What the Heck is Substack & Why Should I Care?

An introduction for those who are looking to understand what the big deal is over here

If you’ve been anywhere near the online writing, podcasting, or creative entrepreneurship scene lately, you’ve probably heard the name "Substack" thrown around.

Maybe you’ve seen a newsletter in your inbox, stumbled across a podcast hosted there, or noticed a writer you admire raving about it on social media.

But if you’re still scratching your head wondering what Substack actually is and why it’s worth your attention, you’re in the right place.

Let’s break it down—and explore why this platform might just be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

Substack: The Basics

At its core, Substack is a platform that lets writers, creators, and now podcasters build and monetize their own newsletters and content directly with an audience.

Think of it as a hybrid between a blog, an email marketing tool, and a subscription service—except it’s way simpler than cobbling all those things together yourself.

Launched in 2017 by founders Chris Best, Jairaj Sethi, and Hamish McKenzie, Substack was designed to give creators a way to cut through the noise of traditional media and connect directly with readers and listeners who value their work.

You sign up, create your publication (which could be a newsletter, a podcast, or both), and start sharing content.

Readers can subscribe for free or pay for premium access, and Substack handles the techy stuff—payments, delivery, hosting—so you can focus on creating.

It’s that straightforward.

Why Should I Care?

Okay, so it’s a tool for newsletters and podcasts.

Big deal, right?

Well, here’s where Substack gets interesting—and why it’s worth paying attention to, whether you’re a creator, a coach, a small business owner, or just someone who loves good content.

Direct Connection with Your Audience

Unlike social media, where algorithms decide who sees your posts (and often bury them unless you pay to boost), Substack delivers your work straight to your subscribers’ inboxes or podcast feeds.

No middleman, no gatekeeper.

It’s like having a VIP list of people who actually want to hear from you—and who’ll stick around even if the latest platform changes its rules.

Monetization Made Easy

Want to turn your passion into a paycheck?

Substack lets you charge for subscriptions, either for all your content or just premium stuff (think exclusive posts, episodes, or bonus materials).

You set the price—monthly or yearly—and Substack takes a 10% cut of your earnings, leaving you with 90%.

For creators tired of chasing ad revenue or begging for sponsorships, this is a breath of fresh air.

Some writers and podcasters are making six figures (or more!) just by sharing what they love with a loyal audience.

And it’s not such subscriptions that you can use for making money - you can sell your coaching programs, affiliate programs - heck you can sell physical products too.

Creative Control

Forget pitching editors or tweaking your work to fit someone else’s agenda.

On Substack, you’re the boss. You decide what to write, record, or share, how often, and in what format. Want to mix long-form essays with quick audio updates?

Go for it.

Prefer a weekly deep dive over daily snippets? That’s your call. It’s a blank canvas for your ideas.

Substack is also a place for sharing ideas without censorship!

A Built-In Community

Substack isn’t just a solo gig.

Subscribers can comment, engage, and even connect with each other, turning your publication into a little hub of like-minded folks.

Plus, Substack’s discovery features—like recommendations from other creators—help new readers find you. It’s word-of-mouth marketing, baked right in.

You can even take your audience into a more intimate setting by hosting zoom group coaching calls or networking events - you can go live on the platform, and you can start conversation in your chat thread.

The platform is about connecting - in a meaningful way!

Podcasting Power

Substack isn’t just for writers anymore.

It’s become a legit podcasting platform, letting you host episodes, share them with subscribers, and even offer exclusive audio content to paying fans.

If you’re a coach or creator with a microphone and a message, this is a low-friction way to reach your people—no complicated hosting setups required.

This was the specific reason I joined over here!

and why I created the Podcasting on Substack: The Essential Guide for Coaches & Creators 👇 (though this guide will help everyone just starting out over here, and even those who have been around awhile but not seeing any traction)

Low Barrier to Entry

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get started.

Substack’s interface is clean and intuitive, and you can launch with nothing more than an idea and a willingness to hit “publish.”

No coding, no web design, no fuss. It’s built for people who want to create, not tinker.

A Growing Ecosystem

Substack is home to some of the sharpest minds out there—think journalists like Bari Weiss, authors like Salman Rushdie, and niche experts sharing everything from parenting advice to cryptocurrency insights and wandering into the WOO

By joining, you’re plugging into a vibrant network of creators and readers who value substance over clickbait.

Enter: Podcasting on Substack—A Resource for Beginners

If Substack sounds intriguing but you’re not sure where to start—especially if podcasting’s your thing—I’ve got something that might help.

I’ve put together Podcasting on Substack: The Essential Guide for Coaches & Creators, a one-stop resource designed to get you up and running.

It’s a mix of curated wisdom from Substack’s top voices, practical articles, worksheets, and a video walkthrough I’ve created to guide you through the platform.

Whether you’re a coach looking to share your expertise or a creator ready to launch your first episode, this guide breaks it all down: setting up your publication, growing your audience, crafting content that converts free subscribers to paid, and more.

The worksheets help you map out your podcast ideas and schedule, while the video walks you through Substack’s dashboard so you can hit the ground running.

It’s everything I wish I’d had when I first started exploring the platform—minus the overwhelm.

The steps I followed to gain 100+ subscribers in 30 days!

The Bigger Picture

Substack isn’t just a tool; it’s part of a shift in how we consume and create content.

People are tired of shallow, ad-riddled feeds and are craving real, thoughtful stuff from voices they trust.

Substack hands the reins back to creators, letting them build sustainable businesses—or side hustles—on their own terms.

And for readers and listeners, it’s a chance to support work they care about without wading through pop-up ads or paywalls from big media.

Should You Jump In?

If you’re a writer, podcaster, coach, or creator with something to say, Substack is worth a look.

It’s flexible enough to fit whatever you’re dreaming up—whether that’s a weekly newsletter, a podcast series, or a mix of both—and powerful enough to turn your audience into a paying community.

And if you’re just a curious reader or listener, it’s a goldmine of fresh, independent content you won’t find anywhere else.

So, what the heck is Substack?

It’s a platform that’s rewriting the rules of creative work—and why should you care?

Because it might just be the spark you need to share your voice, grow your tribe, and maybe even make a living doing it.

Ready to dive in? Grab Podcasting on Substack: The Essential Guide for Coaches & Creators and let’s get started. The mic’s waiting.

Are you excited to get started? Be sure to let me know in the comments below…