Make Money on Substack: The Complete Guide

Email Marketing

Would you like to make money from your writing? There are a number of ways to do this as an independent writer or content creator, and one of the most popular options is to use Substack.

Substack is a platform that allows content creators to write about topics they care about, build a community and make money directly from their audience. In this guide, we will walk you through all of the different ways that you can make money on Substack.

We'll cover getting sponsored, selling ad placements, selling affiliate products, selling your own digital products, and making your Substack newsletter a paid one. So whether you're just starting out or you've been blogging for a while, this guide has something for you!

What is Substack?

Substack is a platform that allows writers to publish and monetize their work. With Substack, writers can create a newsletters that subscribers can read for a fee. Substack also gives writers the ability to offer free trial periods, custom branding, and other features that make it easy to build a loyal readership. In addition, Substack takes care of all the behind-the-scenes work, such as hosting and payments, so that writers can focus on producing great content. Whether you're a aspiring blogger or a seasoned journalist, Substack is a great way to earn money from your writing.

How does Substack work?

Substack makes it easy for writers to create and publish newsletters. Simply sign up for an account, create a new newsletter, and start writing. Substack will then format your newsletter and send it out to your subscribers. You can also customize your newsletter's design, choose which days and times it goes out, and track how many people are opening and reading your newsletter. Best of all, Substack allows you to keep all of your subscribers' information private; you don't have to worry about sharing their email addresses or other personal information with anyone else. So if you're looking for an easy way to start publishing your own newsletter for free, Substack is definitely worth checking out.

How to start a Substack account

Substack is a popular email newsletter service that allows anyone to start their own publication. Setting up a Substack account is quick and easy, and in this article we'll walk you through the process step-by-step.

First, go to Substack.com and enter your email address. You'll then be asked to create a password. Once you've done that, you'll be taken to your Substack dashboard.

Next, click on the "Create Publication" button. You'll be asked to enter some basic information about your publication, such as its name and description. Once you've done that, you're ready to start creating content!

You can add new content by clicking on the "New post" button. This will open up a blank email template that you can use to write your post. Once you're happy with your post, just click "Publish" and it will go live on your Substack publication!

That's all there is to it! Creating a Substack account is quick and easy, and it's a great way to start your own free email newsletter.

How you get paid from Substack?

How you get paid from Substack is pretty simple. Payment is sent directly to your bank account through Stripe, and you'll receive an email notification whenever a payment is processed. There are no fees for using Substack, so you keep 100% of what you earn. You can also set up a monthly subscription plan, which allows your readers to sign up for a recurring payment. This can be a great way to provide additional value for your most loyal readers. Whatever payment plan you choose, Substack makes it easy to get paid for your writing.

How To Make Money On Substack?

There are a number of ways to make money on Substack, and in this guide we will walk you through all of the different options. Whether you're just getting started or you've been blogging for a while, there's something here for you!

Here are a few ways to make money on substack:

  • getting sponsored,
  • selling ad placements,
  • selling affiliate products,
  • selling your own digital products (courses, pdfs, music, images, NFT's, etc), and
  • making your free newsletter a paid one, where subscribers pay a monthly fee.

Getting sponsored

One way to make money on Substack is to get sponsored. This means that companies or brands will pay you to promote their products or services on your blog. How much you can charge for sponsorships will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your audience and the engagement that you get.

To find sponsorships, you can reach out to companies directly or use a platform like IZEA. Once you've found a potential sponsor, you'll need to negotiate a price and create an agreement. Then, you'll promote the sponsor's products or services on your blog and social media.

Selling ad placements

Another way to make money on Substack is to sell ad placements. This is similar to sponsorships, but instead of promoting a specific product or service, you're simply selling space on your blog for an advertisement. Advertisers will usually provide their own creative, but you may need to help them with placement and sizing.

The amount you can charge for ad placements will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your audience and the amount of traffic that you get. You can sell ad placements directly to advertisers or use a platform like AdThrive or Mediavine.

Selling affiliate products

If you want to make money on Substack by selling products, one option is to become an affiliate. This means that you promote other people's products on your blog and earn a commission on any sales that you generate.

To find affiliate programs, you can search for them online or contact companies directly. Once you've found a program that you're interested in, you'll need to sign up and get your affiliate link. Then, you can start promoting the products on your blog and social media.

Selling your own digital products

Another option for selling products on Substack is to sell your own digital products. This could include anything from e-books and courses to music and images. The great thing about digital products is that they can be sold again and again, so you can make money on Substack passively.

To get started, you'll need to create your product and set up a sales page. You can then promote your product on your blog and social media. And once people start buying, you'll start making money!

Making your free newsletter a paid one

If you have a free Substack newsletter, you can make it a paid one and charge subscribers a monthly fee. This is a great way to monetize your newsletter and make money on Substack.

To get started, you'll need to set up a subscription system and create a pricing structure. Then, you can start promoting your paid newsletter on your blog and social media. And once people start subscribing, you'll start making money!

