Terms

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Publishing platforms and newsletters give authors the chance to earn money from their writing in a meaningful method. Instead of launching affiliate programs or filling their platforms with advertising, they are able to spend their time doing their passion: writing.

It is a mutually beneficial exchange for both members and creators. The writers are compensated for the creation of content, and readers get the chance to read the content they enjoy, all while having an uninterrupted free of ads. No matter if you're a writer, journalist or aspiring writer the following comparisons will aid you in making an informed choice on which platform best meets the needs of your.

Substack

Substack's primary focus is to support creators and give them the necessary tools to be successful. It offers a variety of features that cater to the demands of self-employed content creators. From opportunities for monetization to audience control, Substack lets writers control their own creative journey and build a sustainable career.

Features and pricing

Marketed as "a space for writing that is independent," Substack offers writers an opportunity to create a paid newsletter business that builds community, as well as earn income from subscriptions. It claims that there is no tech knowledge is required and they intend to "take charge of everything, except for the most difficult portion (the writing itself)." The company promises "true independence" which means that the author retains the copyright to all the content they publish.

The process is easy. Writers can import existing content they wrote on other platforms such as Mailchimp, WordPress, Tinyletter, Medium, Tumblr, or even custom-designed sites, or they can set up a new site from scratch in a couple of minutes. When the website is up and running, the creator selects the posts that are available for free, and those that are locked to the Substack paywall. Substack takes 10% of the revenue when a creator is monetizing their site, but up to then, the platform is completely cost-free. The Substack team claims they can "start the process of establishing your Substack at breakfast; start earning money by lunchtime." This is how you can do just that.

Dashboard/Posts

The Dashboard page lists any blog posts you may have previously made available, and also general statistics for your latest post. These stats include: all views, the number of email recipients, and open rate.

You'll also find several buttons you can use to start crafting your latest work of art. These buttons let you create a new post, a new podcast episode or create a brand new thread. In this dashboard, you can also access Subscribers, Stats, and settings.

Within Substack newsletters, the posts are referred to as 'posts which are posted on the author's Substack page for profile. Once an account is active, Substack automatically creates a initial draft of the post. It will prompt users to sign up for Substack's newsletter for paid subscribers and then share the news on social media. You are able to edit or delete the initial pre-populated post or start writing the next blog post.

Substack's homepage for posts

Editing or writing begins with the addition of the title, subtitle and author -- you can even invite guests authors to write -Then you'll have a sophisticated text editor that gives you the possibility of adding paragraphs, headings, images, buttons, codes, bold and italic text as well as quotes and bullet points.

If you click the Settings button you're given the option of editing the post's visibility. You can make the page either public or private and decide whether or not to let comments be posted. In this section, you can also edit the blog's date of publication along with the URL and an unofficial "draft URL" in case you'd like to share the article with your family or friends (even prior to publication). You can send a test email, or alter the preview for social media to make sure the image is perfect before sending it to your followers.

Once you have scheduled or posted the message, can return on the Posts page where you can check how many readers have read each of your posts.

Subscribers

The subscribers dashboard shows you the entire number of paid and paid customers, as well as the gross annualized revenues, as well as subscriber numbers over the last 30 days, 90 days, and all time. It displays the email addresses of every subscriber along with the type of subscription they have (free or paid), date they signed up, and revenue per person.

To add more subscribers to your list, manually add them by the email address they provide or export your existing mailing list using MailChimp, TinyLetter, Patreon or similar platforms into a CSV file, and then transfer it. The Substack upload tool will import any email address it finds, so only upload those who have joined your list.

Stats

In the Stats page, you'll be able to learn about the amount of traffic that came towards your website, as well as the number of emails you've send out in a 30-day interval, 90 days or even since the launch of your newsletter.

The Traffic tab displays the most recent month's web users, and the source. It could come from the original post or your profile on substack, or social media channels like Twitter.

The Email tabs provide you with the full details of each article that includes the title, publication date, and public or private audience (public or private) and information about delivery statistics such as the openings, opens rate, free/paid subscriptions after 1 day, and engagement (likes as well as comments).

Settings

This is where you can alter your title of publication and the description. Also, you can alter the discoverability settings (such tags) as well as personalize your About page, which will provide the benefits of having your magazine and becoming subscribers.

There are also plenty of ways to personalize the tone and style of your magazine, which includes your logo, cover image along with your banner for email and welcome email text (which is emailed to users shortly after signing up). Editing your email send options such as your sender name, the date you wish to receive email replies to your posts and email addresses to RSS feeds, such as email protected[email protected]. Here you can also link and detach your social media accounts as well as Stripe to process payments.

