05: Everything You Want To Know About Substack

The ultimate guide to understanding, using, and thriving on Substack — I answer every single question I've ever gotten about it (and there have been MANY)

Jan 23, 2025

Fun fact: This episode is why Point of the Story exists — because not a single day goes by without someone asking me about Substack.

And while I love questions, I find myself explaining the same thing again and again without having a handy link to send you. So here it is: your one-stop Substack guide. Round of applause for me finally doing it. Thank you. Thank you.

Let’s dig in.

What Even IS Substack?

Let’s be real: Substack is not a magic money tree, nor is it the next Instagram. Substack is a platform where writers can post their writing, and readers can subscribe — sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee.

Here’s how they put it in their About page:

Substack is an online platform that allows writers, journalists, and other content creators to publish newsletters and build a subscription-based audience.

In other words, Substack is like if your blog, your email newsletter, and Threads had a baby. And that baby was a foster baby because you don’t own the platform… but we’ll get to that.

If this was confusing as hell, it's also like Medium, except it also lets you email your articles to your subscribers.

What it’s not:

A replacement for your email marketing platform.
A stand-in for your blog or website.
Just another social media platform.

Who Is Substack For?

Substack is for the writers. The bloggers. The people who get high off typing out their thoughts like they’re narrating an indie film. It’s for those who see storytelling as a thrill, not a chore. They are on Substack because they want people to read their work, not necessarily because they’re looking to sell something.

It’s not for the “I know I should write” crowd. And tbh, it’s not a must-have for the online marketing girlies either.

Yes, it might get your content in front of fresh eyeballs, but those readers might not be your ideal clients or leads. Substack shines for those who write because they want to, not because they have to.

Sure, influencers are starting to dabble, and that could shift the vibe over time. But as of right now, Substack is a haven for writers first and foremost.

Substack vs. Email Marketing

Let’s clear this up once and for all: Substack is not an email marketing platform, even though it might look like one at first glance. Yes, you can send your Substack posts via email, but it’s not a replacement for tools like Flodesk or ConvertKit. (I’ll be comparing it to Flodesk from now on because it’s what I use.)

Here’s what Substack lacks:

Segmentation: You can’t organize your audience into smaller groups or send targeted emails to specific people.
Workflows: No automated sequences for nurturing leads, welcoming subscribers, or launching offers.
Opt-ins: Forget about offering a freebie (like a guide or checklist) to collect email addresses. Substack doesn’t do that.
Design Capabilities: Substack keeps it super basic. You can add text and images, but don’t expect to wow anyone with sleek branding.
Personalized Sending: Emails don’t come from your domain (like yourname@yourbusiness.com). They come from Substack’s domain.

In short, Substack simply isn’t built like that, so if you’re serious about email marketing you need a dedicated email marketing platform like Flodesk.

Substack vs. Blogging

“But Sara, why can’t Substack just be my blog?” Excellent question.

You Don’t Own the Platform: Substack could disappear tomorrow, and all your content would go with it. With a blog, you’re the boss — you own your domain, your content, and your audience.
No Traffic Growth: Substack doesn’t help you drive traffic to your own site. People are reading your work on Substack, not on your website, where they could explore everything else you offer.
Zero SEO Benefit: Sure, someone might find you by searching on Substack, but good luck showing up in a Google search. Substack doesn’t help you rank for anything or build domain authority (which is basically Google’s popularity contest).

And let’s be real — if someone is considering working with you, they’re going to stalk your website and your blog. That’s where you can showcase your expertise, share valuable content, and give people a real sense of your vibe.

Here are six reasons why your blog is better than Substack, and if you don’t have one you need to get one yesterday:

Boost Website Traffic: Blogging helps people find you through Google and drives them to your website.
Build Brand Awareness: Blogs let you establish your voice and show off your expertise.
Establish Industry Credibility: When you write helpful, insightful content, people see you as the go-to expert in your field.
Foster Trust: Blogs give your audience a chance to get to know you and feel confident about working with you.
Attract Potential Clients: With the right topics, you’ll pull in readers who are a perfect fit for your offers.
Generate Leads: Use your blog to share valuable content and encourage people to opt into your email list.

Should I Start a Paid Substack?

My hot take: Probably not.

Here’s why:

It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. You won’t wake up with 1,000 paying subscribers overnight. People are choosy with their $$$ in 2025, especially when they can access similar content for free.
It has to be hyper-specific. My paid Substack, Millionaire Moment, works because people are nosy and want the tea about my income, expenses, and strategies. If you don’t have a niche people are dying to read about, a paid Substack might flop.

If you’re tempted to launch a paid Substack, ask yourself: Would I pay for this? And would my audience? If the answer’s no, save your energy.

Growth Tips for Substack

If you're ready to dive into Substack, the big question is: How do you actually grow?

Consistency is key. Post regularly — weekly is best.
Use Substack Notes. Think of it as Threads for Substack users. Drop bite-sized content, introduce yourself, and engage with others.
Read and engage. Be the audience you want. Comment on other people’s posts. Support them. Substack is a writer’s community, so treat it as such.

Point of the Story

Substack isn’t a replacement for your blog, your email list, or your social media. It’s its own lane, and it’s perfect for writers who want to flex their storytelling muscles or explore niche topics. Just don’t treat it like the holy grail of marketing tools.

And please, for the love of all things caffeinated, don’t let Substack distract you from blogging or email marketing — those are the real MVPs.

Have more Substack questions? Comment below!

Love you! Byyye!

-S

BTL Links

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