What is Substack? A Beginner’s Guide to Writing & Monetizing Newsletters in 2025

A few years ago, I had a lot of free time besides my work, and that sparked my desire to start writing. But I had no clue where to start or how. I mean, I do like writing with pen and paper, but I also wanted to put something online and maybe make some cash from it. Blogging, to me, felt like just another job. Social media posts were great, but they disappeared too quickly, and I did not want to deal with a website. Then, I found Substack. That changed everything.

After posting a few of my writings, I started really liking this new platform at that time, and I was wondering why not many people were on it. Writing on Substack felt so much more freeing, and I could build an audience, even make money from my content, without the headache of algorithms or ads.

In recent years, Substack has become one of the most popular writing platforms on the internet, yet still, a lot of friends around me have never heard of it. That is why I am here to break down what Substack is, how it works, and how you can use it to start publishing today.

What is Substack?

Substack is a platform that lets writers, journalists, and creators publish newsletters and build a paid or free subscriber base. But not only that, you can be anyone who wants to share your work online. You can think of it like blogging or creating, but instead of writing for an audience you do not control, you send your content directly to your readers’ inboxes.

Why Substack is different from traditional blogging:

• Direct connection to readers (your audience gets every post in their inbox).
• No ads, no algorithms deciding who sees your content.
• Monetization built-in (charge for premium content when you are ready).

Why Writers Love Substack

When I first started writing online, there was trial and error. It was definitely not as easy as I thought it was. I struggled with building an audience. I posted on social media, but the algorithm kept limiting my reach. It felt like I put hard work in, but no one was watching.

With Substack, I published my writing, and in the next few hours, I saw instant engagement because the newsletter was sent to my readers’ email inboxes directly. One of the best parts is I did not have to worry about SEO, social media trends, or algorithms anymore.

Key Features of Substack:

Simple Setup – No coding, no complicated design—just start writing.

Free to Use – Substack only takes a cut if you charge for subscriptions.

Monetization Options – Offer paid newsletters, exclusive posts, or community access.

Audio and Video Integration – Publish podcasts or add voiceovers to newsletters.

Analytics Dashboard – Track opens, clicks, and subscriber growth.

Pro Tip: Unlike social media, where posts get lost in the feed, your Substack content stays valuable over time because it lives in your readers’ inboxes.

How to Start a Newsletter on Substack (Step by Step)

If you are ready to start publishing, here is a step-by-step guide so you do not have to spend 30 minutes watching a tutorial video. You can be done in a minute.

Step 1: Sign Up for Free

• Go to Substack.com and create an account.
• Choose a name for your newsletter (do not overthink it—you can change it later).

Step 2: Set Up Your Profile

• Upload a profile picture and write a short bio so readers know who you are.
• Customize your newsletter’s look (Substack lets you tweak fonts, colors, and layout).

Step 3: Write Your First Post

• Click "New Post" and start writing.
• Keep it simple and engaging—share a personal story, a useful tip, or an insight from your niche.

Step 4: Share It With Your Audience

• Substack gives you a unique link to your newsletter—share it on social media, your website, or with friends.
• Encourage your first subscribers to sign up (even if it is just friends and family at first).

Pro Tip: Consistency is key. I recommend you start by publishing a long-form post once a week and short notes three to five times per week. Building this habit is not only for your writing journey but also for growing your audience and warming up the connection with your audience.

How to Make Money on Substack

Substack is not just a place to write—it is also a powerful way to make money online.

3 Ways to Monetize Your Substack:

Paid Subscriptions – Charge readers a monthly or yearly fee for premium content.

Donations and Tips – Let subscribers support you voluntarily.

Sponsorships and Affiliate Links – Partner with brands or recommend products for extra income.

Example: Some of the top Substack writers earn $10,000+ per month just from paid subscribers. But you can also see a lot of smaller newsletters making **$500 to $1,000 per month** with just a few hundred loyal readers.

Is Substack Right for You?

When I was starting, this question came up a lot of times. “Is Substack worth my time?” Because after I decided, I really put more effort and time into it. I was still new to Substack, and I was not even sure if it was worth it. But experience showed me it definitely was. If you have the same question, here is a quick checklist:

• Do you enjoy writing or sharing insights?
• Do you want to build an audience without social media algorithms?
• Do you like the idea of direct engagement with readers?
• Do you want a simple, no-stress way to monetize your content?

If you said yes to any of these, then Substack is worth trying. The best thing I found is that it is free to start, unlike other platforms like Medium, where you have to pay a monthly subscription.

Final Thoughts – Should You Start a Substack?

In recent years, Substack has changed the game for writers, creators, and almost anyone who wants to share their work and build an audience just like other platforms. The difference is you are not just renting the audience. You own the email list, which means if you decide to leave this platform in the future, you can take your email list with you. That is why Substack has become so many people’s favorite platform.

What is Substack? A platform for publishing email newsletters and building a paid audience.

Who is it for? Writers, creators, journalists, and anyone who wants to connect with their audience through direct email content.

Can you make money? Yes! Paid subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships make it a great income stream.

So, if you have been thinking about starting writing, Substack is my favorite recommendation. You can just start today, write something, and start publishing.