I’ve been raving about Substack lately and see massive potential in it. I started my own publication and have a big vision for it.
But does this mean I’m ditching everything else, and especially my WordPress blog? Also, if you’re just starting out, you might be wondering whether you should start a Substack or your own blog.
Here’s what I have to say about this, after 10 years of blogging and content creation. Ten years during which I was inspiring people to start new blogs, and helping them along the way with my free content and programs.
Why I Started a Substack
Because it’s a wonderful place to be for writers.
It’s the much needed break from social media.
The algorithm actually works in our favor. There are incredible creatives on here who are sharing their wisdom and looking to connect with readers and fellow writers.
The engagement is high, and a lot can happen here for you if you actually post often and give something back (like follow others, subscribe to their publications, like their Notes, leave comments, restack posts, recommend their newsletters, etc.)
The potential for monetization is wild.
The way the platform is structured is great. You can have paid subscriptions, and create a whole paid newsletter business. You just keep posting content and you earn recurring revenue from it.
Easier said than done, of course, but it’s worked for plenty of people and they are proof it can work for others too.
In addition, you can monetize with sponsored content.
For example, I landed my first brand deal on Substack just 3 months after actively using the platform. I then had less than 250 followers, and I was still a newbie around here. And yet, a brand saw potential and paid me to publish an article I wrote with a link back to their site (which is a very trusted resource that I was already familiar with).
It can happen to anyone!
Brands now know that small but engaged audiences beat big ones consisting of random people.
Small influencers/creators/writers matter, and they can monetize their content and platforms early on.
Also, you can use Substack to sell digital products or services (consulting, coaching, DFY, or anything else you offer).
You can have sales funnels in place and take things further by using an actual email marketing tool instead of just relying on the default email system of Substack. Then you can segment your list, have automated email sequences, and make sales on autopilot (if done right).
What about growth on Substack?
Well, you can easily go kinda viral in a short time, mostly through Notes, which are like Tweets and short social media posts. It can be a quote, a thought you want to share, or a few paragraphs with tips related to what you teach.
Right now, writers want to help each other grow and support each others’ work as long as you reciprocate.
The platform is also an incredible opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership and build your brand. It’s like a better version of LinkedIn.
And last but not least, there’s some unique content around here.
People actually share their wisdom, they discuss important topics, they talk about their most personal and transformational experiences, they make big moves in life and document every step of the way. So there’s some incredible stuff to read that probably can’t be found on social media (as it’s long-form content and can go much deeper).
I believe that this opportunity - how accessible Substack is now and how good it feels to start a publication and post regularly - won’t continue for long. It will get crowded, the algorithm might change, all the people from TikTok will come here and create anything that gets as many views as possible. More and more AI content will emerge, and AI avatars might become a thing around here too (maybe they already are…)
Until then, let’s grab this chance.
But, does this mean I’m leaving behind my actual blog?
Absolutely not.
Substack vs WordPress
This has happened before. We’ve seen new platforms emerge, with massive potential. We’ve seen all the bloggers and writers head there and create content like crazy.
Until it’s no longer the trend. Until it no longer works. Until it’s so saturated that we need a break from it.
Then, we go back to our blogs.
I’ve done this many times, and don’t take this risk anymore.
Because ever since blogging has existed, one thing has always been true - a self-hosted blog is the only thing you have control over (together with your email list, of course).
No other platforms have come close to this.
And I still believe WordPress is the best blogging platform, and it’s what I teach in my programs and in my free content.
It’s easy to give you advice if you already have a blog. Just keep it, no matter where else you post content.
But what if you’re just starting out…
Should you start a Substack or a blog?
My answer is the same as it would be if you asked me whether you should start a blog on Medium or WordPress.
You can do both, of course, but you probably don’t have the time and energy to go all in on two big projects like that. There are only so many hours in the day, after all.
And here’s the shocking thing.
If you asked me this 3 months ago, I’d say start a blog (on WordPress or any other content management system).
But now? I’d say start a Substack, see how it feels and how it goes, and decide if that’s the platform for you.
Anything we do online is an experiment.
I hope you’re sure about your niche, of course. This is the foundation - what you teach, what you’re here to help people with.
That also means you know who that person is - the ideal reader, subscriber and customer.
The other details - such as content format, platforms, marketing channels, ways to sell, publishing frequency, etc. - can change until you find what works for you (and what you’re passionate about, as that itself can lead to consistency).
Substack vs WordPress: The final verdict
I’m keeping my blog (WordPress) and my original email list (Flodesk).
I keep publishing on my blog (not that often anymore, but I do post sponsored content there + things written by me).
I keep emailing my original email list every Tuesday (but also share new Substack content + life updates there).
But Substack is my main content hub now. It’s where all my attention goes, and where my best content is published.
I’m in the process of moving existing content to it (from Medium, from a blogging membership I had, and some more exclusive pieces of content from courses and other products). I also write new stuff a lot lately and it feels great.
In summary, here’s my advice (only take what resonates, please. You know what’s best for your business):
Have a blog? Keep it, even if you write on Substack now. You own your blog, you don’t own Substack. And we don’t know what the future holds.
About to start your content creation journey now? Do it on Substack and see where that takes you. Give it at least a year.
Are you a fiction writer? Then Substack is the place for you. The community is great, you’ll connect with many fellow writers, and there are readers on Substack waiting to discover you.
Just looking for a platform to build trust so you can grow your coaching or digital product business? Start a Substack, share your expertise here, build relationships, and post only free content (no need for a paid tier if you don’t want to, as you already have an offer to sell).
Writing on Medium but don’t see any ROI and aren’t happy with how the platform has changed in the last years? Then it might be time to switch to Substack.
Which category do you fall into?
If you have any other questions, ask them in the comments below.
I tried WordPress, but it was not my cup of tea. I tried Substack last September and prefer using the platform. I consider Substack home.
I really enjoyed this perspective. I came to Substack after more than 25 years in the corporate world, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the conversations and the sense of community here. I also agree with your point about keeping a blog if you already have one—owning your content while building on Substack feels like a balanced long-term approach. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful comparison.