Couldn't agree more. The platform is elite, it's becoming a place to house everything, the user experience is phenomenal, and something you pointed out that I want to touch on more...
The user base is the best. It attracts people who like to read and write. These tend to be introspective, intelligent people who can handle diverse ideas and think deeply. You're not getting ragebait, takes without nuance, half-truths, and people who take your ideas out of context (for the most part - and when you do you can just block or mute 🤌). People are positive, helpful, and giving.
Seriously, we live in the best timeline by having access to Substack.
I agree because I had a blog for two years, but it wouldn’t go anywhere on Google. I started here On Substack in September and since November I have over 3500 subscribers.
Are you asking to compare to something like Kit? I think the issue with open rates here on Substack is that some people have "inbox delivery" set to off. But then they'll read it on the app/on web browser and that shows up as views. I can tell you that if I look at my Kit list and I have an open rate of 50%, that's not even close to the amount of VIEWS I've gotten with a 25-30% open rate! So I think it's 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other sometimes.
Actually just comparing open rates on Substack with prior (non-expanding) list being opened around 40-45%. Then after gaining 100 new subscribers, the open rate going down to 25-28%. Just makes me think that a lot of those new subscribers aren’t reading much. Which goes back to the quandry of # of subscribers doesn’t drive the business, the quality and alignment of them does - which is a harder metric to track.
Omg Laura, that’s incredible! Congrats! The blogger I saw on Instagram making bold claims against Substack assumes people can easily figure out SEO or their niche will allow them to be picked up by Google. Maybe that’s not always the case!
Tracy, the part I found most compelling is that your enthusiasm is really about ownership, not technology. Throughout the piece, you keep returning to the idea that people can build an audience, develop relationships, share expertise, and create a business in a space that rewards consistency and authentic voice. I also appreciated your comparison to podcasting because it highlights how much friction has been removed for new creators; many of the barriers that once required multiple platforms, subscriptions, and technical knowledge can now be navigated in one place. Thank you for sharing both your optimism and your practical perspective on why this moment represents such a significant opportunity for people with something meaningful to contribute.
Tracy, what came through most clearly is that your excitement isn't really about Substack itself. It's about ownership. Ownership of audience, relationships, expertise, and the ability to build something that belongs to you rather than being dependent on someone else's platform. The comparison to your early podcasting days illustrates how dramatically the barriers to entry have changed; what once required multiple tools, subscriptions, and distribution channels can now begin in a single place. That larger shift feels central to your argument. Thank you for sharing both the practical opportunities and the deeper promise you see for creators willing to build something of their own.
It is inarguably just as exciting as plastic!!! Question for you on the email lists. Do you regularly export your substack subscribers to your off-platform email list? And then eblast both lists with same/similar content? I feel funny about this because those people are signing up for my SS writing, not necessarily my “everything else”. Although more and more I’m joining the objectives of the two as I focus my business.
My understanding is that having your subscribers housed off substack is insurance because substack can just disappear randomly. I’ve seen 2 people’s whole publications just disappear overnight in the last month. Both re-emerged eventually but it took a toll.
Hey Julie! I’m so glad you asked this question because I think it is a dilemma people are feeling and ultimately I decided to do this: people subscribe here they’re signing up to see my Substack stuff. If they give me their email (as opposed to just following me) I can email them, too, FROM Substack (you can direct email as well as publish articles that they will get in their inbox if they have inbox delivery set to “on”)
I debated for a while because I see people auto-adding to their off-platform list regularly but something didn’t sit quite right with me on that so I didn’t do it. I create lead magnets (like my Substack Creator Type quiz!) that will let them opt-in to my off-platform list, as someone who wants to know more about what I do. That’s how I solved it for myself with the best conscious possible (knowing how I feel when I get an off-platform email from someone I signed up for on here, I don’t really like it…) yes, it’s a bit more to manage, but I have a little system and what I email “over there” is different from what I post here. :) AND I regularly back up my list so if something happened here I do have it backed up.
That’s kinda what I’m doing right now and toggling between Substack and my list on Kit. I feel weird about combining lists without people’s permission too. But it sometimes feels like I’m running two separate organizations. Thanks for sharing your strategy.
Couldn't agree more. The platform is elite, it's becoming a place to house everything, the user experience is phenomenal, and something you pointed out that I want to touch on more...
