Should I Join Substack?

Table of Contents

Introduction

So, you’re an aspiring author. Or maybe a mid-career writer trying to break out of the publishing hamster wheel. You’ve been told that Substack is where the action is. You hear about six-figure newsletter deals, viral posts, and writers finally “owning their audience.” You wonder: Should I join Substack?

But here’s the thing. Substack is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is a publishing platform, yes. But it is also a performance stage, a business model, a personal brand amplifier, and sometimes, a very lonely place. Some thrive. Others burn out fast.

This article doesn’t aim to glorify or dismiss Substack. We’ve already analyzed its industry impact and future prospects on this platform. This time, it’s personal. It’s about you; your goals, your writing style, your tolerance for risk and solitude. Let’s talk about whether Substack is the right move for you.

What Substack Promises

Substack sells a dream. A clean, distraction-free platform where you can write what you want, publish when you want, and get paid directly by your fans. No advertising. No gatekeepers. No SEO gymnastics. Just your words in your reader’s inbox, and money flowing back in return.

It’s the creator economy’s answer to literary independence. And for many, it feels like freedom.

They even sweeten the pot with incentives: legal support for controversial writers, occasional cash advances for high-potential newsletters, and built-in tools for monetization. Substack also lets you export your email list. That alone is gold. Most platforms would rather eat nails than give you direct access to your audience’s data.

But here’s the quiet part they don’t say out loud: Substack doesn’t guarantee traffic, readers, or income. It gives you tools. That’s it. What you build with them is entirely up to you.

Who Thrives on Substack?

There’s a pattern to Substack’s success, and it’s not magic.

First, the obvious: people with an existing audience tend to win. If you’ve built a following on X, TikTok, or YouTube—or have previously published books or columns—Substack is your audience retention tool. You’re not starting from scratch. You’re migrating a crowd.

Second, niche experts are golden. Writers who speak confidently into specific, underserved spaces attract loyal readers. Think of writers like Anne Helen Petersen (culture and labor), Ted Gioia (music and economics), or academic voices writing on publishing, ethics, or AI. These niches are small, but intensely loyal.

Third, consistency monsters. Substack rewards those who treat it like a part-time job. If you show up weekly, provide value, and engage with your readers, you can build momentum. Some of the platform’s most enduring writers didn’t go viral. They just kept going.

And finally, those who are good at being a “personal brand.” Substack requires vulnerability and personality. If you can narrate your process, invite readers into your world, and make them care about your journey, your list will grow.

But that doesn’t mean everyone with these traits will succeed. You still have to keep showing up, on good days and bad.

When Substack Fails Writers

Let’s not romanticize this. Substack has a high dropout rate.

One of the biggest traps? Underestimating the emotional toll. Writing for a small audience can feel like shouting into the void. You publish, and… silence. No likes. No shares. Maybe your mom replies.

Many writers start off strong, then fizzle when growth doesn’t come fast enough. It’s easy to blame the algorithm. However, the truth is that there is no algorithm. Substack doesn’t “boost” your content. It just sends it to whoever signed up.

Another common pitfall is over-monetizing too early. You put out a few posts, flip the paywall switch, and expect readers to rush in with their credit cards. But why would they? You haven’t earned their trust. You haven’t given them a reason to believe that your writing is worth paying for. At least not yet.

Also, not all writing works on Substack. If your gift is writing 100,000-word epic novels or collaborating with illustrators and audio engineers, the stripped-down email format may feel limiting. Substack isn’t built for every genre or every publishing temperament.

And lastly, if you’re someone who dislikes marketing, branding, or self-promotion, Substack might become a weekly reminder that you dislike the internet.

How Substack Compares to Other Paths

Substack isn’t the only publishing platform out there. It’s just the trendiest one right now.

Compared to traditional publishing, Substack offers speed and autonomy. No waiting six months to hear back from an agent. No gatekeeping editor to convince. Just hit “Publish.” But there’s a tradeoff: you won’t get the clout, prestige, or structural support that comes with a book deal. Bookstore distribution? Nope. Peer-reviewed status? Forget it.

Compared to Medium, Substack lacks algorithmic discovery. Medium surfaces your content to readers who follow certain topics. Substack doesn’t. It relies on you to bring your readers in. That said, Substack’s email delivery ensures higher open rates and a deeper connection with your readers, which is something Medium struggles to offer.