Compatibility and integrations

The most significant feature of Substack's services is the chance to import content from numerous other platforms. This saves you time since you do not have to copy and paste content from each platform you use. Substack provides import functionality for such platforms as mailchimp service, WordPress, TinyLetter, Tumblr, website RSS feed RSS feed for podcasts, Stripe and much more.

The truth is that a large portion of Substack's focus on integrations is tracking and data and you're able to include the following: Facebook Pixel ID, Twitter Pixel ID, Parse.ly Pixel ID, Google Analytics Pixel ID, Google Tag Manager ID Google Site Verification as well as Facebook Site Verification.

These pixels allow for monitoring your readership/engagement levels and some create an integration with advertising platforms. In the case of Facebook, for instance, if add the Facebook Pixel ID (found on your Facebook Business Page) to your Substack, Facebook can track audiences for relevant advertisements.

Medium

Medium however, is a content creation and publishing platform, which hosts various articles by many authors. It serves as a community-driven discovery platform, where writers have the opportunity to connect with a broad public and connect with readers and online publications with the same interest. Medium provides a straightforward interface, extensive social functions as well as an integrated distribution system.

Features and pricing

Medium.com has a broad range of tools and functions to users and creators of content. Medium.com has evolved into a preferred platform for individuals and organizations to share their ideas, stories, and knowledge with a global audience.

It is easy to create and edit your articles with an intuitive and simple editor. Medium offers a non-distracting writing environment with essential formatting options such as headings, lists as well as images and embedding multimedia information. Once you have written an article, you can upload it and be accessible for the general public, or you can limit it to specific audiences.

Unlimited access costs $5 USD/month if you pay each month or $50 USD/year if a year is paid for upfront.

Dashboard/Home

Similar to social media platforms, Medium offers an extensive audience of followers and readers that are always looking for new articles. Through the platform's algorithms and curation process, including an editor's selection' magazine, content can gain recognition and reach a huge public. It can assist creators as well as writers reach out to people who read their articles, develop an following and boost their impact in their specific field.

Medium has a large audience, providing authors with an opportunity to reach a wider audience and gain recognition for their work. The platform's extensive reach ensures that your content has the chance of being discovered by those who have a genuine interest in your topics.

The platform's curate sections assist surface content to relevant readers which increases the likelihood of exposure and interaction. Utilizing these discovery methods it is possible to tap into Medium's distribution network and maximize the exposure of your articles.

Post editor

Medium provides an extensive set of tools for creating content that include advanced formatting options and embedded media support for video and pictures, and the capability to include customized code fragments. The platform allows authors to write visually pleasing pieces that contain rich media and is suitable to digital writers who want an approach that is more visual.

Through Medium's post editor, which is flexible editors can alter the look and feel of their content to be in line with their personal brand. Medium supports the integration of multimedia, allowing for the seamless integration of images as well as videos and other interactive elements. It doesn't matter if you'd like to display your skills in photography or display data through visualizations, Medium allows you to make stunning material.

Network effect

Medium creates a sense community by offering features like comments, highlights, and suggestions, which allow authors to engage with users. The tools for engagement facilitate deep discussion and help create an environment for writers to connect to their readers.

The network effect of Medium plays a crucial role in amplifying the reach of writers' articles. If readers interact with the content through claps, comments, and shares, Medium's algorithms observe the interaction and surface the content in a more broader way to an public. This effect of the network allows authors to gain exposure beyond the existing followers and attract new readers interested in the subject matter they write about.

How to monetize: Medium's Partner Program

Medium operates on a different model of monetization, that is known as"the Medium Partner Program. Authors are able to join the program to make money on the basis of the engagement their articles receive in the form of applauds (Medium's equivalent of likings) as well as reading time. (While the potential for earnings is present on Medium, it's possible that the earnings may be less predictable when compared with Substack's subscription-based system.)

The Medium Partner Program encourages writers to create engaging and thought-provoking articles that are a hit with the readers. By rewarding articles based on the reader's feedback and interactions, Medium promotes the development of content with high-quality that engages and inspires its audience. The model offers the chance for publishers to earn a profit while maintaining a free and open publishing platform.

Conclusion: Medium vs Substack

Substack and Medium offer different things to cater to different creators -- the best way to choose the platform for you is to consider what you want to get out of your newsletter/publishing platform. Substack helps independent writers by providing monetization opportunities along with audience-owned content, as well as an intuitive and targeted writing experience. On the other hand, Medium offers a vast user base, discoverability options along with a deep feeling of belonging.

If you provide valuable and unique content to your subscribers You can earn money and sustain your creative endeavors. Both choices serve a unique goal, so it's your choice to choose which one is the best for you and your audience. Happy writing!