Where Are You on the Writer's Journey?
Of Progress, Monetization, and Upcoming Guide to Substack.
Welcome to the Writer's Journey! Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or just dipping your toes into the world of writing, have you considered the steps in the process?
Substack is intended for those writers who are seriously considering monetization and are growing their base consistently. Substack’s business model is built on this premise - 10% of every $1 the writer makes on this platform - hence, the hook - ‘free’ to create - to generate a captive audience.
So as you read the strategy cheat sheets I laid out in earlier posts, keep this ladder of progress in mind.
Each of the steps has a different strategy for growth and the use of tech tools to enable that growth.
New to Earning as a Writer
If you are on the top step and considering subscriber growth and conversions, and worried about whether you should worry about churn (jargon for losing subscribers), then the ‘Insight’ posts on strategy, and understanding how subscriber funnels are created and managed are relevant. Enable all the ‘Boost’ options Under Dashboard→Settings→Payments. Consider setting up Promotions.
New to Tech Only
For those new to tech platforms, my "How to" posts offer step-by-step guidance on leveraging your chosen platform, such as Substack.
If you want to delay monetization, then why not consider passive monetization strategies like paywalling your archives and enabling a 7-day free trial for paid posts? Here are a few recommendations (See under Dashboard→Settings→Payments) with screenshots:
Paywall your archives after 1-4 weeks, requiring subscribers to obtain a subscription to access any past posts. You can still offer new content for free.
I recommend a default timeframe for this strategy of one week, which still allows readers adequate time to catch up on earlier posts. Then, open it up for longer to celebrate a milestone.
In addition to setting an archive paywall, consider sprinkling links to your older posts within your new content. Not all readers follow the chronological sequence or specific categories of your posts, so provide helpful navigational aids which can enhance their reading experience and encourage engagement with your archived content.
Enable the setting for a 7-day free trial of your paid posts.
Consider enabling a 'Pledge Subscription' option, allowing your subscribers to express their support for your content in anticipation of future paid offerings. While this can help you gauge interest, be aware that it may not always be advantageous. Think of it like when Wikipedia asks for donations while still providing free information, or when Adblock Plus seeks donations after an upgrade. Some readers may view this as optional.
Offer one paid post per week. Then, enable the teaser post setting below to allow free subscribers the option to unlock a 'Paid' post, giving them a taste of your premium content. This strategy can help attract potential paid subscribers while still providing value to your free audience.
None of the above
If you're here purely for the love of writing and community and are comfortable with tech, then ensure you have a clear strategy for content creation, organization, and progress tracking.
Micro-wins, like sharing daily Notes or facilitating a community writing group, can keep you motivated and engaged.
For instance, writing one 500-word post a week, and sharing on Notes may be micro-wins. Or perhaps you are hosting a community-based group like
as to enable others to document their family stories.Either way, I hope you will set milestones and track progress.
Question of the Day: Content Management Systems
How do you manage the posts you write on Substack? Do you track them in drafts or categorize your content by category? Do you use handwritten notes? Take the poll below and share your favorite method.
Stay tuned for tips on effective content management!
Was this guide helpful? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Plus, don't miss out on my upcoming ebook, "The Definitive Guide to Substack for New Creators." Pre-order now for a 50% discount, or drop me a DM to review it before publication and receive a complimentary copy.
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And ya know... one subtle point I hope you build on in the book is how Substack's creator tools can be a boon to folks who've never considered themselves writers. With the addition of recording tools for video, audio, and podcasting, they've opened the platform up to a wide range of storytelling forms including voice, video, presentations, and creative multimedia forms.
In the Projectkin.org/members-corner, I'm trying to reserve at least one publishing slot a month for posts including at least one bit of recorded media. So far, so good!
The teaser post option is a strange one. When a Substack user requests a free post from an author, the user never gets the option for a teaser post on any other newsletters. The wording says the freebie is "courtesy" of the author, but seems to be a 'one-and-done' on Substack's end.
That makes the option confusing for both writers and readers for different reasons.
As for the option to paywall further down the line, that seems like a really useful balance. I'll give that serious consideration, so many thanks for pointing it out, Jayshree.