The user base is the best. It attracts people who like to read and write. These tend to be introspective, intelligent people who can handle diverse ideas and think deeply. You're not getting ragebait, takes without nuance, half-truths, and people who take your ideas out of context (for the most part - and when you do you can just block or mute 🤌). People are positive, helpful, and giving.
Seriously, we live in the best timeline by having access to Substack.
Completely agree and this is such a great point to make! And also to reiterate again… we still are early and that’s such a good thing!
Yeah we’re definitely early.
Most people I know in real life have heard of it maybe, but have no idea what it is.
Like, fewer than one in ten are like, Oh yeah Substack, I know exactly what you mean.
I agree because I had a blog for two years, but it wouldn’t go anywhere on Google. I started here On Substack in September and since November I have over 3500 subscribers.
Do you find your open rates and engagement are just as good or better? As I’m gaining subscribers my open rates are going down.
Are you asking to compare to something like Kit? I think the issue with open rates here on Substack is that some people have "inbox delivery" set to off. But then they'll read it on the app/on web browser and that shows up as views. I can tell you that if I look at my Kit list and I have an open rate of 50%, that's not even close to the amount of VIEWS I've gotten with a 25-30% open rate! So I think it's 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other sometimes.
Actually just comparing open rates on Substack with prior (non-expanding) list being opened around 40-45%. Then after gaining 100 new subscribers, the open rate going down to 25-28%. Just makes me think that a lot of those new subscribers aren’t reading much. Which goes back to the quandry of # of subscribers doesn’t drive the business, the quality and alignment of them does - which is a harder metric to track.
Omg Laura, that’s incredible! Congrats! The blogger I saw on Instagram making bold claims against Substack assumes people can easily figure out SEO or their niche will allow them to be picked up by Google. Maybe that’s not always the case!
Tracy, the part I found most compelling is that your enthusiasm is really about ownership, not technology. Throughout the piece, you keep returning to the idea that people can build an audience, develop relationships, share expertise, and create a business in a space that rewards consistency and authentic voice. I also appreciated your comparison to podcasting because it highlights how much friction has been removed for new creators; many of the barriers that once required multiple platforms, subscriptions, and technical knowledge can now be navigated in one place. Thank you for sharing both your optimism and your practical perspective on why this moment represents such a significant opportunity for people with something meaningful to contribute.
YESSSSS YOU GET ME! Thank you! It’s 100% about ownership and that’s what I love so much!
Tracy, what came through most clearly is that your excitement isn't really about Substack itself. It's about ownership. Ownership of audience, relationships, expertise, and the ability to build something that belongs to you rather than being dependent on someone else's platform. The comparison to your early podcasting days illustrates how dramatically the barriers to entry have changed; what once required multiple tools, subscriptions, and distribution channels can now begin in a single place. That larger shift feels central to your argument. Thank you for sharing both the practical opportunities and the deeper promise you see for creators willing to build something of their own.
It is inarguably just as exciting as plastic!!! Question for you on the email lists. Do you regularly export your substack subscribers to your off-platform email list? And then eblast both lists with same/similar content? I feel funny about this because those people are signing up for my SS writing, not necessarily my “everything else”. Although more and more I’m joining the objectives of the two as I focus my business.
My understanding is that having your subscribers housed off substack is insurance because substack can just disappear randomly. I’ve seen 2 people’s whole publications just disappear overnight in the last month. Both re-emerged eventually but it took a toll.
Thanks Tracy!
Hey Julie! I’m so glad you asked this question because I think it is a dilemma people are feeling and ultimately I decided to do this: people subscribe here they’re signing up to see my Substack stuff. If they give me their email (as opposed to just following me) I can email them, too, FROM Substack (you can direct email as well as publish articles that they will get in their inbox if they have inbox delivery set to “on”)
I debated for a while because I see people auto-adding to their off-platform list regularly but something didn’t sit quite right with me on that so I didn’t do it. I create lead magnets (like my Substack Creator Type quiz!) that will let them opt-in to my off-platform list, as someone who wants to know more about what I do. That’s how I solved it for myself with the best conscious possible (knowing how I feel when I get an off-platform email from someone I signed up for on here, I don’t really like it…) yes, it’s a bit more to manage, but I have a little system and what I email “over there” is different from what I post here. :) AND I regularly back up my list so if something happened here I do have it backed up.
That’s kinda what I’m doing right now and toggling between Substack and my list on Kit. I feel weird about combining lists without people’s permission too. But it sometimes feels like I’m running two separate organizations. Thanks for sharing your strategy.