How to grow your Substack audience

Now that you know all of the different ways that you can make money on Substack, let's talk about how to grow your audience. After all, the bigger your audience, the more money you can make! Here are a few marketing tips for growing your Substack audience:

1. Write great content

This one is pretty obvious, but it's worth repeating: if you want people to read your Substack blog, you need to write great content. This means writing articles that are interesting, informative, and well-written. It also means writing on a regular basis so that your audience knows when to expect new content from you.

2. Promote your Substack blog

If you want people to read your Substack blog, you need to promote it! This means sharing your articles on social media, emailing your list, and telling your friends and family about your blog. The more people that know about your Substack blog, the more readers you'll have.

Of course this means you may want to build a social media presence on platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Reddit, Quora, Facebook and Instagram. Identify where the audience for your content likes to hang out and start engaging with them.

3. Engage with your audience

Another important thing to remember is that it's not enough to just write great content; you also need to engage with your audience. This means responding to comments, answering questions, and interacting with your readers on social media. When you engage with your audience, you'll create a community of loyal readers who will keep coming back for more.

4. Offer something valuable

Finally, if you want to grow your Substack audience, you need to offer something valuable. This could be a free e-book, an exclusive discount, or access to exclusive content. Whatever you offer, make sure it's something that your audience will find valuable.

By following these tips, you can grow your Substack audience and start making money!

Common questions asked about Substack

Is Substack the right platform to start your newsletter?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it depends on your specific goals and needs. However, Substack is a great platform for starting a newsletter because it's easy to use, has a wide variety of features, and is affordable.

How much does Substack cost?

Substack has a free plan and a paid plan. The free plan includes basic features, while the paid plan includes additional features such as analytics and email marketing. The paid plan starts at $5 per month.

How many writers publish on Substack?

There are currently over 100,000 writers publishing on Substack. This number is growing every day, as more and more people discover the platform.

Can I make money on Substack?

Yes! There are a number of ways to make money on Substack, including getting sponsored, selling ad placements, selling affiliate products, selling your own digital products, and making your newsletter a paid one.

What are the benefits of writing on Substack?

There are many benefits to writing on Substack, including the ability to reach a large audience, build a community around your work, and make money.

Do I need to be a good writer to publish on Substack?

No! While it's certainly helpful to be a good writer, it's not a requirement. Substack is open to anyone who wants to start a newsletter.

If you're thinking about starting a newsletter, Substack is a great platform to use. It's easy to use, has a wide variety of features, and is affordable. Plus, you can make money on Substack.

How much money can you make on Substack?

This varies depending on a number of factors, including the size of your audience and the type of content you publish. However, it is possible to make a full-time income from Substack.

Is Substack free?

Yes, Substack has a free plan that includes basic features. There is also a paid plan that starts at $5 per month and includes additional features such as analytics and email marketing.

How many people read newsletters on Substack?

When Substack first launched in 2017, it was a simple platform for newsletter writers to share their work with the world. Now, the company boasts a dedicated subscriber base of over 500,000 members and millions of readers. Substack has come a long way in a short amount of time, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

How does Substack support their community?

One of the great things about Substack is that the team are actively helping writers on the platform. They offer community question and answer sessions every Thursday at 10 AM PT / 1PM EST where they cover publishing, growth and getting paid.

Alternatives to Substack

The internet has opened up a world of possibilities for writers and content creators. In the past, getting published typically meant going through a traditional publisher. However, the rise of digital publishing has made it possible for anyone to create and distribute their work without going through a middleman. Substack is one popular platform that allows writers to create and distribute newsletters. However, Substack is not the only game in town. There are a number of Alternatives to Substack that offer similar services.

One Alternatives to Substack is Mailchimp. Like Substack, Mailchimp allows users to create and distribute newsletters. However, Mailchimp also offers a range of other features, including email marketing and automation tools. Mailchimp is a good choice for content creators who want to build a more comprehensive online presence.

Another Alternatives to Substack is Medium. Medium is primarily known as a blogging platform. However, it also offers newsletter functionality. Medium allows writers to create both public and private newsletters. Private newsletters can only be accessed by people who are invited to subscribe, making them ideal for businesses or individuals who want to share exclusive content with a select group of people.

There are a number of Alternatives to Substack available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The best platform for you will ultimately depend on your needs and preferences. Regardless of which platform you choose, the important thing is that you get your work out there and start connecting with your audience.

Conclusion

There are a number of ways to make money on Substack, from selling ads to selling digital products. The platform is easy to use and offers a variety of features, making it a great choice for content creators. With a dedicated subscriber base of over 500,000 members, there are millions of potential readers for your newsletter. So if you're looking for a way to make money from your writing, Substack is definitely worth considering.

If you're looking to start, grow or monetize an email newsletter, the Email Unlocked online course is perfect for you. In this course, you'll learn how to create an email newsletter that engages your audience and drives results. You'll also learn how to grow your list and monetize your newsletter.

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