How a Writer with 800 Subscribers Makes More Money Than Someone with 15,000

Most writers get this wrong (here's what really works)

I just watched a writer with 800 subscribers make more money last month than someone with 15,000.

The difference wasn't their writing quality. It wasn't their niche. It wasn't luck. It was understanding what Substack actually is and what it isn't.

→ Same platform. Similar content quality. Vastly different results.

But the 800-subscriber writer gets it: Substack isn't social media. It's not a blog. It's a business engine. The 15K writer is still treating it like Twitter with a paywall.

And that's the mistake 90% of writers are making right now.

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The misunderstanding that's costing you money

Most writers approach Substack like this:

"I'll write great content, build an audience, and eventually figure out how to make money from it."

That's backwards.

The profitable writers start with: "What business am I building, and how does my content serve that business?"

It's a completely different game. Let me give you the concrete example.

Writer A (800 subscribers):

• Positioned as "The email marketing strategist for coaches"

• Every post teaches something actionable about email marketing

• Offers 1-on-1 strategy sessions at $300/hour

• Gets 2-3 clients per month from newsletter readers

• Monthly revenue: $3,200+

Writer B (15,000 subscribers):

• Writes "thoughts on life, creativity, and finding your path"

• Posts personal reflections and general inspiration

• Has a $5/month paid tier with "bonus content"

• Gets maybe 50 paid subscribers

• Monthly revenue: $250

Same platform. Same writing skills. One treats it like a business development tool. The other treats it like a personal blog.

Guess who's actually building something sustainable?

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The three types of Substack writers

After watching hundreds of creators on the platform, I've noticed they fall into three categories:

Type 1: The Hobbyists

• Write about whatever interests them that day

• Hope good content will "eventually" find its audience

• Treat paid subscriptions as tip jars

• Wonder why growth is slow and revenue is nonexistent

Type 2: The Performers

• Chase Notes engagement like it's Twitter

• Write click-bait headlines for short-term attention

• Burn out trying to feed the content machine

• Build audiences that don't convert to anything meaningful

Type 3: The Strategists

• Use Substack as their professional home base

• Create content that positions them as experts

• Have clear offers that serve their audience

• Turn their newsletter into real business opportunities

Only Type 3 makes actual money.

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What the profitable writers understand

They know that Substack isn't only about building an audience, it's about building authority.

Every post they publish serves one of three purposes:

1. Demonstrates expertise in their specific area

2. Provides genuine value that readers can implement

3. Builds trust with their ideal customers

They're not trying to go viral. They're trying to go valuable.

They write for word-of-mouth, not algorithm.

They create content so useful that readers naturally share it with people who need to know about their work.

The positioning that changes everything

The difference between making $250/month and $3,200/month often comes down to one thing: how clearly you position yourself.

• Instead of: "I write about marketing"

  • Try: "I help SaaS founders write emails that convert"

• Instead of: "I share my creative journey"

  • Try: "I teach designers how to price their work confidently"

• Instead of: "I write about productivity and life optimization"

  • Try: "I help entrepreneurs build systems that scale without burnout"

See the difference?

The first examples are about you. The second examples are about what you do for other people.

The profitable writers always lead with the value they provide, not the topics they're interested in.

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How to actually use Substack like a business

Stop thinking of your newsletter as a content publication.

Start thinking of it as:

→ Your expertise showcase — where prospects can see exactly what you know and how you think

→ Your relationship builder — where you provide value before asking for anything

→ Your opportunity magnet — what drives consulting inquiries, speaking gigs, and client requests

→ Your business foundation — the asset that supports everything else you're building

The goal isn't just any subscriber. It's the right subscribers. People who could become customers, collaborators, or champions of your work.

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The revenue models that actually work

Forget "premium content" and tip jar mentalities.

Here's what's working for profitable newsletter writers:

• High-ticket services ($500-5000): Consulting, coaching, done-for-you services

• Digital products ($50-500): Courses, templates, guides, workshops

• Speaking & partnerships (~$1000): Corporate training, conference talks, brand collaborations

• Community & masterminds ($100-1000/month): Private groups, accountability programs

Notice what's missing? $5/month subscriptions for bonus posts.

The profitable writers use their free content to attract their ideal customers, then serve them with high-value offers that actually move the needle.

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Your next move 🚀

If you've been treating Substack like a hobby blog or social media platform, it's time to shift your approach.

The writers who understand this are building sustainable businesses while everyone else argues about algorithm changes and subscriber counts.

The opportunity is still massive. Most writers are still figuring it out, which means there's space for you to position yourself strategically and build something real.

But you need to know what you're doing. Let me help you shape your vision and strategy.

Because the difference between the 800-subscriber writer making $3,200 and the 15K writer making $250 isn't talent.

It's strategy.