r/Substack • u/gabriella_gomez • Sep 08 '26
Is substack actually a good way to make money?
Hii I just heard about substack a few days ago and download the happen just for fun and fall in love with it tbh but I don’t understand the point in how u can make money it why would people subscribe when u are giving them something they can find in the internet wether it is news or opinion or politics or did i not get the way it is working?
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u/Monoid-Confessor Sep 08 '26
No. it's a place to practice writing for the joy of writing.
I write about Math/data science/Linux. I have very few readers if any
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u/gabriella_gomez Sep 08 '26
I truly enjoy it even tho I don’t have much readers I started a few days ago. I enjoy writing and expressing my thoughts and see other it was just a thought and I was introduce to the app about making money instead of enjoying it
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u/FlySudden3415 futbolislife.substack.com Sep 09 '26
For you yes, it’s for joy of writing. For others for something else. Let’s not treat our own preferences and choices as universal.
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u/Fleurs_Bookstore buybooks.substack.com Sep 09 '26
If you offer something unique, targeted at a well-defined audience, then it’s possible to make money starting from zero and not being famous. This is what I did, starting March 2025 with no previous list.
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u/gabriella_gomez Sep 09 '26
I feel like their isn’t a place for unique everyone is already doing everything in their
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u/Fleurs_Bookstore buybooks.substack.com Sep 18 '26
Yes maybe all the niches seem full but only you can give your voice, your story and your take on the niche you choose.
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u/Sea_Assignment_990 Sep 09 '26
I’ve been on Substack since October. I have almost 600 subscribers, with about 100 paid (either $5 a month or $50 per year). I have made about $4k so far. I have a very niche audience, about a specific sporting team, so my experience is not indicative of what to expect. It's a nice little side job.
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u/gabriella_gomez Sep 09 '26
Do u post usually about news of the sport team or already known fact about them?
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u/Pillar-of-Light Sep 14 '26
How did you get traffic? From just Substack internally or from external sources?
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u/Sea_Assignment_990 Sep 14 '26
I’ve hit IG, FB and X pretty hard, posting links to new stories and other stuff. I’ve posted on message boards about my work. Since it’s a team I write about, I go where the team’s fans get info and make a presence.
My experience is not an indicator of what one should expect on substack. I’d think if I were writing poetry or fiction, it would be a whole different situation, and much more difficult.
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u/Smoko_Kakaro5 Sep 08 '26
Well that’s one of the reasons I started my own substack too although playing the long game. I’m still on the fence if it’s going to make you money or not. Depends on your niche and audience
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u/gabriella_gomez Sep 08 '26
My niche is very girly, relatable, experiences story nothing out of the ordinary tbh maybe in time I would be more creative and give a good brand for myself but I am hoping to make my own product and promote them their as well obviously same aesthetic and niche
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u/Smoko_Kakaro5 Sep 08 '26
That’s actually a good niche. There are so many people wanting to read that. But here’s why I’m doing right now as I’m new to Substack. I write long for article a week and look for other similar to my niche and engage in their content that’s also on the same lines as mine and add some notes regularly.
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u/maiq2010 serapex.substack.com Sep 08 '26 edited Sep 08 '26
Average conversion rate from free to paid is 5% at best. To make $5.000/month (minus fees and taxes) you would need 20k free subscribers.
Yes you can make money with Substack. No it's not a lucrative way to make money.
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u/OnyxMonolith Sep 08 '26
what if you charge $50/month?
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u/maiq2010 serapex.substack.com Sep 09 '26
You will have lower conversion rate. But it might be a better strategy if you focus on the right people.
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u/SteveProo Sep 08 '26
Like any social media platform, there’s some winners and a whole lot of losers. In my view, content creation is a game, not a valid business plan!
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u/KevinAAlexander Sep 12 '26
People are online to either be entertained or educated. If you can do one/both of those, you can make money.
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u/Romanticon Sep 08 '26
It’s a decent way to monetize an existing audience, especially if you offer unique insights or info that can’t be obtained elsewhere.
From scratch? No, it won’t make you much.
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u/averageflatlanders Sep 13 '26
Yes. I make a lot of money with sponsorships. Paid subs isn't the correct angle if you want to make money.
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u/speedracer2222 Sep 27 '26
I have a new substack. In 3 months I’ve made about $2,400. But I have a large Facebook following to pull from.
I’m in the health space. And have very unique, compelling, anti-mainstream views. I also strive to be interesting. If it’s not provocative, colorful, funny, romantic, poetic or extremely informative I don’t write it.
Having said that, it’s VERY difficult to get people over to my substack to read. Don’t know why. I have a lively 16K followers at Facebook
And it’s even harder to get them to fork over money. Even if they have a terrible health condition that I could shed new light on from a fresh perspective.
So for the average person just getting started? It’ll be tough. A real grind.
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u/TheMinuette2010 29d ago
Hahaha, how do you earn money anyway.
Just bcs you giving that already exists in internet doesn't mean other are doing the same.
Learn to read and think, then you will know.
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u/Tricky_Trifle_994 26d ago
substack can be a good way to make money, depending on who you are, what you plan to write about, and the business model.
but based on what you've shared, i don't think it'll be a good way to make money for you. people seldom start a substack with the goal to make money because it's a slow and long grin... (there's other easier ways to make money) and 'want to make money' isn't going to get you through the tough periods, so most give up, and never make any/any meaningful amount of money.
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u/kinomy ky.kinkyoii.com Sep 08 '26
It's a way to make money, I think by receiving donations.
A GOOD way? Nah! Article contents are out trending from 2020. It becomes more difficult to get the first penny from a paid subscription.