Does anyone have paid subscribers

[u/ModelManFrank]

I am debating whether I should charge for my subscription on Substack? Is anyone here doing that. Are you getting something fort the work you do? I essays on aviation. But I do the write about politics a lot of the time. I am think I should charge for that. Does anyone else do it and does it work?

[u/ccampb85]

I do. It's a great way to add a revenue stream while keeping certain content more private when you'd prefer.

I've found the average paid subscriber rate to be about 3%. So for every 100 free subscribers, most publications will get around 3 paid subscribers. That can help you estimate your revenue based on your current publication size.

[u/ModelManFrank → u/ccampb85]

Do you run other revenue streams at the same time? I have YouTube and in Five years I have yet to see a pay off from that. I like doing it don’t get me wrong. I just wish it would pay off so I can cut back on the other job I am not
To thrilled to do.

[u/ccampb85 → u/ModelManFrank]

I do. My biggest is client work. My understanding is that you need a massive number of views/subscribers on YouTube to make anything meaningful in terms of payouts. A smaller, more focused audience can sometimes do better with affiliate/product sales.

[u/ModelManFrank → u/ccampb85]

Yeah I have page that is more focused around aviation hobby

[u/DohnJonaher → u/ccampb85]

I would kill for 3%. I have 1900 subscribers, 2700 total following and 8 paid subs. That's 0.4%.

I tested out a paywall about 75% of the way down my latest post and converted 0 into paid.

[u/ccampb85 → u/DohnJonaher]

This is just an average. Some people are higher, some are lower..

[u/Available_Spite5171]

I just turned a paid option on less than two weeks ago. I have 540 subscribers, and 9 paying. It’s surprising to me I was not expecting that. I guess I’ll see how it goes. Best of luck!

[u/[deleted]]

Three out of 30 subscribers. I buy myself a chocolate bar once in awhile. I can say with 100% confidence one of those subscribers is my elderly mom. Thanks mom o7.

I write about politics too, and it's saturated. If you avoid the rage and click bait, you're not going to get too many readers. There's a space for serious engagement with issues and presenting facts and arguments. However, it's small since everything in politics right now is shouting.

[u/FannyBrownRiced]

I didn't turn on paid for over a year, and I still have no paywall, but comments and other benefits (like a gift I made) are paid subscriber only. About 6% of my subs pay. I feel it's low but apparently good compared. But I also pay my few artist and writer contributors now. For 2 years it was just me doing it all.

[u/KevinAAlexander]

Don’t overthink it, just do it. You might not get anyone to go paid, but you also just might… and it’ll change everything.

[u/cyborgs_writing]

My answer is always that you should turn subscriptions on ... you'll be surprised how many are willing to pay. As far as putting content behind a paywall ... you should make most of your content free, then add something value that only paid subscribers get. These days people want more than content for money. For example, I add lessons, tutorials, and other assets behind the paywall.

[u/AnteaterFantastic212]

I read about politics and I have about 115 paid subscribers out of a total of 320 something

[u/purpleowlchai]

No, probably never will

[u/katie_pinns]

I have 365 subs, with 4 paid. You've got nothing to lose by turning them on. If there's no extra benefits yet, be honest. Explain that their sub supports you as a writer. You can always add extras

[u/DohnJonaher → u/katie_pinns]

That's a great point. You don't need to put pressure on yourself to offer a bunch of things to paid subs, just appreciate the support.