An analysis of 100 top-earning Substack creators reveals only five repeatable income engines. Here is which one fits your expertise, with real examples of each in action.
If the newsletter is proof of work rather than the product, how much of the trust that actually converts is the kind that never likes, never comments, and only surfaces when the reader is ready?
It's fulfilling to write AND it's super nice to be paid for it also! Thanks Katharine for breaking down several ways to monetise our Substack based on individual expertise and actual offerings, as everyone has different skills, content, and personal goals for writing also.
Great analysis. The best signal here is not that AI is everywhere, but that people still need a clear framework for what actually drives value. The 4-engine breakdown makes that much easier to think about.
This is great content Katherine. Learn a lot of insight on how to think through my substack strategy and the 5 engines was spot on. I think everyone starts at that subscription step and gradually grows into different areas. Keep up the great work!
Great post Katherine. For someone new to Substack I appreciate the insight, especially linking into the top writers. It's a really grounded article and it was nice to read. My thoughts are it will be interesting to see how the platform evolves from it current monetization state.
Most of this post was written by Claude.ai or another AI. Doesn't mean the advice isn't useful, generally. But AI-generated posts should admit what they are, out of respect for readers.
The thing these breakdowns usually leave out is how unglamorous the early version of any of those engines looks. My page is about my two miniature dachshunds and the business I have slowly built around them, and for a long stretch the entire engine was me replying to every single comment by hand at odd hours. Of the five, which one do you think people underestimate the most?
The order they arrive in would be a genuinely useful post, and I think you are right that distribution is the stage people wave past. Nothing else in the list can switch on until enough of the right people can actually find you, and that part takes far longer and looks far less impressive than any income breakdown ever admits.
So much valuable information, my brain was blown, I have to come back and re-read 😂
Glad it is useful! You'll just have to bookmark it :)
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for writing this post.
Thank you for commenting!
Thank you
So glad it resonated with your Beth :)
If the newsletter is proof of work rather than the product, how much of the trust that actually converts is the kind that never likes, never comments, and only surfaces when the reader is ready?
It all compounds. The beginning is slow for everyone but very gradually builds.
Thanks so much for this review Katharine! Excited to continue reading your work.
Thanks Matthew, really appreciate that.
Very interesting to discover your Substack too :)
Thanks! Cross pollination around the Substack garden is where the alpha lives. Please let me know if I can ever be a resource for your community. 👊🏼
I agree! Great to connect.
I really appreciate the work you've done and your perspective on building a Substack business.
Thank you :)
It's fulfilling to write AND it's super nice to be paid for it also! Thanks Katharine for breaking down several ways to monetise our Substack based on individual expertise and actual offerings, as everyone has different skills, content, and personal goals for writing also.
Great analysis. The best signal here is not that AI is everywhere, but that people still need a clear framework for what actually drives value. The 4-engine breakdown makes that much easier to think about.
I love this Round-Up of Top Substack Creators! I will be on this list soon!! 😉
Absolutely :) Great to connect!
It would be really nice if 1000 people could read this and subscribe to my content.
This is great content Katherine. Learn a lot of insight on how to think through my substack strategy and the 5 engines was spot on. I think everyone starts at that subscription step and gradually grows into different areas. Keep up the great work!
Great post Katherine. For someone new to Substack I appreciate the insight, especially linking into the top writers. It's a really grounded article and it was nice to read. My thoughts are it will be interesting to see how the platform evolves from it current monetization state.
Thanks for your comment... yes it will!
Very enlightening and what I have instinctively been thinking.
Great stuff.
Most of this post was written by Claude.ai or another AI. Doesn't mean the advice isn't useful, generally. But AI-generated posts should admit what they are, out of respect for readers.
Wonderful overview, practical and inspiring. Thank you very much, Katharine!
Thank you for commenting, glad you enjoyed it Annya.
The thing these breakdowns usually leave out is how unglamorous the early version of any of those engines looks. My page is about my two miniature dachshunds and the business I have slowly built around them, and for a long stretch the entire engine was me replying to every single comment by hand at odd hours. Of the five, which one do you think people underestimate the most?
Hey thanks for your comment... you've an amazing Substack concept documenting the business behind.
I really should write a post about the order these monetization steps mostly come in as I think the distribution stage is vital.
The order they arrive in would be a genuinely useful post, and I think you are right that distribution is the stage people wave past. Nothing else in the list can switch on until enough of the right people can actually find you, and that part takes far longer and looks far less impressive than any income breakdown ever admits.
Very true. Thanks for inspiring me.