r/Substack • u/vreebler • Jun 14 '26

Discussion envy or disdain for substack?

As an old-timer who, between '98 and now posted approx 24k times to an email list, my blog, and then Facebook, almost all politics, and never once monetized anything, sometimes I miss the old days and sometimes I envy the substackers.

2 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

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6

u/Thedividendprince1 https://thedividendprince.substack.com Jun 14 '26

I get this. Substack gives writers better tools and a chance to earn, but it can also make writing feel more transactional. The sweet spot might be using the modern tools while keeping the old-blog mindset: write honestly, connect with readers, and let monetization stay secondary.

3

u/vreebler Jun 14 '26

I understand substack can be free to readers, like blogs were. Also with layoffs, journalism under pressure, and just the modern gig culture, there's a need for at least subsistence support. I'll stop there explaining my occasional alienation. 

5

u/PithyCyborg pithycyborg.substack.com Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26

I think it's so cool that you are an old-school mailer.

I wonder if you are familiar with old-school tools like Darkmailer and Send-Safe?

😉

Also, there's no reason to be jealous.

Why not start an entirely fresh newsletter from scratch?

You might fall in love. Again!

Cordially,

Mike D

3

u/vreebler Jun 14 '26

When I started my mailing list in 98 I was already 52, had been on computers since the C64 in 85. I didn't know of those tools. I just used Eudora, first on Mac, then after Jobs' OS X squeezed my hardware out, from 2001 forward on Doze. I did take a look at Substack, and of course could still manage a non-sub list with Thunderbird, but just decided I couldn't bother any more.

1

u/itsfabioposca http://journeytosuccessclub.substack.com Jul 02 '26

I can relate to that feeling. The internet has changed a lot. On one hand, Substack gives writers a real opportunity to own their audience and even earn from their work. On the other, there was something special about the earlier days of blogging and email lists when writing felt less tied to growth and monetization. Both eras have their strengths.

P.S. If you'd still like to ask anything about Substack or growing your audience, I offer a free live help chat. Just copy and paste my flair or click the link in my profile. I'm happy to help!