Listen to ‘If you’re gonna join Substack in 2026, listen to this’ on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your player of choice

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Claire Venus for a really thoughtful conversation about Substack, what makes it different from other platforms, and why so many creators are craving a quieter, more intentional space online. Claire shares how she went from working in festivals and events to building a business around Substack, and how her own desire for a non-algorithmic place to write turned into a thriving community and membership.

We talk about what Substack actually is, how it has evolved over the years, and why it is not as simple as “just start a paid newsletter and make easy money.” Claire breaks down the reality of Substack’s 10% fee, the risks of low-ticket high-volume models, and why so many creators can burn themselves out trying to do too much. We also get into where Substack fits into a larger business ecosystem, whether it should replace your email list, and how to think strategically about using it for lead generation, self-expression, community, or paid offers.

This episode is a really honest look at what Substack can be, who it makes sense for, and why not every platform is the right fit for every business. If you’ve been curious about starting a Substack but also side-eyeing it a little, this conversation will help you think through it with a lot more clarity.

What you’ll learn

• Claire’s journey from the events industry to building a business around Substack
• What Substack is, how it has evolved, and why it feels different from traditional social platforms
• How creators can grow on Substack without relying heavily on algorithms or viral content
• Why many creators are craving deeper connection and longer-form attention online
• The reality of monetizing on Substack, including the 10% platform fee and subscription model
• How Substack fits into a larger business ecosystem alongside email lists, courses, and memberships
• Who Substack is best suited for and why it’s not too late to start using the platform

Thinking About Joining Substack in 2026? Read This First

Substack is having a moment right now.

Everywhere you look, creators are talking about it. People are posting screenshots of paid subscriber dashboards, talking about recurring revenue, and announcing that they’re moving their content there.

And if you’re a business owner, educator, or creator, you’ve probably wondered the same thing a lot of people are asking right now:

Should I start a Substack?

But before you jump in because everyone else seems to be doing it, there are a few things worth understanding about the platform—what it actually is, how it works inside a business ecosystem, and why some creators absolutely love it while others burn out trying to make it work.

This post is based on a conversation with Substack educator Claire Venus, who has spent the last several years building on the platform, teaching others how to use it, and seeing firsthand what actually happens behind the scenes once people start publishing there.

If you’re thinking about joining Substack in 2026, here’s what you need to know first.

Why So Many Creators Are Suddenly Talking About Substack

One of the biggest reasons Substack is gaining attention right now is because it offers something many creators feel like they’ve been missing online.

A quieter space.

For years, most creators have been building audiences on algorithm-driven platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Those platforms can be incredibly powerful for visibility, but they also come with a constant pressure to produce content quickly and frequently.

Short-form videos.
Daily posts.
Comment engagement.
Chasing trends.

Substack feels different.

Instead of competing for attention in a fast-moving feed, creators can publish long-form writing, share deeper thoughts, and build relationships with readers who are actually there to slow down and consume content thoughtfully.

The attention economy works differently there. People open an article knowing they’re about to read something longer than a caption or a tweet. They’re choosing to spend time with your words.

In a digital landscape increasingly filled with AI-generated content and rapid-fire posting cycles, that shift toward depth feels refreshing for a lot of creators.

And readers seem to feel it too.

What Substack Actually Is (And What It Isn’t)

A lot of people still think of Substack as just a newsletter platform.

But in reality, it’s a lot more than that.

Substack functions as a combination of a blog, an email newsletter, and a community space. Creators can publish written posts, audio recordings, video content, or even host live conversations with other creators.

Readers can interact through comments, join paid memberships, and follow creators through an app-based experience that feels closer to social media than traditional email.

At the same time, that flexibility can also create confusion.

Because while Substack can do many things, that doesn’t necessarily mean it should do everything for your business.

That’s where a lot of creators run into trouble.

The Biggest Mistake People Make When Joining Substack

One of the most common mistakes people make when they start a Substack is joining because of hype rather than clarity.

They see other creators talking about paid subscribers or recurring revenue and assume the platform itself is responsible for those results.

But the reality is usually more complex.

Many of the creators making large amounts of money on Substack already had audiences before they joined. Some have spent years building communities through podcasts, blogs, courses, or social media platforms.

Substack simply became another place where those audiences could connect with them.

The deeper question creators need to ask isn’t “How do I succeed on Substack?”

The question is: What do I want Substack to be for me?

Because the answer to that question can look very different depending on your goals, your business model, and how you want to show up online.

Can You Actually Make Money on Substack?

Yes, people absolutely make money on Substack.

The platform allows creators to offer paid newsletters or memberships, usually priced somewhere between five and ten dollars per month. Readers can subscribe to access paywalled posts, exclusive content, or private community discussions.

On the surface, that recurring revenue model sounds incredibly appealing.

But there’s an important nuance that doesn’t always get talked about.

Many creators start out offering a simple paid newsletter. Over time, they begin adding more and more content to justify the subscription price.

They add audio posts.
They add video content.
They start creating deeper educational resources.

Before long, what started as a newsletter begins to resemble a course or a membership program.

