entice. Substack AI, get to work!
I'm curious if anyone is doing this for entirely free Substacks, and if so what have you created as your rewards?
I think it makes sense as a good way to boost Paid growth, but I'm still not sure if I'm on board with a Leaderboard. It sort of emphasises a need to share share share, without necessarily wanting to share because you felt a post held true value. I don't know, a bit cynical of me maybe.
I'm curious, I might switch it on (as an entirely free Substack), but I'm going to spend time thinking about some weird and silly rewards first.
These are wonderful ideas! Thank you! I especially love the 50% off anything in the merch store option from Ryan Broderick.
I’m an avid reader but not an author on Substack. However, I’ve noticed that many writers with tiny subscribers numbers don’t allow non-paying readers to either finish the whole article or, more commonly, write or read the comments UNLESS one is a paying subscriber. Do these writers not realize that sophisticated readers of articles are also interested in the Comment section to see the overall quality of the subscription? If I find a writer who puts together intelligent articles, and sometimes has guest writers, and the commentators are informed, intelligent, challenging, and so forth. It is highly likely I will become a faithful PAYING subscriber. If writers think that sophisticated readers are going to buy their subscriptions without the reader, getting enough opportunity to see the full array of what the writer and the commentators have to offer, forget it. I am willing to pay to encourage the writer to continue writing. This is no different than buying something to encourage the seller to continue making and selling their product. I hope this helps.
Comped - a word not really used in the UK. I had to check that it means complimentary. 😀
This might be one of the best add-ons!
Thanks Substack for the great tips 💭🎙️
aren’t you just making very big people even bigger? not gonna change much for new writers whose subscribers don’t even use the platform themselves
This has already produced results for me! ✨
I plan on announcing this new program along with a free book offer and our latest giveaway this Saturday.
I like this feature and hopefully it will be useful. The article helped me understand how it all works.
I don't have paid turned on, but will be offering something that I believe my readers would enjoy: PDF and EPUB copies of other stories of mine that would normally cost some money. I like the idea that I can get it set up and then just let it keep ticking.
Thanks for the helpful intro.
Hiw do you prevent people gaming the system. Every time I’ve tried this in the past, everyone just “refers” themselves at a different email address and most of these programs have substantial anti-gaming detection algorithms. Does yours? Or are we just going to give away paid subs to people for referring themselves?
love this. Now just need to build my base of subscribers 🤔 and then we are a go!
So excited about this feature and way to engage the readers, thank you for building it and mentioning me as an example :)
I'm an entirely free Substacker just publishing poetry (who still cares about poetry these days?). Not really sure what else to offer for rewards. Maybe an in-person recitation of your favorite poem of mine? (that would require a LOT of subscribers and some income for the flight/hotel/rental car, etc. LOL...Anyhoo, I'll have to think about it to see what makes sense (if anything). I'm open to any creative suggestions. 1k thanks.
@Substack Maybe this is not the place for it, but I can't find a place for help/support.
I unpublished 16 posts within a timespan of a few minutes. But only 5 of them show up in my drafts.
Are the others gone?!
That's not supposed to happen, I assume...
I think Substack needs to integrate a way to reach out to paid subscribers and tell them to "introduce a friend." The referral program understood as launching an active email the leaderboard is in my opinion too little to entice. Substack AI, get to work!
Appreciate this feature a lot. My subscribers are gonna love sharing this free content!!!