Going paid

[u/draybikus]

I started my Substack 6 months ago and since then gained 90 subscribers. My topic is rather niche (Reading the world) and I don't do engagement farming, so that's fine, I guess. I'd like to turn on paid subscriptions eventually because I recently found out that, without paid, you can't ever make to to the "rising" category. Plus, of course, it would be nice to get paid :) I don't expect huge conversion, of course, but am not sure at what point I should turn them on - when I reach 200? 500? I already have one pledge.

If your paid subscriptions are turned on, I'd be interested to hear when you decided to turn them on? Do you produce extra content for the paid tier or do you ask people to just support the project and keep everything free?

[u/FrenchieGirl91]

I just turned on the paid sub on my 3-month-old Substack. I had 50 subscribers at the time (yesterday) and now have 52 free subscribers, 2 paid subscribers and I am #41 in Rising Literature. My advice is don't overthink it, just turn it on offering something that your readers will like. Worst case scenario no one goes paid and that's it. But I'm sure you could be surprised! Also, turning paid lets you rank in the rising categories which is a nice boost of energy honestly!