And that’s where the economics can start to feel a little strange.

Because at that point, creators may be delivering a significant amount of work while charging a relatively low subscription fee—and giving ten percent of that revenue to Substack.

This is why some creators eventually realize that certain types of offers may be better hosted elsewhere in their business ecosystem.

The 10% Fee Question

One of the biggest hesitations many business owners have about Substack is the platform’s revenue share.

Substack takes ten percent of all paid subscription revenue.

At the beginning, that doesn’t necessarily feel like a big deal. The platform itself is free to use, and creators don’t have to pay upfront subscription costs like they might with other platforms.

But as a business scales, that percentage becomes more significant.

The question isn’t whether ten percent is fair.

The real question is whether the value of being on Substack justifies that tradeoff for your specific business model.

For some creators, the answer is absolutely yes.

For others—especially those already running courses, memberships, or complex digital products on other platforms—the decision may require more thought.

Where Substack Often Fits Best in a Business

For many entrepreneurs, Substack works best as one piece of a larger ecosystem rather than the center of everything.

Some creators use it as a lead generation tool, where thoughtful writing helps attract readers who later become customers in other parts of their business.

Others treat it as a low-ticket community space where readers can gather around ideas and conversations.

And some creators use it in a completely different way: as a place for creative expression separate from their main offers.

Instead of tightly connecting every piece of content to a product or service, they simply write about what they’re thinking about, observing, or learning.

That freedom is one of the reasons many people fall in love with the platform.

What If You Already Have an Email List?

One important question many business owners ask is whether Substack should replace their existing email platform.

For most businesses, the answer is no.

Traditional email marketing platforms provide tools that many companies rely on: tagging systems, CRM integration, automated sequences, and detailed customer tracking.

Those tools make it possible to understand customer behavior, run nurture sequences, and organize different audience segments.

Substack works differently.

It can certainly send emails, but its structure is designed more for publishing content and building readership than managing complex customer relationships.

Because of that, many creators choose to keep their primary email system while using Substack as an additional channel rather than a replacement.

Why Some Creators Love the Platform

One of the biggest reasons creators stay on Substack is that it feels different from other platforms.

There’s less pressure to constantly perform.

Posts don’t need to follow a strict algorithm-friendly structure. Writers can explore ideas more freely and speak directly to their audience in a longer format.

For many creators, that slower pace allows them to reconnect with why they started sharing ideas online in the first place.

Instead of chasing visibility, they focus on conversation.

Instead of optimizing every sentence for engagement, they focus on writing something meaningful.

So… Should You Join Substack in 2026?

Substack might be a great fit for you if you love writing, enjoy long-form communication, and want a platform where your ideas can breathe a little more.

It can be especially powerful for creators who want deeper relationships with readers rather than purely algorithm-driven reach.

But it may not be the right platform if you’re only joining because everyone else is doing it.

Not every platform fits every business.

And that’s okay.

Is It Too Late to Start on Substack?

One of the most common questions people ask is whether they’ve already missed the opportunity.

The truth is that’s probably the wrong question.

Substack is still evolving. The platform itself is constantly adding new features, and its community continues to grow.

What matters more than timing is clarity.

If you feel genuinely drawn to writing and sharing ideas in that format, starting now is just as valid as starting earlier.

You don’t have to build a massive strategy before you begin.

Sometimes the best way to understand a platform is simply to start writing.

Final Thoughts

Substack isn’t compelling because it’s trendy.

It’s compelling because for the right person, it feels like relief.

A place to write.
A place to think.
A place to connect with readers without performing for an algorithm every day.

But that only works when you join with intention.

Not every platform needs to become part of your business.

Not every opportunity that looks exciting will feel sustainable long-term.

If you’re going to join Substack in 2026, do it because it supports your voice, your ideas, and the kind of community you want to build—not because someone else made it look easy.

Resources & Links:

• Visit Claire’s website
• Join Claire’s 11,000+ subscribers
• Get Claire’s book: “How to Build a World Class Substack”
• Follow Claire on Instagram
• Join Stacked Inbox
• Join Scalability
• 30 free selling on stories prompts
• Scaling Unlocked Mastermind Application
• Kajabi 30-day free trial + 2 bonuses
• Manychat
• IG University

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• Follow on Instagram @myanichol 
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More about the Radical Disruption podcast: 

Are you wanting to make waves in your industry, push the envelope, and change the way things are done in a radical way? Are you looking for tangible, tactical, and actionable steps that will help you build a sustainable business that stands out? You’re in the right place!

Radical Disruption is home to the disrupters. Here, you’ll learn how to take your business to the next level, break the status quo, and build a disruptive business.

Nursing student turned business and social media expert and host Mya Nichol (hey, that’s me!) shares the real and raw of the crazy journey of entrepreneurship and building a multi-six-figure business.

Through solo episodes and special guest interviews, you can expect honest conversations about throwing out the traditional way of business, scaling in a sustainable way, and becoming the go-to expert in your industry. It’s time to build a disruptive business. See you on Tuesdays!

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