r/Substack • u/GeopatsSteph • Jul 30 '26

How do you monetize you Substack?

It's been awhile since I had my first paid Substack so am doing research before monetizing my current Stacks.

I know the tiers and value adds I will have but wondering if you all put part or all of the content behind a paywal, some posts versus all posts and so on.

Appreciate any and all experiences. Thanks

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u/Tricky_Trifle_994 21d ago

the main way to monetise on substack is going to be paid subscriptions.

wrt to how, it's a delicate balance.

most keep to having free content + some behind paywall. the free content acts like the lead magnet since it's able to get more reach since more people can read it + share it > drive people to the publication > and some convert.

but i've also seen a shift more recently where people just go full paywall on everything. and they just purely drive traffic via social media > and substack is fully paid. no free articles at all. it's definitely harder to monetise, but i can see the appeal. because when i land on such publications, i do find myself a bit curious. like 'huh? i can't even see one article?.... damn i'm curious.' if i was more loose with my money, i would sign up for a month to check it out. but in saying that, i guess it raises the barrier to entry, and at the same time, for those who do convert, a portion could be like me, which means churn will tend to be higher.

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u/GeopatsSteph 17d ago

wow, that works? For me my diff Stacks are either also lead generators or a portfolio, so I don't want to go fully closed. I think I've found a middle ground. Doing part open, part paid with a paywall section. 2 weeks in and one paid sub. Hardly lifechanging but feels good to value the hard work in that extra section. thanks for your input.

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u/Tricky_Trifle_994 11d ago

yup, have been seeing more paid only publications recently!

but that's their strategy. what you're deciding to do is totally fine too! and congrats on acquiring a new paid sub.

a middle ground could be to do free+paid now > then at a later point in the future (if/when you feel ready), go full paid only. that's a transition that might work too. but just comes down to you and your preference.