Hey, you. Yes, you—the woman seeing others with paid blogs and wondering how to make money on Substack.

You know you have words brewing inside that want to be shared. You have countless stories untold and powerful insights worth sharing.

You might be thinking, “I really want to take everything that lives inside me and share it with the world! But I’m scared. What if I’m not original enough…or don’t provide enough value? Or just not plain ENOUGH!” That fear is real, and I had it, and most people I’ve helped start a Substack feel it, too. The idea of putting your voice into the vastness of the internet (with all its trolls and meanies) can be intimidating. But, speaking from experience I want you to know that it’s totally worth it and deeply liberating. I know you feel it, too. The time to stop playing small is yesterday!

Here’s the bottom line: Substack is a welcoming and easy-to-use space where you can make your voice heard, connect with readers, and—yes—make money. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to make money on Substack, here’s a friendly guide just for you.

Your Niche is Your North Star and Your Key to How to Make Money on Substack

Find Your People and Speak to Them
Think of your niche as a cozy corner of the internet where your people can find you and know what they can expect to gain valuable insights around. Getting specific helps you build a loyal audience—whether you’re sharing leadership tips for working moms, feminine wisdom for thriving during menopause, or breaking down conscious parenting tips.

Having a clear niche can make it much easier to make money on Substack, as it attracts readers who love exactly what you do.

But What If I Don’t Have a Niche?
That’s okay! While having a niche can make it easier to make money, it’s not a prerequisite. You don’t need a perfectly defined niche to get started on Substack. Sometimes, the best way to find your niche is through experience—writing about what interests you, seeing what resonates with readers, and evolving naturally. (Like my Substack Unfolding. As the name implies, it’s all about following and trusting life’s flow.) Starting where you are, sharing what feels meaningful, and learning as you go can be just as powerful–sometimes MORE powerful that trying to pull your hair out finding your “niche.”

Consistency is Queen
People subscribe and pay for the consistent value, the story arc, and the gradual journey they’re on with you. Whether it’s weekly insights or monthly musings, consistency keeps your audience coming back and makes it easier for them to pay for your content. I would recommend a minimum of a weekly cadence for anytone who’s serious about making money with Substack.

Free First, Paid Later

Start Free to Build Trust
Think of a free newsletter as your foundation. It lets readers know you’re worth subscribing to and helps build loyalty over time. Starting with free content is a powerful way to show that you’ll keep bringing value—and helps you transition to paid subscriptions more easily.

Welcome Them in With a Strong Start
Set up a simple but thoughtful welcome series that tells new readers what to expect. It’s your friendly hello and a great way to hook them from the start.

Building a free subscriber base first can lead to steady paid subscriptions later, helping you see how to make money on Substack by growing trust gradually.

Note: If you’re starting a Substack and have a following elsewhere, like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, you can start with a paid subscription. In this case, you can incentivize early adopters with a special deal.

Create a Paid Tier for Your Most Loyal Readers

Make Paid Content Extra Special
Once you’ve built a following, it’s time to add a paid tier to your newsletter. Paid subscribers are your superfans—your ride-or-die readers who love the extra value and want to support you.

Types of Paid Content
Think exclusive stories, deep-dive guides, or Q&As. Readers are happy to pay for unique content they can’t find elsewhere, so keep it fun, helpful, and genuine.

Some Substacks who’ve nailed this worth exploring are:

A Simple Approach to Pricing
Starting with $5 a month or $50 a year keeps it accessible while creating steady income. As you grow, you can adjust based on engagement and demand—another step toward how to make money on Substack in a way that’s sustainable. You can then run a special from time to time to entice free subscribers to take the plunge and go paid.

Expand Income with Sponsorships and Ads

Invite Aligned Brands and Sponsors
When you have a loyal, niche audience, brands may be interested in reaching your readers through you. Just be selective—align with brands that reflect your values and your audience’s needs.

Try Affiliate Marketing for Subtle Sales
If sponsors feel too much for now, consider affiliate marketing. Carefully chosen affiliate links to products you love can generate a nice additional income stream without feeling like “ads.”

Substack Isn’t Ideal for SEO, But You Can Work Around It

Substack is Not Ideal for SEO
If SEO is important to your content strategy, Substack alone may not be enough. Substack’s focus is on community, not on search engine optimization–even though it’s got a backend SEO feature. (My collaborative partner and SEO expert Kendra Sand is the one who’s got the low down on all things seach engine optimization and she’s shared this intel with me.) So, if you’re trying to reach new readers, it’s a good idea to also publish on your website, where you have more SEO control.

Always keep a copy of your work outside of Substack—having a backup ensures you don’t lose your content if the platform changes.

Always Keep a Backup
Think of this as “content insurance.” Keeping copies of your posts ensures that your work remains yours, no matter what happens on any platform. Plus, republishing a version of the same content on your website allows you to reach readers who search for topics in Google, boosting your visibility.

How to Make Money on Substack: Unlock Extra Income Streams

Offer Consulting, Workshops, or Coaching
Once you’re known for your expertise, you can leverage that trust to offer additional services. Hosting a workshop or 1:1 coaching sessions is a great way to make money on Substack and beyond.

Create Digital Products for Additional Sales
Ebooks, guides, or templates—things your readers can use that build off your content—are a great way to bring in extra revenue. Digital products are one-time work with ongoing sales potential.

Build Community to Keep Your Audience Close

Boost That Community Feeling
One of the best ways to make money on Substack is to engage actively with your readers. Commenting on replies, giving personal shout-outs, and providing real-time feedback build a sense of belonging that keeps people subscribed and engaged.

Exclusive Perks Add Value
Consider offering live Q&As, subscriber-only chats, or early access to content for your paid subscribers. These small gestures make your readers feel appreciated and keep them coming back month after month.

Track Your Growth and Adjust as Needed

Follow the Numbers
Keep an eye on open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber growth to see what’s working. The more insight you have, the easier it is to create content that hits home—and encourages subscriptions. While I advocate for adjusting content based on subscriber data, it’s also important to let yourself be creative and follow your inspiration. Otherwise you might end up feeling unpispired and that’s no bueno!

Adapt and Improve
If something isn’t resonating, take feedback seriously. Substack is all about evolving with your readers, so don’t hesitate to test new ideas and adjust as you go.

Ready to Start Your Substack Journey?

If all of this sparks excitement and you’re ready to learn how to make money on Substack, I’d love to help! My program, How to Start a Substack, is the perfect place to get started with your Substack. Contact me if you’re ready to turn that dream into a reality with ease and fun, or learn more before jumping in!