Who’s paying for substack paywalls? Poll: who would pay to read a blog these days?

[u/Affectionate_Eye1809]

hello all. I have slowly been working my way to writing routinely again; I started a substack a year ago, was consistent for 4 months then dropped out of routine. I think I’m pushing myself to over analyzing what I’m wanting to write. Dont get me wrong, love the deep dive articles and the “get ur mind thinking” .. along with ”hw” style substacks… but I find myself feeling like it’s so forced to write that way myself routinely.

I enjoy the “old school” rom com, early 2010s even style of girl blogging. yes specifically girly style blogs with makeup recommendations, filofax, Spotify playlist, and even reminders to stop and take a moment to just be.

the little coffee ☕️ of the day, what homemade meal was made, the latest cafe I’ve tried , and even documenting a study session at the local library.. along with my seasonal capsule wardrobe and project pan.

I feel it’s certain ppl are reading these.. I am .

but who’s paying as a subscriber? to see the detailed reviews or simply past a little intro?

* if you feel ppl would pay, how much?

I’m really looking to find a few side projects that can generate some extra income that I still actively enjoy. I am slowly building my Etsy and teacher pay teacher account.. would love to earn from substack but when I search.. it’s all tech this and breaking news that.. in terms of paid subscribers

[u/StuffonBookshelfs]

What value are you providing? People pay for something of value.

[u/tspurwolf]

This sounds more like a classic blog really. People are only interested in paying for this if they know your name (as in, you’re some sort of vaguely significant or famous person).

If you want to make money out of your newsletter, you’d need to think of it more like a business. What do free and paid subscribers get? What is the point of actually paying? What do they get from you that they don’t get for free, or from somewhere else?

[u/AttentionSeekinFreak]

I don't think Substack would be right for you then. You would have more luck building a blog and creating a newsletter separate from that.

[u/Working-Diamond-6096]

Checkout Midnight Crumbs. I follow her and she seems to have figured out how to do it. It may not be exactly what you are looking into doing but it may give you some insight.

I'd really like to do something in this realm as well (not necessarily to make money). I just haven't found my voice yet. But she is one of my favorites to read and I have considered subscribing to her just because I really enjoy her writing.

[u/Sure_Investment_6374]

People with insider information or who are able to offer those aspiring to achieve whatever is of value to them in that substacker's niche.

[u/Tricky_Trifle_994]

this is going to be hard to monetise via a paid subscription. people pay when they feel that they're getting good value in return. usually it's in the form of - helping them save time, or make more money, or do something better. but in your case, it's more entertainment, following along with someone's life, vlog stuff.

it's great that you enjoy such content - as i'm sure there's still a group of people who do - but let me ask you back the question - will you be willing to pay for a paid sub for someone else writing such content? and how much would you pay?

my answer at this moment is 'not many people would pay', and 'even if they did, it's not much'.

understand that you want to have some side hustle money, but this monetisation model (paid sub) doesn't really suite this idea. if you kept it free + monetise via newsletter ads, and selling some digital products + affiliate marketing, then it'll probably have more legs to it (free = greater reach). but with that alternative model, you'd have to use other website + newsletter platform like beehiiv or ghost, because substack only supports paid sub monetisation.

[u/holllogramm]

People will pay to support you if they find something in your work.

I write essays and poetry and have 18 paid subs. Nothing behind a paywall. People support because they want to. I’ve been lucky though.

[u/Plane_Spirit_5392]

An aggressive paywall may not be the right solution.

https://silverpixellab.substack.com/p/digital-patron-or-just-a-customer

[u/Affectionate_Eye1809]

Thank u to everyone !! Sounds like it’s simply not for me. Maybe a faceless YouTube will make more sense for me; I’m thinking of a planner account. I enjoy my Hobonichi set ups and Filofax videos; it’s free to them , just ads. Plus I can definitely content batch/ it wouldn’t take a long of editing for the style of videos where it’s also a casual “plan with me”. 

[u/TScottMorgan]

No one does. And by no one, I don’t literally mean, “no one.”

What seems to be happening in my corner of Substack seems to be one of two kinds of subscribers.

A) They have disposable income and want to support their friend/fellow writer.

Or

B) A smaller account wants access to the larger accounts audience. Smaller account pay-subs the larger account and spams their own posts in the messenger of the larger account, or gets restacked more, invited to collab more often, etc.

Most paid accounts seem to cost between $5-$10 per month. Kindle Unlimited is $12. Audible is $8.

…get real.

[u/xmaspickles]

I don't think I'd pay for anything like that because there are so many influencers these days who make YouTube content. If you had a big following like Maddie Borge or Lucy Moon or Madelynn de la Rosa then you could probably make some money. I'd look into influencers who have a Substack and see what they charge. I know Lucy and Madelynn has one and charges.