✍️ Is Substack Still Worth It in 2025? The No-Fluff Guide to Making Money from Your Writing
Discover how writers are monetizing newsletters in 2025 and learn practical tips to grow and earn.
Introduction – The Creator’s Dilemma
It’s 2025, and writing online has never been easier — yet making a living from it has never been trickier. The internet is overflowing with newsletters, blogs, and essays. Everyone seems to be publishing something, but only a small percentage of writers are turning those words into real income.
If you’re a writer, journalist, blogger, or simply someone who loves putting thoughts into words, you’ve probably heard of Substack — the platform that promised anyone could make a living with a newsletter.
But now, with so many new platforms, monetization tools, and shifting algorithms, you might be wondering:
“Is Substack still worth my time in 2025?”
“Can I actually make money writing there?”
“Or is it just another passing trend?”
This guide breaks it down without the jargon — how Substack works, where it shines, where it falls short, and how you can realistically use it to turn your writing into revenue this year.
2. How Substack Works
Substack started as a simple idea: give writers a way to publish newsletters and get paid directly by readers. No ads. No middlemen. Just you and your audience.
Here’s how it works:
You write a newsletter (like writing an email).
People subscribe — some for free, others for a monthly or yearly fee.
Substack handles the tech, payments, and delivery.
You keep 90% of the revenue (Substack takes 10%).
There are two types of newsletters:
Free: Anyone can subscribe and read. Best for building trust and growing your list.
Paid: Subscribers pay for premium content — exclusive articles, deep dives, Q&As, or behind-the-scenes posts.
It’s basically a direct subscription business around your writing. And best of all? You own your audience. The email list is yours — even if you leave the platform.
3. The Good Stuff: Why Creators Still Love Substack
Despite dozens of alternatives, Substack continues to grow. Here’s why:
✅ 1. You Own Your Audience
When someone subscribes, they join your email list. You can take it with you if you ever leave. That’s rare in today’s platform-driven world.
✅ 2. It’s Simple to Use
No coding, no design, no plugins. If you can write and hit “send,” you can run a Substack.
✅ 3. Built-in Monetization
Unlike blogs that rely on ads or affiliates, Substack lets you earn directly from your words. $5/month from 500 subscribers? That’s $2,500/month — straight from your writing.
✅ 4. Reader Trust
Newsletters land in inboxes — a more intimate space than social media. Over time, that builds deeper trust and loyalty.
✅ 5. Real Writers Are Making Real Money
Here are a few examples:
Lenny Rachitsky – Lenny’s Newsletter now makes $500,000+ per year, offering product and growth advice.
Anne Helen Petersen – Culture Study earns six figures annually, writing about work and culture.
Bill Bishop – Sinocism has thousands of paying subscribers at $15/month, earning $1M+ per year.
They all started small — and grew by showing up consistently.
4. The Hard Truth: Where Substack Falls Short
Substack is great, but it’s not magic. Here’s the reality check:
❌ 1. Growth Is Up to You
Substack doesn’t have a discovery algorithm. Most growth happens off-platform — on social media or through word-of-mouth.
❌ 2. Fees Add Up
Substack takes 10%, and Stripe takes ~3%. It’s not huge, but it matters as you scale.
❌ 3. The Competition Is Intense
Thousands of newsletters compete for inbox space. You need a unique voice and clear value.
❌ 4. Income Takes Time
It usually takes 6–12 months of consistent writing to build a meaningful paid audience.
5. Tips to Actually Make Money on Substack in 2025
Here’s how to give yourself the best shot:
💡 1. Start Free, Then Go Paid
Offer free content first. Once you’ve built trust and an engaged audience, launch a paid tier.
💡 2. Pick a Specific Niche
“Weekly thoughts” is too vague. “Startup marketing for non-technical founders” is specific — and valuable.
💡 3. Make Your Voice Stand Out
Readers don’t just pay for info — they pay for perspective. Be bold, personal, or contrarian.
💡 4. Stay Consistent
Publishing weekly builds habit and trust. Think of it as your writing business — not a side hobby.
💡 5. Engage with Readers
Reply to comments. Ask questions. Run polls. A loyal community converts better than a large passive audience.
💡 6. Use Social Media as a Funnel
Post bite-sized ideas on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Threads to attract readers — and guide them to your newsletter.
6. When Substack Isn’t the Best Choice
Substack may not be ideal if:
You want instant growth or traffic.
You can’t commit to writing consistently.
You need full control over branding or design.
You’re building a bigger business around digital products or courses.
In these cases, platforms like Ghost, Patreon, or self-hosted email tools might be a better fit.
7. Other Ways to Monetize Your Writing
Substack is powerful — but it’s not the only path. Consider:
Paid Communities: Offer a private Slack or Discord for members.
Digital Products: Sell ebooks, templates, or online workshops.
Courses: Teach a skill related to your niche.
Self-Hosted Newsletters: Use Ghost or WordPress + ConvertKit for total control.
Substack can even be the first step to these bigger revenue streams.
8. Final Thoughts – My Honest Take
So, is Substack still worth it in 2025?
✅ Yes — if you’re serious about your writing.
Substack isn’t a get-rich-quick platform. It won’t magically grow your audience or replace a full-time job overnight. But it is one of the most creator-friendly ways to build an audience, own your distribution, and get paid for your words.
It rewards patience, niche expertise, and consistency. And it gives you the one thing most platforms don’t: control over your relationship with readers.
If you’re ready to commit, publish regularly, and treat your writing like a business — Substack is absolutely still worth it.
Because at the end of the day, the platform doesn’t make the writer.
The writer makes the platform.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or thoughts - I’d love to hear from you!
The first honest account I have read about Substack. I think it has given me ideas to go forward. I know it will shape my project.
informative thanks for sharing