WordPress gives you full control of your site, plugins, SEO, and monetization. You can build a digital home that’s completely yours. But it requires tech know-how. Substack is simpler and better if you just want to write and hit send.

Then there’s Patreon. If you’re a creator with multimedia ambitions—think podcasts, comics, or videos—Patreon might be a more flexible option. It’s less elegant for writing, but broader in scope. Substack is optimized for writers, period.

The Monetization Mirage

Let’s talk money. Again.

Yes, people make money on Substack. Some even make a lot. But the success stories are often misleading. They tend to be about writers who brought a large audience with them or achieved a viral moment.

Here’s the math. A $5 monthly subscription earns you approximately $4 after fees. To earn $1,000 per month, you need 250 subscribers. To make $5,000 per month? Try 1,250. And that’s assuming zero churn, an impossibility in reality.

And then there’s pricing psychology. Many writers feel anxious about charging for their work. Is it worth $5 per month? What if people unsubscribe? What if no one signs up? These aren’t just numbers. They’re emotional hurdles.

There’s also the hustle. You’ll spend time crafting compelling calls to action. Writing sales emails. Deciding how much content to give away for free. Managing refund requests. Worrying about unsubscribes. None of this feels like “writing,” but it is part of the Substack package.

Monetization can work, but it’s rarely passive. Substack is not a vending machine. It’s a business. Treat it like one—or prepare to be disappointed.

The Community Myth (and What You Actually Get)

Substack wants to be more than a platform. It wants to be a writer’s community. They’ve rolled out features like Notes, chat threads, and discussion prompts. They’ve encouraged cross-promotion between newsletters. They host events and webinars.

But let’s be honest. Substack’s community features are still in their early stages, and they don’t replace a genuine network.

If you’re coming from the book world, where communities often grow organically—such as writing groups, critique circles, and launch teams—Substack can feel isolating. You’re often writing alone, promoting alone, and celebrating alone.

To build a sense of community on Substack, you have to do it yourself. Respond to comments. Give shout-outs to other writers. Host subscriber Zoom calls. Ask questions. It’s not automatic. It’s deliberate, manual, and takes effort.

That said, the intimacy of email can be a powerful tool. When someone replies to your newsletter, it feels like a personal touch. They’re in your inbox, not in a public comment thread. That’s a level of reader connection many platforms can’t offer.

Substack as a Publishing Career Move

What if Substack isn’t your final destination, but a stepping stone?

That’s how many writers are now using it. As a resume. A portfolio. A public writing sample that proves you can build and sustain an audience.

Agents and publishers love seeing numbers. If you can say, “I have 10,000 subscribers, and 2,000 of them open every issue,” that’s hard data. That’s evidence of market interest. In some cases, it’s the reason you get a book deal.

You can also use Substack to test ideas. Want to write a book about productivity for neurodivergent creatives? Start writing essays on that topic. See what resonates. Which posts go viral? Which ones fall flat? Substack provides you with live feedback, which is incredibly useful for refining your voice and message.

Substack is also increasingly integrated into publishing ecosystems. Writers launch books through it. Offer serialized fiction. Teach workshops. Sell consultations. It’s a newsletter, yes, but also a hub for publishing experiments.

Should You Join Substack? A Reality Check

Let’s make it simple. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you enjoy writing regularly, even when no one is watching?
  • Are you comfortable with marketing, branding, and audience building?
  • Do you have a niche, a point of view, or a reason for readers to care?
  • Are you comfortable monetizing your work and asking people to pay?
  • Can you commit to this for 6–12 months before expecting big returns?

If you answered yes to most, Substack might be a strong fit.

But if you’re allergic to self-promotion, struggle with consistency, or are still figuring out your voice, you may want to wait. Or start on a free blog or journaling platform. Grow slow, learn the ropes, then make the jump when you’re ready.

Substack is a tool. Not a magic spell. Use it with clear expectations, and it can do great things.

Conclusion

“Should I join Substack?” is really a question about readiness. Are you ready to publish in public, with no applause at first? Are you ready to experiment, market, pivot, and persevere?

If yes, go for it. Substack is one of the most empowering tools a writer can use today. But only if you bring the work ethic, the patience, and a willingness to think like an entrepreneur.

If not, that’s okay too. There are many paths to a writing career. Substack is just one. It’s not the easiest. It’s certainly not the only. But for the right kind of writer, at the right stage of the journey, it might be the best one.

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