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What is Substack? ✨

Substack is a newsletter publishing platform that empowers writers and creators to directly connect with their audience through email subscriptions. It provides a streamlined way to publish content, engage with subscribers, and monetize through paid subscriptions.

What Substack can be used for? ✨

Substack offers several benefits that can be particularly useful for community builders looking to engage with their audience and establish a direct line of communication. Here are some of them:

  • Substack allows creators to build a mailing list that they own, which enables them to maintain a direct relationship with their audience without the interference of algorithms that can often hinder visibility on social media platforms.
  • For community builders looking to monetize their content, Substack provides a straightforward way to do so. Creators can easily set up paid subscriptions, allowing dedicated followers to support them financially for exclusive content, which can lead to a more sustainable community-driven business model.
  • The platform is user-friendly, with a simple interface for writing and distributing newsletters. This ease of use lowers the barrier to entry for community builders who may not have technical expertise but wish to share content and engage with their community.
  • On Substack, creators own their content. This is a significant benefit in an online world where platforms often control and leverage user content for their own purposes.
  • With Substack Chat creators can engage in real-time conversations with their subscribers, fostering a deeper sense of community. It allows for both group and individual chats, providing a space for informal updates and direct interaction within the Substack app.
  • Substack provides tools for audience engagement, such as comments, Q&A features, and the ability to email subscribers directly. This can help foster a sense of community and encourage dialogue among members.
  • Creators can personalize their Substack page and emails, which can be important for brand consistency and recognition within their community.
  • Substack offers analytics to help creators understand their audience better. Knowing what content resonates can inform future content and community-building strategies.
  • The platform can integrate with other tools and services (such as Zapier), allowing community builders to connect Substack with other software they use to manage their community.

Features ✨

  • Email Newsletters

  • Paid Subscriptions

  • Subscriber Analytics

  • Audience Engagement

  • Direct Messaging

  • Discussion Threads

  • Substack Chat

  • Integration Options

  • Content Ownership

  • Publication Archive

  • Reader Feedback

  • Simple Interface

  • Post Scheduling

  • Import Subscribers

  • Subscription Management

  • Mobile App Access

  • Podcasting

What are the limitations? ✨

Based on reviews, community builders face several restrictions and challenges when using Substack:

  • Many users report poor customer service experiences, citing slow response times, unresolved issues, and a lack of communication channels beyond email.
  • Users have encountered technical problems such as difficulties with changing email addresses, losing access to newsletters, and issues with subdomain changes.
  • Substack offers only limited customization options for newsletters and landing pages.
  • Substack may not offer as many integrations with third-party tools and services as other platforms do, which can limit the ability to automate processes or incorporate additional features into the community experience.
  • You don't get a custom URL.
  • Analytics are lacking. Substack lacks detailed data on subscriber locations, user hyperlink, button interactions, and in-depth audience behavior analysis.
  • Substack doesn't offer the capabilities for automated email campaigns, tailored messaging, or precise audience segmentation.

Languages ✨

  • English